What I CAN do every day

I’ve always wondered about the root of my motivations.  Why do I care so much about my health and the health of those around me?  I’m that annoying person who always wants to hear about your ailments and offers a tidbit of solution from something I recently read.  I just can’t help it; I love health-related stuff.

Why do I care so much?  Why do I put so much effort into making sure that I walk my steps every day and eat well?  I suppose the source of my motivation has evolved over my lifetime. Today, I see clearly why my health matters.

Both of my parents suffered cardiovascular trauma.  My dad passed from an aneurysm in 2004. My mom is finding her way through life with the aftermath of a hemorrhagic stroke that has now developed into vascular dementia.  It’s all still shocking to me.

My husband and I talk a lot about maintaining an active lifestyle for the next 30-plus years. We want to live like his 89-year old father and not with the struggles my parents had.  Is that my motivation?  Or, is it that I just want to feel good in my body, mind and soul.

Maybe motivation is less important. It’s the actions in life that really matter.  What I can do every day is physically move, eat lots of fruit and veggies and get a good night’s sleep.  That is what’s important, right?

During the day, at work, my motivation comes from the farmers and food artisans whose business I get to help to thrive. My motivation comes from seeing smiles on faces of shoppers at our farmers markets.  When I read shopper surveys from low income/SNAP participants, my motivation comes from their courage to try fresh foods and watch how their lives change.

I guess I’m conflicted about motivation.  I’ll just do what I can.

Trudy Toliver
Executive Director, Portland Farmers Market & Farmers Market Fund
AHA Oregon Advocacy Committee Member