How do you define well-being? What do you do to achieve it?
“Well-being is the summation of many things that include physical health, mental health, psychological well-being, and engagement in life. It is extremely important to me to be engaged in work, family, and my community. I am appreciating the Wabash community for the commitment I see in alumni to their communities. Certainly there is also spiritual well-being which is critical and achieved in may ways – the key is tolerance of others views and mutual respect in this domain.
“For me well-being is an aspiration, something that I aim to achieve. I suspect, I will never feel like “I am there.” A number of years ago, I began to understand that the point is the journey and not the destination. It takes life experience for the journey to have meaning.
"I have been very fortunate so far and do not have any major concerns and problems. I will say that I am very pro-active about my personal health and workout 5-6 times per week and I am actively improving my diet. Having three young children makes one pretty aware of both areas – they 'do what you do.' My wife and I have lots of conversations about this.
"My biggest concern in regard to my children and their generation is the growing rate of obesity. Children have a lot of reasons to be less active and are at much higher risk of obesity and its related problems like diabetes. I take a very active role with my kids and encourage them to be active with me. Riding a tandem bike for “local adventures” or to fun destinations is one of the things we do."
– Todd Rowland ’85
"As a physician, I tend to define health in medical terms. So things like quality of life, freedom from illness, ability to manage physical limitations or medical complications, and living an active and long life. That said, as a middle-aged man, I am beginning to think of health in more personal terms, such as a sense of personal well-being, staying active and engaged, having a sense of vitality, and not losing my physical abilities, such as stamina.
"My greatest health concerns are a) being alive to enjoy the fruits of my labors; b) having the ability to remain active and independent into my old age; c) avoiding a family history of premature heart disease.
"I define well-being as having a sense of mental and physical vitality, of being active and engaged as a contributing member of my family, my community and my profession, and having a sense of purpose accompanied by the ability to fulfill that purpose.
"I try to maintain my physical stamina by getting sufficient rest, running regularly, and spending time with people I respect and love.
—Randall Williams ’83
In photo: Todd with son, Price, out for a ride in Bloomington on the family tandem bike.