Weight Watchers helps me

I found an inspirational message on the announcement board at work last year.  I copied it and started writing goals on my copy.  I did not reach my goals last year.  The title of the message is This Is Your Year.  I am going to share the message with you.  The message goes:

THIS IS YOUR YEAR
Make it a standout by following a fitness routine that works for you.
Schedule in great nutrition, regular exercise, and enough rest so you can be your vibrant best each day.
Get the health screenings your healthcare practitioner recommends.
Give yourself plenty of support when making lifestyle changes, then keep your eyes on the prize and make YOURSELF proud.

I don't know where this originally came from, but I have decided that this is my year.  I am going to reach my goals and have a happier healthier life.
I am going to share my goals with you one at a time. 
The first goal I am going to share is actually a highly recommended one.  I am going to loose 1-2 pounds per week.  I have actually started meeting this goal by joining WW and sticking to the plan.  I have had a dramatic start in my weight loss and it has been a great boost in having a positive mindset.

Teens, drinking, and drugs

Helium rejected my article because I wrote in first person.  They offered to reconsider if I edited the article to remedy this.  However, I feel very strongly about this issue and wrote it in a way to make a point.  Therefore, I am posting it here for the benefit of others.

It is far too common for teens to drink alcohol, use drugs, or both.  It is also too far great a risk for them to do so.  I speak from experience- I started drinking when I was 12 years old.  I drank far too much and regret doing so.

Teens are going through a transitional stage of development and are in the process of learning how to cope with life.  These years contain many critical decisions and learning experiences.  The course they must take is complicated enough without adding hindrances, which are what alcohol and drugs are at this stage in life.

Not only do many teens have difficulties making the decisions that arise in day to day life, adding alcohol or drugs surely add to the complexity.  Drugs and alcohol cloud the mind and decision making ability.  These chemicals can make it impossible for any individual to think clearly and come to logical conclusions.

Critical brain development is hindered and existing brain cells destroyed through the abuse of these two easily accessible items.  It can result in some very destructive incidents and behaviors.

In fact, some individuals will use drugs and alcohol to avoid dealing with certain life experiences.  This is what happened in my case.  Things happened in my life that I did not want to deal with- or even acknowledge.  In order to drown them out I began to drink heavily.  This turned out to be detrimental physically, mentally, and emotionally.  I only postponed dealing with painful, horrific events and damaged my physical health at the same time.  I eventually had to face the demons in the back of my mind, and by the time I finally did I had destroyed my dental health and had to have dental implants.  I also had destroyed relationships and caused myself more grief that could have been avoided.

While some parents allow their children to drink at times, I strongly feel teens should not partake of alcohol or drugs in any amount.  They are not physically, mentally, or emotionally mature to deal with doing so.  Teens should instead be taught to enjoy a healthy lifestyle in every aspect.  I believe this is the only way teens will be able to learn how to manage the challenges of life in an appropriate and healthy way.  Life is hard enough to cope with at times without being caught at a disadvantage caused by abuse of such substances.

If teens avoid being caught in this trap; hopefully, they will be able to incorporate healthy use of alcohol once they reach the appropriate age to do so.  

Sexual assault

I heard a commercial on TV say that a woman is sexually assaulted every 2½ seconds.  That means that every minute 24 women are assaulted.  That would make 1,440 women each hour.  It is alarming to think that 34,560 women suffer such an attack each day.

This is horrific.  I covered this issue previously on my blog, but I felt the need to address it again in this new light. 

It is important to remember that men and boys are involved in assaults also, not just girls and women. 

This means that you either are part of this statistic or know someone, perhaps more than one person, who has experience a tragedy.  We cannot simply ignore this plight and sweep it under the rug.  It has to be attended to. 

If you are the one dealing with this issue, I beseech you- get help.  Talk to someone, get some counseling, deal with the situation in a constructive way.  If you do not, it could spiral out of control and this could be detrimental to your health- physically, emotionally, mentally.

If you know of someone who experienced this ultimate violation, be there for him or her.  Listen to them.  Help them in any way you can.  Encourage them to talk to someone who has been trained to assist in matters such as these.

I have been there.  I still have to deal with the issue every day.  It is not the easiest thing to do, but it can be- has to be- done in the appropriate way.

You can survive this.  Be strong.

Depression

I have been writing articles for Helium.  They purchased one of my articles, so I have decided to post it here.  Hope you enjoy it.

