The impact of Covid-19 on the entire world has been swift and severe. But as the full social and economic consequences of the crisis become clear, vulnerable LGBTQ communities around the globe are some of the most at-risk.

From food insecurity to homelessness, mental health to domestic violence, LGBTQ people on the fringes of society who are often the most at-risk are in danger of falling even further behind.

A recent consultation by LGBTQ human rights group Kaleidoscope Trust of 34 LGBTIQ charities working in 37 Commonwealth countries reveals an unfolding humanitarian crisis among LGBTQ people across the Commonwealth.

But we can help those in our community during these difficult times.

As charitable organisations feel the pressure from falling donations and resources Kaleidoscope Trust have launched a Covid-19 response campaign and fundraiser to ensure that the human rights and dignity of vulnerable LGBTQ populations are protected during - and beyond - the coronavirus crisis.

You can help support LGBTQ people struggling with the consequences of Covid-19 by donating here.

Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, executive director of Kaleidoscope Trust, says: We are witnessing an emerging humanitarian crisis for LGBTI+ people as government responses to Covid-19 leave vulnerable LGBTI+ communities at grave risk.

"Commonwealth states must act now to prevent further deterioration of the situation domestically, and the UK has the opportunity to show international leadership in its role as Commonwealth Chair-in-Office.

The Commonwealth Equality Network (TCEN) contributed to the UK government recognising and expressing regret for anti-LGBTI+ laws that were enacted across the Commonwealth during the UKs colonial regime.

"LGBTI+ human rights are important during the best of times and the worst of times. If the government is to make good on its promise to address and redress colonial-era wrongs, then LGBTI+ people across the Commonwealth cannot be left behind during the Covid-19 crisis.

The structural vulnerabilities codified in laws and social attitudes in countries across the world are made worse during a crisis like Covid-19. The UK government has a responsibility to ensure LGBTI+ human rights work is able to continue during the Covid-19 crisis.

For more information about Kaleidoscope Trust's Covid-19 response campaign, click here.

Continued here:
How to help LGBTQ people struggling with COVID-19 fallout - Attitude Magazine: Daniel Newman New Star of the Walking Dead

As COVID-19 continues to impact our personal and professional lives in ways thought unimaginable just a few months ago, we find ourselves filled with uncertainty and forced to confront a level of ambiguity most of us aren't comfortable dealing with. We don't know how long hog slaughter will be below the capacity needed to prevent market hog euthanasia.

In states that aren't opening up, we don't know when we'll be able to start getting back to normal. In states that are opening up, we don't know how severe the consequences of more travel, personal contact and increased disease transmission will be. The uncertainty leads to ambiguity, the ambiguity leads to anxiety and if we're not careful the anxiety will cause emotional and often short-sighted decision making. Fortunately, there are tried and true steps you can take to calm anxiety and reduce stress while accepting that ambiguity will be a part of our life for the foreseeable future.

As has often been the case with COVID-19, we as pig producers and veterinarians see analogies with managing the COVID-19 disease outbreak based on our understanding of disease management in our pig herds. We have long known about the importance of hygiene and sanitation; we live it every day at our farms. We understand strategies like isolation of high-risk individuals and have employed these practices for years. We certainly wish we could see our human population quickly implement our lessons learned in population testing strategies including less invasive sampling (Oral fluid samples for COVID-19 sampling!) and the obvious benefits of pooling samples to stretch still limited COVID-19 test kits.

Perhaps most importantly, we know the negative effects of the ambiguity that comes with a disease outbreak that can overwhelm our caretaker teams without appropriate coaching and coping strategies. While we think about it relative to a porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome or porcine epidemic diarrhea outbreak at a sow farm, the same approach should be applied now for COVID-19.

I've heard my good friend Fred Kuhr say it many times, "PRRS-itis" is way worse than PRRS itself. We have to keep a positive mental attitude and take incremental improvement steps whenever the opportunity presents itself. Goals, targets and standards need to be adjusted to reflect the reality of our situation we can't expect our industry to perform anywhere near normal levels while we find our supply chain bottleneck distressed and unable to accommodate the supply of market hogs we need to harvest.

So how do we deal with the effects of increased ambiguity and its associated stress and anxiety? First, we need to take a self-assessment to gauge how well you naturally handle these challenges. Ask yourself the following questions.

If you answered mostly "Yes" to the questions under Person A then you're probably pretty skilled in dealing with ambiguity. That's not to say you love it or that you see ambiguity as a good thing, you're just naturally more comfortable being in ambiguous situations than most other people. The coping strategies employed by all to deal with ambiguity will come more natural to you and as such you're in a great position to help others employ these tactics.

