We all have one. Our expiration date is when we leave this earthly life. The problem or the blessing depending on how we look at it is no one knows their expiration date. I personally, would not want to know that date, but some do. There is nothing we can do about it, it will happen, so can we plan around it? There are actually several things that can be done to extend it and be sure our loved ones are cared for if we are willing to change.
By not knowing our expiration date, we don’t know cause of death. However, there are those daily things we can all do better. First is to eat right. My wife and I have made a commitment to go to a C.H.I.P. (Complete Health Improvement Plan) class to start living a healthier lifestyle before our health deteriorates. It is really not that tough to do. It just takes a conscious effort. Eat more plant based foods or whole foods. Fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes and whole grains versus meat, cheese, eggs, dairy and sugar. The big thing is to totally avoid convenience processed foods. Second is daily exercise. Walking 10,000 steps per day and light resistance exercises add life to our bodies. These are things everyone can do. Once you start the habit, you really don’t miss the “junk food”.
Lifestyle is the main contributor to our early demise. It is traced directly to coronary artery disease, heart attacks, strokes, respiratory disease, diabetes and cancers, the main contributors to our early expiration date. Certainly, no one can stop a fatal accident due to being in the wrong place at the wrong time or carelessly acting to increase risk, but lifestyle causes can be slowed dramatically. Consider 2011 death statistics in the US, that 68% died from lifestyle diseases and only 5% died accidently. It can extend your expiration date.
Lastly, because we know we will expire some day, we can plan accordingly. We can purchase life insurance to help the ones we love deal with the financial burden of dying. Be sure you have enough coverage for the proper amount of time. If you have not had a policy review in a while, call your trusted agent and do a quick life insurance policy review. Last but not least, contact an attorney and write a will or update your will. No one wants a judge deciding who gets the kids and your possessions when you die. You should decide that. Best of luck and here’s to many more happy years!
“There’ll be two dates on your tombstone and all your friends will read them. But all that is going to matter is that little dash between them.”—Kevin Welch
Image by Stuart Miles at www.freedigitalphotos.net
Tim Wilhoit is owner/principal of Your Friend 4 Life Insurance Agency in Nashville, TN. He is a family man, father of 3, entrepreneur, insurance agent, life insurance broker, salesman, sales trainer, recruiter, public speaker, blogger and team leader with over 27 years of experience in sales and marketing in the insurance and beverage industries.
Thank you !
I don’t know when to EXPIRE only GOD KNOWS WHEN..
We all are destined to this expirery. One good attribute of man is “Love”. True love is always full of protection and cherish. This, may strongly be achieved through “Life insurance”. This product truely extend one’s expirery date. Which loving parent will afford to ignore this wepon.
Love this. A few years back, I met a dear man who shared, in a very matter of fact manner, that he had 5 years to live. He shared that we’re all going to die, he just knew when. He lived a full life, family, job, church, community involvement, and in year 5, I attended his funeral. I believe it was St. Francis who when asked what he would do if he learned he would die at sunset, replied “Continue tending my garden.”
Consuelo, what an amazing story. This gave me chills. Thank you so much for sharing. This really puts life into proper perspective, doesn’t it?
Benefits of a Life insurance policy to dependants / beneficiaries enable the departed presence felt long after expiration. Life insurance is atrue exttention of one’s expiration date. A true gift that prolongs love to one’s next of keen beyond the expiration date !
Great insight and commentary. As we all know our life is often a reflection of the decisions we make while on this earth. You have shared good advice for all.
Glenn, thank you for your kind words. You make a very true statement, we are the sum of all of our decisions throughout our life.
As always, a very insightful column that I look forward to read. Thanks, Tim!
Very sagacious views and implorations. Would add that expiration date actually starts when an individual shuts out the learning process. Curiosity to learn can much more life to years.
Final mortality is an ex tirupati .