March 12, 2010

Why Do I Never Smile?

Growing up I had many things to be negative about, I had a stutter, I have a bald patch, I was overweight and am also quite short for a male at five foot four. I was one of the ones who walked around in a depressed state and I used to feel sorry for myself. Even when I write about it now, I laugh about how stupid I used to be.

I realised early into my twenties that I needed to change my approach to life. I was quite fortunate in that I had a friend at the company (a front doors supplier), I worked for, who was to prove an inspiration to me. His name was Stuart, and even though this may seem cruel, Stuart did not have a lot going for him. I won’t go into details but lets just say even with the problems I felt I had, I was not jealous of him. I became quite good friends with Stuart and we would regularly have lunch together.

I would meet him in the canteen at 1pm and would be waiting in my gloomy state of mind, with my gloomy face, for him to arrive. Arrive he certianly did, always with a beaming smile on his face. This always amazed me as I could never understand what he had to be happy about. Whilst eating our food we would discuss various topics and I soon noticed about just how positive he was about everything. When he talked, he talked with passion, about his work and interests. One day it dawned on me, if Stuart (who from what I know of him, seemingly has nothing going for him) can always be positive, happy and smiling, why can’t I?

This was the beginning of my new outlook on life. An era of being positive, appreciating what I have got and more than anything else, plenty of smiles. I now am happy with my weight, height, bald patch and am proud to say I have now overcome my stuttering speech impediment. I also have a new career which is to do with offering people cheap hotel deals.

I hope this article proves to be of inspiration to at least some of its readers.

March 6, 2010

The Alcohol Related Problems and Alcohol Related Deaths That Are Correlated With Hazardous and Excessive Drinking

How many individuals face major problems in their lives because they received a “driving under the influence” conviction? On an annual basis, how many alcoholics fail to get the professional alcohol treatment they need? How many junior high, high school, and college students lose their lives every year due to an alcohol overdose? How many individuals die each year from a condition that is totally preventable, such as alcohol poisoning? How many individuals get injured or lose their lives in alcohol related traffic accidents every year? How many people are the victims of alcohol related crime or violence each and every year? How many individuals lose their lives every year because of drinking problems? How many children are born each year with fetal alcohol syndrome? How many people’s lives are cut short due to abusive and excessive drinking?

Why Would Anyone Want to Drink in an Excessive and Irresponsible Manner?

So what’s the point in asking these questions? Basically to highlight the devastating and destructive nature of careless and excessive drinking. Indeed, and based on the above questions, I wonder why anyone would choose to drink in an excessive and abusive manner.

Stated differently, with the host of legal proceedings, employment difficulties, health problems, financial issues, and relationship dilemmas that are linked to chronic alcohol abuse and alcohol dependency, why would any person with a good sense of logic want to drink in an irresponsible manner? In fact when some of the above topics are looked at more closely, hazardous and abusive drinking becomes more illogical and makes even less sense.

Wouldn’t you think that chronic alcohol abusers would be able to see some of the alcohol symptoms that they display? In a similar way doesn’t it seem reasonable to think that many more families would involve themselves in an alcohol intervention for the person in the household who is an alcoholic or an alcohol abuser? What is more, wouldn’t you think that individuals who drink heavily would try to learn more about their drinking behavior by researching various alcohol related statistics?

After reviewing the findings, the point is so relevant that it needs to be said again: With all of the destructive and disastrous consequences that are directly or indirectly associated with continuous and repetitive alcohol abuse and alcoholism, why would any individual want to engage in unhealthy drinking?

What Can be Done About the Extensive Nature of Alcohol Addiction and Alcohol Abuse in the United States?

So what can be done about the pervasive nature of alcohol abuse and alcohol dependency in the United States?

Our students need more relevant and more meaningful educational and preventative methods and approaches so that more students at all grade levels, including those at college, are “reached.
In a similar way, our students need to learn how to become problem solvers in life rather than getting easily attracted to the ”quick fix” and the “instant gratification” of a drug or alcohol abuse ”high” or “buzz”.
Individuals who are alcohol dependent or alcohol abusers need to look at themselves in the mirror and ask why they are not getting the professional alcohol rehabilitation they need.
Society needs to get the message to more people about the unhealthy and debilitating effects of continuous and repeated drinking.

There’s Room For Hope if Those Who Engage in Excessive and Hazardous Drinking Can Become Motivated to Get the Alcohol Rehab They Require

There’s lots of room for optimism and hope if people can start drinking responsibly and those who engage in careless and excessive drinkingcan become encouraged to get the alcohol treatment they need. Indeed, why put your loved ones through turmoil, suffering and pain because of your careless and abusive drinking when you have the power to control your life by drinking responsibly or even abstaining from drinking if you cannot control your drinking?