"Teachers are everywhere. And as we become ready for a new lesson, one will appear."
I learned a lesson today which isn't new, but I needed to be reminded. We all need reminders now and then. Gossip, or character assassination is done by all unconsciously. There are individuals who love to gossip whether the source is true or not. I remember my brother and I using cans and string to talk to each other. Or another game where you tell a secret to the person next to you. He/she tells the next person and so on. By the time the original statement is said aloud by the last person, it is nothing like it was when it started. This is how rumors spread. I was reminded of that by a dear friend today. My friend was my teacher today. I needed that reminder. How blessed am I to have friends that also are my teachers!
Sometimes gossip that you hear may turn out to be correct.
Today I learned a good lesson about gossip and friends.
It is estimated that 28 billion dollars is spent on supplements a year. This is more than twice the amount spent in 1995. Many individuals are on nutraceutical programs. There are companies who make a fortune of selling vitamins. I do like supplements and vitamins for individuals. Yet, not every one needs an extra vitamin. If the individual eats and exercises regularly as part of their lifestyle, you might not need vitamins/supplements. I rather recommend a natural herb to help with a medical ailment. Last year Pfizer, which produces lipitor, norvasc (now generic) and viagra sold $68 million worth of pharmaceutical drugs, AND also $463 million in vitamin/supplements.
It is amazing to think that when Casimir Funk termed the word vitamin 99 years ago that he unleashed the mega business it is today. At that time we had the usual culprits, A, B, C , D K and all the other B vitamins.
We do know that Linus Pauling revolutionized the sales and use of Vitamin C after his widely popular explosive book, Vitamin C and the common cold in 1970. He is a double winner for the Nobel Prize-- one in 1954 and one in 1962. Pauling became a household name as did Robert Atkins in 1974 with his ever popular High Protein, Low Carbohydrate Diet book. Some individuals, especially physicians want to be a household name. I know Mehmet Oz is now a household name, Dr Oz. Oprah is also a household name.
I do not want to be a household name. I want to known as a doctor who cares. That is a problem because when I hear that an individual was not treated properly - it hurts me. I feel bad that someone in the medical profession does not treat a patient correctly. A friend overseas calls me "The Country Doctor"... That always makes me smile.
Not everyone needs vitamins and supplements. Be proactive and make better food choices. Plants are good. Herbs are good. Remember you are good also.
Until tomorrow...
I just want to start with - I LOVE THIS BLOG. I am a reserved person and tend to speak only when I have something to say. In reading your comments on gossiping I realized for the first time that by quietly listening to gossip and not asserting what I know to be true is just as wrong as wagging my tongue with the venom of gossip. One of my favorite quotes is "Those who know the TRUTH are not equal to those who love it." -Confucius - You became a teacher to me today. Thank you.
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