Depression can be a crippling element.  One may not know how to deal with depression or who to turn to.  There are individuals in the Bible who we can look to for assistance in dealing with this issue.

Probably the most prominent example that most people would be familiar with is Job.  First, someone came to Job and told him that a band of thieves stole a whole flock of Job’s animals and killed all of those who were looking after the animals.¹ 

While this person was still telling Job about what had happened, another person came in and told Job that “The very fire of God fell from the heavens” and destroyed a flock of sheep and the shepherds watching them.² 

While that person was still talking, yet another person came in and told Job that another band of thieves stole a flock of Job’s camels and killed the attendants watching them.³

As if that was not enough, one more bearer of bad news entered and told Job that all of his children were having a feast when a fierce wind storm came.  He told Job that the force of the wind storm caused the house to collapse and all of Job’s children were killed.⁴

That poor man.  Just think of the despondency he must have felt.  Imagine if someone came to you and told you that a tree had fallen on your car.  Imagine that while that person was talking, another person ran up and told you your house had burned down.  Then, just as that person was finishing, suppose your cell phone rang and you were told that the stock market fell and you lost all of your investments.  Then, to top things off while you were still on the phone your call waiting beeped, and when you answered the second call your wife told you that your children were killed in a car crash.  Just think of how you would feel.  You may feel like you want to die.  Just one of these things could be enough to turn your world upside down, but all of them would be devastating. 

Oh but wait!  There’s more!  Next, Job got sick.  He developed a malignant boil- from head to toe.  His flesh was infested with maggots.  He began to stink and his breath became repulsive.⁵  He must have wondered what could happen next.  What a dreadful situation.  How did Job cope?

His wife was no hope.  She told Job, “Curse God and die.”  His so called friends were no hope either.  They basically ridiculed him and told him that what was happening was all his fault.  How would he ever make it through this?  The first thing he did was sit in ashes and scrape himself with pottery.  He dwelled on his situation, debated with his “friends”, and prayed.  In time, Job received comfort, understanding, and relief from God.⁶   

Another person who suffered depression in Bible times was Naomi.  Her husband and her two sons had died.  She felt so bad that she wanted to change her name to Mara, which means bitter.  Even though she was very sad and felt alone, she relied on God and trusted in him.  Her daughter-in-law stuck with her.  Naomi’s faithful reliance on God resulted in her being an ancestress to our Savior, Jesus.⁷

Paul is one who had good reason to be depressed.  During his lifetime he was severely beaten five times- three times with rods, and twice pelted with stones.  He had multiple near-death experiences.  He experienced shipwreck.  He faced dangerous situations- from people, even of his own race, from animals and natural elements, from false friends.  He went without food and water, suffered from sleepless nights, and even went without sufficient material needs at times.  Plus, he was repeatedly imprisoned.  What a treacherous life.  Yet, he was able to sustain himself by relying on God.⁸

Peter was very close to Jesus when He was on earth.  The night Jesus was being interrogated before His death; Peter denied he knew Jesus three different times.  He did so because he was afraid for his life.  He became very depressed, distraught, over this.  He had to rely heavily on God to endure his feelings of sadness and worthlessness.⁹

The thing all of these people had in common was they remained faithful to God and relied on Him.

You possibly have dealt with situations similar to these.  While it may seem at times you just can’t deal with things anymore, there is always hope.  There are many passages in the Bible that give encouragement.  Psalms and Proverbs contain many uplifting scriptures.  If you would like more information to assist you with your depression, you may send me a message and I would be happy to help you.

¹Job 1:13-15

²Job 1:16

³Job 1:17

⁴Job 1:18, 19

⁵Job 2:7-9

⁶Job 2:8-42:17

⁷Ruth 1:1-4:21

⁸2 Corinthians 11:23-27, Ephesians 6:20, Philippians 1:7, 12-14

⁹Luke 22:54-62

Smoker's Rights and Responsibilities

I don’t know how many times I have heard someone say, “I have the right to smoke.”  I agree with those who make that statement.  Each of these individuals has the right to smoke cigarettes, pipes, or cigars.  These things are all perfectly legal and free will is a basic human right.  However, the rest of us have the right to breathe- and breathe clean air.

There are some simple things that can be done by smokers that will allow everyone to have their rights and allow us to coexist in peaceful conditions. 

First of all, smoking near entrances or exits of businesses is inconsiderate, and many times against the policy of the business.  Some businesses will post signs stating that smoking may not be done within a certain distance from the door.  Smokers should really respect this rule and abide by it.  Nonsmokers do not want to walk through smoke, possibly because it stinks or possibly because it causes them to choke.

