Male Depression is Killing Our Country

I thought I read or heard the following quote -- but I couldn't find it anywhere or who the quote is from.  So until someone tells me different, it's mine.

"If it's to be... it's up to me!"  ~ John W. Kirton Jr.

I'm come to this realization (the quote) recently.  You can wish and hope, or pray and curse or cry and complain.  But the bottom line in life is that, no one gives a rat's behind about digging you out from under YOUR problems.  There is so much lip service about helping the needy or giving 'service' to others (especially during Sunday School lessons) -- that the gum flapping is a hurricane category 5 wind storm!

Sure call me a cynic, an unbeliever -- but prove me wrong.  Sure there is occasions of help given during disaster relief.  And the only truly charitable relief for the average person during non-emergency times is 'Extreme Home Makeover: Home Edition.'  Other then that you are pretty much on your own.

Until now.

I have wanted, needed, desired, prayed for, screamed for, cried for -- a way or someone to help me come out of my depression of late.  But as I think about it more, I realize that I've had a really tough life that has caused me to be depressed and feel worthless since before my earliest childhood memories.

Because I know how much life can really suck, I'd like to do something about it to help others.  Specifically, men.

I found a book, "I don't want to talk about it" by Terrence Real.  The sub-title is: Overcoming the secret legacy of male depression.  The main point that I've gotten so far, is that men don't want to admit they are depressed.  The reason?  It's 'unmanly'.  They found that a male college roommate admitting he suffered from depression, was shunned more then if he said he had AIDS.

That's terrible!

It's hard enough to be depressed, but to seek help by opening yourself to a friend and to be treated worse than having a life-threatening communicable illness?  The natural tendency to NOT tell others is reinforced, and I'm sure the depressed person would then fall into ever-increasing despair.  Thanks!

I'm no doctor, but at least I'll be an understanding listening ear.  The statistics mentioned in the book, tell of ten's of billions of lost production each year.  And with the state of the economy and job losses -- the level of male despair and depression has to be rising to ever-increasing levels.

With this small little blog corner I'd like to add a group:

DUH!

Depressed Ugly Husbands.

Depressed - that's what we are.
Ugly - we must be, because no one wants to be around us because we are "depressed."
Husbands - we either are, want to be, used to be or have a woman we want in our lives.  Additionally, DUH! is catchy.

So if you, a friend or someone you know does not wish to formally admit to depression --  that's OK.  I'll listen and hopefully we are joined by others wanting to give or receive.

Leaders Are Readers

And in today's newer world of electronics -- listeners are as well.  In my case, I found the gem in my title while listening to an audio book on my iPod.  The book is 50 Success Classics by Tom Butler-Bowman.

One of the points I found especially interesting was that leaders did not have to prove  their leadership.  Another was that every person, has the potential in becoming a leader.  However, all leaders are not required to be a leader in the conventional ways that our world may recognize.

All very interesting and thought-provoking ideas.  As I discover more nuggets of interest, I'll post those.

What is the main ingredient of WD-40 ?

Very interesting and useful email I received recently.  Do not know the original author:

Before you read to the end, does anybody know what the main ingredient of WD-40 is?  Don't lie and don't cheat.  WD-40.  Who knew; I  had a neighbor who bought a new pickup.  I got up very early one Sunday morning and saw that someone had spray painted red all around the  sides of this beige truck (for some unknown reason).  I went over, woke him up, and told him the bad news.  He was very upset and was  trying to figure out what to do... probably nothing until Monday morning,  since nothing was open.  Another neighbor came out and told him to  get his WD-40 and clean it off.  It removed the unwanted paint  beautifully and did not harm his paint job that was on the truck.   I'm impressed!  WD-40  who knew?

'Water Displacement #40'. The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and degreaser to protect missile parts.  WD-40 was created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company.  Its name comes from the project that was to find a 'water displacement' compound.  They were successful with the fortieth formulation, thus WD-40.  The Convair Company  bought it in bulk to protect their atlas missile parts. Ken East (one of the original founders) says there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you.  When you read the 'shower door' part, try it.  It's the first thing that has ever cleaned that spotty shower  door.  If yours is plastic, it works just as well as glass.   It's a miracle!  Then try it on your stove top... Viola!   It's now shinier than it's ever been.  You'll be amazed.  

WD-40 uses:
1. Protects silver from tarnishing.
2. Removes road tar and grime from cars.
3. Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.
4. Gives floors that 'just-waxed' sheen without making them  slippery.
5. Keeps flies off cows.
6. Restores and cleans chalkboards.
7. Removes lipstick stains.
8. Loosens stubborn zippers.
9. Untangles jewelry chains.
10. Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.  
11. Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill.
12. Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from  oxidizing.
13. Removes tomato stains from clothing.
14. Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots.
15. Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.
16. Keeps scissors working smoothly..
17. Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in  homes.
18. It removes black scuff marks from the kitchen floor!  Use WD-40 for those nasty tar and scuff marks on flooring.  It doesn't seem to harm the finish and you won't have to scrub nearly as hard to get them off.  Just remember to open some windows if you have a lot of marks.
19. Bug guts will eat away the finish on your car if not removed quickly!  Use WD-40!
20. Gives a child's playground gym slide a shine for a super fast  slide.
21. Lubricates gear shift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers...
22. Rids kids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises.
23. Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open..
24. Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close.
25. Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as  vinyl bumpers.
26. Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.
27. Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans
28. Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for easy  handling.
29. Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running  smoothly.
30. Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other  tools.
31. Removes splattered grease on stove.
32. Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging.
33. Lubricates prosthetic limbs.
34. Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the  smell).
35. Removes all traces of duct tape.
36. Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees to relieve arthritis  pain.
37. Florida’s favorite use is: 'cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers.'
38. The favorite use in the state of New York, WD-40 protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements.
39. WD-40 attracts fish.  Spray a little on live bait or lures and you will be catching the big one in no time.  Also, it's a lot cheaper than the chemical attractants that are made for just that purpose.  Keep in mind though, using  some chemical laced baits or lures for fishing are not allowed in some states.
40. Use it for fire ant bites..  It takes the sting away immediately and  stops the itch.
41. WD-40 is great for removing crayon from walls.  Spray on the mark and  wipe with a clean rag.
42. Also, if you've discovered that your teenage daughter has washed and dried  a tube of lipstick with a load of laundry, saturate the lipstick spots with WD-40 and rewash.  Presto!  The lipstick is  gone!
43. If you sprayed WD-40 on the distributor cap, it would displace the moisture and allow the car to start.

The basic ingredient is... FISH  OIL.