don's report archive

by Donald B. Ardell, Ph. D.

Wellness in the Headlines
(Don's Report to the World)

Last week, I spoke to a business group. My first encounter with this group came during my run for mayor. Every mayoral candidate had been invited to speak to the group at one time or another during the campaign, except me! When I noticed this oversight a month before the election and requested the opportunity to appear, they cheerfully consented. Unfortunately, I was scheduled AFTER the election, so it was a little late to win them over to my ideas for a well city. Still, my wellness message remains as timely now as then, so I cheerfully agreed. I was billed as "a wellness promoter, runner and triathlete who was recently not elected to be the next mayor of Tampa. Don has great ideas about supporting the arts and creating a well city that is fit, fun, free and functional." I was scheduled to speak for fifteen minutes, which would be followed by a Q&A period.

Asked to provide a little more information about their expectations, the organizer offered "hints," such as "challenge the membership, inspire them, give them ideas and encourage creativity in order that they might better deal with their problems." He listed a variety of problems of most concern to the group -- reclaim the urban core, secure clean water, abate pollution, prevent crime, encourage the arts and local artists and make the area pedestrian-friendly. "Better traffic" was also mentioned, but I was not sure that meant bring more traffic (business, in other words) to the area or overcome auto congestion downtown. My guess was both. He also said the group would welcome insights on redeveloping railroad yards, and/or ways they might benefit from special tax increment financing initiatives -- and I might also want to comment about architecture and the new urbanism.

All this in 15 minutes? If I could add something sensible to half these matters in twice the time, I would be a genius. This group drives a hard bargain, particularly in light of the fact that I was speaking from (what's left of) the goodness of my heart. That is, it was a free talk!

The assignment, basically, seemed rather overwhelming, until I noticed the last paragraph in the speaker instructions: "I hope you can find something of relevance in these hints. If not, just talk about your passions. I think what makes Tampa a fresh and exciting city is that we have a deep field of interesting people, of which you, no doubt, are right up there in the front of the pack." Well, maybe I could pull this off, after all -- I'm always ready and able to discuss my passions, and who would not be flattered to be considered up there near the head of the pack?

The organizer even selected the title for my talk, namely, "A Timeless Message." For starters, I was tempted to tell them they should have elected me mayor! Who else had promised "a well city that is fit, fun, free and functional?" Nobody! However, I decided not to hold them personally responsible for voter negligence. Such a bitter lament did not seem to have the requisite timeless quality to it.

Tomorrow I'll tell you what I told the business group. Maybe YOU will be "challenged, inspired, given ideas and encouraged to be creative so you can better deal with YOUR problems."

Till then, be well and always look on the bright side of life.

(Note: This essay will be filed in the archives in the PHYSICAL DOMAIN under the skill area of lifestyle habits. Additional articles related to this theme may be found there.)

(Ed. Note: Views expressed in this and other columns are those of the author and not necessarily those of the SeekWellness Editorial Board.)

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