Minute With Mallon: Die Young, as Old as You Can!

Aug 12

Welcome to Minute with Mallon!

Something I Taught:

I have a very good friend named Tim who I met around eight years ago at the gym. We live near the Atlanta Falcons complex and when I met Tim, at first I was quite sure that he was a Falcon – he's very athletic, and he was lifting an extraordinary amount of weight.

I said something to him and it started a conversation that has gone on to this day.

Tim is about 20 years younger than me. He's married to a beautiful woman and they're raising three sons. I've already raised three sons, so we have a lot in common. We talk about all kinds of things: doing life the right way, being a good father and husband, different exercise philosophies and techniques, our relationships with God, and all sorts of other things. In short, how to be a good man.

Proverbs 27:17 says,

"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."

That's what Tim and I do. We sharpen each other.

About a week ago I remembered a saying that I learned long ago:

"Die young, as old as you can."

I mentioned it to Tim and we've been talking about it. It resonates with us and I hope it does with you too!

I see plenty of people who, when they get to their 50s or 60s, just give up. (I've actually seen this happen to folks in their 40s!)

I think one of the keys to life is to do what you can to keep growing. In short, to have a growth mindset and to get older with grace and the best possible energy.

It's just like a tree – when it stops growing, it starts the process of decay. And after a short time, it dies!

So here are a few suggestions about how to keep growing as you get older. You might not agree with them all, but have an open mind. Over the years, I've seen them work in my life.

Physically:

Move Joyfully Every Day: Don’t just exercise—move in ways you love. Walk, pickleball, bike, hike, lift weights, dance. Motion keeps you young.
Prioritize Sleep and Recovery: Quality sleep, naps, and restful routines keep your body healing and your mind sharp.
Get an annual physical each year.
Go to the dentist twice a year and keep your teeth healthy.
Floss daily! It matters.

Mentally

Stay Curious: Read books on different types of subjects, ask questions, learn new skills or hobbies. Enjoy museums and galleries. A curious mind doesn’t grow old.
Do Hard (and Fun) Things: Stretch your mind regularly. Puzzles, board games, learning a language or a new instrument are a few ideas to keep your brain elastic.

Relational

Invest in Deep Friendships: Keep a circle of people who challenge, support, and laugh with you. Isolation will age you. Connection renews. And make sure you develop younger friends like I have with Tim and many others.
Mentor and Be Mentored: Pour energy into someone younger and seek wisdom from someone older. It keeps your perspective balanced and your soul anchored.

Spiritual

Practice Gratitude: Write down blessings and what you're grateful for. Slow down enough to notice beauty. Look for God's fingerprints in ordinary moments.
Pursue a Growing Faith: Stay in God’s Word. Pray. Serve. Don’t let your spiritual life retire—let it deepen.

Life Alignment

Take Intentional Breaks: Sabbaths, retreats, sabbaticals and vacations restore margin and remind you that life is not just productivity.
Live with Purpose, Not Just Routine: Revisit your personal mission often. Goals change with seasons, but purpose keeps you anchored and forward-moving.

Which area—physical, mental, relational, or spiritual—needs your attention most right now?

Hit reply and tell me. I’ll be happy to send you a practical idea to help you take a small step forward this week.

Something to Ponder:

“Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people.”

Eleanor Roosevelt

Something I Learned:

The TV program 60 Minutes first aired in 1968, and while it has evolved over the years, I still watch it from time to time. Recently, I started wondering if there’s a specific order to the three segments they air each week. So, I did a little research—and here’s what I found:

The First Segment – Hard News

60 Minutes opens with a deep, investigative story—often exposing corruption, tackling political issues, or covering major events. It grabs attention fast with high stakes and solid reporting.

The Second Segment – Profile or Feature

Next comes a more personal story—a profile of a leader, innovator, or unsung hero, or a behind-the-scenes look at a cultural or scientific breakthrough. It keeps you engaged while shifting the emotional tone.

The Third Segment – Human Interest

The program finishes with something lighter and inspiring—stories that make you smile, feel hopeful, or admire human creativity. It’s the perfect balance after the preceding heavier topics.