Much of the testing performed for competency has to do with cognition, recognition, abstract thinking and memory. So, it seems that if you can think fairly rationally, you’re good to go. What tests do not measure, however, are feelings and judgement. As we get older, many of us get fearful. We may feel vulnerable and weak. We may experience confusion and have problems with insight into situations. We may not know who to trust any more, and we may even become distrustful of those we know well. 

The shape of the brain changes with age. It can experience shrinkage or trauma from an accident. Subtle changes in thinking or judgement may occur. Small strokes, not seen on MRI’s may not show stroke activity. Even diet can influence an older person’s thinking, or medications. Family may note these small changes, but are not too concerned, knowing that for the most part, the person is managing pretty well in their daily activities.

Feelings of vulnerability, especially after a spouse has died leaves many older people susceptible to being taken advantage of. It could be being sold a new roof when it was not necessary, having an air conditioning system replaced that was already working well, or any number of scams that are designed to scare and prey on those feeling of vulnerability. Being pressured to buy something because “This price is only good for one day” and variations of that theme can net huge profits from the older population, especially women, who may have always relied on their husbands to have roofs and air conditioners fixed.

Similarly, there are those who will offer to “take care of” someone in their home, whether they really need taking care of or not. Things start out alright it seems, but the person offering may move in with stories that they don’t have anywhere to live. As time goes by, they earn the trust of the older person, and things at that point may get out of control. Debit cards, checkbooks, Power of Attorneys, withdrawals from investments and related secured finances may begin to take on an unusual pattern. Money may come up missing, the older person may start “lending” money to the individual for any number of things that seem like a good return on investment. This is usually money for the perpetrator to start a business. The person may be promised that this money will be repaid with interest. Of course, it never happens. 

The laws protect the criminals. When older people voluntarily withdraw money from their savings, often no one asks why. The law states that people can spend their money wherever they wish. It is their money. Interference by family or well-meaning friends may incur the wrath of the victim and the perpetrator. Often, by the time anything is done, the money is all gone, the house has been signed over to the perpetrator, and the ink is dry. The family is left bereft and confused as to how this could happen. The will may have been changed suddenly, leaving virtually everyone out of it, for exchange for the promise of lifelong care which ended up getting paid for from the victim’s money in the form of other hired help.

It is imperative that families call their local aging agencies to report suspected exploitation the second it is suspected. Usually the suspicions are correct. Letting Aunt Sue do what she wants so as not to interfere, is not always the best thing. Often, the individuals who are scamming have a criminal background, easily found on the Internet and through records searches. If Aunt Sue had known this person had a criminal history, perhaps she would think twice before inviting them into her home. But this information usually doesn’t come out until it is too late. Internet background checks are easy to do on anyone, by name and date of birth.

Sometimes, if the perpetrator knows he or she is being found out, they will disappear. They don’t want to go to jail. But last minute withdrawals are also common, so accounts should be flagged or locked until further investigation can be conducted by local law enforcement, the court or local agencies serving the elderly. 

Anyone suspecting a situation such as this should notify someone sooner rather than later. As time goes by, the victim may be threatened or intimidated by the perpetrator, and be adamant that thngs are fine. If you do not know who to call, call the Circuit Court in your county, or any social agency that can direct you. If all else fails, call the police and make an anonymous report. You will never be identified as the reporter, in any case.

As we approach into 2012, the doomsday myths come out. You might have heard many stories about how the world will end on December 21, 2012. You might have heard for example, the world might end with the moon crashing into the Earth, Nibiru, maybe even an asteroid hitting Earth, polar shift, and even the aligning of the planets in our solar system causing untold consequences. Well it doesn’t really matter in any of these situations, because in any of those given, we are still screwed. But the question is, which one of these theories is correct?

The truth is people, the world DOESN’T end on December 21, 2012. Why is that, you ask? Why should it end anyway? Wasn’t it supposed to end in 1994? 2000? 2003? What ever happened to Harold Camping’s failed October 2011/ prediction of the end? 

As of record, there have ben 63 previous failed predictions of the apocalypse. What’s different this year? Really, there is nothing to worry about. 

But particularly, December 21, 2012 is a famous date because this is the date the Mayan calendar ends. The Mayans ( a large group of natives who emerged around 250 AD in Mexico) actually predicted their own downfall and other tribes in Mexico, predicting the arrival of the Spanish, who conquered Mexico, leading to the downfall of the Mayans and the Aztecs in Mexico. That’s why many people believe that the world ends in 2012 since the Mayans could predict their own future, it is believed that the end of the Mayan calendar is the end of the world (because most people think that the Mayans predicted the end of the world) but actually it’s not.

