Striking Out

Since last week I have been muttering to anyone who will listen that this is not a public service strike – this is a coup d’état and the irony is that the ANC supporters and voters are supporting this coup and the teachers, nurses, et al are throwing their weight behind this endeavour without thinking that it is not actually about them.

And today we hear that the defence force may be downing tools as well and joining the strike. And the strikers still think this is about them!

To be candid, I have no sympathy for the nurses and teachers or other public servants. They are constantly on their soap boxes moaning about the pittance they earn, that they want a liveable wage. This same song has been sung for as long as I can remember. And we believe it - this song about the pittance - and we say things like “yes they should be paid more ” and "shame, the deserve more".

Well ask yourself – how much more should they be paid. I know damn well that my liveable wage is nowhere close to the Oppenheimer’s or the Trumps so how much do I need every month?

I also know that the successes coming out of schools are dismal. Ditto hospitals, ditto Dept of Home Affairs, ditto SAPS etc etc. So how much do they deserve for their very dismal performance?

There are figures being bandied about that 80% of our schools are dysfunctional. Even if that figure was 50% it is still of lot of teachers and principals who are not doing their jobs. The performance indicator is there for all to see - at least 50% of our matric pupils fail the final exam. I am yet to see these schools and teachers trying, in their own small environments, to make things better. Do they deserve more money? Is more money going to make them do their jobs better. I think not. And the same can be said for the hospitals – how many dysfunction hospitals do we have? They are filthy, short of suppliers, when something is broken it doesn’t get fixed, there is no nursing to speak of. So I have to ask the same question as I did with the schools…is more money going to make them do their jobs better, do they deserve more money? I think not.

The people working in these various establishments have allowed and contributed to the decay in their institutions. And I don’t see them caring all that much. But they think the strike is about them and that they will get more for the lousy jobs they are doing. Well, the strike is not about them and I hope to goodness they find themselves out of jobs so they can see how most of SA lives.

It's the end of August already

My Future Dog

Every so often I think about the dog I would like to have. I also think of the cute tricks I could teach it to do and I have even adapted the first part of the Tai Chi form for my canine friend, so we can do Tai Chi together in the park. But what dog do I get?….well this is the one I want – I fell in love with this critter years ago and it is my dream dog. It also satisfies my liking of lambs! By the way - it is real; it's a Bedlington Terrier.

Soccer Fever

Soccer fever will never die…..

Spring is here

At last! My wisteria is getting little buds. But I have noticed, down the road, that there are a couple of dark purple wisterias already flowering. And of course the wonderful perfume from all the jasmine is a sure sign that spring has sprung.

A Happiness Quote to mull over

How easy to be amiable in the midst of happiness and success. -Madame Anne Sophie Swetchine, (1782-1857)

Holding on to today

From Lisa's blog adventurelisa www.ar.co.za

Posted: 22 Aug 2010 08:13 AM PDT Mmm... would you believe that I'm already diarising events for 2011? As a child - perhaps around eight years old - I remember saying to a little friend's mom how I was looking forward to the holiday, or something like that. She replied, "Don't wish your life away." It was only many years later that what she said made sense. Now, I'm putting in dates for events next year (I am planning to do a number of events) but I don't wish that they were here already because I'm still trying to hold on to today as it slips away.

Depression

Something popped up on Facebook from my friend Brian Goddard – and I am always keen to see what he has to say. On facebook Brian often provides that gentle reminder about issues, like cancer awareness, that have at one stage or another affected all of us.

So the other day I saw this posting from Brian about depression – he was supporting Depression Awareness Week and he commented that he had been there and done that particular T shirt. Other people commented (mostly men) that they too had got that T shirt and never, ever wanted to get another one. Lots of people had hit the “Like” button, as did I.

