I had a little rant this week at work. Apparently, the need to ban trans fats has made it to my state, and the debate has begun. Needless to say; I have significant opinion about giving the government control over our bad habits and choices regarding our health. Why is it that we think the government can regulate our habits better then we can on our own? And if I chose to eat a greasy, disgusting piece of food, why should they have any say in my choice of purchasing and eating of this item?
If you think about this debate on a level away from your health, and place it in the "government control" category, it is really very scary...The level of decision making we are giving away as citizens, owners of restaurants, food producers and business is frightening. It is being spun as a "health positive" law and it is being supported by the majority of Americans with very little thought regarding the implications from the control that we are giving to our local, state and federal governments. Not to mention the cost of enforcement; are we actually going to have "fat police?" and what about the penalty? I can see it now, Polish baker arrested on Fat Tuesday for using transfat to fry packzi, punchke or however you spell those lovely little balls of fried dough that surround jelly of multiple flavors.. I cannot imagine they will taste the same baked.
What about the cost for the polish baker? How do we propose he or she is able to accomodate their current cooking styles, menus and practices? It most certainly is going to be cost prohibitive for some of them. I can see a whole new type of criminal taking to the urban streets of America. No longer are the tourists simply approached for purses or watches, we have added "food" to the list of illegal items to be sold...Only in America....
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Can one person change a million minds?
Can one person really change a million minds? That is the question I ponder today as I sit posed on what may be that biggest year of my life. I am a 39 year old married careered female. I have worked in health care for the majority of my career. For the past 12 of those years, I have focused on getting the job done well; making money; raising my son; and keeping my family intact and on the right path. There was very little time to have profound life altering thoughts about what I really want out of this life, or what my legacy would be. I was simply "living" as the majority of people do.
Then life happens; my child grew up and went off to college; I then took on a new challenge, and soon found myself unsettled with what my life had become. I know, typical midlife crisis. However, I like to think of it as a mid life enlightenment. For the past two years I have been focusing on getting myself healthy; physically, emotionally, spiritually and intellectually. The journey has left me with a refreshed view of my life.
The journey too today has been incredible to say the least. I have found out what I truly like, what I don't like and what makes me incredibly happy, sad, angry etc. It is during this journey that I asked myself over and over, what do you want to be known for when you are gone? What is the legacy I am going to leave for my child, grandchildren, community and society? Is simply being known as a nice person enough for me?
The answer troubled me at first. I found myself saying no. I need more from this life than the knowledge that I was good to others. I discovered that I have an inner passion to create something remarkable that will benefit others for years to come.
So what is this remarkable thing that I so desire to create? It is (to use an overused word from early management futurist Joel Barker) to create a new paradigm of elder care in America. I desire to develop new policies, new processes and to change the view of average america regarding aging, elder care and what we think we need as we age.
Having worked in the current model of care I can tell you what is wrong with it. I can also define what is right with it, and why what we are doing right, is looked at with mistrust, and at times controversy and public outcry. It is the constant source of joy and frustration that I have found in my life's work that leads me on this quest. Our elders deserve a better paradigm, and it is up to my generation to create it for them. I am no longer content to sit idly by and allow things to happen that I do not agree with. It is a time for action, comment and a rational perspective in elder care.
For the next year, I will be jotting, blogging my perspective on what we need to create, and my view of what is working and what is not. Please join me on this journey and share your thoughts, comments and questions. I look forward to discussions, challenges and new ideas on this quest for change.
Then life happens; my child grew up and went off to college; I then took on a new challenge, and soon found myself unsettled with what my life had become. I know, typical midlife crisis. However, I like to think of it as a mid life enlightenment. For the past two years I have been focusing on getting myself healthy; physically, emotionally, spiritually and intellectually. The journey has left me with a refreshed view of my life.
The journey too today has been incredible to say the least. I have found out what I truly like, what I don't like and what makes me incredibly happy, sad, angry etc. It is during this journey that I asked myself over and over, what do you want to be known for when you are gone? What is the legacy I am going to leave for my child, grandchildren, community and society? Is simply being known as a nice person enough for me?
The answer troubled me at first. I found myself saying no. I need more from this life than the knowledge that I was good to others. I discovered that I have an inner passion to create something remarkable that will benefit others for years to come.
So what is this remarkable thing that I so desire to create? It is (to use an overused word from early management futurist Joel Barker) to create a new paradigm of elder care in America. I desire to develop new policies, new processes and to change the view of average america regarding aging, elder care and what we think we need as we age.
Having worked in the current model of care I can tell you what is wrong with it. I can also define what is right with it, and why what we are doing right, is looked at with mistrust, and at times controversy and public outcry. It is the constant source of joy and frustration that I have found in my life's work that leads me on this quest. Our elders deserve a better paradigm, and it is up to my generation to create it for them. I am no longer content to sit idly by and allow things to happen that I do not agree with. It is a time for action, comment and a rational perspective in elder care.
For the next year, I will be jotting, blogging my perspective on what we need to create, and my view of what is working and what is not. Please join me on this journey and share your thoughts, comments and questions. I look forward to discussions, challenges and new ideas on this quest for change.
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