Day 147: Reality Check

I think it is so easy not to accept reality.  I don't think I have really talked about politics on this blog before, but today I was reading this article on Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi in which he basically denied that anything other than peace and tranquility existed in Libya.  It was really sad to read as he said that there were "No demonstration[s] at all in the streets" and that "his people" "love me, all my people with me, the love me all." 

Of course, it was sad to read this for two reasons.  First, because while he is saying this, those loyalists who remain with him are slaughtering pro-democracy demonstrators in the streets.  And second, because, apparently unbeknownst to him, half of his country has already broken away and formed a new, provisional government to run those parts of the country not directly under his control and much of the rest of the country may be preparing for civil war.

As I sat pondering this situation, and thinking about how crazy this guy must be, I realized that I should really not judge too harshly.  I mean, don't get me wrong, anyone who orders the killing of innocent people is awful and can be judged as such.  At the same time, I admit that I, too, have gone for years without being willing to accept reality.  I have been fearfully overweight for years.  I have been told I was pre-diabetic (pretty serious, considering I have numerous family members on both sides of my family with type-2 diabetes), but I did nothing about it.  I have been told my cholesterol was too high, but I did nothing about it.  I have been told my blood pressure was too high, but I did nothing about it.  And, let's be honest, I haven't looked that great carrying around all the extra weight that I have been carrying around, but I did nothing about it.

Clearly, Gadhafi has far more deep-seeded problems than I do (at least, I hope he does!), but I guess it is a reminder that all of us need a reality check sometimes.  Sure, some people need more of one than others, but I am just glad mine came before I died of a heart attack.