Reality Check - None Of Us Are Exempt

Yesterday, I had a rather full day of medical reviews.  I had forgotten that it was time for the mandatory, annual "Wellness Examination," required by Medicare.  I had a routine office visit with my primary care physician, so we ran the gamut.  Everything from physical to physical agility, eyes, general wellness, emotional, mental acuity, updating immunizations...the works.  I'm happy to report that other than two very trying chronic neurological disorders I have, I'm 100% in all other areas.  Healthy diet and healthy living, I call it, but I often confound the doctors a bit, being 71 years old and overall, as healthy as the average 30 year old.

This article isn't, however, a medical report about me.  It's about each and every person walking around this world...young, old and in between.  As part of the review, I was reminded of the legal aspect of my life, in terms of medical concerns.  Not a comfortable area for many people to think about...and it's for those of you who think you're immortal or have forever to worry about the future...I speak to this morning.

In spite of your glowing picture of heath, youth and vitality....and your "busy life" where you think about dealing with the future at a later time...I ask this question.  "What if an unfortunate and sudden illness, accident or medical emergency left you unable to make your own medical decisions...this very morning?  When the doctor looks at your family and asks what is to be done, who has the legal authority to speak on your behalf?  I'm not talking about just discussing your wishes with your family, I'm talking about actual, legal authority to act.  Or, do you just plan to turn this meeting with the doctor into "Family Feud," or, "Let's Play Guilt Trip?"  And what about your primary care physician?  Are you positive that medical provider will follow your wishes...or their own?  Yeah, I know....you aren't worried right now because you're going to live for years and years.  Right.  Reality check time...you aren't going to live forever and as with all else in life, you are solely responsible for your future.

Personally, I feel you have an obligation, not only to yourself but to your family...love them or hate them.  Don't put the burden on them.  And I don't think any of us want to have our lives and our families turned into a media circus in the event of a catastrophic illness.  Nor do we want to become the "poster child" for some special interest group.  Don't think that could happen to you?  Think again!  The message really hit home with me a few years ago when a family was turned into a media circus due to an unforeseen medical emergency.  The media exploded with the story...battle lines were drawn....and because one person failed to take personal responsibility...a family was destroyed and years of litigation followed.  All of which could have been avoided, if one person had taken a half an hour out of their busy, immortal life and acted responsibly.  I remember writing an Opinion Editorial at the time...since that was my profession....and as a reminder of what I'm talking about, I'll share it here.  Life, Death and Legislation

I heeded the lesson learned at that time and wrote up a "Living Will," which was placed in both my doctor's files and on file with my regular hospital.  Each and every person has their own thoughts on how far they wish doctors to proceed with treatment when critically ill or in a coma.  Those thoughts and wishes MUST be written down....advising family or your representative as to what YOU want to be done.  And, someone you trust must be appointed with the authority to see those wishes are carried out.  Further, again depending upon your beliefs, you may wish to consider including a separate, "Do Not Resuscitate," or "DNR" order, if you wish to die in a dignified, natural manner.  That's a matter of beliefs, I suppose...and personal philosophy but is important as a directive, if it's important to you.

I was reminded yesterday that my copies had not been updated in several years and there have been many life changes for me over that time.  It was time to review those documents and update them, as required.  Yes, mine were horribly outdated!

Simple enough!  You don't need an attorney and you need not spend any money...it's just a matter of spending about half an hour of your time.  Every state has their own legal requirements for the documents, so I don't recommend just printing some sort of universal form you find online.  Drop by the Records Office of your local hospital and request a Living Will form and a DNR form, if you wish to include one with your instructions.  Sit down, right there and fill them out!!!  The Living Will must be notarized and the hospital was kind enough to call their Notary to the records office, where she notarized the forms as I signed them.  The hospital then placed copies in their system so if needed in an emergency, they would be available.  Further, the hospital provided me with extra copies....one of which I took to my doctor and that was placed in my medical file at their office.  It is further recommended that a copy be placed in an envelope in your home...a conspicuous place....EMT's are trained to look for one on a refrigerator door, or your dresser in the bedroom....should they have to respond to a serious medical emergency and you are not conscious.  They know what to do.  And, by the way, the hospital provided the documents, notary and copies without charging one cent!  It's important to them, as well as to you!  The choice of what to do is yours....and yours only....your responsibility.  JUST DO IT!!!  And don't wait until you are my age!  And, above all else, although a difficult conversation for many people...discuss it with your family!  Make sure they know!

