Years ago I read a survey that reported a not-very-surprising conclusion: Marriages do better when the husband listens to the wife. I've quoted that survey numerous times over the years but I can now confirm its truth from personal experience.

 

About five years ago I had a routine physical that included a heart stress test. I felt sheepish for even going to the doctor since I wasn’t sick.  Everything checked out fine, but within a day, I received fresh flowers at my office, sent by my wife, Diane.  I phoned and asked her, "Why did you send flowers?"  "Because you went to see a doctor," she replied.  "You mean I get flowers for being a wimp?" I asked incredulously.  "No," Diane patiently replied, "You get them for taking care of yourself."

 

 At the time, my doctor suggested I do a follow up in a year or so which, of course, I didn't. There was nothing wrong with my heart. I ran several times a week.. I worked out at the gym. I ate right. My blood tests results were always fantastic.

 

But about a month ago Diane ran across the physician's yellowing letter suggesting I do a follow up. "Have you ever gone back in?" she knowingly inquired. "Nah," I responded in a manly sort of way. There was nothing wrong then and I feel great now."

 

"Still, you should do the follow up he suggested," she gently persisted. She didn't nag. She didn't harangue. She reminded me of the obvious because she cares about my health. Diane seems to want to keep me alive despite the fact she is the major beneficiary on my life insurance policies. I've always told her I think it's a conflict of interest for her to give me health related advice. But for some reason she has my best interests, not her financial ones, at heart.

 

So remembering the survey about husbands who listen to their wives, I saw my doctor. After a number of medical tests it was confirmed, to everyone's surprise, I had a significant blockage in my left descending artery that needed correction. A fairly routine procedure at the Heart Hospital followed, along with an overnight stay that resulted in an improved heart. My wife's gentle reminder may well have saved my life.

 

For some reason, guys think it's manly to ignore their own health and their wives' advice. Maybe it's that John Wayne mentality. Perhaps its the Man of Steel spirit of self reliance. Whatever it is, we men need to discard the macho mentality that closes our ears and our eyes. We owe it to our families to stay alive as long as the Lord allows. We should not voluntarily shorten our lifespan through poor habits or medical neglect. So if you've been putting off that annual physical, get it scheduled! If you've been hurting your body through bad habits, get rid of them!  If you've been neglecting exercise, get started!

 

While you're at it, try another kind of exercise:  listen to your wife. If you give her your ear, she might just give you her heart--and yours.