Critical Thinking Lacking In Stress And Survival

Lately I've had more than my share of rough moments in life.  The stress and anxiety has been through the roof.  Trying to juggle many things at the same time and dealing with people who are anything but human, is challenging beyond belief.  In these moments, its hard to just function in a given day, let alone try to advance yourself.

Critical thinking is often lacking in times of stress and survival.  After all, in moments where the lions of life are chasing you, you're not trying to plan out how you're going to build your dream home or what you need to buy at the store.  You're mainly just trying to outrun the lions and keep the yapping jaws from clenching their teeth into you.

Some days I am not sure how to deal with everything.  I'm sure friends and people close to me are tired of hearing me complain.  Yet, if I don't let this stuff out, it just builds up inside of me to the point I want to seriously do some harm.  I've never been good with letting anger go, although I've come a long way in learning how to deal with it.

Corporations Lack Of Respect

Call me naive, but I believe we are in this world together and we need to begin acting like it.  Whether it is people killing each other or learning to hate one group over another, we're all the same on this thing we call planet earth.  Corporations are no different.

Corporations often show a lack of respect towards the very customers they try to woo into their bottom line.  If corporations are people as the political pundits suggest, then maybe they should start acting human.  I realize that these days, its all about profits and anything to do to bring a dollar into the establishment is what matters, even if the corporations suggest otherwise.

Take for instance, the U2 album on Apple that was pushed on to every device.  Some are angry because this happened and some can't understand those that are angry. Each group is free to feel whatever way they need to, but I think the news media is sensationalizing this issue with hyperbolic words.  While it may be brilliant marketing, it was not thought out well.  Apple treated the iPhone devices as if it was their property that they could do whatever they wanted.  Just imagine if they would have put out a tweet that for a limited time, you could download the U2 album.  Imagine what would have happened.

What Is Chronic Pain - Interview With Dr Paul Canali

This video interview is a very good one.  It is done by Jim Fazio and Dr. Paul Canali.  Unified Therapy by Dr. Paul Canali has changed my life.  He has helped me to understand that chronic pain can be treated and healed.

Chronic pain is in the brain, even though it feels like it is in each individual muscle of the body.  I know that may sound weird, but it is true.  I have felt it and experienced the difference in my own body going through the healing work of Unified Therapy.

Did you know that 15% to 20% of all adults in the world suffer from chronic pain.  It is what keeps doctors up at night and drug companies in business.  Yet, we aren't getting better as a world society and that is because don't fully understand chronic pain or the nature of pain.

Many research studies have been done in neuroscience and they are finding that the volume knob for chronic pain is not in the body, but in the brain.  They are also finding on brain scans that if the person experiences pain in the arm, it does not show up in the region of the brain for the arm.  Instead it shows up in the emotion centers of the brain.

Where Did My Words Go?

After a long dry spell of not writing much of anything, the last session with Dr Canali flipped the switch back on.  Since getting home, I've been writing like crazy this week.  Writing is my way of getting information out, but its also my way of processing life.  I had just lost the words for awhile.

Some might call it writer's block or some other fancy word, but the words were not there.  I don't even think they were floating just beyond reach.  I just was not able to come up with any, let alone string them together in a sentence.

Usually writing is not difficult for me, especially if I am writing from my heart.  The words normally flow and the thoughts come together.  This is why this period of time in the last months has been difficult for me.  I'm not used to dealing with this issue.

There is a scene in one of the early John Boy Walton movie specials where John Boy looks at his parents and makes a statement about all of the words swirling around in his mind.  I feel much the same way that if they don't find a creative way out, they just jumble my brain.

Some Days You Hear Bad News

Some days you just want to have a do-over.  Some days you hear bad news and its a shocker.  Some days you just want to turn the hands of time back and somehow alter the events of the day.

I remember in the early days of the paralysis that I went through, things were frightening and tough and unknown.  I didn't know what was happening to me and no one could explain it to me.  All I knew was that my body was failing me in ways I could not comprehend or imagine.

I remember that one day of hearing bad news in particular when the doctors breathed the words to me that I had MS (Multiple Sclerosis).  It was a time when there was no internet to search and so information was hard to come by explaining what this was.  However, I knew enough that the news wasn't good.

In those moments after hearing this news, I was in shock and utter disbelief.  Actually, I wasn't even sure how to feel or what to think in these moments that followed.  There is no way for the human mind to comprehend what has been told to you when it is horrible news about your health.  There is no way for the mind to fully understand what lies ahead.

