Recently, I heard during a conversation one person say,
"There are three types of people:
Those who know what's happening,
Those who watch what's happening,
Those who don't know anything is happening."
When I contemplated what was said, I thought there actually is a forth type of person; the person doesn't know that anything is happening
by choice. This is the person who prefers to put their had in the sand, close their eyes, and plug their ears so they remain ignorant and unaware.
I remember as a child learning a phrase, "Ignorance is bliss." Blissful ignorance is knowing enough of the situation to know that they don't want to discuss it, don't seek to gather information, and will change the channel rather than discuss the truth. These people avoid what they don't understand because to consider the facts would require too much work, take too much energy, and would distract them from a peacefully content little world they are trying to create. These people would have remained in their estate rooms sipping tea aboard the Titanic while everyone else was abandoning ship.
As Halloween approaches, I learned that Knot's Berry Farm is turning their scary farm into a place that creates real harm to children and adults alike. One stage overflows with satin and bondage costumes, gyrating hips, and pelvic thrusts aimed at the no age restricted audience. Families who used to be entertained by Snoopy and the Peanut's gang may find themselves facing hell and demons alike while being told it's safe for their children. Sadly, unaware parents may stumble unknowingly into a place where angels fear to tread. Other families who see no harm in exposing their children to those exposing themselves on stage will dive head first into the sexual abyss unaware of the harm it may cause.
When people take control of the things they can control and avoid situations, people and places that cause harm, and focus on improving physical, emotional, spiritual, AND mental health, they will have a better life overall.
When we begin to treat mental health through holistic approaches empowering our clients through education, diet, exercise, family, and reducing exposure to harmful situations, I believe we will turn around the mental illness crisis we currently are being overwhelmed by.
"Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come,
but woe to anyone through whom they come.
2 It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone
tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble."
Luke 17:1-2 NIV