Friday, April 21, 2006

The ABCs Of A Great Life: J Is For Joviality

Laughter, humor, a lighthearted sense of being - all of these are an important part of a well balanced breakfast, er, life. Without humor, there is no hope. Without laughter, no love. In addition, with a heavy heart, we live only a life of sadness and despair. Our ability to laugh at our foibles and laugh with our friends is a key indicator for predicting how readily we'll bounce back from difficulties and how well we'll handle the curveballs that life throws our way, and a quick smile is always the best defense in a situation that's hit a sour note.
In addition, medical studies have shown that indeed, laughter is the best medicine. Not only does it flood our brain with "feel good" hormones and exercise our body's core trunk muscles with spontaneous and deep contractions, but it noticeably and effectively raises our immune system's defenses in ways that are only now being fully explored - an effect which lasts considerably longer than the laughter that triggered it. Laughing lowers your blood pressure and exercises the heart. It relieves stress and helps generate an overall stability of well-being.
People with notably jovial attitudes are seen as friendlier and better adjusted, and people are drawn to them like flies to honey. Socialization with peers becomes smoother and more enjoyable, and people can't wait to rejoin and reestablish the acquaintance of those with a good sense of humor.
Of course, this does not include "humor" that hurts - biting sarcasm, "witty" putdowns, jokes made at the expense of others, mockery and other such imposters. It is doubtful that any of these recreate the same effects as true humor and lightheartedness, and I know that they attract far fewer friends.
Go on laugh! It's good for you. Learn to bring laughter and joviality into your life and every step of the way will be filled with the warm embrace of good times spent with good friends in good health. Salut!

Thursday, April 20, 2006

Desire is the First Step

Desire is the First Step

When a member of a species determines it wants something a thought is born, which triggers a desire and thus starts the brain into a cycle innovation and strategy. If it is hunger in a Bald Eagle, it means flying over the river to catch a Salmon. If it is a tourist who is cold, it means going in and buying a sweatshirt. This comes first and is the reason we must first discuss the flow of thought before we attempt to discuss any other issues in our society.
You see a species and this includes mankind will attempt to solve the problems or fulfill that which it desires. We cannot change that it is human nature. We must recognize this fact before we attempt to fix anything else in the World we live. We must make sure that we allow for the free flow of thought and of course the freedom of thought. We must value thought and not underestimate the desire instincts of our species. A penny for your thoughts is a very good price, you should be buying, that is definitely a buyers market so take all you can get. Yet, we do not. Different cultures feel different about the flow of thought. Moreover, even we are worried about the past freedoms, which were taken in other civilizations and have pondered what would happen with the thought police.
Recently we saw the movie "Minority Report" with Tom Cruise discussing such possibilities as the thought police. To this day people are concerned from writings of science fiction writers about the thought police concept and 1984 is mentioned each time we discuss the Department of Homeland Security; Big Brother syndrome and the fears it evokes are alive and well to this day. Such possibilities would in fact be the death of freedom, civilization and what we believe to be the proper direction of the human race. Desire is innate; suppression of innate desires is disastrous. Think about it.

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Mental Health Stigma ?

What is Stigma?
Stigma is the use of stereotypes and labels when describing someone, and it is often attached to people who suffer from mental health issues. We don't fully understand how the brain works yet, but one thing we DO know is that it is an organ. Yet our society doesn't readily accept brain disorders the way we accept other organ disorders. Why is this so?
Stigma is a harsh reality for people who have mental health problems, because it prevents them from enjoying a normal and productive life. So many people today feel uncomfortable about mental health issues, despite the fact that there is growing evidence that more and more people are developing these problems. In fact, many people are so uncomfortable with the stigma that they would rather suffer in silence than get help they need.