I have been feeling that I should have commented but I can’t find the posting now; this has been niggling me. And anyway, facebook doesn’t give me enough space to do justice to this subject…so here’s what I have to say:

I am not talking about the blues, I am not talking about waking up in the morning thinking “gosh, I feel a bit off today, a bit flat…not quite myself” or even feeling like that for a few days. I am talking about wishing you had never woken up at all – every day. I am talking about when depression (or anxiety – or both) is so overwhelming that your quality of life, your relationships with the people around you and at work is such that you battle to get through the day or cant get through the day. I am talking about not being able to make even the smallest decision and that you always feel you are taking 3 steps backwards. I am talking about feeling your life is absolutely not right and you are unable to fix it. Depression and anxiety can be hugely debilitating on you and those around you.

But depression is one of those conditions that we seldom speak about, let alone publicly admit to. When I worked in the medical industry we would get stats from various medical aids showing the spend on pharmaceuticals – Top of the pops along side hypertension meds was the catch all term anti-depressants. So, I can safely assure you that you are not alone out there.

I guess there are a number of reasons we don’t talk about it…sure we might say something along the lines of “I find this so depressing” or “I am so depressed about xyz”. But this isn’t the big D. We all, on occasion, have to face challenges…heck people die, we move house, country, and change jobs, we have a lot on our plates at the same time – all those things happen. They are stressful and cause anxiety but mostly, we get through it, can cope and we move on. Sometimes, though, these things weigh far too heavily and this, together with some strange chemical reaction (speak to a doctor) in our bodies triggers a major depression…the kind mentioned above when you don’t want to wake up again.

I know of people who have been fired from their jobs for non-performance – and I know they were depressed! Only after they were fired did they go to the doctor to get some help…and then everyone said “Ag shame, he is so depressed because he was fired”. He was depressed before he was fired!

Depression is a medical condition – and it can be treated. There are heaps of people out there who do actually understand this….and they can help you. I heard a very wise man once talk about depression as being the result of a “psychological accident” – emotional, physiological and environmental stresses that all happen at the same time. It happens, and it can happen to you.

Why do we find it so hard to admit to ourselves that we are depressed? And why do we find it so hard to get help? I’ll tell you something….I once told someone I was on anti-depressants and you know what my good friend said “Gosh, I always thought you were so strong”. How about that! I was rendered speechless and felt relegated to the ranks of the weak and feeble. I decided not to “defend” myself. I mean, why should I…. I don’t have to defend my under active thyroid condition do I?

I must also tell you about Jon Bon Jovi. Some time ago he had a major depressive episode – that’s why you never heard any new songs from him for quite a long time. He’s quite open about it and I can just hear everyone say “Wow, fame, fortune, women throwing themselves at him…he’s got everything….what’s he got to be depressed about….he’s a rock star for God’s sake?” Well, sometimes these things happen….sometimes that little depression switch is thrown in our bodies and wham bam….

So let’s talk about diagnosis and treatment…..

Diagnosis:

You know if you are depressed. Your doctor will know if you are depressed. And so will those close to you or they will be skirting around the issue and saying things like “maybe you should see someone”.. So if someone says to you that maybe you are depressed don’t snap their head off or say firmly, almost aggressively “I’m fine…there’s nothing wrong with me, I know what I am doing….what the heck do you know anyway?” Hmmmm see what I mean. And nor do you need to tell your friends and family that the Doctor says you are depressed…like you’re the surprised party in all this – like you didn’t know….one of the best things to do is take charge of depression and “own” it….then you can start getting better.

Treatment

The Natural Route

There are heaps of treatments so let’s start with the natural remedies that you can buy off the shelf at Clicks or Dischem. St John’s Wort is the favourite and comes from a little yellow flowered plant and promises to cure. You will get about 1.8million results if you Google St John’s Wort. Lots of stuff there so it is quite difficult to know if it is effective or not…but it does seems that the chemical in SJW – hypericum is quite effective with mild depression so that will make the “natural way” advocates smile….although conclusive trials, as I understand it, have not been conducted yet. But…it does seem though that the chemical hypericum reacts adversely with some prescription drugs and renders them ineffective (eg oral contraceptives)…so for goodness sake check with your doctor before swallowing SJW. The one thing that puts me off SJW is that its efficacy is inhibited if you eat cheese and drink wine whilst on this drug….my favourite source of protein and carbs!…But if these natural drugs and chemicals are not working then do yourself a favour and go see a doctor.

