We flew from Dulles Airport near Washington, DC (USA) on Sunday morning. It was a brisk 16 degrees Fahrenheit. It is now Thursday, and the air temperature just outside of Panama City, near the canal, is already 82 degrees. We are picking up my son tonight and have booked a 6-hour boat tour that includes traveling through the locks. I cannot wait! Today, we are starting … [Read more...] about I Went to See the Panama Canal—and Avoided My Feelings Instead
anxiety
Ten Minutes With My Money Is Better Than Seven Days of Avoiding It
I have been there and have ignored the obvious. I’m not saying that I have buried my head in the sand, but the idea is very familiar. I can remember thinking to myself, “If I check my balance, I will spiral out of control.” Or worse, I remember thinking not knowing made me feel better than knowing.” But next week, the problems were still there. And because I ignored … [Read more...] about Ten Minutes With My Money Is Better Than Seven Days of Avoiding It
September marks #SuicidePreventionMonth
A time to remember the lives lost to suicide, the millions who have struggled with suicidal thoughts & the individuals, families, and communities that have been impacted. Today I am standing up and am proud to be one of the millions who have struggled with suicidal thoughts. I know that sounds backwards, but I say proud for two reasons. The first and most important … [Read more...] about September marks #SuicidePreventionMonth
Joy Has Been Elusive for Years, But I May Have Found It Again
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash Joy is one emotion that has been missing over the past 4 or 5 years. Not days, or weeks, but years. That’s a long time. 365 days times 4 years equals 1,465 days. Five years is that plus 365. And for much of that time, I did not even know I was not experiencing joy. I was happy if I experienced any emotion. And yes, … [Read more...] about Joy Has Been Elusive for Years, But I May Have Found It Again
Straight Talk About My Journey with Depression
Photo by LOGAN WEAVER | @LGNWVR on Unsplash In case you are new to my blog, my name is Joel and I live in Charlottesville Virginia. I am a middle-class male, and I have worked since I was 10 years old. My career spans over 50 years in retail management and along with my wife, I have raised 3 remarkable children. Recently, I finally said out loud that I have lived with … [Read more...] about Straight Talk About My Journey with Depression
