In 2011, total expenditure for government spending is around 6 trillion. 1.1 trillion (about 18%) of that is for health care. National defense clocks in at .9 trillion (15%).
Wait, what? We're spending more money on health care than on national defense?
Now, I'm not saying we should be increasing that national defense percentage. While this blog will not delve much into politics, I will say that this blog is about promoting health and its accompanying peace, not promoting the opposite. Thus, these views are not to be dismissed as advocating an increase in military presence.
BUT let's think about how crazy this... You might be heartened by those figures, comforted by the knowledge that our government is spending more money on improving the health and lives of its citizens than on machines of violence. Unfortunately, I find these numbers to be largely disturbing.
Let's look at these two areas and see how they're related:
National defense - designed to promote the well-being and continued survival of citizens by protecting them from foreign dangers
Health care - designed to promote the well-being and continued survival of citizens by protecting from dangers within our own selves
Which one is more a priority right now, according to our nation's spending? Health care. We are killing ourselves off more quickly and efficiently than our supposed enemies can. How impressive of us!
Now, most people believe there's a solution to both of these problems: more spending. If we can increase our national defense and our military presence, we will be ensured dominance, superiority, protection, and overall victory against our 'foes'. If we can increase our health care system, we will be ensured dominance, protection, and longevity over our internal 'foes'.
BUT there are better options out there. As many would be quick to point out, if we increase our diplomacy and good will towards other nations, we can directly decrease our need for a 'national defense'. Similarly, if we focus on improving our own health, we can decrease and eliminate our dependence on a national health care system. Many of the most devastating health crises in our nation are largely or entirely preventable. And we don't need to rely on (and pump trillions of dollars into) our broken health care system to do so.
One major method of accomplishing this: self-care, which I will be expanding upon further in a future post.
Till next time, be well!
References: http://www.usgovernmentspending.com/
Monday, December 12, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
The Many-Fold Path
This isn't a manifesto. Having said that, it is. Sorta kinda.
To clarify: what follows is a public declaration of the viewpoints and intentions to be upheld by this blog. Essentially, it is a collection of qualities and properties of a "healthy human." Obviously, this is not a definition but an opinion... and therefore, all the items that comprise it are no more than the same. I merely require some sort of encompassing container or label (a "healthy human", if you will) to which these things can be attributed to.
In short, this post describes what sorts of things you can expect from this blog. All posts will be derivative ramblings of these views.
The Path of The Human
- To understand and view health as a holistic entity and not just a collection of independent components
- To epitomize and embody the true nature of humans
- To train the body in a way that promotes efficient, natural movement
- To develop the mind in a way that combines clear, critical thinking with openness
- To cultivate the spirit to find a sense of peace with one's self and surroundings- To analyze and critically evaluate the values and methods of currently existing health systems and how they relate to one's society
- To not blindly accept and fulfill standard gender roles and images simply because there is no apparent alternative
- To use the learning models of nature, history, and modern health paradigms to constantly reevaluate, revise, and recompile a health model that works for humans today
- To not succumb to self-fulfilling prophecies
- To not become enslaved to addictions, crutches, or vices
- To recognize and curb excess and unhealthy obsession
- To use our health and nature to achieve and expand our human potential
- To never cease striving to push our bodies, minds, and hearts to their capacity
- To embrace and utilize the power of control and change, rather than simply accept what circumstances are dealt to us
- To not 'waste' our health but use it to live fully and freely
- To use this sustained state of health and perpetual energy to positively influence the well-being of others
Now that some general, overall intentions kind of stuff is out of the way, I'll be moving on to some actual posts.
Be well!
To clarify: what follows is a public declaration of the viewpoints and intentions to be upheld by this blog. Essentially, it is a collection of qualities and properties of a "healthy human." Obviously, this is not a definition but an opinion... and therefore, all the items that comprise it are no more than the same. I merely require some sort of encompassing container or label (a "healthy human", if you will) to which these things can be attributed to.