If the Mayans wanted to make a prediction that the world will end, I think they would just say it would end, and give an exact date and NOT go through all that trouble to build a groovy pie calendar just to predict that one moment. Besides, The Mayan’s didn’t say the end of the Mayan calendar was the end of the world, it is just the end of the Mayan calendar. 

So there you have it. Actually, someone starts these hoaxes usually for profit,for example, Harold Camping said that the world was going to end in October 2011, then someone who actually believes him takes out his life savings of $149,000 and spends all of it to advertise the end of the world. Of course, he gives credit to Camping for the prediction and Camping gets more famous, aside from the fact that he is all over the news , getting more known, and letting more people know of his radio show. But then again, we are still here, and whoever used up his life savings to advertise the apocalypse ran out of luck.

All the other 2012 predictions are also false. They are simply silly. When you watch a video or read an article that makes doomsday seem real and start explaining how the world ends in words you can’t understand , take it with a grain of salt , and search for the actual scientific proof of it because it’s most likely they can make the information up, also search for articles and video that contradict doomsday, because the anti-2012 articles/videos usually make more sense.

Actually I have heard they are now changing the doomsday to somewhere in 2013. And well, you guessed it. Someday they will change it to 2014, 2015, and so on….

So sleep well people. It’s just a scam.

Scientists have found archaeological evidence that Neanderthals buried their loved ones with handfuls of flowers – neatly organized, doesn’t this show that there was some belief in an after- life. The film exorcism was actually based on the true story of a girl called Annelise Michal that was possessed by a demon. Unfortunately, she died of starvation and dehydration after tried and failed attempts to heal her soul. 

This piece of writing is from Wikipedia:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anneliese_Michel

Anneliese went on a pilgrimage to San Damiano with a good friend of the family, Thea Hein, who regularly organized such pilgrimages to “holy places” not officially recognized by the church.[3] Because Anneliese was unable to walk past a crucifix and refused to drink the water of a holy spring, her escort concluded that she was suffering from demonic possession.[2] Both Anneliese and her family became convinced she was possessed and consulted several priests, asking for an exorcism. The priests declined, recommended the continuation of medical treatment and informed the family that exorcisms required the bishop’s permission.[1] Eventually, in a nearby town, they came across vicar Ernst Alt, who, after seeing Anneliese, declared that she didn’t “look like an epileptic” and that he didn’t see her having seizures.[3] He believed she was suffering from demonic possession.[2] Alt urged the bishop to allow an exorcism. In September 1975, Bishop Josef Stangl granted Father Renz permission to exorcise according to the Rituale Romanum of 1614,[2] but ordered total secrecy.[4] Renz performed the first session on 24 September.

Once convinced of her possession, Anneliese, her parents, and the exorcists stopped seeking medical treatment, and put her fate solely into the hands of the exorcism rites.[2] Sixty-seven exorcism sessions, one or two each week, lasting up to four hours, were performed over about ten months in 1975 and 1976.[2] At some point, Michel began talking increasingly about dying to atone for the wayward youth of the day and the apostate priests of the modern church, and refused to eat. At her own request, doctors were no longer being consulted.[2]

On 1 July 1976, Anneliese died in her sleep. The autopsy report stated her cause of death as malnutrition and dehydration from almost a year of semi-starvation while the rites of exorcism were performed.[5] She weighed 68 pounds (30.91 kilograms).

However there are accusations from scientists that Anne in fact was suffering from a mental disorder that made her believe she was possessed by a demon. 

 Ermmmmm……Anyway, let’s get back to ghosts:

I don’t think I’ve ever been scared in my life, but last night was one of the scariest nights ever. I was looking after a friends pet whilst she went to check on her mom (she lives on a floor of a large Victorian type house). I decided to watch a bit of telly when the door swung shut behind me – I got so scared since there were no windows open in the house because its winter here in England. I finally built the courage to look around – armed with a blanket, to find that there was nothing there…… I swear, this has spooked me so much – I’m going to have to sleep with the light on today!

