Fortunate

As of lately, I have really been remembering to count my blessings.  Sure, I am here in a new city getting to know people and continuously having to step outside of my comfort zone.  This may seem like torture at times, but when I stop and put things into perspective it all seems so small.  I am able to go home to a warm, furnished apartment, I can talk on the phone to my friends and family, I can warm up a cup of tea and eat delicious comfort foods, I do not have to worry about the bills (thanks to student loans and assistantships), I am loved, I have dreams, goals and desires. 

So many people out there cannot even claim those luxuries that I often take for granted.  They spend endless hours stressed, hungry, cold, and tired.  This obviously takes a toll on their health.  As my fellow classmates and I explore this topic, a question continues to linger in my head: how do we, as community health educators, fight this battle?  The answer will probably remain unanswered for quite some time...it could possibly remain unanswered until we find another leading determinant of health.  But in the meantime, I believe there needs to be collaboration between social workers, community action agencies, and community health specialists.  It seems silly as health educators to tell people to eat five servings of fruits and veggies a day when they are trying to find a place to live or struggle to put any food on the table at all.  I have seen this collaboration in many communities that I have been a part of, it just seems more obvious and necessary on this side of the spectrum (the health side). 

It has been difficult at times over here on my own, but if I remember to count my blessings, I feel so fortunate, optimistic, and most of all, humbled.