In short, this post describes what sorts of things you can expect from this blog. All posts will be derivative ramblings of these views.
The Path of The Human
- To understand and view health as a holistic entity and not just a collection of independent components
- To epitomize and embody the true nature of humans
- To train the body in a way that promotes efficient, natural movement
- To develop the mind in a way that combines clear, critical thinking with openness
- To cultivate the spirit to find a sense of peace with one's self and surroundings- To analyze and critically evaluate the values and methods of currently existing health systems and how they relate to one's society
- To not blindly accept and fulfill standard gender roles and images simply because there is no apparent alternative
- To use the learning models of nature, history, and modern health paradigms to constantly reevaluate, revise, and recompile a health model that works for humans today
- To not succumb to self-fulfilling prophecies
- To not become enslaved to addictions, crutches, or vices
- To recognize and curb excess and unhealthy obsession
- To use our health and nature to achieve and expand our human potential
- To never cease striving to push our bodies, minds, and hearts to their capacity
- To embrace and utilize the power of control and change, rather than simply accept what circumstances are dealt to us
- To not 'waste' our health but use it to live fully and freely
- To use this sustained state of health and perpetual energy to positively influence the well-being of others
Now that some general, overall intentions kind of stuff is out of the way, I'll be moving on to some actual posts.
Be well!
Path Of The Human
So, welcome!
Let's jump right in with an FAQ:
Q: What is this blog?
A: A space to post and discuss various musings, findings, and discoveries relating to human health.
Q: Human health? How is this different from other health blogs?
A: Well, everyone has their own opinions on what brings good health to us humans. Here, the focus will be on the fundamentals of overall health: exercise, nutrition, spirituality, etc. as well as examining these items in their perverted state in today's modern societies. Furthermore, alternatives to the norm will be offered, to encourage ways of health living more akin to our natural human essence.
Q: What's the goal?
A: To inform, discuss, and promote healthy living... To be happy, healthy, and free!
Q: Is further discussion, criticism, or alternate views encouraged in the comments or by email?
A: Ab-so-fricking-lutely!
Q: What's with the name?
A: Well, people often look at views similar to the ones expressed here as being 'animalistic' or 'primal', as if they are ideas that betray our human values. However, I believe quite the opposite to be true. Most of the ideas explored here are based on the more traditional, 'natural' ways of our ancestors.
Q: Who writes this baloney?
A: I do.
Q: Oh. What makes you an expert?
A: Nothing.
Q: How often will this be updated?
A: Whenever I come across something worth sharing or feel a great need to otherwise express something. Generally, this feeling arises from an outburst of dismay and disbelief as I learn of our further attempts to "progress" our minds, bodies, and souls.
Let's jump right in with an FAQ:
Q: What is this blog?
A: A space to post and discuss various musings, findings, and discoveries relating to human health.
Q: Human health? How is this different from other health blogs?
A: Well, everyone has their own opinions on what brings good health to us humans. Here, the focus will be on the fundamentals of overall health: exercise, nutrition, spirituality, etc. as well as examining these items in their perverted state in today's modern societies. Furthermore, alternatives to the norm will be offered, to encourage ways of health living more akin to our natural human essence.
Q: What's the goal?
A: To inform, discuss, and promote healthy living... To be happy, healthy, and free!
Q: Is further discussion, criticism, or alternate views encouraged in the comments or by email?
A: Ab-so-fricking-lutely!
Q: What's with the name?
A: Well, people often look at views similar to the ones expressed here as being 'animalistic' or 'primal', as if they are ideas that betray our human values. However, I believe quite the opposite to be true. Most of the ideas explored here are based on the more traditional, 'natural' ways of our ancestors.
Q: Who writes this baloney?
A: I do.
Q: Oh. What makes you an expert?
A: Nothing.
Q: How often will this be updated?
A: Whenever I come across something worth sharing or feel a great need to otherwise express something. Generally, this feeling arises from an outburst of dismay and disbelief as I learn of our further attempts to "progress" our minds, bodies, and souls.
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