Why? Maybe some ghosts are just spirits that have not realised they are dead yet. Or they are confused and want to stay in familiar surroundings – maybe they have a message to a person that’s living. I mean who said ghosts have to be mean. Some people even say that ghosts are spirits waiting for judgement day. Ghosts are just lost people that don’t “actually” have physical bodies. There is a scientist in Russia called Dr Konstantin Korotkov (search him up) that photographed the soul leaving the body using a hi-tech science equipment that traces energy.

Or Ghosts just don’t exist………….

The best scientific answer to this is it’s just a pigment of our imagination – we, as human beings, fall for anything believable and we trick our mind into believing Ghosts? Simple….

Any way you look at it, Ghosts might or might not exist, the arguments on both sides cancel each other out, but if you want my opinion………I think I’ll stick with believing in them – after that experience last night I don’t know who wouldn’t believe in them.

Ask questions that allow the person to express his feelings. Ask: How are you feeling? What did you do when (whatever) happened? What are your thoughts about it?

Let the person vent. Don’t place any judgment on what you hear. Listen quietly and don’t let these thoughts run through your head, “I can’t stand this.”, “That’s the wrong attitude.” “You are making me crazy.”

When the person stops venting surprise him or her by saying, “Do you really think so? Please go on.”

When the other person continues, notice how much he or she reveals about his or her outlook and fears. You will learn that the most negative person will open up to a responsive listener. And you will begin to see the human lurking underneath the persona. You may not suddenly like the person but at least you will see the deeper layers of the personality that will allow you to empathize.

Empathy helps you to treat even the most unpleasant person with fairness. These people are not used to being spoken to with understanding. They begin the conversation expecting to argue. They very seldom meet anyone who takes an interest in what they are saying.

Every human encounter gives us a chance to gain understanding of the values, fears and feelings of those around us. When we are around difficult people, the same rule applies, but empathy becomes stronger. You will sometimes have to empathize with people you do not like or respect, and you do not necessarily want to step into their world, but empathy builds alliances and understanding. It’s worthwhile.

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Articles by Ruby Hawk:

http://socyberty.com/psychology/humanity-and-compassion/

http://socyberty.com/advice/how-to-psych-the-mind/

http://socyberty.com/advice/are-you-constantly-late/

http://socyberty.com/work/the-work-ethic/

http://socyberty.com/advice/stress-busters/

A friend once told me that she felt like she had met the man that she wanted to marry. “Its too soon to have these feelings” she said and put him on the back burner while she finished living up her life and making her own naive mistakes. 

I couldn’t help but ask myself if she just spoke what most women feel. Do we stick with bad choices in our younger years just to say that we have lived it all? I mean we all have to kiss a few toads before we find our Prince, but do we hang onto the toads until we feel like the princess that’s ready to settle down? 

Our world has completely changed. People used to get married at sixteen or even younger, and now people wait much longer. Has our feminine independence cast us into a spiral of testing the water longer? The thought of marriage feels more threatening to me in my twenties than catching an STD. I can protect myself against infection, but marriage is so permanent. 

In a recent trip to the store where my purchases consisted of new make-up, potted plants and magazines to make my butt tighter, eyes smokier and sex life godly. The couple in front of me was probably no more than 5 years older than me with a baby asleep in a car seat while their toddler grasped to the carriage they pushed. They purchased baby wipes, diapers and oversized underwear. Those things in due time may be appropriate, but the look of misery was not.

It made me realize that forcing yourself on someone is not a solution to loneliness or judgments of being single. I’d rather take the time finding my prince, than be stuck inexperienced, and unhappy with a toad I ended up doing more than kissing with and wound up with a headache and a stroller.

I may not have a man’s shoulder to hold onto, but mine are getting broader to hold the criticism that comes to my single life. All the while making the head that rests between them stronger than it has ever been.

When you really think of the whole concept, it can have many pros an cons to it.  I have heard some say, its the best way to be near one you love but can’t have, some say it’s a way to get sex without any demands on one another, some say its just a casual fling, nothing more.

But I think it has a different meaning to each individual, each person has their own concept of what it really means to them, I see a movie coming out to where you can go and watch how big movie stars play a role to what their storyline of what the concept would be, but I wonder how close it will be to the real reality of how it truly is.  I also believe that it can end us causing pain to some without the other ever really realizing it.

