In everyone’s heart there is a special dream ”“ an image of how life should be. This life is yours. Take control and make it a healthy one. Believe in what makes you feel good. The secret of life is making your story as beautiful as you can.

With exercise there will always be hope for tomorrow. Over the course of time, we are reminded ”“ whether we’d like to be or not ”“ that keeping healthy is essential. Exercise helps us work through and combat various health issues and conditions that we face as we age.

No matter what age, we need to stand tall and keep our bodies in shape. More than just “hinges” that allow our bones to move, our joints require care and attention to keep functioning smoothly and painlessly. Exercise and fitness connote the presence of vibrant good health. Living in wellness has a positive impact on every aspect of life: physical, mental, spiritual and emotional.

There are hundreds of benefits to exercise, so get off the couch and break a sweat ”“ working your heart, building strength and staying flexible. To help in this effort, during the week of Aug. 4, anyone 50 and over can drop-in for the Living Fit program at the J. Richard Martin Community Center, 189 Alfred St. in Biddeford, for up to three free classes. The classes are hosted by Biddeford’s 50+ Club Program Director Ed Mann and Heather Nutting, the group fitness director at Saco Sport & Fitness.

Living Fit is an exercise program designed specifically for older adults, led by Saco Sport & Fitness instructors. Nutting, in the past, owned and operated two dance studios, until she decided to dance professionally. She danced professionally for six years, including multiple contracts at the Lido de Paris, as well as touring Europe, Japan and South America until her body was thoroughly broken, she said. She spent an enormous amount of time in physical therapy to repair the damage, and learning so much from her own injuries was the birth of her fitness career. For more information about Living Fit program, call 282-5005.

We are in the lovely month of July, and with it comes the heat of summer. For some reason, the pursuit of happiness becomes our personal priority this month: being good to ourselves and bringing happiness to others. This month, we rediscover that it is life’s enrichment rather than the riches that bring us true contentment. As we pursue summertime joys, we exalt life, liberty and freedom.

Next month, the Southern Maine Garden Tractor Pulling Club will be host its annual benefit tractor pull for Make-A-Wish Maine. The event will take place on Aug. 3 at 448 Boom Road in Saco. The tractor pull beings at 9 a.m., with a silent auction at 11:30 a.m., a barbecue lunch at noon and a live auction at 1 p.m. October Road, Jubilees and Mark Gentle will be perform live music. Youngsters who participate will receive special trophies.

— Zaffie Hadiaris of Saco is the host of “Zaffie,” a weekly television talk show on Channel 3 Biddeford public access. It can also be seen at biddefordmaine.org. Contact Hadiaris at zhadiaris@hotmail.com.