By Nancy Patrick

When I taught composition as part of my language arts curriculum, I would allow the students to choose their own topics. Many times, they would tell me they couldn’t think of anything to write about. When that happened, I would present a list of possible subjects that should interest just about any student.

Today, I find myself facing a similar dilemma. I want to write an essay, but many of the topics that really interest me tend to cause controversy in today’s hostile social atmosphere. I have strong opinions about religion and politics, but I don’t have the emotional stamina to endure attacks from those who disagree with my thoughts.

I remember a time when people could listen to and participate in debatable conversations without becoming mean and personally insulting; however, today feels different. Because I haven’t yet developed the thickness of skin to write about some things I would like to address, I have come up with some less argumentative ideas.

One of them relates to the new weight loss products that seem to provide an easy and effective way to reduce obesity without extreme dieting and exercise. Many of these—Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound—have helped thousands of people reduce their obesity.

I know that these drugs began as diabetes medications, but when patients and physicians recognized the weight loss benefits, the drugs’ popularity created difficulty in obtaining them. The cost made them prohibitive for most people; however, the desire for the products created a competitive market that has made them accessible to many people.

I had ambivalent feelings about the medications at first because I felt a petty jealousy that people can now lose weight with so much more ease than I did. I began fighting obesity as a ten-year-old fourth grader when I weighed 120 pounds. From that point on, I have struggled with weight control and body image. 

I had to work extremely hard and consistently my entire life to maintain an acceptably healthy weight, so I sadly confess that I also reacted less than benevolently when weight loss surgery became a seemingly easy way to achieve slender bodies. 

Over the years of observing some of the long-term effects of the surgery, I actually decided that I preferred my system of diet and exercise over the quicker results. Many of my acquaintances who had the surgery have lived with some restrictions and medical conditions that I avoided.

Another issue I ponder relates to the climactic changes that portend possible disaster for our planet. I do realize some people deny the gravity of climate changes, but I continue to accept the scientific evidence that supports these possible outcomes. 

I know that ocean life suffers in many ways. Plastic litter kills many sea creatures. The decrease of the ozone layer probably causes many of the dramatic weather changes the world experiences.

Floods, extreme and prolonged heat and cold, uncontrollable fires, mud slides, increased pollution, and threats to species present clear and dangerous perils to our planet’s health and forecast for life sustainability.  

An important issue that most of us face relates to health care in general and elder care specifically. Health insurance continues to concern many people who fear illness or accidents because of the potential of bankruptcy in the face of catastrophic medical conditions not covered by insurance.

As regarding elder care, Medicare and Medicaid play huge roles in health care for those over sixty-five and for those needing skilled nursing. In spite of frugal living their entire lives, my parents had to spend down their entire life savings, except for $2000, to qualify for Medicaid assistance when they needed nursing home care the last four years of their lives.

Even so, Medicare and Medicaid legislation faces constant scrutiny as their funds deplete with rising longevity and nursing care costs. Most average citizens cannot afford to pay nursing home costs without assistance. 

A related and somewhat “gray” area of concern for most families pertains to end-of-life care. Advances in modern medicine have made the extension of life an option for people to consider as they face their mortality. Every family must consider just how far it wants to continue life when all quality has gone. Some people insist on using every tool available to sustain a person on life support while others choose palliative care.

My list of topics continues, but I will save the rest for future articles. Of course, I have avoided some of the topics that weigh heavily on my soul these days. 

I try to side-step the major issues that cause my fear and anguish such as gender identification, racial injustice, international involvement in humanitarian crises, political cowardice, dishonesty, and lack of integrity. 

Americans often refer to our country as a Christian nation; however, our constitution guarantees freedom of and from religion for its citizens. Although I identify as Christian, I respect others whose faith resides in different belief systems.

Whatever the creed, most followers express a belief in human dignity and value. Unfortunately, I occasionally hear religious people denigrate and disparage those whose beliefs differ from them—whether theologically, politically, socially, or economically. 

We would do well to follow these words in Philippians 2:3-4: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (NIV)

Nancy Patrick is a retired teacher who lives in Abilene and enjoys writing