Instead Of

The health in the west is generally bad. People feel more and more sick, go more often to the doctor, use more medication and frequent the hospitals more often. Our lifespan has not increased significantly over the last many years. Part of the explanation is surely that we are doing our best to violate the basic rules of health. We are instead doing a lot to increase the risk of disease and unhappiness.

On the Internet circulates a story about how in the beginning God covered the earth with broccoli, cauliflower and spinach, green, yellow and red vegetables of all sorts, so men and women could live a long and healthy life.

But then Satan created using God's gifts, ice cream and cakes. And Satan said, "Do you want whip cream on top?" And man said "yes" and the woman said: "I want one more with chocolate on it". And they put on five pounds.

God then said: "Try, my fresh green salad." And Satan-served the salad with crumbled blue cheese and cream dressing. After the meal both man and woman loosened their belt.

God then said: "I have sent you heart healthy vegetables and olive oil good so you can sauté them lightly". But Satan brought forth deep fried shrimp, fried chicken with lots of French fries and mayonnaise and steaks so big that they needed a plate for himself, and for dessert, chocolate cake. Men's blood sugar rose to unimaginable heights.

God made running shoes so that his children might lose those extra pounds. But Satan came with a remote control so man should not have trouble changing the channel. And the man and the woman laughed and cried before the flickering television.

Then God brought forth lean meats, that man might consume fewer calories and still be full. But Satan brought forth double cheeseburgers and asked: "Do you want fries with that? The man replied:" Yes, and make them super sized! ". And he had a cardiac arrest.

God sighed and created bypass surgery in all coronary arteries. And Satan created the public and private health insurance, so people did not have to worry about health. What's next and the future? It is only in the imagination, we can imagine it, but well on its way is food with added vitamins to remedy the poor quality and to get people to eat more sugar, starch and margarine. It's called hydrogenated vegetable fat, which we get 20 times as much of as we should. Instead of drinking water we drink colas, sodas and beer or so much alcohol that the liver shrinks.

Other options
Instead of breathing in fresh air we now have machines where you can get pure oxygen. It is suppose to be good for the brain. Instead of the trams that do not pollute the air, we use buses and private cars, and the brave crowd of smokers who smoke a lot, now smoke more. The only advantage is now that smokers get more fresh air as to smoke becomes less and less acceptable indoors.

Instead of being outside in the all important sunlight we work more and more inside, so the brain cannot figure out whether it is day or night, we get depressed and stressed-out workaholics instead of sharing work with our unemployed and immigrants.

Instead of playing more with our children, we put them in front of the TV or computer to find time for our own leisure activities, and for the same reason we do not fetch the kids from kindergarten earlier when we get off from work early. Instead we let them manage the upbringing of our kids; we leave it to educators and teachers. That's what they get for their money for.

Instead of using our body as much as possible and thereby keep it in good condition, we use machines for everything and walk as little as possible, elevators instead of stairs, and car and bus instead of walking or cycling. When we get osteoarthritis, we get gout tablets instead of moving the joints anymore, so they are lubricated and rebuilt. Instead of using the back right and we get problems and back pain. Instead of getting your fitness in order to doing sports, walking and running, we get the heart and circulatory problems, instead of working out we just use more kinds of drugs.

Instead of preserving a good memory and brain function by using both head and body more, we let ourselves be brainwashed by the television every evening and may need to use drugs against Alzheimer's.

The mind and the others?
Instead of using our emotions, cry and scream our grief out and scold when we're mad, we put a lid on with psychotropic drugs, so the emotions are going inwards and affecting both body and mind. Instead of dancing and singing when we're fine, we're afraid of being perceived as insane and become really boring.

Instead of being honest when people ask how we feel what we always say is: "Thanks, I am doing fine" even though we are full of grief and worry. Instead of joy and appreciate others by asking them for help when we need it, we rather do it ourselves until we break. Should we need help, then it should be government that does it.


Instead of being an active part of a vibrant, great community, there are many who let others do all the hard work and even enjoy it. Instead of saying we, they say I. Instead of going to church, be charitable or even care for their spiritual beliefs, many believe that giving some money to the Church guarantees them a place in heaven.