 An example would be for instance, you find yourself attracted to someone, maybe your too shy to tell them your attracted, maybe you feel they like someone else deep down and you don’t know exactly what to do or how to deal with that situation, maybe your afraid they do not like you at all or not attracted to  you.  As a bit of time goes along, you become friends, hang out together, spending a lot of time together, but it is just as friends, nothing more, then all of a sudden, the unexpected comes along, your in a situation where you can let things happen, or you can say NO, we are just friends, I do not want that.  Deep down, you know you do, you know the feelings have become stronger on your side, but they have never showed anything more then just friends.  So now is decision time, shall you let it go forward or shall you stop them in their tracks. 

You let your emotions take over and maybe if you do, things will change between the two of you, will it get better, will it get worse, you wonder, then you decide to take the chance.  So your with each other, no complaints on either side, but then as time goes by, your feeling that your still just friends, can you continue on this way, are you hoping that if you continue to be intimate with them that maybe feelings will change, maybe they will become romantically involved with you, what happens next.

As time goes on, you feel there is no difference, and you know in your heart there never will be, so are you still being with them for the sex, for yourself, or as a close friend, are you really just letting them be satisfied, maybe your worried if you don’t,  they will find someone else and you will fade away in the distance?.  It is a confusing situation and yeah can be fun at times, but in the long run, someone will get hurt, then, will it hurt the friendship, will it tear the friendship apart, if all stops, will the friendship ever be the same again?.  

Kinda like being a 1-900 for a friend, they want some fun times, they call you and say come on over, or even now days, they just call and expect you to take care of their needs over the phone, but do they really have any intentions of really making a possible commitment to you in the future, or is it their way of being “safe”  with no commitments, no relationships, no worries on their parts.  I then have to think about, are they also doing it with other friends?  Are they keeping each of you a secret, how many “Friends With Benefits” can you actually have?.   

As one girl told me once,  I do not know if I am coming or going, we seem to be great friends, but then again, she does not seem to want to go any farther then that, or at least she does not show me so, so then what am I to do, just sit and be her toy doll or be with her when “SHE” has the feeling to?.  Funny how he told me this as most of the time, it’s the other way around, a girl crazy about a guy, and wants to be near him, and she feels if this is the only way to have that closeness, then so be it.

So what is actually the pros and cons of such a thing?  Sure a telephone call and sex is at your door waiting for you, but what is the real deep emotion between the two, what if it is one sided, doing it to just be near the one you love?  I think if that is the real situation, in the long run, one will be deeply emotionally hurt when the other decides to find someone more permanent to be with, to actually start that relationship with, so where does that leave the other, standing out in the cold, wanting them, seeing them with another, no one can tell me that a situation like that would not HURT.

Maybe its just my own thoughts, but I have seen friends like this, and yes, one went away in pain, and the friendship faded with it,  and that is truly sad, as I believe some, a guy and a gal, can be the best-est of friends forever, and some can even fall in love and get married.  But maybe its my old way of thinking that if you want more then friendship, then let the relationship develop and then you two go forward, cause 
Friends with Benefits, someone will be hurt when all is done and the other decides to move on.

Guess you just have to sit and think for a moment, the pros and cons of the situation with your friend, shall it be just a fling, no demands, pure fun, but what happens if the other starts to develop feelings, will you be able to see it, feel it, or will they be the one who sits and waits for the next time, wondering if you will find another and leave them hanging, or what someone told me once,  wonder each time the phone rings, am I just a 1-900 number to them, will they ever really want to see or be with me, cause deep down, he feels so much more for her, but as does not want to lose that close friendship, is afraid to put her on the spot and come straight out and ask.

Whichever your situation may be, I hope it works out for the best, and that no one is getting hurt at the end of it, so weigh your pros and cons and let your best judgement win.

(These are my own thoughts that came to my mind when seen movie title, I judge no one) 

 There are several passages in the Old and New Testaments which directly and indirectly speak on the issue of homosexuality.  The Old Testaments passages include the specific “Man shall not lie with another man as with a woman,”  Which is found in the very long and extensive list of rules that were in place to make the Israelites “holy” or to show them how much they could not be Holy. According to Hebrews, chapter seven, it was useless anyways and made no one perfect, but only faith in Jesus Christ is one made perfect.  (There is also an interesting phrase in that chapter that states: “For when here is a change in the priesthood [Christ] there is a change in the law as well.)

