Now or Later. You Decide

Good Working Order

Auto manufacturers suggest oil changes every 3,000 miles and tire rotations every 5,000 miles.  Air conditioning manufacturers suggest changing filters at least every 30 -45 days.  Preventive maintenance helps avoid costly breakdowns and repairs.  For the most part, people follow the suggestions of the manufacturers, as they want their cars and air conditioners to function properly and last a long time. 

Doctors recommend an annual physicals plus respective “specialty” checkups for men and women.  Dentists suggest semi-annual visits for teeth cleaning and inspections.  Physicals and checkups are “our” oil changes, tire rotations, and filter changes.  They are meant to take a snapshot of our overall health to ensure we are functioning properly yet there are people out there, a fairly large number in our group, that skip the physicals and checkups.  They have every excuse under the sun from I don’t have time to I had a bad experience once and won’t go back.  If you do not have time for a physical, you may have time for a heart attack.  If you don’t have time for the dentist, you may have time for that gum disease and oral surgery.

Do I enjoy a prostate exam?  Hell no, but I would rather have the exam than find out I have prostate cancer.  Do I enjoy having blood taken?  Hell now, but I would rather get stuck with a needle than find out my cholesterol is through the roof by way of a heart attack and have several hundred dollars worth of medical bills.  The one thing in life you cannot replace, your body, is not worth the investment of a few hours to ensure you will be around for a while?  Our bodies can be reasonably repaired but cannot be replaced and yet some pay them little or no attention.  Is there a huge flaw in that logic or is it just me?

With the end of the year coming up, make the time to have that checkup, physical, or teeth cleaning.  Financially, it makes sense to do it now, as I would guess most have met their medical insurance deductable and the cost of the physicals would be minimal.  If you won’t do it for yourself, do it for your kids, your baby, your husband/wife, or for ME.  Everyone in my life is a part of me, and I want y’all around for a long time.  Make sure you are in good working order.

Rodney - Check...Check...Triple Check