Where is the beauty?

OK, now this is only my second post and while I was all set to give an overview of my life to date, my interests, music that I can't get enough of, personal philosophies, loves of my life, (you get the point) I was shocked into a more serious state of mind. Bear with me.....The profession that I'm pursuing, the profession that I will most likely dedicate the rest of my life to is for the most part a pit of dispair. WTF? What can I do with that? Today in Global Health we watched a video on HIV/AIDS around the world. I've found that the resounding theme of this class is people falling prey to illness and death due largely to circumstances out of their control. Public Health may seem like a profession with a never ending supply of rewarding experiences, but the truth is that with all of the advances in technology and understanding of public health issues, things usually get in the way--intentionally or unintentionally--of putting that knowledge to good use. I currently feel that no matter how much I strive to make a difference it will be over-shadowed by politics and personal agenda here in the States and by other issues elsewhere. For example, we have the resources to prevent a huge portion of the morbidity and mortality experienced in resource-poor countries, but what we (as public health professionals) can't do is alter the reality of the people in most desperate need of our help: their cultural beliefs, society, religious beliefs, personal experiences, political environment, economic status. I feel that the most we can do is educate people on risks and preventative measures, give them the means necessary to help themselves and hope they do the rest.....and are permitted to do the rest.
I've never personally experienced the majority of the hardships that occur around the world. I can't claim any real understanding of what these people are going through. My reality is that no matter how much I contribute people are still going to die unnecessarily, suffer unneedingly.........there is no end-all cure, there is no universal answer. The fight against morbidity and mortality is endlessly changing and eternally convoluted.........Even if I were to switch to a different profession: MD, social worker, etc. there will always be circumstances that are out of my control. It's a fact of life. I've realized that the only way for me to remain sane while dedicating my life to this work is to change my perspective, not to dwell on what isn't being done but on what my efforts are accomplishing. I need to seek out the beauty.....

Photo courtesy of my friend Peter