 The other most famous passage is Sodom and Gomorrah, in Genesis Chapter 19, where God had already proclaimed destruction and judgment on the cities for their sin.  Abraham’s brother Lot had moved into the city, and two angels in human form came into the city.  Lot quickly welcomed them into his home for protection, knowing the city was full of scoundrels who would treat them wrongly.  Not long after welcoming them into his house, men and woman from all over the city came to his door, after finding out about his guests; they desired to mistreat them in the most horrible of ways.  Sodomy and rape was a form of humiliating your enemy or foreign people in that culture, and it still is today.  The city was not a homosexual or gay city; it was simply a sinful city willing to be violent rapists towards newcomers.   Being gay was not the reason the city was destroyed.  It was an excess of the sins of the heart: Pride, selfishness, gluttony, laziness, inhospitality, and they did not take care of those in need within their own city.  (Ezekiel 16: 47-51)  Compare this to James 1:27.

 Obviously the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were not gay cities, but their sinful choices and lifestyles lead them to want to mistreat others in the most degrading of ways.  Being gay does not mean you have this desire automatically, or that you have to follow all the stereotypes of gay people.  The majority of gay people are regular everyday people like you and me, we have jobs, not gay jobs, and we have hobbies, not gay hobbies. We have talents and gifts that can be used for God’s glory.  God does not look upon you and say “what a beautiful voice… too bad I can’t use it since it’s a gay voice.”   No, God looks to see if we are prideful, kind, loving, selfless, and obedient.  If we are not these things, whether gay or straight, we are liable to experience the same consequences of judgment laid out by God to Sodom and Gomorrah.

The New Testament warns against the “sexually immoral” and “men who practice homosexuality” as not being able to receive the kingdom of God.  We will take the words literally here for arguments sake, but do know that there are great big issues with the translations of that word “homosexuality.” I challenge you to find those details; it’s easily findable via our good friend Google.

 If we take these literally, I think we can define both sins from each other through context.  Obviously sex is not a sin in itself, but when does it become a sin?  If we take King David for an example, he was rewarded by God with great success, treasures, multiple wives and concubines because of his faithful heart to God.   God never mentions anything negative about David’s sexual relations with more than one wife, or those who were not his wives, Why? He did not steal them, or rape them, take them against their will, but he earned the status of being able to have or acquire these things, because he was a righteous king.  Yet a day came when God did punish him for a sexual sin, with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11.)  Why would God suddenly punish him for this sex? If you read the story, you see that David lusted, stole, lied, lied some more, committed murder, and lied to cover it up.  These kinds of “from the heart” are what determine God’s judgment.  

 So according to the context of David and the context of the New Testament passages what is living “sexually immoral?” mean?  It must be sexual acts committed in the lust of those heart sins.  Can a gay person commit sexual sin?  Absolutely, just like straight men can.   So what are the “Practicing homosexuals?”  They must be men having sex with each other according to their lustful heart sins, fueled by pride, lust, lies, addictions, etc.

  So if a homosexual man is not practicing these things, does it still make him a candidate for God’s Holy wrath?

 What we’ve done here in our church culture is separate the church from the gays, which is a dangerous unloving decision.  By defining “gay” as a sin, regardless of a man’s actions and character, you have committed the sin of Sodom, unloving the people whom you should welcome and take care of.  Gay people will not cease to be gay, but they are in need of fellowship, love, bible learning, friendships, spiritual growth, and when someone refuses to offer these because they are attracted to the members of the same sex, that person or that church is in danger of the wrath of God, because these are the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah.   Accepting gay people does not mean you have accept the truly sinful lifestyles, but think about how much more willing Christians are to put up with the sinful lifestyles of straight people.  Separation of church and gay cannot exist if Christians wish to be known by their love.  The longer the separation exists, the harder it will be to claim gay people for Christ. 

 Take a moment to Read 1 Corinthians 7:17-23, specifically verse 20 that says “Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called.”  

 What we should separate is the gay from the sin.  You can be gay and not give in to sin; you can have loving relationships not based on idol worship, promiscuity, and lustful desire.  You can have family values and serve Christ and be gay.  If this is true, then there is hope for you straight people too! You also can be straight and have real loving lasting relationships, family values, and serve Christ.

