My Therapy...

No, I'm not a shrink. If you've come here looking for serious help, I doubt you'll find it. This isn't to say I can't offer it, but this is just information for practical useage. Per the usual BS, I'm not responsable for what you do with this knowledge. Just be smart, folks.

When you get stressed out, there are a few things you can do that just really take the edge off of a situation. One, yes, is mowing the lawn. My Uncle told me once that mowing the lawn was therapeudic in some way, and I never did believe him until I got out there and started doing it myself. Now I get out there of my own accord and mow. Physically, it gets the heart pumping, gets the oxygen to your blood, takes your mind off of things. It's just good, relaxing therapy. If it's a good day, take your shirt off and sweat a little. Believe it or not, if you don't have to be anywhere or impress anyone, sweating feels GOOD. Lets you know that you've been doing something.

Go start a garden! Somewhere along the same lines as mowing the lawn, garden work just takes you away from all of the ordinary, mundane stuff that life throws at you each day. Work with your hands, get dirty, and hey! When it's all said and done, you've got something to show for your efforts. Be it flowers or food, it's yours. You did it. Go out and watch that garden from time to time. Somehow, a watermellon has grown out of that tiny seed. And you helped it along.

Got chickens? No? Get some. I realize this is more of the outlandish variety of therapy, but they're facinating animals. My Uncle used to tell me about how he'd get a cigar, a drink, and a chair, and just sit outside their pen, watching them. So I tried it myself. Wonder of wonders, he was right. There's something almost soothing about watching them.The ducks we have still don't impress me, but you take what you can get, right?

Got a roof? Be careful about this, but if you can manage it, go up there, and lay down. Maybe bring a mug of something warm to drink. It's not quite getting away, but you'd be amazed at how much you calm down up there. Assuming, of course, you're not scared of heights.

Sit out on your porch and watch a rainstorm. Listen to one. I shouldn't have to explain this one, but unless you're scared of rainstorms, (MARK SMITH) this rules.

A passion of mine, TAKE A NAP! Just shut down for awhile. With someone, if you can.

All of these suggestions have a few things in common. If you're stressing, having a bad day, in an argument with a loved one, GET AWAY from it. You're only going to do more damage if you stay. Come back to it later, resolve it if need be, but hell. Grow a set of balls, step up to the bat, and offer, 'Hey. We're not getting anywhere. Let's go get a movie.'. You'll be amazed.

Alright. I'm throwing this one up here as a recent addition. Sometimes, the best thing in the world for therapy is just someone else. I know people who think that taking a little pill like Prozac is going to help their depression out. But it's not going to. Prozac, and the pills like it, are designed to combat CHEMICAL depression. And if you're not chemically depressed, Prozac's not for you. Be careful...before you jump into the pillbottle, be sure that your answer isn't standing right beside you. The human mind is capable of more than we may ever know. Love is the ultimate therapy.

Advice for Life

Okay. Again, I'm no wizard. Neither are the others quoted on here. But here are a few suggestions made from myself, and my friends.

"When you die, you take nothing with you but your word and your honor. How you live your life means nothing if you don't have your word and your honor intact. Keep those bright, be sure you know where YOU stand, and everything else falls into place easier." Mark Retzer

"Shit happens. You probably won't ever understand it. You'll never understand why it happens, or why it happens to YOU. You can hate it with every fibre of your being. But you have to understand that it's gonna happen." Lindsey Stansbury

"The sun's gonna come up tomorrow. If nothing else, you can put your faith in that." Jess Jumonville

"If you can find a way to let go at least once in your life, I highly recommend it." Jennifer Bedell

"Find something to thank. Even if it's just the world in general. Find God, a tree, find SOMETHING. But good things are going to happen, and only a fool is thankless. Even if it's just the open sky, be sure to whisper a thank you for the good things that happen to you." Stephen Dekat

"Say it with me now...FUCK 'EM!" From a most perfect old crone.(tm)

"Bow in respect, in reverence...but never in slavery or defeat." Raistlin Majere

"I don't believe in a no-win situation." James T. Kirk

"Never...ever go to sleep angry. If there's something that needs to be resolved, DO IT. And if you can't, at least go to sleep on pleasant words." Merel of Trellheim.

Yes, I know that's not an exact quote. Go take a leap.

I am aware that there are more quotes I could put up there. But then I'd be a copycat in the worst way. I have a friend who's done a better job of it than I have. Putting quotes up, that is. (Grin) Go check his page out! If, for some reason, you feel there's a piece of advice that HAS to be up here, contact me.

Time to go home!