It's all your fault.

I didn't want to do it. But YOU made me.

I hemmed and hawed. I moaned and groaned. I puttered around the house while one excuse after another flashed through my head.

First excuse—sigh—I was just too tired. Oh, poor, pitiful, pathetic me—just too tired.

Too tired? Goodness—it was only 6:00 in the evening. Just how tired could I be? Not very. In fact, I was energized from the day. Scratch that excuse.

Okay, so I wasn't tired, but I did deserve to relax, didn't I—especially after my Dream Team (Diane, Katy, Mona and Darcy) and I checked spines all day at the Health Fair?

Relax? Shoot--if I really wanted to relax—whatever that meant—I could do that afterward. Trash that excuse.

Oh, but it must be getting awfully close to dark. I peeked out the window. Oops—it was still light out—very light out—another excuse fizzled away.

I stuck my head out the door. Weather check. It wasn't too hot or too cold or raining or blowing or snowing. In fact, the weather was quite...okay—I admit—perfect.

Well, the weather may have been perfect, but my big toe hurt--yes, the same toe that got frost-nipped skiing that time in sub-zero temperature. Certainly it needed rest after standing all day.

Goodness, I wish I was as creative in my work as I am in making up excuses.

My big toe was my latest, cleverest, and, yes, lamest excuse yet. And good for only one thing--a hearty laugh--at myself.

Maybe I should hop (see—my big toe couldn't have been that bad) in the car and get groceries. Oh, yeah, I just did that—I had fruit and veggies coming out of my ears.

Oh, dear, I was running out of excuses.

Wait a minute, I know--I'll use my old stand-by: "I just had too much to do. I didn't have enough time. And, by golly, that was the truth." Or was it?

I sat down at my computer, positioned and ready to work on my present writing project.

And that's where you came in. You, yes, you popped into my brain. You were right in my face, impossible to ignore—arms crossed, smile on your face, toe even tapping a bit.

"Leslie," you gently nudged, "Remember—walking doesn't take time—it gives time when it counts—at the end of your life. If you take care of you NOW, then your body will take care of you—now, later, and much later.

"No more excuses. Quit stalling. Get your rear in gear and get out there. Go for that walk—even if you just don't feel like it."

Alright. Alright. Quit buggin' me. You win. I'm goin'. I'm goin'.

A bit exasperated, I pushed myself away from my desk, put my sneakers on, grabbed my fleece, and headed out the door—just to make you be quiet!

I certainly didn't want you bugging me for the rest of the evening—I'd never get anything written!

After five minutes, thanks to you, I was loving the fresh, crisp air, nature in all her glory, and the feel of my body moving. And the best part—the cobwebs had magically vanished from my brain.

I was exactly where I wanted to be—in mind, body, and spirit. I just needed a little jumpstart—from my friend.

And that's what friends are for—to care, to push, to prod, to remind us to take care of us.

You know, my friend, sometimes it's tough to make wise choices, but do you know what's tougher?

To have no choice at all. Imagine life without choices.

Visit your local nursing home. How tough would it be to NOT have the option to walk—because you no longer could walk?

How tough would it be to NOT have the option to eat whole, fresh fruits and vegetables—because you could no longer feed yourself, much less choose what to eat?

"No choice is way tougher than the right choice."

Seize this very minute. Make the best choices now to hang on to the best gift of all—the gift of choice.

Thank you for choosing to a part of my life and for inspiring me to make better choices, right now.

I appreciate you for all that you are and for all that you share with me and the world.

Your life does make a difference—even if you are a bit of a pest sometimes!

Dr. Leslie Van Romer is a health motivational speaker, writer, and lifestyle coach. Visit http://www.DrLeslieVanRomer.com for more inspiration.