I just realized that "Hump Day" means Wednesday...like you're getting over the "hump" of your week. I thought it was just something dirty that all my friends liked to say. Oops. Happy hump day!So, I've been feeling kind of conflicted because I keep seeing all of these commercials about not spreading the flu by getting vaccinated. I think vaccines are a really amazing advancement in medicine. We're so lucky to have this option. However, when we use too many vaccines and medicines and antibiotics, they stop working. The viruses that spread become stronger, which is dangerous to people (like children and the elderly) who have weaker immune systems. Plus I feel the same way about pharmaceuticals as I do about meat - the industry themselves are making the ads to make them look healthy and appealing. I would rather get sick and heal on my own, making my body naturally stronger, than put that stuff in my body. What are you theories and feelings on vaccinations? Do you get them? Are you opposed to them?
In other news, last month I started repaying my NYU student loans. THAT'S a bummer. Goodbye, paycheck. Just kidding - I'm trying to hold the mentality of gratitude for my experience there and being thankful that I have (and will continue to have) the means to pay it back.
I took a look at The Kind Life web site this morning and saw that Alicia posted the video of Christian the Lion. I've seen it before but was so glad to watch it again and be reminded of the love between living beings and the wonder that we can find in our world. You can find the video here. (This one features an Aerosmith's "I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing," but there are some other versions with different soundtracks...such as Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You." Click around You Tube to find your favorite.)
Happy Wednesday!
xoxo
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7 COMMENTS:
I was raised in a family that was very anti-vaccine. They alternated between believing it's wrong for religious reasons and believing that there's something sinister afoot in the scientific community.
About 2 years ago, I started working as a medical librarian. I became exposed to the true science, and I promptly got up to date on my vaccinations. Allow me to talk to you about why I changed my mind.
Viruses will mutate and grow stronger no matter what. They evolve; it's what they do. That's how we got H1N1, due to the strains evolving.
Your point about strengthening your immune system shows that you're misunderstanding what it is a vaccine does. A vaccine is a dead version of the virus that tricks your body into thinking it has been invaded by it. It then develops the same antibodies it would make if you actually did become sick with the virus. The vaccine *is strengthening your immune system*. Only it's doing it in a safe way without exposing other people to the virus.
Finally, the people in the scientific community are well-educated, kind-hearted people. There are a lot of checks and balances to ensure the safety of the public because they care about us. I never ever would venture to compare those in the meat industry to those in the scientific community. The meat industry is all about killing life. The scientific community is about saving it.
PS, Just for the record, I am a vegetarian ;-)
I wouldn't say I'm against vaccines, but I don't go out of my way to get them. I have this weird logic where I think being exposed to harmful stuff will make you stronger lol.
Happy hump day to you too :)
As a mother, the whole issue of vaxing one's child has garnered 1000s' of hours of research, soul searching, and effort. We dont vax; we vaxed til 6 mos selectively, and now believe that extended nursing, organic and clean food and water, handwashing, and living in the suburbs LOL is what we can do and that we are not going to be injected her with vax. However, to each his own, for real. No judgment either way, let's just all be happy and get along :) in parenthood circles, vaxing is like such a huge hotbutton issue, you couldnt even believe it!
Hey ladies, thank you so much for your comments so far!
Amanda - thanks so much for your insight, it's so interesting to hear from someone who has so drastically changed opinions. I do understand what a virus is, but what I meant about the immune system is that I feel it's safer to get over that virus naturally rather than injecting it into your body. Or...just avoiding exposure at all! I know that's easier said than done, but it is possible. Well...to an extent. As I type this I remember that I did have my HPV vaccine, but avoided the flu vaccine. Hmm.
And Averie and Danielle, I totally agree with both of you as well...healthy and natural, I think that's what I want.
xoxo girls. thanks again!
I'm totally on board with Amanda. I used to be anti-vax, but promptly switched to pro when I started nursing school and really educated myself on the issue (and the people involved).
My getting the flu shots this year as with each year after are not only for my job, but for those around me. I don't want to know that I was the one who spread it to kids, retirees, and immunocompromised people who later suffered horrible or dealy consequences. By getting the shot/mist, I eliminate myself as a potential carrier, and that's my priority until I get older. :-)
Vaccines... I'm not much for them. My father's a chiropractor and I kind of got raised more in the ways of "natural" health. But I recognize that I still have a lot to learn.
Maybe as an adult it's not such a big deal to get some updated vaccines. But little infants? It seems like too much to handle. And it appears that those shots they give to our little ones cover, not just one, but a broad range of possible diseases! I don't know if their tiny bodies should be subjected to that! But again, I have a lot to learn.
Thanks for such a thoughtful post, Andria!
Oh and Andria, do you know what? I had the same realization about "Hump day" that you did! I laughed and laughed when I read your words! You were explaining my exact experience! Hilarious!
Hump day... It turns out everybody else's thinking is normal and I'm really the one with the dirty mind! :) Oh dear... :D
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