LifeNuts
  • LifeNuts
    • What is a LifeNut?
    • Origin of LifeNuts
    • LifeNuts Levels
    • What is a LifeNuts Community?
    • Why LifeNuts Works
    • How to Get Started
    • Current LifeNuts Communities
  • Founder's Story
    • Speaking
    • Credentials
  • Stress
    • Concepts of Stress
    • Diseases of Stress
    • PNI
    • The Relaxation Response
    • Psychological Stress Management
    • The Faith Factor
    • Relationships
  • Health
    • Nutrition
    • LifeNuts Fitness
    • Supplements
    • Sleep
    • Excuses
    • Time Management
    • Children >
      • Childhood Obesity
      • LifeNuts for Kids
  • Financial
    • Financial Stress Management
    • Transitioning
    • Goal Setting
  • Blog ...
    • LifeNuts in the News!
    • Blog
    • Are You Faster Than a 91-year-old Challenge
    • FAQ
    • Contact Us
    • The LifeNut Forms

MONTANA PEOPLE

7/21/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
I recently returned from ten days in the West – a combination of a bucket list thing, a marathon, and a visit with my son and his family. The bucket list: when my roommate and I were about to begin our senior year in dental school 45 years ago, we drove west in my VW bug, camped in my boy scout pup tent, and basked in the glory of a mini-adventure, taking us from Columbus, Ohio, to Yellowstone, to Seattle and Victoria, down the stunning Oregon coast, through the smog of LA, San Diego and Tijuana, the Grand Canyon, and the Cowboy Hall of Fame. One night we camped in Missoula, Montana, where I ran their marathon last week. After the marathon, Pat and I visited our KOA campground, not far from our hotel. I like a comfortable bed nowadays.

Though we spent a few days before and after the trip to visit my son and his family in Salt Lake City and then drove north through Idaho, most of our time was in Montana. Now, I’ve run marathons in many western states – Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Wyoming, and Colorado – and I’ve come to enjoy the people of the west for their authenticity and lack of frills. But this was my first lengthy exposure to the folks of Montana.

Let me explain that I am an observer of people and that, when I meet someone, I like to watch, listen, and try to figure out where the person is from. Some are brisk, some seem unhappy, some are critical, some are judgmental. But western people, by and large, are different: they seem content and genuine. And, after a week in Montana, I must say that these people epitomize this character even more than those in other western states. They’re not only happy but enthusiastic. I rarely heard any complaints.

I made this observation not only by interacting with the volunteers during and after the marathon, but also from the many encounters we had at hotels, restaurants, shops, and art galleries. What struck me the most was their enthusiasm. After a few days of this I asked some of them why they felt this way. I’m not sure they could really explain it, but I remember than more than one commented on the unfriendliness they felt when they visited the east – Boston, New York, and other big cities.

As the days progressed, I thought about their Montana attitude and how it relates to health. If one is critical, jealous, angry, depressed, then his or her health will reflect this emotional state. That’s been proven in blood studies done repeatedly. I’m not sure if this is related to their physical condition since Montana is the 10th healthiest state in the county – with obesity levels far below the average. Healthy mind, healthy body.

I would guess that there are many lifenuts in Montana, though I wasn’t thinking about that when I visited. Upon reflection, it makes sense. Their enthusiasm must come from their love of the outside, being active, and being in good shape. Not a bad lesson for all.


0 Comments

    Author

    Dr. Bob Kroeger is the founder of LifeNuts. He's also proud to be a LifeNut.

    Archives

    October 2020
    August 2020
    May 2020
    February 2020
    September 2019
    August 2019
    February 2019
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    January 2017
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    June 2012

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Photos used under Creative Commons from USACE Europe District, GerryT, uyeah, thelesleyshow, Elvert Barnes, phalinn, achimh, lilli2de, SCA Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget, Serge Melki, Ryan Somma, CitySkylineSouvenir, Kyle Taylor, Dream It. Do It., Iman Mosaad, Skånska Matupplevelser, Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation RI, SteakEat, Spirit-Fire, rexipe, Mark Z., db Photography | Demi-Brooke, Official U.S. Navy Imagery, whistler1984, sillygwailo, paddling, USACE Europe District, smith_cl9, emilio labrador, Kevin M. Gill, Kai Brinker, Victor Olausson, Joe Shlabotnik, cNathanielw, treehouse1977