Insomnia, fever, 11 hour shift, no break.

Whenever you beat yourself up, remember the 3 yous.

I’ve recently been taught this method. Let me spread the love.

Conceptualize the 3 yous. Past you, Present you, and Future you.

The three are best friends for life. Literally inseparable.

You’ve been beating yourself up? That was Past you’s doing.

Past you can be foolish, but who isn’t from time to time? Show some forgiveness.

If you’re paralyzed today, that’s Present you being discouraged. But that’s okay.

You need to persevere for Future you. Do Future you a favor for once!

Tomorrow, make sure Future you remembers to thank Past and Present you for being such good friends.

Always remember to thank yourself tomorrow.

Finally, remember you don’t have split-personality disorder and that…

…you can be foolish, forgiving, persevering, and thankful.

Love yourself for that.

“How can I kill myself quickly and without feeling pain?”

You can die quickly but not without causing pain.

The key word is causing. You may not feel the pain but the trauma you’ve caused to those in your life is permanent. Even if you have no one in your life right now, someone was in your life and someone will be in it too. Your childhood friends whom you’ve grown apart from will be hurt. Your future granddaughter will not have your voice to fall asleep to. You can die quickly but not painlessly.

Call 1–800–273–8255 immediately. Someone is eager to speak with you there.

Shoot me a message privately as well if you need someone to talk to.

Here's an extra episode off-the-cuff brought to you by my insomnia! People are getting dependent on sleeping pills so here are a few tips to fall asleep better without medications.

Always use Hanlon’s Razor.

"Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity."

Most people don’t think they’re as rude as they are.

Maybe their culture is more blunt. Maybe they had a bad day. Maybe they’re just an asshole.

Whatever the reason may be, we can be 90% sure it’s not on purpose.

For the remaining 10%, god help them.

"I banned my 17 year old daughter from buying condoms. Is that okay?"

Taking condoms away from your daughter is like taking armor away from a soldier.

Your daughter is a soldier. She fights off body image issues, acne, period cramps, school stress, and annoying boys.

Though she’s won many of those battles in the past, she will inevitable have her guard down one day. When that day comes, you will want her to have protection.

Condoms are meant to protect good people from harm. Less responsible children would not even bother buying them.

From that, I know you’ve done a wonderful job teaching your daughter to be a responsible teen.

Let her continue this healthy habit into adulthood.

Maybe it is justifiable.

It is difficult, but perhaps it is justifiable.

Let me explain.

Drug companies are companies.

People often think of healthcare as some altruistic industry where a bunch of geniuses gather and work to rid the world of diseases.

The healthcare industry, including drug companies, attracts talents that they do because it’s a great money-making machine.

Just like Apple Inc., Pfizer Inc. answers to their shareholders and pays for top talents.

However, let’s assume they don’t have to answer to anyone. Let’s assume they don’t have to make money.

To keep the lights on, they would have to at least break even.

Pfizer’s cost of R&D per new drug was calculated to be almost $8 billion in 2013.

They need to make at least that to stay operational and continue to save lives.

Do they make more than that per drug? Yes.

Do payers like that? No.

Is it justifiable? Maybe.

—

About the Author

Roger Ma is a consultant pharmacist stationed in the exciting city of Toronto

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