In an area of the country where the majority of the population is unfit, unhealthy and uninsured, you wonder. What are they thinking? Well, they are not thinking, it is just that!
The area is well known for its abundant and diverse food choices, it’s laid back attitude and lifestyle and its cultural influences. Right, let’s translate that: lots of food, cooked the way they want, doing what they want, when they want, and how they want, and old habits do not get changed. Try changing that attitude!!
I recently had a chance to notice: if given the choice of a piece of an apple or a potato chip, which would they choose, the chip. If you told them they were going to die if they did not start to eat healthy, they stated, oh well, they would still eat the chip. They have made it this far in life and they have lived far enough in life and they are getting old already anyway. So, when it is time, they are ready. Can you guess the age of the participant??
Why are we beating our head against the wall trying to help others take care of themselves if they have absolutely no desire to care at all about their own health? It is not at all in their realm of understanding. They do not have any interest in it, they will not participate, they will not change, they will resist at all movement and they are firm in their path in life. Why? Because it may not be for us to change them, but for us to recognize that we cannot change everyone, we can only change those that come to us and ask us to help them change. Those that do not wish to open the door and stand with their backside to it, we may not be able to help.
I have to be missing something, I keep on thinking. There are people picketing for healthcare changes and demanding that we become insured. But where are the rules that state people need to care for themselves? Where are the rules they even need to if they do not want to? Where are the rules they even have to be found to need to be cared or counted for their healthcare needs? If they are just meandering through life, don’t care to need to be seen by a physician until they drop down and can’t get up and someone takes them into a facility, and now they need care, what next? Do you demand they accept that care? Or even still, can they demand you give them that care?
Is there a way to change our views of healthcare to see what is really going on with all people? or are there various levels of care that are presenting right now and we will see where we fit in over the next several years. Where does self-care, wellness, prevention, care refusal, chronic denial habitual diseases, and addictions fit into these patterns of treatment?
Leave yourself open for the people who are looking for real help. There are many. Help them in steps. Ask them to share what they learn with others. This will help the message grow and you will reach more people than you can imagine.
