Taking Responsibility for One's Own Health
In keeping with the efficiency of Ebeneezer Scrooge's personal and spiritual transformation, Charles Dickens began writing his Little Carol in October of 1843, finishing it by the end of November in time to be published for the holidays. The best known of Dickens' books, A Christmas Carol has come to symbolize the power of experiential understanding and reflection in shaping how we see ourselves and, in turn, how we relate to our fellow humans, especially those who are vulnerable and less fortunate. In the case of Bob Cratchit, Scrooge finally realized the importance of providing his employee and family with "health insurance benefits." Fortunately, Scrooge rediscovered his empathy and compassion in time for Cratchit's son, Tiny Tim, to get the medical care he desperately needed but that his father could not afford.