Aging, Kansas, and a Sweetheart named Maisie DeVore

After finishing my MBA at Villanova, I made the decision to go home to Kansas to spend some time with my four grandparents. They are slowing down and aging in their own beautiful way. My journey home rewarded me with some amazing time with each of them, but it also solidified my beliefs that a key to growing old is a focus on staying active. When you have a project, a hobby, or something that keeps you active as you age, the hands of time loosen their grip and you stay healty, mobile, and strong.

I try to stay active and work out 4-5 times per week. I dont’ do this for a short term goal like going to the beach this summer and wanting to look good in a swimsuit. I do it because I want to stay healthy. I do it for my heart. I’ve had a few discussions on this subject with my older brother Anderson who is on the same page and just this last year completed a half marathon.

This brings me to a wonderful gal from Kansas that I came across on the internet tonight. Her name is Maisie DeVore. For the last 30 years Maisie has collected aluminum cans for…. well, just watch this video.

Maisie is 83. There is no way to know for sure, but I believe that this project has kept her young. There is no mention of this in the video, but I think it’s true. It kept her active. While it’s easy to sit down and rest, this project inspired her to keep moving. May we all be so lucky to be as motivated as Maisie DeVore. One of the things that bothers me most about my four grandparents is that I don’t believe they are active enough.

Here’s what I’m thinking. Shoot your TV. Get up off the couch and go do something – anything. You don’t have to build a pool, but pick a project and stay active so that in a few years we can have some more positive stories to read about like those of the Sweetheart named Maisie DeVore. Perhaps it will increase your quality of life as well.