A Cry for Compassion

I believe that this story exemplifies where we stand as a people.  

It is one that invokes so many emotions; I am having trouble filtering through the thoughts from both my mind and my heart to compose a coherent transcription of my views.  I truly need to study some Molecular Technology and Biotechnology at the moment, but after watching the video and reading its comments, I can't sit by without some comment on the issue.

A little background about myself: I come from a family of people who constantly fight with the scale.  My whole life, I have struggled with my weight, not quite becoming "obese" but definitely toeing the line.  I am also short and have arm hair that is dark and very noticeable.  I've always joked that if we were back in caveman times, I would be the ultimate survivor because I would only need a small cave, be kept warm a little better, and my body knows how to get and store every single calorie that I eat.  Now, this view comes from my philosophy of living by the positive, and while it may come a little more naturally to me than others, being optimistic is ALWAYS a choice.  I have certainly struggled and still struggle with self-image issues, as society trains us to intently focus on the negative.  I am not tall, I am not skinny, I am not the most outgoing, and I don't have flawless skin.  But, I am so blessed with love from the Highest King, I have irreplaceable family and friends, I have the opportunity to become a pharmacist and help people with their ailments, and I have an entire world full of people, stories, and knowledge to enjoy.

It is how I look AT life rather than how I look IN life.  I am stuck with my height, hair, and genes for food preservation.

Now, I am going into the medical field, so of course I am taught nearly every day how important it is to maintain a healthy weight and life style.  My dream career contains the chance to help those with health issues such as high weight, high blood pressure, and diabetes achieve a more fulfilling life through health improvement.  I want to work against job security; I want to get people off of their medicines.

But, pharmacy school isn't all science; it is also about patient care and compassion.  We are trained not to be medical slave drivers but supporters and guides of our patients' health.  Telling a patient that they are fat and not a good role-model to our children won't get anything done.  That statement is basically saying, "Hey, I don't care about you or how you feel or what you've done, but you make me sick.  Now get!"  Perhaps the viewer of this anchor had good intentions, for promoting healthy living isn't a bad thing, but you have to start by caring about the person.  I try to watch my weight and support those around me who also battle the scale because I know that with extra weight generally comes cardiovascular disease and diabetes.  These two health issues complicate and exhaust life so much.

BUT, a healthy life isn't worth living without confidence and satisfaction.

That is the message here.  Mrs. Livingston seems confident, successful, and happy with herself, and what is wrong with that example to young girls?  The comments to this video just tear my heart to pieces for they are so full of remarks meant to cut a person down.  That is bullying, and it isn't productive.  If we all tried to be a little more compassionate, just imagine how many good role-models there would be for our children.  

I challenge you, for every negative you find in a person, look for two positives.  And if you can't do that, then be a positive in their life and be compassionate.