Oh snap…freaked me out just typing the title.

I don’t write about politics. I don’t pay much attention to politics or current events for that matter. It’s a peaceful life. I’ve avoided writing about it on this blog and on social media for several years. Don’t get me wrong, I know topics people argue a out—I’m on social media. You can’t avoid it. People want to bring it up in conversations, it is all over TV, sports has been infiltrated…I don’t really engage in much of that conversation, outside a close circle.

But this mask arguement and this vaccine argument both make me scratch my head.

I think both sides of aisle have some correct points. I think both sides are well intended. I don’t even want to discuss it because you have your opinion, I have mine and I don’t have an argument compelling enough to make me believe I can “convert” you. But these two topics fall behind the #1 issue in my opinion. And people do not seem to be arguing over the #1 issue.

The #1 issue should not be COVID-19. It isn’t masks. It isn’t vaccines. Its health. Look at the stats. I won’t argue and break it all down to prove my point. I avoid headlines and commentary, but I pay attention to the data. But I will mention a few things like 78% of those hospitalized were overweight or obsese. The death rate is much lower in countries with the lowest obesity rates. That’s a fact. You can be neither mask or anti-mask and disagree. This is one common, undebatable fact. And statistics also show the average COVID19 death involves 2.6 co-morbidity factors per person! Heart disease, cancer, diabetes, etc. the list goes on and on. And are you 100% certain you won’t see one or more other pandemics in your lifetime? No one knows the answer to that question. How are you going to prepare for the next one?

So lets get healthy.

Which makes the debate silly. Do you know how many out of shape, unhealthy people I see rage-posting on both sides each day? I can’t count them, that’s for sure.

What if they used that time for….a 30 minute brisk walk…extra time in prayer…reading books….self improvement…preparing healthy meals…more family time…new hobby or project…finally starting and becoming consistent with a fitness plan…finally becoming healthy?

Imagine if we abandoned sugary snacks and soda, cut out processed foods and dropped the gluten? If we replace all that with fresh fruits and vegetables while preparing healthy meat selections? What it we all found some sort of exercise activity we enjoyed for 30-60 minutes a day?

Imagine that word. I fantasize about that world.

I can tell you there is peace and freedom in healthy living. I’m fortunate decisions I made years ago have made me a healthy person. I know I’m not 100% immune, but I don’t fear. I’ve only worried about COVID-19’s impact on unhealthy people. I have not feared it personally. The fat version of myself from years past might have been terrified, with or without masks and vaccines.

These is peace because of discipline. Discipline is freedom.

You will never find peace through social media outrage. You can’t change others but you can change yourself. And you can change yourself again tomorrow and the next.

Think of today as the year 2026 and you’re looking back at your last 5 years. How do you want to look back on this time? Well you better get busy today, son.

Go get it.