If you answered mostly "Yes" to the questions under Person B then dealing with ambiguity is not something that will come as easily for you. That doesn't mean you're doomed to a life of COVID-19 misery it just means you'll have to be more intentional about using behaviors and strategies that help deal with the uncertainty our current situation brings. You'll need to be specific about understanding the root cause of why you struggle with ambiguity and applying a specific remedy to that root cause. Let's show some examples that may help you.

Root causes and coping strategies

Regardless of how you deal with the personal and professional ambiguity of COVID-19, know that right now it is most important to be flexible and there is less of a premium placed on being right at all costs. If you find yourself struggling with uncertainty and stress, read through these root causes and coping strategies pick the one that best fits your situation and start applying it.

Need a kickstart? Take on a tough project or one you'd normally see as undoable, one where your peers may have even failed. Again, start with small actions and take incremental steps reserve the right to get smarter every day. You'll quickly gain some confidence to help you effectively move forward even in situations where you're not as comfortable making decisions as you'd like to be.

Once you feel comfortable with your own ability to manage ambiguity, shift your efforts toward helping your team. If you're "Person A" in the example above, we need your help now! Friends, family and coworkers who are struggling can be easily identified talk to them about their challenges and offer suggestions of how you might work through similar situations. Know that listening will be critically important, sometimes people just need to vent and blow off steam to clear their mind. Most importantly, just be there for them as to get through the impact of COVID-19 we need each other now more than ever.

I want to leave you with a quote about ambiguity that's near and dear to my heart. Many of you will remember Gilda Radner and her battle with cancer. When addressing the ambiguity that came with her terminal cancer diagnosis she was quoted as saying "Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowledge what's going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity!"

There is a lifetime worth of lessons in those two sentences. Go forward knowing that while we can't accurately predict the future, we can effectively prepare for it by planning our response to the various possible future events. You aren't alone in facing the same reality upsetting the rest of the world. Within every crisis lies an opportunity for development you and only you have the ability to shape who you are as we emerge from these challenging times. Take one step at a time and most importantly, take care of yourself and your teammates.

Source: Clayton Johnson, who is solely responsible for the information provided, and wholly owns the information. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset. The opinions of this writer are not necessarily those of Farm Progress/Informa.

Continued here:
Dealing with the ambiguity of COVID-19 - National Hog Farmer

This months Mental Health Awareness Week took place in an unprecedented time for all organisations, and the legal profession particularly should take this time to learn a new normal. In recent years, wellbeing has become something of a buzzword, akin to marketing trend or hashtag, however the meaning goes somewhat deeper - what can the employer offer its employees to tackle the ongoing challenges, and are we communicating enough on the subject? The legal profession in recent years has been giving priority to wellbeing initiatives partly to show how aware it has become of the importance of wellbeing, but that does not necessarily mean this issue is engrained in employers cultures and minds.

The Covid-19 crisis has given us time to think about whether we dedicate enough time to this essential ingredient to business success. Mental health and wellbeing in the workplace should be part of the DNA of the business, the structure and, most importantly, the culture which is what defines a company. These times make it all the more difficult to keep in touch with employees and monitor both individual and team wellbeing. Until we realise that the wellbeing of staff is the most crucial element of business success and approach this matter conscientiously with full understanding, we are far away from achieving the rewards.

There are some excellent initiatives in the legal profession at the moment, helping professionals to work more efficiently webinars encouraging us to share our tips for working successfully from home, discussions on the gradual return to the workplace, and communication ideas for virtual business development and staying in touch with clients. These initiatives are important and a welcome helping hand, however what is more important is for legal businesses to find out from their employees how they can feel supported, training staff to manage a time which stressful and can cause anxiety to many.

One example of a pre-existing initiative which could be mirrored successfully in other organisations in these testing times, is Herbert Smith Freehills Mental Health Champions Programme. The programme aims to train staff with interest in mental wellbeing on how to support others and sign-post issues. Hogan Lovells has created a promotion watch programme offering resilience training, a confidential helpline and other support mechanisms for those who have recently been promoted, which is known to be a stressful time for professionals.

At the Bar, a dedicated wellbeing website was created in 2016 by the Bar Council to promote mental health and wellbeing, not only for barristers but also for clerking teams and professional support staff, something of a breakthrough in the industry as many dont feel encouraged to open up about mental health. At Serle Court, for example, our barristers are succeeding in finding new ways to work, taking positive action to address those additional stresses is becoming part of the culture. However, the approach to understanding wellbeing in barristers chambers can be challenging given barristers self-employed status. How do we ensure our members wellbeing is being observed, and who is responsible for doing so? Is it the chief executive, the clerks, or other barristers or is it a joint effort of all, including peers? Perhaps more stringently, we should also ask whether barristers chambers could provide a human resource professional to evaluate this matter.