The “Hard Core” Drugs Route

This is the route that most people have a problem with. I have heard comments like “I am supposed to take one tablet a day but I only take half so I don’t mess up my body” says she puffing on a fag and swigging from a glass of vodka. And in the next breath says “they don’t work and make me feel funny”. Well go figure….

There is a whole new generation of drugs out there now. Side effects are minimal and if the drug is not working for you, you can actually discuss this with your doctor and move onto something else….yes you can!

But let’s, just for a minute, go back to the pollution of your temple (body) with chemicals especially when it comes to anti-depressants, anti anxiety and anti psychotic drugs. Please be consistent in rationalising why you won’t take anti-depressants and consider everything else you take…for hypertension, chemotherapy and smoking, drinking, HRT, viagra, caffeine, Wimpy tomato sauce, panado and asprin…..they are all chemicals, and “foreign” to your body/temple….. so again…go figure.

Getting Better

My favourite course of action for any illness is to visit my doctor asap and get treated. I once nearly knocked my gynae’s block off when he prescribed Evening Primrose Oil for me….I wanted “drugs”, something that would make me feel better ..now. I demand treatment from a doctor….If your doctor wont listen then find another one…ask a friend for a referral…you don’t owe a doctor any loyalty…you pay him/her to make you better.

The first step in getting better is to admit there is a problem. The second step is to take that big step and go and see a doctor. The third step is to take your nearest and dearest into your confidence – you have no idea how relieved they will be. People feel helpless and frustrated that they cannot help you… Relationships take a pounding so be responsible and don’t make things worse by sucking it up and saying you can handle it whilst all around you the wheels are falling off everything and everyone. Going onto treatment wont instantly make you happy – in fact don’t be misled here….the opposite of depression is not happiness. The opposite is “not being depressed”. Don’t think you will be running around laughing and smiling – especially if that’s not what you normally do. You will feel better on treatment; the storm clouds will lift and you will be able to cope. And over a period of time you will feel just like your old self – whatever that may be!

And yes…I’ve been there and got that T shirt many times and it is not nice.

Measuring what makes life worthwhile

Often my Sunday night treat is to watch a couple of TED Talks (www.ted.com). TED stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design; speakers from all walks of life present a no more than 20 minute talk. These talks are fascinating and cover anything from comedy, to how to convert a system that is running cars on petrol to one that runs them on electricity.

Lisa sent me this link late last night and I didn’t wait for Sunday night to come round to listen to it. It is a talk by Chip Conley called “measuring what makes life worthwhile”. And yes, it is about Happiness stuff. Chip is a successful hotel owner in the USA and has built his business on creating the conditions in his hotel chain for happiness to occur. His bio says he creates joyful hotels!

He speaks about how its time for us (actually we are overdue on this) to create an alternative definition of success – in our own lives as well as business and more importantly, as nations. It is called GNH (Gross National Happiness) as opposed to GDP. This concept and measurement index was started some 30 odd years ago by the young king of Bhutan and is slowly spreading across the world. The index is now being used by 40 countries. He shows a slide of what, as countries, we should be measuring – this list being taken from a talk given by Robert Kennedy all those years ago – 40 years ago? It's something we should demand of all our politicians.

Have a listen: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/chip_conley_measuring_what_makes_life_worthwhile.html

I found the mood map of South Africa (13^th April 2010) on http://www.bandwidthblog.com/2010/04/08/see-the-grids-mood-map-on-etv-each-morning/ IYou can see the “mood” on eTV. Look at the % for Gauteng…..