What smokers may not be aware of is there are a lot of people who have respiratory illnesses that are exacerbated by smoke, many times putting them in the hospital.  Smokers would do well to keep in mind that the next time they light up they may be creating a hazardous situation for someone if they do not respect personal space of other people.  This is not only an annoyance but says something about the character of the smoker who smokes wherever they want because “it is their right”.

Another thing to keep in mind is that more and more hospitals are adopting a no smoking policy.  This means that no one is allowed to smoke anywhere on the hospital grounds, inside or out.  A hospital is where sick people go to get well.  One does not facilitate the goal of the hospital by doing something so hazardous.  It is appropriate to follow the rules of the facility and go elsewhere to smoke.

One thing that drives me bonkers is when a person decides to smoke in his or her car and holds the cigarette out of the window.  If a person does not want the smoke in his or her own general vicinity, why does he or she smoke?  Why does this person insist on forcing the rest of us to breathe their poisonous gas?  Now the smokers are probably thinking I have a lot of nerve saying anything about them smoking in their own cars, but keep one thing in mind.  When I drive up behind a smoker at a stop light the smoke drifts back toward me and into my window.  Or when I walk by a parked car and someone shoves their cigarette out the window and flicks it on the ground, I have to breathe the smoke.  I have asthma and I do not appreciate this one bit.  It would be great if they could keep it to themselves. 

Now that I have all of the smokers seething and hating me… The reason I have asthma is because I used to smoke.  Yes, I used to be one of you.  I am not attacking you personally.  I just feel that as a society we should respect one another.  One thing we are desperately lacking today is a healthy respect for each other. 

So, the next time you light up, I hope you remember these kindly, timely reminders- and please don't throw your butts on the ground. :)

I spotted this sign as I drove through town and wondered, does this business have something against fat (or is that phat) cars?  Or perhaps these cars were just not productive.  On the other hand, maybe the cars have to lean against something for support.  Or perhaps the business truly meant that these cars are economical and efficient.  You be the judge.

Writer's Market

I am thoroughly enjoying my Writer's Market.  It is full of helpful information.  I encourage anyone who enjoys writing and wants to be published get one.  I got one off of ebay for $20.  I have begun implementing pointers given in this writer's treasure.  I am sooooo happy I bought it.  I expect it to be instrumental in my finally getting published.  From time to time, I will share information from this book for those of you who just cannot find it in your budget to buy it- but I truly hope you will make the investment.  It is a small one for the potential payoff

AMAC

Today I am going to write about a very sensitive subject.  It is not an easy subject for people to discuss.  I feel the need to address this because so many people are affected by it.  You may not even realize you know someone who is living with this every day.  It is the horrific memories of sexual assault.  This can cover a wide spectrum of events that result in just as many varied reactions and coping mechanisms.  At this point I will insert the introduction to the book I wrote in order to, hopefully, help others who have suffered through such a tragedy.

            I am not a trained expert on the subject addressed in this book.  I am not a doctor.  I am not a trained psychotherapist.  I am not even a certified counselor.  I have, however, possibly been in your shoes.

            If you have ever been the victim of a sexual assault, it can be a very difficult thing to deal with.  You may not want to talk about it.  You may not even want anyone to know about it.  That is why I have written this book.  Even the title of it is a blessing in disguise.  If you are harboring the miserable secret of a sexual assault, you don’t want to walk out of a bookstore with a book with a title such as Overcoming the Trauma of Sexual Assault.  With this book, you were able to make the purchase without drawing too much attention to yourself.

            I wrote this book in the hopes that I could help someone who has experienced the same horrifying violation I have, the trauma of sexual assault.  Read this book.  Mark the most helpful parts for future reference.  Write in it.  Cry on it.  Just please, benefit from it.

As you can see, the main point of my book is that I hope to encourage those who have experienced this horrible event to get help.  It is my hope to get this book published soon and hope that people will benefit from it.

What many people don't realize is that the problem is huge.  One in four girls are molested, and the statistics for boys is the same.  That means if you are with 3other people right now, one of you has experienced sexual assault.  A typical classroom of 30 children consists of at least 7 children who have been abused.  If you work in an office with 100 employees, 25 of these people have this history.  It is staggering when you really stop to think about it- and very sad. 

If you or someone you know has been abused, please seek out help.  Don't try to trudge through the misery all by yourself.