And while on this topic, there is one more area one needs to consider.  There have been many articles written recently about conflicts between patients and medical providers.  This seems to be an issue which has become important in recent years.  There has been some sort of "religious conscience" movement among some of the more conservative religious sects.  We've seen pharmacists who refuse to fill prescriptions ordered by doctors, due to "religious grounds."  Insane, in my opinion...if you can't do your job because of your religious beliefs, perhaps you need a different profession...but it happens.  And the same has been occurring with doctors.  Some doctors have been documented as putting their religious convictions ahead of your personal wishes and requests.  As an example....you have a "DNR" order and the attending physician has a religious conviction that says, "life must be sustained at all cost."

The recommendation is....even though this may be uncomfortable for you...and possibly for your doctor, as well...but you must have a conversation with the medical practitioner.  It's an essential part of your health care plan.  Explain your concerns to the doctor....your personal wishes and religious convictions, if you have them....and discuss whether the doctor would permit his or her religious convictions interfere with your treatment or desires.  You need honest answers.  And if there is a conflict, you need to find a new medical practitioner.  Period!

Well, this is my message and advice to everyone this morning.  Advice that I have given to my family and taken myself.  Please take the time to act as a responsible adult and get this done!  Don't put it off.  You aren't immortal.  You'll feel better knowing you've done the right thing....and your family will thank you...eventually.

© Copyright 2016  Stan G. Kain

The Cycle of Life

Cycle of Life

My good friend, Beth Baker, was out on a little nature walk the other day, capturing some wonderful snapshots of her local area. Florida has always been an amazing place to observe the clash between nature and modern civilization. The two encroach upon each other in an amazing way and always leave you with just a little better understanding and reminder of what we're doing to our planet.

Looking over the beautiful pictures she posted, one particular capture spoke with such emotion, I was compelled to share a bit of my feelings on it with Beth. There is so much story in that photo...just from what I see....and I'm sure others would find lessons I have missed. Beth and I discussed the photo and she asked me to write my feelings and what I saw, then share it with others. Not sure exactly how would be the best way to share, I decided to do this blog entry, share the thoughts and emotions the picture evoked from me and give readers an opportunity to share their comments, as well.

The image of this old, fallen tree...gray, decaying and dead....at first glance. The surface is marked with cracks and almost every texture one could imagine. Some spots rotting decayed, leaving deep pits into the surface, while other areas almost give an appearance of dry streams and rivers.

Perhaps I was living in one of those, “Zen moments,” right then, but that image spoke of a rich life which had been lived, not just by a tree, but of all living creatures, including us. The patchwork tapestry of design and scars in the surface told the story of a life, long ago. It told of droughts, injuries, floods....literally everything that tree had seen and known in a lifetime. Not all damage was superficial.....but appear deep into the grain of the heartwood.

Looking at the fallen tree, rather than a piece of dead wood, I felt more as though I were looking into a mirror. A mirror of universal life...not a tree....but all living things. Reflecting on my own life, now most of it behind me, I too am a patchwork of scars, not unlike the fallen tree.....scars both physical and emotional....visible and hidden....peeled back, layer by layer with time. Each and every one, telling some part of the story of my life, evoking both smiles and sadness, as I meander back in my memories. A sober reminder for me, as well, as for all of us....that one day, the physical body will be as lifeless appearing at that old, decaying tree. I say “lifeless appearing,” as the real message is to see all of the picture....not just a single facet.

As I look at the decaying old tree....the most obvious element is the young, green life, abundantly springing forth from around it. New, optimistic and flourishing. And from where does that new life find the necessary nourishment and care? From the now decaying old tree, resting silent but essential. As that old stump decays, it's very essence nourishes the new growth, so dependent upon it to survive. The two are truly one, even if not visibly the same in appearance. The very spirit...energy and life of that seemingly dead tree is alive and well in the new growth, beginning a new cycle of physical life. That new growth almost shouts of optimism and hope, as I look at it.

