Minnesota Institute of Public Health

I've learned again the importance of a well-rounded life. Enriching one's own life by a healthy combination of enjoyment and activity is truly critical to living well.

Personally, I got involved in my own city as an elected member of the Parks and Recreation Commission. That was about the time a prime time television sitcom by the same name "Parks and Recreation" came out; the story of a bumbling fumbling buttinski bothering other people unto "enjoying" their lives better.

However, it is true that an enriched life combines work and play. Minnesotans are fortunate to have four seasons and a myriad of cool things to do to stay active and healthy. 

Mark Twain reminded us that, "work was whatever a body was OBLIGED to do, and play was whatever a body was NOT obliged to do". As an N of one, I looked at my own city and saw seniors centers, a YMCA, two golf courses, Farmers Market, free River Concert series, community gardens, lakes and beaches, year round park trails, youth programs, biking events, softball leagues, an ice arena, dog park, just for starters.

Truly an important part of an enriched, healthy life.

What's in your community, and how does it enrich your life?

- JJ