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Jumpin' Jack Flash!!

by Doctor Laurence H. Miller on 05/23/12

This past weekend on NBC's Saturday Night Live, a man who will turn seventy years old in 2013 gave a musical performance that would have been insanely amazing for a twenty year old.

Mick Jagger, of The Rolling Stones band, was known in the sixties as one of "the bad boys of Rock and Roll". Unlike the early Beatles, who wore long hair for that time but otherwise dressed like male Barbi dolls, Jagger was clearly more openly "rebellious" regarding society's conservative standards. In fact, his group drew from Blues and Jazz as well as Rock and Roll. They were scruffy, frequently rude, openly using illegal drugs, and if anyone didn't like it, "Too bad"!

Please watch his performance on "YOUTUBE". Try to imagine yourself enduring such a work-out. Try to imagine your teen-age kids enduring such a work-out.

Clearly this oldster is doing something right! Clearly he has not indulged in unhealthy behaviors for a long time. Clearly he has indulged in HEALTHY BEHAVIORS for a long time!

And what behaviors are they? Firstly, and MOST importantly, he has been moving his body, A LOT, for over fifty years. Stop whining! Stop complaining that you don't have the time! Start slowly, but START! And, like the Nike commercial advises, "Just do it!" And please, PLEASE, make sure you get your kids to do it TOO!

Secondly, and JUST as importantly, he is doing something he LOVES to do! Clearly, this man LIVES for his music. He is a master. So help your kids find something (legal) that they can be passionate about. Something that causes them to literally lose track of time. Psychologists have found that THAT is where TRUE HAPPINESS lies. When a person loses himself/herself in something OUTSIDE of the self, that is the answer. And then, whatever it is, do it, and keep doing it for as long as you can for the joy you find there.

Comments (2)

1. Carla M. said on 6/5/12 - 01:57PM

Hi Dr. Miller! Finally made a point to sit and read your wonderful blog. Michael and I did see Mick Jagger on SNL and were amazed by his energy. Hard to believe he will be 70 next year. Certainly, he has more energy than many children, nevermind adults. A sad commentary on this changing society of ours is that children spend more time indoors playing electronics, which keeps them from moving their bodies. We often find ourselves "forcing" the kids to go out and play. When we were children, that is ALL we wanted to do. I agree with you that a conscience effort has to be made to work in that exercise and indulge in healthy behaviors, but it sure is not always easy!

2. Laurence H Miller, MD said on 6/9/12 - 10:13AM

Thanks for the comment Ms. Carla; and a very astute comment at that! So kids DO need to be DIRECTED to be physical today. Just another example of how our world KEEPS CHANGING. BUT, the GOOD news is that IF the parents SET THE EXAMPLE that exercise is a MUST and is FUN, the kids will follow! Once it is a part of their lives, the kids WILL be hooked on it. It becomes their "drug of choice", in a good way!!

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1.	Carla M. said on 6/5/12 - 01:57PM
	Hi Dr. Miller! Finally made a point to sit and read your wonderful blog. Michael and I did see Mick Jagger on SNL and were amazed by his energy. Hard to believe he will be 70 next year. Certainly, he has more energy than many children, nevermind adults. A sad commentary on this changing society of ours is that children spend more time indoors playing electronics, which keeps them from moving their bodies. We often find ourselves "forcing" the kids to go out and play. When we were children, that is ALL we wanted to do. I agree with you that a conscience effort has to be made to work in that exercise and indulge in healthy behaviors, but it sure is not always easy!
2.	Laurence H Miller, MD said on 6/9/12 - 10:13AM
	Thanks for the comment Ms. Carla; and a very astute comment at that! So kids DO need to be DIRECTED to be physical today. Just another example of how our world KEEPS CHANGING. BUT, the GOOD news is that IF the parents SET THE EXAMPLE that exercise is a MUST and is FUN, the kids will follow! Once it is a part of their lives, the kids WILL be hooked on it. It becomes their "drug of choice", in a good way!!