In love, “The One That Got Away” (TOTGA) is the person you wish you had cherished when you had the chance. In life, there’s another kind of TOTGA…
When you’re young, strong, and feeling invincible, it’s easy to believe that your body will always keep up with you. But like a relationship you took for granted, health can slip away quietly, only to be missed when it’s too late to bring it back.
At a young age, choices felt simple. You picked your favorite color, pink, and suddenly, your world was painted in it: a pink Barbie, shimmering pink nail polish, a neon pink lip gloss, and a pink bracelet you wore every day like it was part of your identity.
One choice led to another, and then another… and before you knew it, your preferences began shaping your world.
Even at an early age, you were learning that decisions today shape your tomorrow. And as you grow, your worries shift:
At 12: “Do my friends like me?”
At 15: “Does my crush like me back?”
At 18: “Which university should I choose?”
At 25: “Will I be successful in life?”
At 30: “Will I find the right person to marry?”
But as the years pass, one question starts to outweigh the mall:
“Did I enjoy my life for as long as I can?”
Lessons from Those Who’ve Lived It
In a podcast episode of Rob Moore’s “Disruptors,”, hospice nurse Julie McFadden, who has guided more than 300 people through their final days, shared the most common last words she hears from her patients. Surprisingly, they are rarely about missed promotions, failed ventures, or unfulfilled dreams.
They are about regret for things we often overlook in our youth:
“I wish I didn’t work my life away.”
“I wish I had appreciated my health.”
Julie recalls, “The biggest thing I hear from people dying is that they wish they would have appreciated how well they felt before.”
When you’re young, healthy, and full of energy, it’s easy to believe your body will always be this way. But health is the foundation of everything, your dreams, your goals, your relationships. And once it slips away, it’s difficult to reclaim.
But as cliché as it may sound, habang may buhay, may pag-asa—while there is life, there is hope. Death is not a choice we make, but how we live is.
Living well starts with a simple truth: prevention is better than cure. The earlier you make health a priority, the longer and better you can enjoy life.
1. Keep a Gratitude List
Gratitude has proven health benefits. Studies have shown it reduces stress, improves sleep, and boosts immunity. Start by writing down three things you’re thankful for each day, big or small. This habit can shift your mindset and help you see life’s blessings more clearly.
2. Schedule Your Annual Checkup
At Makati Life Medical Center, we believe in being ahead in life. Our Annual Checkup Package is designed to help you detect potential health issues early, so you can take action before they become bigger problems.
3. Live a Balanced Lifestyle
Eat a nutritious diet, move your body regularly, get enough sleep, and make time for the people who matter. Health isn’t just about the absence of illness, it’s about living fully.
In the end, life will give you countless choices: what career to pursue, who to love, where to live. Some choices you’ll look back on fondly, some with regret. But choosing to care for your health is one decision you will never wish you had made sooner, it’s the one choice you’ll always be grateful for. Makati Life Medical Center is here to help you choose the best option for an optimal health. The healthier you are, the more you can enjoy the beauty life has to offer.
Don’t let your health be your TOTGA. Say yes to the healthiest version of yourself and start today with Makati Life Medical Center.
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