Contrary to popular belief, ostriches don’t actually bury their heads in the sand; if they did, they would suffocate. Hmm, but sometimes, metaphorically, we do emulate this avoidance behavior when faced with news or information we don’t want to hear or don’t want to know about it. If we don’t know it, it doesn’t exist. If we don’t hear it, we don’t have to do anything about it. This reminds me of a small child who sticks their fingers in their ears and loudly proclaims, “Lalalalala.” The problem won’t go away, and we can’t pretend it doesn’t exist. So, let’s meet it head-on.
Knowledge is power. We can’t fix a problem if we don’t know it exists or we don’t have the information about it. In our generation, we have the internet at our fingertips. There is good information and bad information; better yet, we have accurate information and inaccurate information available to us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is no excuse for any of us not knowing “something” about any situation we face. We don’t have to be a plumber to search the internet about a clogged toilet to determine whether we can correct the problem ourselves or we need to call the expert. This doesn’t mean we can go into business tomorrow as a plumber with “Google” as our assistant, but it sure does come in handy for a plethora of issues and just everyday knowledge—and not-so-everyday knowledge.
I’m famous for avoiding problems, and I’ve had to train myself to face them head-on. I’m not a doctor and definitely not an expert in ovarian cancer, but I now know more than I ever thought I would know. Three years ago, I didn’t even know it existed. Knowledge is power. When you have a doctor’s appointment scheduled, go with a list of questions (you should see mine for my oncologist; it’s longer than some people’s grocery lists). This is your opportunity to ask important questions about your health. This is the expert you hired to guide you through a health concern or just a healthy lifestyle. No question is minor. If your physician doesn’t treat you or your questions with respect, find another doctor. You and your health are important, and you need to make them a priority.
Avoiding problems doesn’t make them disappear. In fact, they usually get worse from lack of attention. Tackle the difficult things first, and everything else seems easy after that—well, relatively.
I’m on my way to my oncologist with the “grocery list” of questions I’ve developed from internet research of reputable medical sites, reading my scan reports, and days of thinking about what is ahead. I’m not hiding my head in the sand; I’m taking control and navigating towards my future. (Proverbs 19:20-21)
April 4, 2025
