44 LIFE & HOME
Senior Scene
Levi Transitions
Text by David Smith, LCSW
Some quotations are
ingrained in our collective psyche.
One of these is Patrick
Henry’s declaration that
inspired our nation to fight for
independence: “Give me liberty
or give me death!" Another
more recent statement
expresses a different sentiment:
“When you have your
health you have everything. If
you don’t have your health
nothing else matters.”
These are two examples of
what we’re hearing today
among Americans who are trying
to find normalcy in the
midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Some seem to be willing
to sacrifice normal lives—
the American way—in order to
protect their health. Others
seem to be willing to risk their
health in order to live normal
lives. Many see these as diametrically
opposed—as enmity
against each other.
I see it differently. Each
mindset reflects specific values.
Values are beliefs about
what is important. It’s not that
each group has opposing values
(Who doesn’t value health?
Who doesn’t value freedom?).
It’s more so that each group is
prioritizing one value over
another. We all do that.
In fact, our values may
change depending on our circumstances.
A person in poor
health probably values health
more than a healthy person
does. A person living under a
dictatorship probably values
freedom more than someone
who lives in a democracy. We
tend to take for granted what
we have and value more what
we don’t have. A healthy person
does value health, and a
free person does value freedom—
but perhaps these values
are not as high on the list.
Here’s my point: although
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