Dick Gregory

 Dick Gregory

Dick Gregory was the first political comic. He spent his life and his career trying to wake-up America, through his comedy, on the racism in America in the 60s and 70s. I just watched his documentary. He had so many things to say that I agree with. One of his sayings, that has nothing to do with racism, really hit home for me.

"in order to appreciate happiness, you have to experience sadness. In order to appreciate health, you have to experience sickness and disease."

The first line is so true to me. I so appreciate my life today after all the sadness I experienced in my life. I've been sad and happy throughout my life. True happiness usually happens after a great sadness in my life. Losing Ellen and then finding Joyce is a great example.

I've been healthy almost all of my life. A cold here and there was my only health problem. Sooo, until February 2025, I really didn't appreciate my health. February 2025, I got COVID pneumonia. It was really bad and I believe it had a lot to do with my heart surgery in September and my long-lasting pneumonia plus acid reflux in April 2026.

I'm on the mend now, however, I really appreciate feeling somewhat healthy again. When I'm back to being Kenny again, I will never underestimate my appreciation for my health. 

OK, what about you. It would be rare for anybody not to have experienced sadness or health problems in their life. The question is has this sadness and health problems got you to appreciate the happiness when the sadness and health problems have ended. I hope so.

Mental Health

 Mental Health

When we think of health, it's usually about physical health. We assume we are healthy mentally unless we have a mental disorder. What I learned was that assumption is not true. We all go through times in our life when our mental health is either not so good or has changed over time.

I'm a good example. As a young kid, I was happy and mentally healthy. When I started working, I became scared that I would not be good enough. My mental state was fear. However, I was very good at my job, and the fear went away. Then I got married to the wrong woman. I was so unhappy, my mental state became anger and depression.

After the divorce I was happy again and mentally healthy. Then, again, I married the wrong woman. That divorce brought out the worst of my mental state. I was fearful, angry and felt out of control. My life was shit until I met Bob and then My Ellen. 

My mental state was very healthy until Ellen died suddenly of a heart attack. Because of the teaching and the mental tools Bob gave me, I didn't fall into anger or depression, but a new mental state for me was loneness. 

That lasted until I met Joyce. Now, even with all my current health challenges, I'm happy, loving life and Joyce. My mental health is great.

Sooo, what about you. In my opinion, mental health is just or maybe even more important than your physical health. Poor mental health will have a negative impact on your physical health. If your mental health is not great, figure out why, change what you can change and/or get help.