107 Dr. Feelgood

How do you make yourself feel better? No, seriously. Do you work things out in your own head? Do you talk incessantly to friends until you either talk yourself into a solution or they help you find one? Do you shop your way out of it, or around it? Do you do something constructive or DESTRUCTIVE?

Over the years, I have seen so many souls go down the path of destruction, rarely to return. One bad choice leads to another and then another. Sex, alcohol, drugs, shopping-they all have their ups but oh, so rarely. Well, that's another rant. In this instance we will assume that they're all bad. Well, not always the sex or alcohol...or shopping. Let's back up.

If you use anything to excess and it becomes a destructive excess, that should be what we're worrying about today. So, now that I've tried to clear my head of the good stuff, let's say that many of the souls I have watched self-destruct have chosen one of these common afflictions.

You have the safe alternatives of therapy, prescription drugs(yours, not the illegal kind) and friends/family. I say do what works. Combinations of all of the above with a small dose of the stuff that makes you feel good in the short term. Hey, we all need a boost. Divorce? Dont run out and have a bunch of alcohol-induced flings, maybe have one to make you feel good and then swear off relationships until you figure out what the hell happened with YOURS.

Personal trauma? Close family or friend dies or has a traumatic event? Dont drink yourself stupid, your genetics already helped that along. You dont want any less brain cells when you're trying to figure out how to move along and to prevent any further catastrophy. Alcohol is good for nights off or out, when you're trying to relax with friends or family. Sometimes it is permissable to drink LOTS of alcohol, depending on the family. You know the ones.

Drugs are never a good choice. I personally have never tried anything illegal, and yes, that includes pot. I saw a lot of friends get smoked up and I never had the desire. I do like to get tipsy when I drink(most people say I get a little silly) (what? you dont think I could be silly?) but I dont think I'd like the whole I'm-completely-out-of-control-or-incapacitated thing. Pot? I dont know....I'd try it now that i'm older, but I dont want to set a bad standard for the boys. OOOOh----Maybe a hookah pipe. Nah. I've never smoked ANTYTHING, cigarrettes included.

Talking to friends is usually a good choice, but you have to be sure of the friends. Some cant wait to squeal all the nice, juicy gossip to everyone else they know and some just dont care. They will listen long enough for you to let them play out THEIR gripes. Find the right one, male or female, someone without an agenda of their own and you're in business. Some people DO care enough to listen to you without wanting something in return. It's quite difficult sometimes depending on your personality, to find people that just like to help, but they ARE out there.

Screw Therapists. Next paragraph. Oh. You have to be beyond the help of some ear-lending friend to go see them, but.....well, let's just say "Good Luck".

It's not beyond the scope of things for you to try one or more ways to make yourself feel whole again. You have to test the waters, as it were. It's always soooooo easy to do the things that are detrimental for you. Start somewhere that's familiar. Family? Maybe. Friends? More likely. Strangers? BINGO! It's always easier to talk to a stranger. No familiarity, no repercussions when you have to see them again at the next family reunion, just pure honesty as you see fit to tell them. Strangers that will listen are the best therapy. You dont have to judge them, they dont have to judge you. No consequences. Fire and forget as they say in the military.

I'm not saying that one thing is best for everyone, I'm just throwing some stuff out there. I've always been good at listening and (GASP) talking to people, whether friend or stranger. I found a sort of therapy in writing for you all. Like I said: Do what works. Just dont do something that makes you feel good for a minute and you KNOW YOU ARE GOING TO REGRET LATER.

Oh, just for the record: buying to the point it hurts doesnt help. You hurt your family, your debt and you. Buying yourself an xbox, wii, games, waders and boots DOES help, but only after your wife got a flat screen for the bedroom and some jewelry. Make me proud out there people, and if you need an ear, I'm usually here...I'm a poet and didnt know it....:)