Often I find myself spinning nonsensical rhyming yarns that originate from real life occurrences. While the actual story in this case is totally fiction, there are definite resemblances to our family life. My son does have a penchant for cutting up perfectly good fabric and my husband frequently leaves wads of lint on top of the dryer. There usually is an explosion of clothing on top of the dryer or the deep freezer at any given time. Read the rest of this entry »
After numerous visits to Wendy’s and always receiving my drink without its companion straw,1 I decided it was time to speak up. I went to the Wendy’s website and filled out a feedback form. I filled in the optional contact information at the end, and the website promised I would be contacted within two business days regarding my complaint. Did I really expect Wendy’s to change their straw habit? Read the rest of this entry »
I wonder sometimes whether other people get as irritated as I do about little things in life. One such case is my frustration each time I go through the Wendy’s drive thru. Wendy’s gives out your drink first, followed by the bag of food. Oh sure, all the chains give out the drink first. Only Wendy’s routinely withholds your straw until presenting your food. This seems like such a small thing, so why does it aggravate me to the nth degree?
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With most phobic disorders, the treatment options are the same. Anti-anxiety medication may be prescribed, or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) suggested, or both. Depending on medical insurance coverage, medication can be expensive. It can have side effects. Some medications take long periods of time to process and leave the body. If this is the only treatment used, the phobia may return when medication is stopped. On the other hand, medication may take effect more quickly and be less intrusive than cognitive-behavioral therapy. Read the rest of this entry »
My recent decision to forgo a church home group activity put my severe distaste for crowded spaces in the spotlight. Avoidance had begun to impede my life more than I wanted. In an effort to find information that might help “put my avoidance in its place,” I discovered a vast array of explanations that served only to confuse the issue. Is it ochlophobia, enochlophobia, demophobia, agoraphobia or some other phobia? Undaunted by the sea of phobic disorders, my quest for an answer continued. Read the rest of this entry »
My curiosity about ochlophobia and agoraphobia launched a week of reading research that carried me into information about anxiety disorders. Originally all the information was posted as one article. After some consideration, however, it seemed logical to separate the information into three articles, one containing general information on anxiety and phobic disorders, an article specific to the two phobias, and an article about treatment options. Here we will study anxiety disorders with a focus on phobias. Read the rest of this entry »
This morning started off on the wrong foot and my frustration mounted as the day progressed. It was one of those “if anything can go wrong it will go wrong” chain of events. A spousal disagreement, an unfinished work agenda and everything between produced a downward spiral in my attitude. The residual effects of my antagonistic kickoff remained with me until nightfall.
In reflecting on the previous twelve hours, I explored the seeds of my frustration. What were the driving forces behind my negativity? Honest consideration revealed the seeds that bloomed into a rotten tree.
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Upon arriving home from work I was in a fit of indignation. Some may wish to know why I was so upset, but telling this part of the story only would detract from its point. Suffice it to say that my inward rage needed outward expression.
Anger usually triggers my desire to participate in unhealthy behaviors such as an all-night gaming marathon, indulgence in an entire pint of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, or any number of other addictive habits. I always have a choice between bad habits or a healthy response, but making that choice often is difficult. Read the rest of this entry »
Friday’s lunchtime conversation elicited a wide range of emotions from deep within me. The topic: missionaries earning more income in the field than in the States. Discussion centered on the concept that some missionaries utilize this higher income to maintain a certain standard of living, thereby preventing themselves from helping the economically disadvantaged people they entered the field to serve.
The sense of justice in me cried out, “This is wrong!” Then one person gently reminded me that not all missionaries do this. The vast majority live on a shoestring. Later, another person pointed out there are reasons a missionary might need to preserve a particular standard of living. Read the rest of this entry »