This image Beth Baker captured is the very essence of the cycle of life. It's far more than a bit of vegetation, somewhere in the landscape of Florida. It's a picture of all life in the universe, from the smallest, most insignificant creature to the brightest star in the night sky. It is you....it is me.....it is what bonds us to each other in the cosmos. This image is all that we love, all that we detest....the good and the bad....the hope and the dreams....and most of all, it's a reminder of how we should live life and how we should see the cycle of life.

Instead of not truly living life because we fear death....this single image provides us a living example that we should celebrate death as we do birth. There, right in front of us, in one simple image, we see that what we truly are does not “die,” but continues to live, merely in a different package. We have exhausted the old package, as we learn the lessons of “being,” we can only get in physical form. Having done so, it's merely “graduation time.” Time for us, having grown in a spiritual sense, to move into a new level of experience and understanding. And, as we travel the road on our new journey, often we meet others who seem strangely familiar or often seem to “remember” familiar places and events.....and this image reminds us why. We have walked this road before. Many times before....and will walk it many times more. I hope my little “Zen moment,” with this image of Beth's will inspire you to pause and reflect....and perhaps you will see something more...something different than I have seen. If so, please feel free to comment and share. We are all teachers and we are all students in the school of life. So, please share, growing yourself and nurturing others who may need what you have to share right at this moment.

Thank you for your time and interest in sharing my experience. Namaste.

How Many Americans Are One Paycheck Away From Homelessness?

As I sit here in my warm home, complaining about the unusually cold weather for this time of year, it's far too easy to forget about an estimated 3.5 million Americans who would be happy to complain about winter heating costs for their home.  The "unseen Americans," many living in tent cities, invisible to the majority of us.  Often, I think we consciously avoid thinking about them, realizing how many more Americans are just one paycheck away from joining these communities.

The National Coalition for the Homeless state that 44% of America's homeless population are employed.  Employed in jobs with wages so low, there is no escape from their plight.  Tent cities have also become home for increasing numbers of the mentally and physically impaired, those recently release from incarceration in our growing penal system....people likely to not find employment in a highly competitive and unforgiving climate.  One in four of our homeless are military veterans.  Surveys find even college graduates among the homeless population.  There is that haunting echo.....it could happen to you!

While tent cities and homeless populations spring up through the nation, those states and cities with the most temperate year round climates are most appealing.  It's not coincidence that these are the same geographical areas, popular for tourism and business.  Naturally, homeless populations and tent cities threaten the "bottom line," for businesses and business leaders demand their elected officials, "do something," to alleviate their concern.  Of course, we live in a nation where the immediate knee jerk reaction is, "There oughta be a law!"  So much less expensive and far more popular a solution when the real objective is to win a reelection.  Thus, we find cities like St. Petersburg, FL, actually "banning" tent cities, while Boston, MA, banned sleeping in public parks, many years ago.  Other cities across the nation have taken the approach of outlawing the feeding of homeless people or providing any basic human services....hoping the homeless will go elsewhere.  Several cities have actually been caught buying one way bus tickets out of their cities and giving them to the homeless....passing the problem on to another city.  The "out of sight, out of mind," approach.  Politics at it's best.

I appreciate the concerns of business owners, demanding a safe and pleasant environment for their customers....and I recognize the "not in my backyard," feeling of those who are not among the homeless population, our current approach is not a solution to the problem.  Not for the homeless and certainly not for the rest of the population, either.

The overly simplistic approach of merely "outlawing" homelessness and tent cities accomplishes what?  Little more than feeding an already overloaded justice system by declaring "poor" to be a crime.  Now, we can reduce homeless populations by building more expensive jails and prisons, feed and provide for people who's crime was being homeless.  This hardly seems "cost effective," but no doubt is a very encouraging move for the growing "private prison corporations" we are allowing to feed and grow off our most unfortunate members of society.

