"He who would learn to fly one day must first learn to stand and walk and run and climb and dance; one cannot fly into flying."– Friedrich Nietzsche
I read two disturbing bits of information recently. Now for the good news, all is not lost because there is something that we can do about it. The first article appeared in the Wall Street Journal dated June 23, 2011. According to the 2010 American Time Use Survey, released by the Labor Department, they found that as Americans are gain more free time their leisure time is increasing. However, the survey found that time spent for learning new skills or working out has dropped. We’re talking about Americans aged 15 years and older on average. Leisure time can be considered a good thing. What is important is what we do with that leisure time. Learning a new skill or spending more time with exercise can be beneficial. Since 2007, we are spending on average less time with learning a new skill and exercise. This information does not speak well of the population at large. So guess what we are doing more of? The survey reported that more time is spent watching TV and sleeping.
The other article was found in the Wall Street Journal dated June 27, 2011. This article reported that the US had 24.7 million diabetics in 2008 which is nearly triple the level found in 1980. The study included type-1. Diabetes (a disorder of the body’s immune system) and type 2. Diabetes (a chronic disorder marked by high levels of sugar in the blood). The study went on to suggest that about 70% of the increase was attributed to population growth and aging. The balance however was linked to changing diets, rising obesity and growing rates of physical inactivity. Okay, what do we need to do? As the philosopher Nietzsche said, we have to simplify and start from ground zero. In order to get healthy, we have to eat differently and begin exercise.
There is nothing wrong if we pay attention to our plate portions, reduce sugar, and salt in our diets. Don’t wait till tomorrow start today. If you need additional assistance, consider professional help or follow one of the many diet programs. As far as exercise goes, begin today. Think of a time to walk let’s say for 15 minutes. It could be early in the morning; it could be around lunchtime, or in the evening. Put 1 foot in front of the other and continue that for about 15 minutes. Do it every day. Find the time; make it a priority in your life. We have to start somewhere and why not by walking?
The following information is continuing from yesterday’s comments about the male and female brain. A study of 500 children showed areas of the brain involved in language and fine motor skills matured about six years earlier in girls compared to boys. Girls learn to read earlier than boys and women continued to be better than men at most speech and language abilities throughout life. Is there anything the school system can do differently to take advantage of this data? Should boys and girls be expected to learn at the same rate in language and fine motor skills such as reading and printing? Should they be given the same assignments in these areas? Should they be graded equally or should the teachers take into account sex and brain differences? We know that in preschool and elementary school that girls do better in these areas. So, how should the schools deal with these differences? Think about it.
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