STOP THE PRESSES! Urgent Blog Post. . . Obsession – Stop It!

I was just eating lunch at the hospital cafeteria and something really honked me off! There was this guy (middle aged man) and his lovely daughter (about 9 years old) sitting there after finishing lunch. He was playing his online video game (not sure which one as I am not a gamer) and totally ignoring her. She was obviously bored out of her mind.
Then when she spoke he hushed her. He did this several times! HOW RUDE! She just wanted his attention.

Here is my point. . . we (as a society) have got to put down the games (cell phones, i-pads-pods, etc.) and spend time with our kids! Our society is losing our children. . . because we care more about our games than we do them.

Here is my advice. . . STOP IT!

I feel bad that I didn’t say anything. . . next time I will. Let me know what you think.

Captain America – A movie review

I was privileged to go on a date with my wife last night.  We spent our afternoon having dinner and watching a movie.  I enjoy movies, but haven’t found one I have been this excited about in a long time.  I loved Captain America!  Finally a super hero that is polite, generous, and a overall nice guy.  I am sick of superhero’s like Iron Man that are self-centered and vial.  Super heroes need to be just that, SUPER!  This was clearly stated in the movie when “Steve Rogers” was chosen to become Captain America because he was “super” on the inside.

Captain America is more than a Super Hero; he is an all around great guy.  He proudly serves his country, is respectful to women, and stands up to bullies.  At one point in the movie he admits that he has never danced with a girl before because “I figured I’d wait for the right partner”.   This is the type of Hero I want my kids to idolize!

As with any super hero movie, there is some violence.  Captain America serves his country during the war with the Nazi’s (who doesn’t like a good Nazi movie?).  His mentor is a German Scientist who is in hiding as he opposes Hitler and his actions.  There is some blood. . . a lot of killing. . . but it is a war movie.  The movie high in violence but doesn’t leave the viewer squirming with discomfort.

There are a two things I disliked:
1.  Profane Language – They used h-ll, b–ch, a-s, and d-mn.  The language is minimal and not the focus of the movie.

2.  Alcohol Use – There was several alcohol related scenes, nothing outrageous, but not necessary.  Any time we or a movie idolizes alcohol use we teach our kids that it’s OK.

Over all I give the movie 4.5 stars out of 5!  A pro America, pro good guy, superb all around super hero movie!  I loved it hope you do also!  May God bless our great land!

Cars 2 – A movie review

I really disliked this movie, here are my reasons:

 

1.  The movie showed the cars celebrating with martini glasses. . . had the feel of alcohol (may not have been) but what do you drink out of a martini glass?  I don’t like my kids being exposed to things like this. . . during a kids movie.

 

2.  Violence:  There was a lot “James Bond” style shooting, a lot of talk about killing. . . guns, bombs, etc.  A HUGE letdown from the first Cars movie which was a great kids movie.

 

3.  Big OIL is EVIL!  This was the underlying political agenda.  Politics have no place in a kids movie. . . Brainwashing our kids with your political agenda is very upsetting to me.

 

4.  Toilet humor. . . not horrible, just not the greatest use of humor.

 

5.  There was a scene where the cars are gambling. . . again not appropriate for a kids movie.

 

I felt like the wholesome re-discover America theme of Cars was trashed by this politically motivated mess of a film.  I am sorry that I took my kids to watch it and am glad that most of this apparently went over their heads.  Pixar needs to rethink its motives. . . Cars 2 a big disappointment!

 

Free Worksheet Giveaway!

Visit us on Facebook and check under notes! “Self Discovery Worksheet” has been posted for free!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Counseling-Worksheets/135991989776095

My plan to save Social Security. . .

So here is what I have been thinking.

I am 34 and have no chance of ever getting any money out of Social Security. . . yet I pay into it weekly.  The government is at a loss of how to handle the quickly dying program.  This problem has been weighing on my mind for some time now and I think that I have the solution.  Before I explain my plan, I need for you to be open minded as it is not the current ‘political’ way of thinking.  Here goes. . .

We start by offering to let U.S. Citizens ’Buy Out’ of the program.  This means they take a lump sum of money upfront (a percentage of what they have paid in), never to pay into or receive any other assistance from the Social Security program again.  There has to be a pre-set financial figure of ‘Buy Out’ dollars that would make the program financially stable (I don’t know what this would be but am sure it could be figured out).  We start by offering 10% of what you have paid in.  It’s your choice to take the offer or wait to see if you get a better offer.  If not enough people take the ‘Buy Out’ then we would move on to offer two.

