I know that some things are beyond our control, some illnesses

When Don Lemon spoke the words, “I know that some things are beyond our control, some illnesses are beyond our control, we get sick, we don’t know why. But let’s pledge to do whatever we can to avoid those high medical bills,” he touched upon one of the oldest truths of human existence: that suffering and sickness walk hand in hand with life, yet how we prepare for them, and how we carry their burden, lies partly within our own hands. His words echo the voices of sages who, across time, reminded humanity that fate cannot be banished, but prudence and discipline can soften its blows.

The meaning of this statement lies in its dual recognition of inevitability and responsibility. On one hand, illnesses come unbidden, striking rich and poor, strong and weak alike, leaving humanity humbled before the mysteries of life and body. On the other hand, while sickness itself may be beyond our control, the weight of medical bills, the crushing financial ruin that often accompanies illness, may be lessened through foresight, preparation, and collective resolve. Don Lemon’s words call us not to despair at what cannot be changed, but to act wisely where we can.

The origin of this wisdom is ancient. The Stoic philosophers taught that the world would deal out both fortune and misfortune, yet virtue lay in distinguishing what could be shaped from what must be endured. In the same spirit, Lemon reminds us that though the hand of fate may bring sickness, it is within our power to prepare our defenses: to care for our health, to live with prudence, and to guard ourselves against the ruinous chains of debt. His plea is not resignation but empowerment: let us do “whatever we can.”

History shows us how costly unpreparedness can be. In the Middle Ages, plague swept across Europe, leaving death in its wake — but also poverty, for families burdened by caring for the sick and burying their dead were left destitute. In contrast, during the rise of social safety nets in the twentieth century, communities that pooled their resources into systems of care found themselves more resilient, able to endure illness without total ruin. The same truth resonates in Lemon’s appeal: even if illness cannot be conquered, the crushing weight of medical bills can be resisted through wisdom, solidarity, and foresight.

Yet his words are not only about systems and policies, but also about personal choices. How often do people gamble with their health, indulging in habits that court disease, ignoring prevention, and leaving themselves exposed to both suffering and financial hardship? Lemon’s exhortation is also a call to personal responsibility — to live in such a way that we minimize avoidable harm. It is a reminder that discipline in diet, exercise, and moderation is not mere vanity, but a shield against both sickness and the despair of debt.

The lesson is therefore twofold: we must accept the mystery of what is beyond our control, while embracing with courage and resolve the responsibilities that lie within it. To prepare for illness is not to live in fear, but to live wisely; to plan for expenses is not to be pessimistic, but to be prudent. A people who honor foresight will stand taller in the day of trial than a people who stumble into suffering unprepared.

Practical actions follow from this wisdom. Care for your body as a temple, not out of pride, but out of reverence for the gift of health. Seek insurance, savings, and communal systems of support that soften the blow of medical bills. Advocate for fairer structures in society, where sickness does not lead to ruin, and where care is not withheld from those who need it most. Above all, pledge, as Lemon urged, to do what you can — no matter how small — to protect both your health and your future.

Thus, Don Lemon’s words endure as both reminder and charge: that though sickness humbles us all, we are not powerless. Some trials lie in the hands of fate, but others lie in our own. Let us face them not with despair, but with wisdom, vigilance, and preparation — so that when illness comes, as it surely will, it may test our strength but not destroy our spirit, nor leave us crushed beneath the burden of debt. This is the way of resilience, the way of balance, the way of life lived with both courage and foresight.