Life, a mysterious aspect of the human mind, is powerful just as much as it is precious. Life takes so much time to come about, but can be lost in the blink of an eye. The human race does not appreciate life. Life is thought of as convenient, easy, and self serving. Many actions that are carried out by humans are done so without second thoughts; abortion is legal and practiced every day. As the future emerges, mankind continues to develop new ways to kill one another, whether using nuclear, biological, chemical, or just an old fashion bullet. Then, there are those killers of mankind, though tremendously enjoyed; tobacco, alcohol, and fast food, all lead to many deaths each year.

In general most of our society rarely notices the millions of abortions in the world each year. The number of casualties in the United States incurred from abortion in just one year alone out number the casualties of the Revolutionary War to the present war in Iraq. In the United States alone there have been thirty-five million abortions between1973-1997. Abortion is now the leading cause of death, not cigarettes, alcohol, car accidents, or crime. It is disturbing to note that the same persons that should nurture, parents, are known to be the leading cause of death to human beings. Every discarded human, killed unborn baby had the potential to be someone in this world that could make a difference.

Abortion is murder. People argue that this developing being is just a fetus, not human and not yet alive. The scientific understanding of a living thing is: one, it can reproduce; two, it can respond to changes in its environment; three, it can absorb energy for example, eating and four, it grows. An unborn baby is capable of doing all of these things. If people do not think it is alive, then answer this question, “If a person kills a pregnant woman, why is the killer charged with two counts of murder and not just one”. Ironic isn’t it, to think that there is a double standard for the law. Countless times excuses used emphasize that it is the women’s body and she has a choice to use her body the way she believes best. The fact is women make their choice when they choose to have sex. After that it is up to God to decide what happens. Another puzzling aspect of the abortion argument is that if a woman becomes pregnant and does not want to keep the baby, she may do what she feels best without the father’s consent or knowledge of what might take place. It takes both a man and a woman to create a human life. The father should have some input regarding the situation at hand.

Throughout the evolution of man, conflicts arise that when addressed, defer to the most popular method of a fight. Fists, sticks, guns, bombs, and now even disease is used to settle disputes. It just takes one weapon to spark an evolution of its own, sword then single shot guns and then the amazing machine gun. Then in World War II a major discovery in weaponry, the biggest know to man, the Atomic Bomb. It helped the United States defeat the Japanese, yet thousands of innocent lives were lost because people could not talk things out. Once Chemical and Biological weapons were invented, everything changed. Death could now be dragged out more painfully. The culture in which we live, has desensitized itself to death. In this information age, it is reported daily, up to the minute coverage, up to the moment, in real time. It is the subject of primetime, early time, and late night television. It captures attention in movies and art. It is with us constantly. Acknowledging death is part of our daily lives, but noticing death, is confined to the rare times that it happens to a person who is close to us.

Doctors tell us that the key to a long and healthy life is moderation. Yet, people choose to ignore the warning signs. Fast food is an easy way to fill up and it is inexpensive, but it is the worst food that could ever be put into the human body. On average each big menu item is at least 600 calories. Sure the food is delicious and one a week is not bad for the body, but it can lead to obesity. Obesity in turn can lead to multiple life threatening conditions if not adequately addressed. Many people enjoy alcohol, but some individuals take drinking alcohol too far and it soon becomes alcoholism. Too much alcohol can destroy the liver. Tobacco is nice to enjoy once and awhile, but if one is not carful addiction sets in followed by heart disease and lung cancer.

Too many people tell themselves certain things will never happen to them. Anything can happen to anyone no matter who you are. It takes strength and initiative to discipline one’s self to stay healthy. Much of humanity is oblivious to the moral and ethical value of life. Humanity does have its fascinating points, like the way cultures that are miles apart aid each other in times of need after disasters or mistakes. In general, the human race does not appreciate life, although they make every effort to move towards peace and loving life. Time will continue on and one day the mystery of life and its meaning and the respect it is owed will be discovered.