ferretrunner

Mute, Depression is hard to understand. It's not logical. There are several factors that can contribute to a true, clinical depression: imbalance of neurotransmitters, life events, genetics, pain, etc. There can also be physical issues like vitamin D deficiency, anemia, thyroid problems that can mimic or even cause depression. I always encourage anyone with depression symptoms to get a complete physical, including specialized blood tests for the vitamins and thyroid. Sometimes getting the physical under control will take care of the depression. Depression impacts how we think, act, and our emotions. I explain it like a triangle. At one point of the triangle- emotions: point 2- thoughts; point 3- behaviors/ actions. Ever notice how you think impacts how your emotions and behavior? And behavior impacts thoughts and feelings. All of them interact. For example: I feel sad (emotion). I avoid friends (behavior). My thought might be "They don't care." My behavior may lead me to feeling sadder... My thought might lead me to avoid friends more. So, it gets trapped. Make sense? So, if you change one area, usually the others follow. In the above example, I might target my behavior. I call a friend and talk. I feel less sad and lonely. I have evidence against my incorrect thought. Or I might challenge the thought as well. The best way to understand and manage depression is to work with an experienced therapist. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is very effective. It will help you identify what thoughts are being skewed by the depression and what behaviors might need to change. Depression is a thought monster. It skews how people view the world to the negative. It's not exactly a concious choice. Most people aren't even aware of their thoughts. Also, work with a doctor or psychiatrist who knows antidepressants. Often, a short course of antidepressant therapy will help to rebalance the neurotransmitters. Or, you might need to be on them long term. Hang in there. Don't give up on getting better from depression. It can happen. But, you have to do the work.

Wear what is comfortable and appropriate for the sport. If you need to wear shorts and a tank top for comfort during hot weather, do it. Even outside, IMO, your intention matters. You're dressing for the activity and weather. I think you're fine because of the activity you're doing, if that makes sense. You're not dressing to attract guys- you're dressing to exercise. Guys also have responsibility for their own thoughts/ actions.

Diane, I am so sorry for the loss of your brother. It is so hard to understand why someone would take his own life. IMO, your brother is ok. I think a loving, caring Father understands the depression, hopelessness, helplessness that leads to suicide. Your brother had an illness- in the brain, both physical illness (depression causes changes in brain structure as well as the imbalance of neurotranmitters) and mental illness. The thought process is skewed by depression. Anger and sadness are both absolutely normal and part of the grieving process. Neither change the fact that you love and miss your brother. It is part of your healing and grieving process. Don't feel guilty for feeling sad. You miss him. That's ok. You're probably also ticked at him for taking his own life- that's ok too. That doesn't change your love for him. Take care of yourself.

BC, I either want to hang out with you or avoid you. You seem to be a magnet for danger... but, so long as it strikes you and not me, I should be "safer" with you... unless the danger misses and hits me instead- in which case I should avoid you. :) Sounds like you've had several close calls.

The brain injury is affecting my balance and vision. It was a rotational/ striking injury. I'll know more what is going on after my appointment on Wed. with the neurologist. I'm usually a very active person. I'm doing a pretty good job of accepting where I am right now. But, I tend to get kinda down later at night. It's hard to be off work and everythng. At least my coworkers and employer aren't pressuring me to come back too soon. If anything, my supervisor is encouraging me not to try again for awhile.

Cool! I live in Walla Walla. Maybe we can meet up irl for lunch or something. Be fun to meet someone face to face.

IMO, schools should not generalize until later. A 3rd grader is not going to 'know' what he wants to be when he grows up. In addition to reading, writing, arithmatic; classes like history, social studies, science, pyschology, foreign languages, and even art, music, drama have important parts in developing critical skills. And it gives kids a chance to try new topics to see what they like and have talent in. I grew up in an educational family. One of the frustrations I heard constantly from my father (a uni professor in education) and his students (PhD candidates in education) is parents expecting the schools to educate their children and taking no responsibility themselves. Kids need to learn at home. School really should augment or maybe offer some direction to the educational process. And if a school has to discipline Junior- maybe Junior did something wrong. Do away with mainstreaming. Kids learn at different speeds. Having a kid with an IQ of 90 in the same class as a kid with an IQ of 130 isn't doing either kid any good. Find a way to have the children learn as they can. Advanced classes and programs and classes and programs for kids who aren't as educationally gifted. Bring back trade training. Not every kid can (or should) go to college. Strong trade and work skills will suit them better and meet their needs/ interests.

