Hello, folks!

I want to talk a little bit about what it means to attend to one's health. Many of you already are aware of all this, I know -- this effort is really only for those who may be uncertain of these ideas.

Each of us owns the body we were born in. We are born alone, and we die alone, no matter the presence of twins at birth, nor the presence of others at one's deathbed. We experience both death and birth as an individual. This is the plan, you might say, and it's a great one if you think about it. ;->

Let us reasonably conclude that each of us is the responsible person for the vitality and robustness of the health of the body one lives this life in.

The reason I'm nattering on about this subject is to encourage ALL of you to take a certain approach to this whole matter. It is the most critical matter, undoubtedly. My message is to take control of your health, WHATEVER that requires. It is your first and greatest responsibility in living on this Earth, in my opinion. How happily will you enjoy your life if you do not?

I realize that many, many readers of this column live in countries with nationalized health care. That circumstance tends to discourage citizens of such countries from seeking out non-conventional medicine, since very practically speaking, a non-covered treatment costs yet something more, over and above the exorbitant taxes already reducing their disposable income taken from them to support the nationalized health schemes. This is an issue which can only be dealt with politically -- so for you folks: if you feel the value you're receiving from the tax money you're losing is disproprortionately small, you have a clear task before you.

There are also plenty of folks who rely upon state-issued vouchers which substitute for cash in order to buy their food.

However, whether you do or do not depend upon money the government sends back to you to maintain your physical well being, the responsibility for your own health will always be yours and yours alone. The employees of your government neither benefit nor suffer from the good or ill state of your health in the short term. You cannot depend upon others' judgment in these matters. You alone still have the ultimate decision upon which, and what kinds of, foods to eat, which supplements to use, what activity to engage in, which drugs you wish to take, which doctor to attend, which hospital to employ if necessary.

As I mentioned above, perhaps you've computed that if you chose the food, supplements and medical care ideal for you, you could not pay the costs of those items and services. In most situations of this kind with which I've had involvement, it is not a matter of income insufficient to support clothing, shelter, clean food and regular exercise, but it is rather a result of oppressive and intrusive taxation and/or personal priorities which limit the funds available for this critical matter.

Folks, I will do my utmost to assist you in designing the best diet and exercise regimen for you, based upon Peter's enormous research and also upon whatever I may have found that may be particularly useful in your situation. Beyond that assistance, you yourself are empowered to decide (1) how to disburse the income you have, and (2) whatever political action you may determine is in your best interest to address the problem of that money you earn which you do not receive -- or alternately, the money you receive which you have not earned.

Help me help you, by having your priorities clearly in mind. We have vast resources with which to assist you in attaining the goals you set for yourself. And I am passionately determined that if you commit yourself to resolving your health issues, I will do my utmost to aid you in doing so.

Best wishes to all, from a beautifully snow-blanketed New York City.

:-D