Thanksgiving 2015 – A Spiritual Message

As we look around, there are many of us who have experienced the loss of loved ones this year.  Thus, we might say to ourselves what exactly do we have to be thankful for this particular holiday.

We cannot allow grief to blind us from seeing those many reasons, some of which are:

  • The mutual love and respect we had with our loved ones,
  • They were good people,
  • Brought exceeding happiness,
  • Humor and laughter,
  • We created beautiful, lasting memories with them,
  • Mutual trust,
  • Best friends,
  • Positive role models,
  • They made life dance,
  • Style and substance,
  • Dignified,
  • Uniqueness,
  • Lovely personalities,
  • Attitude towards life,
  • Attitude towards death,
  • Courageous

These qualities are never exaggerations when we have been blessed in these types of relationships of which we honor.

Relationships which deserve honor.

They were a huge part of our lives and we knew them like no one else could ever imagine.

We can anticipate and experience conflicting emotions.

We experience sorrow, deeply, because we have the capacity to love others more than we love ourselves.  As we experience that sorrow, we are also happy for them because, now, and eternity, they are finally home.

“In a better place” does not even come close in expression.

They sit at the Lord and Savior’s presence.

He created a new city.  A new country.  An Heavenly.  For them.

If we are lucky, and more importantly remain Godly, we shall experience that Heavenly reunion with our departed one beautiful day.

Therefore, our emotions are what they are.  What they should be.

Wishing everyone a beautiful and safe Thanksgiving.

 

Vikki

 

Warning: Graphic Content – Sadists

Excuse any typos, grammatical errors.  The message is the thing.  And the message speaks volumes on society.

 

When we think of a sadist, we generally think of a serial killer who inflicts unmentionable physical harm on the victim.  However, a sadist also inflicts psychological damage on their target with a particular feature associated with the behavior:  Annihilation.

The following are examples of behaviors occurring in society which, unfortunately, have become the norm.

 

1. Hackers

 

Sneaky

 

A sense of entitlement

 

Robbery

 

Mean-spirited

 

They invade a person’s privacy, collecting personal information, data and other material for their own use.  They steal, placing their hands all over an individual’s life, and the target may not even realize what is occurring until it is too late.  Hackers have destroyed their target’s life.

This sadist is in control over the target, produces a colossal mess, with the victim having to utilize resources in attempts to overcome the burden placed on him or her.

 

2. Inappropriate Use of Technology

 

Sneaky

 

A great desire to exploit others

 

Mean-spirited

 

The target is an object, no longer a human being

 

Technology is fantastic!  However, it has often been said that just because technology allows a person to perform a particular function doesn’t suggest a person should utilize technology for the particular function.  There are mores in society.  Boundaries which should never be crossed.

This sadist exploits children, females, the elderly, and people with disabilities, leaving behind a trail of destruction.  For these groups, their person is violated, dignity stolen, humiliation can occur, and they may experience psychological trauma from the experience(s).

 

3. Youths and Others Engaged in Violent Behaviors

 

Out of control

 

Where are the parents, and other adults, to stop the madness, instead of people who always manage to be around to record these incidents of madness?

 

How many times have we seen a group of young people in videos stomping, kicking, beating the life out of someone?  Too often, and one time is too many.

It is unpleasant to say about these youths, but yes, this is sadistic behavior they are engaging in and their goal is to destroy, eliminate their target completely.

 

4. Police Officers, Analogous to Cowboys in Old Western Films

 

Out of control

 

Undisciplined

 

Trigger Happy

 

Did they actually flunk the personality assessment?

 

Most officers are decent, well-behaved individuals.  However, it is becoming a regular occurrence where an officer went over the line and failed to practice a a  more favorable remedy in apprehending a suspect.

Unpleasant to mention.  However, this behavior is sadistic because what occurs is the destruction, annihilation of the suspect entirely through gross circumstances.

 

5. Corrupt Politicians, Politicians with Blind Ambition, and Officials in General

 

Arrogant

 

Mean-spirited

 

A belief they are above the law — morally and legally

 

Sneaky

 

Undisciplined

 

Destructive patterns of behaviors towards the competition, or anyone else who stands in their way of goals.  The language, tone, practices, whathaveyou, reveal they are take-down artists willing to do anything necessary for gain.

These individuals are so busy destroying, annihilating each other they also hurt constituents as a result (i.e., neighborhoods, cities, states).

 

Finally, we come to the Grand Poopah of them all:  Terrorists.

 

Evil

 

Ghoulish 

 

Nasty

 

Blowing themselves up to destroy others.  Blowing things up because of whatever ideology they possess at the moment.  Whatever makes them tick.

Sadistic, destructive human beings.

And what is the difference between the groups described in examples #1 – 5 compared with terrorists?

Nothing.

Methodologies are different, but they are all the same.

A need to annihilate.  Destroy others.

 

 

Vikki

 

Stress Management Approaches

Everyone experiences stress from time to time, and will need to discover and practice effective stress management approaches for a healthy psychological condition.

As an aside, stress can lead to depression, and the longer depression lasts the better the opportunity for neurotransmitters becoming damaged, requiring an individual to obtain psychotropics from a mental health professional.

The following resources provide beneficial information in reducing/managing stress:

 

Articles

Mayo Clinic: Healthy Lifestyle – Stress Management – Stress Basics

MindTools.com: Albrecht’s Four Types of Stress – Managing Common Pressures

 

[Videos]

Stress Management Techniques

 

Relaxation Video for Stress Management

 

Vikki