I know, you are probably thinking, “Who in the world is Phil and why would I care what he does?” Great question. Phil Allman Jr. is a tennis player in Colorado Springs. But he is not just any tennis player – he is a 99 year old tennis player, who plays at least twice a week. He didn’t even begin the sport until he was 70 but has now been playing for almost three decades.
One of his tennis buddies, who is 81, said that when he wakes up in the morning and feels sore and tired and begins to think about not playing on that day, he asks himself, “What would Phil do?” and that motivates him to get up and out the door.
Phil attributes his continued physical activity, as well as the social connection that comes with it, as contributing to his longevity. He says, “It’s not about winning as much as perspective.”
Now I recognize many have medical or other issues that prevent them from being this physically active. But I do agree with Phil that it is a matter of perspective. I see many people who adopt a viewpoint of, “I’m 65 now so I should slow down, take it easy, and act my age” (whatever that means). Then they do – they slow down physically and mentally, lose their cognitive edge, and camp out on the couch waiting for, I’m not sure what, and watching others who are younger live life.
But not Phil. He is involved in living life to the end. Isn’t that how it’s supposed to be? Isn’t that what God intended? I don’t need to win but I do need that perspective! Thanks Phil for the reminder.