Looking at Arizona at 100 years old is now about Arizonans at 100.
That's what I was thinking after an overwhelming week of meetings and messages that come from our community at this most special time in our history.
It is hard for me to believe that the state is only 100 years old. In history we are only just beginning to shape ourselves into whom we want to be.
The messages of what I might contribute came in waves. On Friday I attended a continuing education conference here given by the Southern Arizona Dental Society. A dermatologist from the Mayo Clinic was here to help us understand the connections between oral health and our overall health.
Living longer means more chances that "stuff happens" all over the body.
On Saturday we got to share some time with the folks at the Celebrating Women's Health Fair at the Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort. Focusing on healthier lifestyles is a message we all need to recognize. The need for aging well seems ever-present in discussions.
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How nice to see the Marana Chamber continuing its message of truly supporting healthier lifestyles. Its program of encouraging healthy ways is another step in preparing for the road to 100.
I am sure many of you are like me and came to Southern Arizona to live the "best years" of your life. There is something so invigorating about getting up and watching the sun rise and inhaling the crisp morning air. The show each evening is just the culmination of another great day here in my own personal paradise. This lifestyle is a good fit for me.
So now at the state's centennial, I think the quest will be to see how Arizona will evolve as its residents live to 100.
What will it do to us as a society and, more importantly, how will we be role models for folks in the rest of our country and the world?
Our resources - including good weather, diverse populations and technology that allows many folks to do business from anywhere - make Tucson a prime area for people's quest for 100 good years.
There's a reason humans have wanted to inhabit this special part of the world.
We need to respect ourselves and our quality of life as the politics here are sorted out.
We need to embrace the fact that the changes needed to evolve for the extended life expectancy are daunting and filled with politics.
Taking personal responsibility for your health in living to 100 will be best for the individual and society as a whole Enjoy the journey,
Bob
E-mail Bob Oro at northwest@azstarnet.com
