MOVE: June 14, 2013

Time Travel without 121 Gigawatts

Remember the scene in Back to the Future when Biff (the prototypical bully) asks why his homework isn't ready yet?  "Hello, McFly....think McFly, think.....I need enough time to copy it into my own handwriting" the scene goes.  Ever had one of those moments.....when you're sitting there innocently eating your cornflakes and then out of the blue you're getting thumped on the head by some circumstance that you didn't see coming?  I know I have......my favorite part of the scene (view it here if you can't remember) is when Goldie Wilson tells good ol' George McFly to stand up, and not be pushed around as his son Marty (Michael J. Fox) looks on.....Goldie warns him that he's destined to keep getting the same result in the future if he doesn't make a change now......ah yes, the wisdom of movies from the 80's.

When I was thinking about what message would be best for this, the Father's Day edition of the weekly communication, I couldn't think of anything more fitting.  The bullying force may not be the same, but then again, many kids don't have to travel back in time to see it unfold.......because it's happening in real time......piece by piece......every single day......and it's been that way for a while now.  So many American Dads bullied by declining health each and every day, the end result of not standing up.  By the end of their day, with energy sapped, they sit down and catch their breath, hoping that they won't get thumped on the head again tomorrow by the effects of any number of chronic conditions.  We can do better.

Whether you are the Dad in this scenario, or you've watched your Dad have the "Hello McFly" moment with his health.....we hope you'll let us be your Goldie Wilson.......we hope you'll hear us as we say "the best time to stand up and fight back is now".......because from a health and prevention perspective, knowing what's going to happen in the future definitely doesn't require a Delorean and a bolt of lightning......It does however require action, it does require effort, it likely requires a plan and sometimes, it even requires courage.

Whether you're filling the shoes of the Dad teaching the lesson, the Dad learning the lesson or you want to honor your Dad......I hope you'll stand up to the risks we each face......it's worth the effort.  We're of course here for you if you need a hand.....just say the magic phrase "Pro-Activity, give me a milk......chocolate".

Have a great weekend,

Mike E.