We can opt to just ignore the growing homeless population.  At least for awhile.  In time, these homeless camps, without basic services, housing people with no access to medical care and we're asking for a "perfect storm," for disease to reach epidemic levels.  We are already seeing strains of Tuberculosis and other diseases long ago, eliminated from our lives, coming back and resistant to the medications we have.  We're seeing an increase in diseases such as Hepatitis C, STD's and more.  These diseases don't respond to laws being passed against them, nor do they recognize boundaries separating homeless camps from "respectable neighborhoods and businesses."  When they strike your family, suddenly, the least costly solution, doesn't appear to have been the best solution.

As these tent cities continue to grow and spread, unless we manage them and provide basic services, as we do for the rest of our cities, the social ills and financial burden is going to continue to grow.  Obviously, the perfect solution would to have a nation where our citizens did not have to live in squalor, but that's too idealistic for our "pull yourself up by your bootstraps," Americans.  So, for now, we continue to be extremists, one extreme attempting to outlaw being poor, while the other extreme seeks a Utopian society.  Somewhere, down the middle, either we get busy finding viable solutions, or surely we are going to be facing far greater crime, disease and social unrest than we've known in this generation.  Unless we cease to ignore these people and the problems we have, we could, one day, see our own version of an "Arab Spring."

Do I have the solution?  The answer to it all?  No, I don't.  What I do know is that a nation can only ignore growing poverty and anger for a period of time before the pot boils over.  I've seen it and lived through it in what we consider "third world nations," and like it or not, we are not exempt from taking that same road.

What do you think?  What would be a beginning step toward a real, sustainable solution to our growing homeless problem?  These people are not going to just crawl off and quietly die so we don't have to think about them.  I don't think most Americans would tolerate internment camps today, as we used for Japanese-American citizens during World War II.  Do we just turn ourselves into a "prison society?"  Do we just allow clueless elected officials to continue on, "outlawing" whatever we don't want to see?

I believe that as human beings, caring citizens of this planet, the solutions lie with us to find and demand from our elected officials.  And, I believe we can take the first steps, ourselves, to educate our people....giving them the truth about the homeless crisis, how it is growing, the potential ills we face if we don't effectively address it and demand change.

As always, I would love to hear your ideas.  Let's listen to what other people think....in a respectful, thoughtful manner.  In doing so, perhaps we can find something....the "beginning of change," among ourselves.  If change is to come, it begins with each of us...and with our finding solutions.  Please share your thoughts and please respect the differences in opinion of others. 

Welcome To My Path........

We each walk a path in life.  That path consists of smooth, straight stretches, as well as rugged, nearly impossible crossings.  It is up to us how we tackle the challenges before us.  There is no "one way" to reach the top of the mountain....we must each find our own way, using the power within us to continue our journey.  There is no "right" nor "wrong" way to overcome challenges, nor decide which fork to take in the road.  We have spirit guides to help, but the ultimate decision is ours and until we learn to remain quiet enough and aware enough, our spirit guides cannot get our attention.  No single "brand" of belief is going to take us to the top of the mountain....I have learned to draw from many sources for strength, wisdom and knowledge.

The further I travel on my personal journey, the less I find I know.  Media and politicians feed us overly simplified solutions, none of which solve our ills as a people nor a planet.  We all share this planet together, so it seems it's going to be up to us to explore, find solutions and above all else, put minor differences aside and work for the common good of all.

Many years of my life have been spent living in different countries, among different cultures and customs and often teaching me different perspectives to examine.  I wrote a lot of Opinion Editorial columns (some old ones I may post along the way, just because I was in a very small minority at the time, but ultimately, history vindicated me.)  Just for fun, stuff.  But, Op-Ed's tend to be confrontational and I think we have too much confrontation around us today.  So, I'm going to try something different here in the Gaia Community.  I plan to find interesting stories, often posing interesting questions and challenging solutions.  I'll offer my take, if I have one, in seeking a solution.  But most of all, I'm going to ask for YOUR take on finding solutions.  We may all learn to look at challenges from a different perspective and done so with an open mind....that's learning!

I encourage your participation and ask only that everyone respect the opinions of other participants.  After all, we are discussing opinions....not validated, scientific fact.  We're an idea factory, exchanging viewpoints and perhaps out of that, we all will learn something and find we have more common ground with our neighbors than we may have realized.

So, again, I welcome everyone.  I welcome respectful challenges to my opinions...and I look forward to meeting and interacting with the awesome people here in the Gaia Community!