My Story With Antidepressants

Many years ago when I had the Conversion Disorder, I thought I could recover on my own.  I had seen family members that went on medications for depression and they urged me to not go on these.  They always claimed that the doctors would put you on these medications and then brainwash you.  Of course, most of my family thinks I am brainwashed.

Since I was always a person that hated taking medication of any kind and I would try to find ways to live in life without doing so, I gladly refused all medications the doctors wanted to use to help me.  My doctor in desperation finally said, let's make a deal.  We will work through your recovery without medication and do it your way.  However, at any point where we see it isn't working, then you need to do it my way.

I went through most of my initial experience without medication.  I was proud of myself.  It wasn't until I got out of the hospital and was sitting at my home when I had my first anxiety attack.  It didn't take me long to phone my doctor on that Saturday morning begging for anything to help me.  I was freaking out and that's an understatement.  My doctor put me on anti-anxiety medication and an antidepressant which I can't remember the name of it.

Toxic People

Sometimes you just have to let go.  I mean, really let go of toxic people who purport to be everything from the greatest saint alive to the most gifted new age healer.  You probably have met the type in more ways than one, but sometimes you just have to let go of them.

Toxic people are everywhere these days.  What do I mean by toxic people?  They are individuals who have not necessarily healed their lives or partially done so and then they project all of that "stuff" or "baggage" on to others.  They often do it unconsciously and if you were to point it out to them, they would not recognize it in the least bit.  In addition, if you pointed it out, they would most likely become hostile towards you in one way or another.

Toxic people are good at convincing others that they have something everyone needs.  Yet, they are horrible when it comes to practicing what they preach.  Its easier to work on the masses, rather than truly walk into the fears and issues they have in their own life.

Toxic people will tell you that they have it all figured out and that they've done all the work they need to do.  They will claim how well healed they are.  Yet, in the end, its only an illusion they are living.

Flight 2451

Sometimes I see events for what they are and realize that they have life ending potential.  I don't think I'm special in this because I'm sure others could see the very same thing.  Yet, on Flight 2451 leaving Memphis the other day, fortunately the right events came together to stop that flight.

We were in the boarding process when all of the sudden they stopped the boarding and began taking everyone back off the plane.  I was within moments of stepping on to the bridge way with hopes of reaching my destination at the planned time.

First, it was confusion on everyone's part that there would be an initial two hour delay.  Of course, this set everyone scrambling for other flights because that meant the connections in other cities would be difficult or impossible to make.  I was like all the others and could see that there would be no way to make my connection.

Fortunately I felt good that an airline rep for Delta assisted me with another flight so I could still reach my destination.  As soon as I settled down for some greasy airport food, my phone began ringing again.  This time, the delay had been pushed out much later.  It was beginning to get annoying and the patience of many passengers were growing thin.

Are You Authentic?

In these current days, I see fake and I see a disconnect in the world around me.  Are you authentic?  I mean, really authentic?  Its easy to display one thing to the world, one to our friends, and one to people very close to us, but at the end of the day, are we really what we show we are.

Our actions often speak louder than our worlds.  I grew up with people who claimed to love Jesus and be the best Christians they could be, but their lives were often quite different.  What they said and did in public, was much different from what they did in private.  Many of their private actions were inconsistent with what they claimed and professed.  It is still that way to this day.  Again I ask, are you authentic?

We see the modern day world of marketing and glitz and reality shows.  Many think that these things are so real that they truly have the first hand knowledge that no one else has.  We see the media reporting and news punditry portrayed as if it is real and authentic, yet it is so far from this point, the lines are blurred constantly.

In our minds and our bodies, we often neglect what they need or what they are telling us.  We don't stop, listen, and feel.  We just go on about our day acting as if our physical and biological processes are infinite.  We burn the candle at both ends of the stick.  We stuff our bodies with food that many would reject without thought.  Our days are one blur of unconscious experience after another, while thinking we have the bull by the horns.  Are you authentic?

Improve Your Life Through Concsious Engineering

I first became acquainted with Mind Valley, founded by Vishen Lakhiani, a couple of years ago when I saw the advertisements for Unlimited Abundance.  At the time, my opinion and view of the program and the company was not great as you can read on my blog.  However, over time I have come to like different products available through Mind Valley.  The Unlimited Abundance program in particular has been quite helpful to me.

