In order of what I started:

- volunteering at the local chapter of the Red Cross, opening shelters and responding to local disasters (house and apt fires), helping people when they're down. We recently had a full blown exercise where we opened a mock shelter and trained 40 new volunteers on dealing with people, setting up cots; with people coming in and playing shelter clients; and it also involved all the other groups at RC who do health services, mental health, emergency comms, etc. The exercise was mostly my baby, and a good time was had by all. We're now planning a bigger exercise in June where we open 3 concurrent shelters and simulate a mass disaster response. This is the most rewarding work I've done in a long time.

- I'm doing a regular diet and exercise program through my day job, and so far I'm down 35 pounds since mid-January. Like BrianEagle, I would encourage you do get out and do this now, there's no reason to wait until you're 48, but at least at 48 I have the mental attitude to ride out the rough patches and make some life changes.

- Most of my waking hours are taken up with my wife, who is battling an inoperable and incurable brain tumor, she starts radiation and chemo therapy today. Nothing ever equipped me for this fight, except maybe my undying love for her. Survival has to be counted in months and maybe years, there is no rosy end of the scenario where we come walking out of the woods to safety. Success will come if we can continue the laughter and living that she and I now see as being the most precious gift you can ever get. I am still figuring this out. All I know, hug your wife, husband, boy or girlfriends today, and your kids, and remind them how much you love them.