Offer two would be 15% of what you paid in.

Offer three 20% and so on. . .

Once the pre-determined amount is reached your chance of getting out of the program have ended.

We also have to let future U.S. Citizens have the option of buying onto Social Security or planning on their own.  The catch is if you don’t buy into the program, or if you take the initial ‘Buy Out’ there is no longer any assistance available if you were to need it.

I have worked this through many different ways and really think this plan will work.  Please let me know what you think and lets see if we can get the power’s that be to take a look at the proposal.  It can’t hurt!

Thanks for looking!

A glimpse into an addicts life – Part 3

My Attempts to Control:

In the past I have tried to quit.  I stopped smoking meth by smoking weed, I stopped smoking weed by drinking.  Everything I tried didn’t work.  I tried moving out of the area, but I found it in my new town as well.  I worked with a bunch of drug addicts, so I tried leaving my job, but there were still users at the next place.  I tried cutting contacts with using friends, only to find new using friends.

I am sure I tried these things at least a dozen times and I always relapsed shortly afterward.  I failed because I tried to do it alone.  I always ended up feeling hopeless and helpless.  Using is the only thing that made these thoughts and feelings disappear.

To be continued. . .

Why Jesus is Better than Santa Clause

 

Santa lives at the North Pole…

JESUS is everywhere.

 

Santa rides in a sleigh…

JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year…

JESUS is an ever present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies…JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited…JESUS stands at your door and knocks, and then enters your heart when invited.

You have to wait in line to see Santa…JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap…JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn’t know your name, all he can say is “Hi little boy or girl, what’s your name?”…

JESUS knew our name before we were born. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly…JESUS has a heart full of love.

All Santa can offer is HO HO HO…JESUS offers health, help and hope.

Santa says “You better not cry”…JESUS says “Cast all your cares on me for I care for you.”

Santa’s little helpers make toys…JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle but…JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree…JESUS became our gift and died on a tree…

 

It’s obvious there is really no comparison.

We need to remember Who CHRISTmas is all about.

We need to put Christ back in CHRISTmas,

Jesus is still the reason for the season.

Yes, Jesus is better, He is even better than Santa Clause!

 

Author Unknown

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Thanks Secret Office Santa for leaving this for me today on my desk. . .

My Panic Cycles ~ A Free Worksheet

My Panic Cycles
by Brandon Bower

This anxiety-panic worksheet is designed to identify your greatest fears, understand them, and learn to give turn them over to the care of God.  Complete the worksheet as openly and honestly as possible.  No one will judge you for your answers.  Remember anxiety is fear of the future and the unknown.  This worksheet and others like this can be found at www.counselingworksheets.com.

My panic attacks are triggered by?  _________________________________________________________________________________________

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When I am in panic mode I feel:  _________________________________________________________________________________________

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My body gives me physical cues to warn me that I am starting to get anxious, my cues are:  _________________________________________________________________________________________

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I often start panicking based on just my thought processes, what thoughts trigger panic attacks?  _________________________________________________________________________________________

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How do I react when I am panicking?  _________________________________________________________________________________________

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What are some places and activities that I fear the most?  _________________________________________________________________________________________

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How can I give my panic over to the care of God? _________________________________________________________________________________________

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The last time I was in panic mode I thought: _________________________________________________________________________________________

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What are some things that I am afraid to discuss with my therapist? _________________________________________________________________________________________

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Once you have answered all the questions please share your answers with your therapist or therapy group.

My Signature:    ____________________________________

Date:                     ____________________________________

Therapist’s Signature:  _______________________________

New Blog. . . Check it out!

Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana just started a new blog. . . It’s worth checking out!

http://cancerservicesofneindiana.wordpress.com/

2010 Lapper Cancer Walk!

Help Me fight cancer and support me in the 2010 Lapper Cancer walk.

I am walking in Lapper 2010. The walk is scheduled for Saturday, June 5th at Foster Park. If you can, I’d love for you to join me and help me raise funds to benefit those who have been diagnosed with cancer in Northeast Indiana. If you can’t join me, please consider making a donation to help me reach my goal.

Follow This Link to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana

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Thanks for your support!

Brandon Bower