I live relatively close to the crash site and the bar that Ryan Dunn was at the night he died. I have traveled back there and to have something like this to happen is surreal. Bam Margera, Ryan Dunn, Steve-O have ultra celebrity status and a lot of the town of West Chester loves the whole Jackass crew. I personally did not watch the show, but I did see the movie (an ex-boyfriend made me). I also do not agree with most of what these guys do, but I respect them and love them as fellow human beings. One of our main goals as a follower is to be more like Jesus. To live a life where we are humble, respectful, loving, passionate, supportive of others, and all the other great qualities that he has. I don’t see any of the members of Westboro demonstrating the love of God. I don’t see them supporting others and spreading the good news of the word of God. What I see is them doing the exact opposite. They are turning so many people off from exploring Christianity when it is needed so much in this unstable world. I think they are doing the devils work is what they are doing, because he is the one who wants people questioning God’s love and authority. Yes God is an all mighty and powerful God capable of anything, but he is also a loving and forgiving father who wants all of his children to come home.

There have been people who have rioted and protested them and those who just plain blocked all their cars in, (preventing them from protesting), but Ibelieve that is exactly what these people want! I think all they want the publicity (which I know I am dong in a way too, however I hope this also is what helps open up many peoples eyes and ends this) but they really just need to be ignored. If there is no one there protesting back against them and everyone truly ignores them, as hard and painful as that may be for loved ones of those that they are protesting and those who just can’t stand them, then there is nothing for the media to cover. It would be boring, bland, old news. What always draws in the press is the circus act of people gathering back against them, so we need to pull the plug on this drama. I know that usually the advice ignore it and it will go away is not good advice. Debt, disease, poverty, and so much more do not go away by just ignoring it, but I feel that this is exactly what is needed for Westboro Baptist Church. That and a whole lot of prayer!

It’s not for me to say that I’m better than someone else – because I’m not. I’ve already had that battle of wits with an arrogant man who thought my accomplishments put me on a higher playing field. His name is Matt and I no longer speak to him. I’ve learned to cut ties with those who feel superiority is what matters…I am not better than you…you are not better than me. The world will continue to spin regardless of what any one person does or says. The saying “Walk a mile in another person’s shoes” has lost it’s relevance along the way…no one takes that extra step anymore. My thought is simple – my shoes can never be filled. I would gladly let someone walk along with me…but, no one is daring enough…they don’t have what it takes to turn a blind eye to those who try and drag another down. 

I’ve been told numerous times that my physical appearance is what scares people off…mainly my tattoos. If those people decide to judge me based off something as minor as the ink upon my skin – it’s their loss. My art tells a story…my life story. It describes my battle with cancer…my faith in God…the loss of my loved ones. To those who judge – judge yourself…because I would never pass judgements upon you. This is simply the advice I have to offer for the day…take it as you will…

When someone demands that you change who you are…tell them one thing…

Tell them that Michele says conformity is for the weak…

That was the last words I heard from him before trashing them along the other worthless litter of my past teacher’s advice.

Life is good regardless of where you find yourself.  That’s a fact under GOD.  Nothing was really ours to begin with, and even the tiniest breath of comfort we should be thankful for, but that doesn’t mean you should throw out the possibilities that young years lie before you because you think that you will be happy settling for less later.  Too many young adults fall into this trap before beginning to think for themselves.  They are careless with their credit, and faithful with their young friends who are also careless and unlearned; Before they know it they have a terrible credit score, no housing references and are starting from -0 rather than from scratch.  STILL, I was thankful.  Because that was me ten years ago.

But today I write to young people everywhere and encourage them to stay in school and follow their pure consciousness of right and wrong because I know how it feels to look back at what I had and compare it to what I am only blessed with now.

You may take my words as mediocrity, but listen up when I say I know this because:

I work a job for minimum wage where I have to take a box of cough medicine a day just to level myself at the same degree of the company that frequents my station.  On top of that, I am up way past midnight trying to drink myself asleep because if I die before I wake I don’t want the last thing I did to be trying to struggle to fall asleep on time for work.  And if I am lucky enough to rise again in the morning, which I will be no doubt, I will have to face the day by starting off with the dreadful realization that I must have sex with my beautiful wife before I am off to work.  You may think I am joking, but I am serious as a heart attack.

Once things really start becoming difficult in your life, they will remain that way.  You will be entirely conscious of the fact that you called every bit of it on yourself, because there is no one else to blame but you.  So don’t try making your own decisions too soon.  You may find in the end that your very premature judgement leads you to some pretty confining spaces.  And those spaces get smaller with age.  Let your teachers guide you, and your parents as well. Don’t be afraid to take advice while you’re young, because when you get older you may find yourself begging for it!  Stay in school, and don’t do drugs.  Tough it out and you will see that amazing things can happen earlier in life than you ever imagined possible.