Check List

I was recently at the dentist for a cleaning. The technician—who I like—asked me about flossing. I told her I didn’t. And I went on to tell her that I won’t. I’m not going to lie. I have had grand amibitions to floss, but I have learned over the years that I won’t.

She was very good about it, which is one of the reasons that I keep going to this dentist. But I was prepared if she wanted to explain to me why I had to floss. Because she is right, it would be better if I flossed. But I have been working on the following checklist to provide to people who tell me about the things I should do.

• Do you floss?
• Do you exercise three times a week?
• Do you ‘pay yourself first’, that is do you put aside a certain percentage of your income for retirement?
• Do you have an emergency fund?
• Do you get 25 to 35 grams of fiber each day?
• Do you know your glucose numbers? Especially if you are at risk for diabetis? Do you know the risk factors for diabetis?
• Do you drink a glass of red wine every day for your heart?
• For women
• do you do a monthly breast exam?
• Do you get enough calcium?
• Do you take folic acid?
• Do you eat a serving of green leafy vegetables every day?
• For men—do you do a monthly self exam?
• Do you eat five to eight servings of fruits and vegetables every day?
• Do you check your credit rating yearly?
• Are your spices stored over your stove? And do you throw them out when they are six months old?
• If you are fifty or older, have you had a colonoscopy?
• Do you recycle?
• Do you do both aerobic and anerobic exercise?
• Do you support the troops? I mean by doing more than buying one of those stupid ribbons to stick on your car?
• Do you vote?
• Do you research your vote? Even judges and local zoning issues?
• Are you learning a new language or otherwise doing something to decrease your chances of Alzheimers?
• Do you have your tires rotated every other oil change?
• Do you get an oil change every 3,000 to 7,000 miles?
• Do you drink eight 8oz. glasses of water every day?
  

There are more things I could add to the list but the point is, we're a pretty maintenance heavy culture. I will also confess, I don't do all of these things. I won't say how many I do or don't. But I miss my share.