Cancer, Heart Disease, Depression

This morning, I learned that a friend's sister had had cancer a few years ago, although she made a full recovery apparently. Cancer is on the rise, heart disease is on the march, and depression and anxiety seem omni-present, even for people among my cohort with no history of obesity or chronic illness. We can no longer take refuge in our moral superiority over those we see as following unhealthy lifestyles. That bubble burst a while back. It is good to take care of oneself and be responsible, but some things are beyond our control. Chances are most of us have lost or will lose a close family member or friend to one of these three modern scourges, even if we manage to avoid them ourselves. 

There is no question that the world is a more hostile and scary place than it was 10 years ago, and the evidence is there for all to see. Which is why I believe we are first responsible for our own well-being and then that of those close to us. Taking care of ourselves need not be seen as selfish--it could very  well involve throwing oneself in political or social activism or charity work. But we serve no one by continuing with seemingly altruistic actions that damage or  minds and bodies. In such cases, the people around us have to bear the brunt of our ideals.