This assumption is one that unfortunately is all-too-common - even among the more affluent population! While it is true that our ridiculously bloated health care system is exorbitantly expensive, and there are times when it is really helpful to have the money to go to see a doctor, it's also true that a lot of today's illness and disease would not even be an issue if we were to focus on prevention instead of trying to "cure" everything with a pill. Living a healthy lifestyle with plenty of exercise (free), sleep (free), and eating truly healthy food (not that expensive if you know what you're doing - and/or can grow some of it yourself) goes a long way towards keeping you from needing to see a doctor much at all. Vitamin supplements can also sometimes help - and again, most of them are not that expensive - often much cheaper than even generic drugs or over-the-counter medications.

In the past 6 years, I have learned more about health than in all of my previous years up to that point! And the degree to which we can actually control our own health is actually pretty amazing - we just have to educate ourselves, since they sure don't teach you how in school....

And as for therapy....again, self-improvement comes from within. While therapists certainly have their place and can be quite helpful for some people in some cases, there are also many, MANY free or low-cost resources to help you take control of your own mental health and find balance, peace, and happiness (although again, it most certainly will take some time and effort).

Overall, the tone of the article I mentioned was one of irresponsibility. That is, the author felt that she was not responsible for her own life, health, happiness, well-being, or financial situation. The overall theme was that others were responsible - and  thus she had no control over her own present situation. And this was the sad part for me. Not her actual situation, but the fact that she could see no way out of it.

I know from experience that when you're in that state of mind, it's hard to see the forest for the trees. And getting out of the forest can seem nearly impossible. But it IS possible. And the true answer comes down to one thing:

Responsibility.

If you've ever watched Mortal Kombat or Spiderman, you may be familiar with the phrase or idea:  "With great power comes great responsibility." But I find the converse is even more meaningful.

With great responsibility comes great power!

Only by taking responsibility for your own life can you ever hope to have power over it. Responsibility gives you back control - over your health, your finances, your mental state, your overall success and happiness in life. And it's something you CAN have - at any time!

If you break down the word "responsibility," you will realize what it means is that you have the ability to respond. You have the ability to respond and react to whatever happens to you in life. You have the ability to control the way you respond to any situation. You are not a victim, and you are not poor, and you are not at the mercy of the government, your employer, your doctor, your therapist, or anyone else - unless you choose to be. (Well, at least that goes for most of us in America today. Certainly there are other areas of the world where people don't have the vast array of choices in life that we do here.)

If you don't have the money to buy books, visit your local public library. Check out some books, or get online. Read this blog, subscribe to our weekly newsletter (it's free!), and educate yourself on health. Educate yourself on finances. Educate yourself on success, relationships, or whatever you want in life.

Your mind is your most precious gift. Use it. Educate yourself, take responsibility, and take control of your life.

And when you do, be sure to remember those who are "less fortunate," and teach them how to do the same!

Responsibly yours,
Rose.