The one thing I do know is that Vishen took a company with very little money and made it into a very successful online company with products that help people to improve their lives.  He did this partly through affiliate marketing, which I have participated in on this blog.

I do want to be upfront as always that I am an affiliate marketer with Mind Valley.  However, I don't just promote stuff to promote it, like many do on the internet.  If I have not tried the product and been successful with it, I generally don't promote it.  After all, how can I share what it will do for anyone, if I have not tried it myself.

I generally don't take requests to promote stuff on this blog because I don't really want it to only be one sales pitch after another.  This particular case is a little different, because to the best of my knowledge, this is the first time that this product is being introduced to the general public.

Mind - Body Thoughts: Sickened By Those Who Support Wife Beaters

Mind - Body Thoughts: Sickened By Those Who Support Wife Beaters: Yep, it happened again!  Should I say, surprise, surprise?  Most likely not, because this is a serious issue that happens every day in ou...

Sickened By Those Who Support Wife Beaters

Yep, it happened again!  Should I say, surprise, surprise?  Most likely not, because this is a serious issue that happens every day in our world.  Too many women including wives and girlfriends are beaten by their husbands and boyfriends/partners.  Yet, the world goes on turning a blind eye to it, screaming out with gasps when it becomes public.

Am I upset because a recent NFL player (Ray Rice) is caught on video beating his wife?  You bet I am!  Am I upset because those around them probably knew it was going on and did nothing.  You bet I am!  Am I upset because the NFL owners and executives had the tape but failed to know anything about it?  You bet I am.  Am I upset because many fans will continue to watch the NFL and support them with their dollars while screaming out anger for what was done?  You bet I am!

Maybe its not fair to lump everyone in these scenarios together, but you know what - either you are part of making the world a better place, or you're part of the problem.  Supporting sports like the NFL and others that allow these things to go on is being complacent.  Its being part of the problem, not the solution.  Am I being harsh about this - maybe - and maybe not!

Florida Massage Background Check And FingerPrinting

If you are a massage therapist licensed in Florida, you need to be aware of changes to the law that was passed in 2014 by the Florida Legislature.  These affect everyone and require action on your part before January 31, 2015.  I was not aware of these and please pass this on to others.  I hate to see anyone caught by this.

Effective on July 1, 2014 any massage therapist licensed in Florida or any person with a Massage Establishment license must undergo a criminal background screening and fingerprinting before January 31, 2015.  All new applicants for a massage license or massage establishment must undergo the same.

It appears that the intent behind this law is to stop or slow down human sex trafficking through the massage industry.   While this is a noble cause and I applaud the efforts, I do question if the people who are committing these atrocities will actually be following the massage laws.  It feels in many ways that it is only going to affect those of us who already operate within the law.  Maybe I'm wrong, and please feel free to point my errors out to me on this.  I'm just not one that enjoys the government making this harder for those of us who already follow the law.  The Florida legislature has shown over the past few years just how unfriendly they are towards our industry.

Modern Day Drug Addictions

No one wants to talk about this subject.  No one wants to believe it is true!  Everyone feels that their drugs are theirs and theirs alone.  Don't intrude upon my world!  At one time, I would have been right in here defending the right to my own prescriptions.  Unfortunately, we are all living in a society of modern day drug addictions.

Of course, I do understand that some medications really help people and they save their lives.  However, there are so many that just keep people dependent upon them rather than forcing lifestyle changes that can accomplish the same thing in a much safer way.  I know, I know... you're probably wanting call me a nutcase and stupid and ignorant and whatever else you can think of to say.  I'm find with that, if it helps you validate your own dependence on medications.

Growing up,  my father believed in "taking over-the-counter meds" for anything and everything.  I hated all the stuff.  I often refused, but refusal was futile.  As I got older, I would try to lie and say that I had taken whatever it was my dad thought I should take, even though I had not.  He would often figure it out and make me take his pills according to his knowledge he deemed appropriate for whatever condition I had.  He was not a doctor, but he sure played the role of one.

Gene Simmons Doesn't Understand Depression and Suicide

I can't believe what I've read and heard lately on depression.  When I read the comments from Gene Simmons, I truly believe he doesn't understand depression and suicide.  Either he doesn't understand and is so ignorant on the subject, or he silently suffers from it and isn't in touch with his life.

