While in vanpool thing morning I realized something…. I’m ALIVE! With the most recent scare of the “Swine Flu,” it is apparent that we shouldn’t be afraid of monsters, spiders, or even *shudder* clowns. It’s LIFE that we are defending ourselves against.
On a typical day:
Finally get to sleep the night before around 12 or 1 am, wake up at 6am. Five or six hours of sleep can put you at risk for several health issues including memory loss, diabetes (from your body not able to process sugar properly because of a weakened metabolism), and even depression.
Rushing to vanpool that leaves at 7am. The effects of driving half awake are obvious. Shorter reaction time to lights or sudden stops, and on most days the morning fog has not yet lifted and you are driving in 20 feet visibility. Lately, driving to vanpool means driving east AGAINST the sun rise. Glare is never helpful.
Riding in vanpool with eleven other people. Several riders have children or pets. Children, especially ones in daycare, are often the most common vessels of a cold. Being in such close proximity with this many people over a half hour commute puts you in a more vulnerable position to contract a virus.
Also while riding in vanpool, if you have trouble sitting still for an extended amount of time, you decide to connect to the internet or play games on your cell phone. This means that you are staring at a small screen for roughly an hour of your day, voluntarily. This will effect the planes in your eyes, and will throw off the focus of the cornea. Regular astigmatism is a side effect of this behavior.
Once arriving at work, if you work in an office setting, you spend 7 hours staring at a computer screen (astigmatism, myopia, etc). Many office buildings recycle the air…so someone in the department across the hall chose to come to work because their cold was “just starting” and it can almost be guaranteed that you contract the cold within the next couple weeks.
LUNCH: Most people do not take the time to make themselves a “healthy” meal for lunch during the week. It is much more convenient to stop by your company deli, or the nearest fast food stop for a quick meal. By making convenient and not necessarily “smart” choices you are now at risk for obesity and diabetes.
Throughout the day your job will require you to make tough decisions, and use parts of your brain that may not often be excercised. Involuntarily, you are now susceptable to stress, migraines, and even thoughts of suicide (I’ve worked in a call center setting…it’s TOTALLY possible).
After the 5 o’clock bell rings and you ride the possibly viral vanpool home, you are presented with all new hurdles. Upon arriving home you check the mailbox for new correspondence. This could lead to receiving an anonymous letter with SARS, or just receiving bills that are added stress.
After dinner, while watching the news you are presented with unfortunate stories of people that have not been as fortunate as you on this day. Ones who have been mercilessly slaughtered, raped and killed, or even mindlessly killed in a car crash.
Overall… living through life ain’t easy. If at the end of the day you find yourself in good health, and finding ONE thing to smile about, then personally I think you are coming out on top. Never take a day for granted because the next is a WHOLE nother battle!
Till next time….
Be yourself! Everyone else is taken. 