INFP on the Meyer's Briggs. It fits me to a "t" I really like being with ppl and very intuitive but I need my alone time or I want to munch plutonium. =)

Elph, I type fairly fast usually. I think it is easier to type/ write because I don't have to "think" as much about the words. But, i still have issues with having to figure out what I'm saying. It took awhile to write my original post. Anatess, Twice on the same road!? That's funny. Yes, I had CT scans- one the day of the accident and another one about two weeks later when the symptoms became more clear. The CT is negative- meaning no bleeds or anything. But, you can still have some serious injury without them showing on CT. Sometimes the injuries are on a nerve ending or are microscopic but with how complicated the brain is- they impact function. Still- Small- Voice, Thanks. Jenna and Morningstar: Not quite to Idaho. It was west of LaGrande, east of Pendleton. Ironically, it was "Deadman's Pass." About halfway between LaGrande and Pendleton. That is a nasty section of road. Cabbage Hill (the twisty part of the interstate) is worse, though. General: I see a neurologist on Wed. I hope to get some more answers then. Please, keep me in thoughts and prayers.

On April 25, I was driving back from a rural clinic to the main facility. I cross through the Blue Mountains on I84. I had reached the summit and was coming down the other side. A hail, sleet, snow storm hit suddenly. I gently touched the brake of the government car I was driving and lost control. Lesson one: don't even tap a brake on a slick surface. And know how to release the cruise control without it- know the controls of any vhechile you drive. Traffic was fairly light. But, I slid over two lanes of interstate traffic, all driving around 60mph when the storm hit. All now trying to slow down because of visibilty and traction issues. No other vehicle was involved. I spun over the two lanes, hit the shoulder, and rolled down an embankment. A pine tree was kind enough to stop my decent, otherwise, I would have rolled another 20 feet. The next thing I remember is talking to someone on the side of the freeway. Another lesson: people can be wonderful. I was told by the responding police that 4 different cars called 911. These people stopped and stayed with me until police arrived. It was a rural area of the road. It took awhile. Interestingly, I had grabbed my assault pack (my Army backpack) from the car and hiked up an embankment- all with no memory. I guess the training kicked in. The cop told me the car stopped on its side, with the drivers seat up. Lesson three: seatbelts save lives. Wear them. My injuries: a concussion, sore muscles, bruises, and an injured shoulder (maybe something with rotator cuff- or not) I am healing slowly. My coworkers have been very supportive and helpful. Lesson four: I have touched more lives and more people care about me than I knew. I still get headaches and have trouble with balance, vision, and sleep. It's hard for me to find words sometimes. For some reason, typing them is somewhat easier than speaking. It's frustrating sometimes- and frightening. Am I going to heal? And when? It's been humbling to have to depend on help from others. Even cooking, driving, cleaning house has been tough. But, I can now do the basic, simple cooking and chores without getting dizzy or sick. THings that require muscle or motion are still out (vacuuming made me dizzy and sick to my stomach). Be safe out there.

If children under 8 are not accountable, then they can't commit blasphemy. Children often have a simple, yet strong faith. If they can understand why sacrement is important and honor it, then they understand enough, IMO. Jesus also taught not to keep children away from Him. Not my most organized post but I'm trying.

harry potter is a work of fiction. it's not occult.

I think Adam and Eve is more a teaching story than literal. What we gained: the ability to grow, being able to procreate, and free will.

Congrats, Sean! Good luck with the mission.

There is a part of me who thinks, "Yeah... and were their victims' deaths painless. Who gave the victims anesthetics during the commission of the crime? Why should the perps have it easier?" (Given that the crime that sent them to death row was murder/ violent- which most of the time is true). Then there is the part of me that thinks torture is wrong. If we are going to legally execute someone, it should be quick and painless. torture doesn't teach them a lesson, it just lowers us to be closer to their level of behavior. I think there are times death penalty is appropriate. I don't like it... and I don't like what it says about our society. It should be quick- none of this death row for 20 years.