It really is sad that in this day and age, someone in a prominent position such as his would state something so silly and ignorant.  Then again, he is known to make shock and awe statements.  Maybe he wanted to amaze and wow people with his ignorance or he just needed the attention.  I have no way of knowing, but I find these comments disgusting.

Depression and suicide are real concerns.  People struggle with this because events in life become too overwhelming to deal with and the chemistry of the brain is changed.  Once the changes happen in the brain, the chemicals become unbalanced which leads to depression, anxiety, and other mental issues.  To suggest that this is a weakness or someone can just snap their fingers and get over it, involves one of the biggest lies someone can proclaim to the world.

We See What We Want To See

I hope that aliens from another world never read the comments posted on news articles, or the items shared on Facebook and Twitter.  If they do, I think we're all doomed.  Reading some of the things that show up on Social Media proves that we see what we want to see.  It doesn't even stop at Social Media as the TV and print news media is as big a part of this as Social Media.

From the Ferguson, MO situation where depending mostly upon your race, you see things in one perspective or another.  Just today I saw a video floating around showing one side of the viewpoint.  Many were sharing this from a major news outlet.  We see what we want to see even though we don't know what it is like to walk a mile in the shoes of the other person.

In the case of Gene Simmons who only thinks people should see depression and suicide through his eyes, we see what we want to see.  Its sad that people get this way, but it is yet another example.

Opposing Forces

Every day, I see headlines and hear things that make me cringe.  Yes, I realize the media is about sensationalism because if they were not, no one would watch their reporting or read their news.  They are just the medium to highlight the opposing forces in this world.  It isn't just confined to the media either, but people who I interact with in my day.

I'd like to say that this is the worst it has ever been, but that might be nothing more than a sensational statement.  People who have lived much longer than me have most likely seen things much worse.  Yet, in my life span, this does feel like we are nothing more some days than opposing forces.

It almost feels like no matter what one person says, another will completely and vehemently disagree with them, calling them names and questioning their very nature of existence.  It doesn't matter what the issue is or what side of the issue anyone is on.  It just continues day after day after day.

For the most part, I don't watch much news reporting because of this.  I do read headlines and to be honest, that's often more than enough to see.  Not only is the reporting done so poorly these days, but bias runs as deep as it can.  Facts are interspersed in the bias to make it appear that it has substance.

Hunting For Trophies

Back when I was a kid, I remember going to school and for show and tell in kindergarten, I told all the kids that over the weekend, I had been hunting girls with my dad.  Of course, because I was only 5 years old, I didn't realize that I had misspoken and instead of saying squirrels, I used the word girls.  My teacher of course gasped and quickly informed my parents of what I had said.

In all reality though, the story got told many times as I was growing up and I'm sure if I was still around them, they would continue to tell it.  It didn't matter that to them that they were hunting for trophies.  You know, killing defenseless animals for the fun of it.

All too often I see people out hunting for trophies.  They go stalk defenseless creatures using sophisticated weapons and scopes.  They learn how to set up their hunting stands to trick the animals to come to where they nap and slumber as they wait for an easy kill.  Then in the moment least suspected by a defenseless animal, they strike and kill.

Now, maybe we should just arm the animals so that they can shoot back and defend themselves.  Even with all the reasons and excuses of people who hunt as to why they are justified, what turns my stomach most of all, is the trophy pictures.  You know - you've seen them plastered on twitter and Facebook.  They are the pictures of them happy as a lark they killed their prey.  The bloody gore-filled pictures posted for all to see as if they really did something special by killing a defenseless animal.

Dignity In Death

Recently a story about a Tampa, Florida Baptist Church hit the airwaves.  One of its members had died.  The family was preparing for the funeral that day, when all of the sudden the minister called to inform them that the funeral was no longer welcomed in their church.  The invitation to have it held there was rescinded.

You see, some of the church folks started to complain about the deceased because they found out he was gay.  The pastor made the decision that since they just found out the guy was gay in the obituary that it would be an abomination to hold the funeral there.

While I realize a church is free to do what they want to do inside their four walls, I'm also free to point out how wrong their actions can be, especially in this case.  In this particular church and example, I can think of many things in the bible that they disregarded in coming to this decision.  If you think for a moment or two, I'm sure you can come up with the same list.

Of course, I'm sure that for everyone who dies and has a funeral in this church, they ask a series of questions.  Hopefully they ask everyone else before a funeral, if they have ever done something that the church disagrees with because God forbid they would just differentiate between some things and not others.   I'm sure the questions would be like the following examples