Technology plays a major role in this discussion. On different levels, it has enabled barristers and their staff to work from home. Some might argue that stress levels are reduced due to the lack of travelling, and being able to spend more time at home with family. However, in this new normal it also provides round the clock access to emails and phone calls arguing that the standard 9-5 working day no longer exists. It has always been a challenge to find the right balance between the Bar and family life, and this extends to staff some of whom feel they are never off work. How many times does an email get sent saying 'sorry to interrupt you on an evening or weekend'? In lockdown, one might even not even think twice about emailing at the weekend.

Serle Court has an excellent collegiate atmosphere and has introduced a series of small initiatives, which collectively ensure individual needs are at the forefront of the business. Regular meetings are held via StarLeaf; a weekly meeting between the clerking and business development teams to discuss individual opportunities and remote practice development talks with barristers focussing on work opportunities and wellbeing over the last few months. On a social level, our marketing team has introduced a weekly Not in the Pub, Pub Quiz and Friday night drinks, both welcome distractions from the working week.

Another good example of the integration of wellbeing into the legal profession is found in charitable foundations. One such foundation, LawCare, is dedicated to helping with mental health and wellbeing in the legal profession. Its Law in Lockdown: Leadership and Compassion Conference which took place on 20 May drew together Simon Davis, the president of the Law Society, and various leadership and wellbeing experts to address some very current issues. Such an important initiative to help us adjust to a very different world where we will need to cope with a very different way of living.

Perhaps the main challenge in addressing wellbeing in a company/industry is the need to challenge cultural norms. There is a business case for improving wellbeing in the legal sector as we need our barristers and lawyers to maintain the highest mental capacity possible, to be able to deliver their best level of performance to clients. A clear mental mindset is critical for this to be achieved therefore 'minds' are a precious resource and should be cared for. The Mindful Business Charter is all about committing to real change in how lawyers and their clients work, reducing avoidable stress in the workplace. Two particular points they highlight are respecting rest periods and mindful delegation. They are calling time on that long-held city attitude that professionals need to be always online to prove their commitment; a cultural mindset that professionals need to work long hours, with little sleep and constant accessibility.

As mentioned earlier, this has to a degree reached barristers chambers, exacerbated in those sets with a significant offshore practice. This remains unchanged where barristers are asked to meet the needs of their clients - the early morning calls with the Far East to late night calls with the Caribbean means the sun seldom sets on some chambers. It would require cultural change to reverse what has become a norm. Will the current crisis allow us to stop, think, and assess whether we should challenge these norms?

It is not just barristers that are affected by long hours, but also the staff. Some believe that a flexible working policy can also be a threat to the quality of work and training in the workplace. With all staff working away from the office, it could be argued that there is less of an opportunity to learn from others, including senior staff.

How do we attempt to replace those moments of connection at the water cooler or by the kettle? We will all need to think creatively as how to approach new methods of working and communicating. At Serle Court, the daily tea still happens despite not being in chambers. StarLeaf allows barristers to connect, perhaps with more meaningful discussion these days as members have had time to pre-empt what they would like to speak to their peers about. Perhaps investing in targeted initiatives such as training and mentoring, so that ways of interacting occur in more productive ways. We need to be realistic about the potential downsides and think creatively about solutions. But a collective attitude that we should all be looking after our own, and each others mental health and wellbeing should be our priority.

The real challenge has always been changing the cultural mindset in the workplace and dealing with the knock-on effects of making change to long-established working habits, especially if other competitor businesses are not making such changes. It could be said that the Covid-19 crisis has forced the hand of the legal profession. Does it risk losing a competitive advantage, or are the benefits for a business where wellbeing is part of the DNA such that it could provide a competitive advantage?

There is no reason why it should only be the large law firms that are concerned about employees mental health and wellbeing. We should all be looking to the day when every place of work, regardless of size, industry or location, consider mental health and wellbeing in every aspect of its work so that it is engrained in the culture and not separately defined.

John Petrie, Chief Executive, Serle Court

See more here:
'Well, being kind is the key ingredient to business success' - Law Gazette

Martin Blondel helped set up the Steve Prescott Foundation in 2007, named after the rugby league star who diagnosed with a rare stomach cancer in 2006 and given six months to live. Over the next few years, Prescott undertook a series of incredible physical challenges for charity, before passing away in 2013.

Blondel continues the foundations work, raising funds and awareness and supporting various charities. When lockdown hit, Blondel was struck by the now-famous video of a nurse crying on the news because she couldnt find provisions after long hospital shifts.

He contacted a friend who runs two pubs in the St Helens area and they turned them into essential stores for NHS staff and the elderly. Players from a local rugby league club, Blackbrook, have pitched in with deliveries, while local celebrities like Johnny Vegas have raised awareness and they have delivered over 10,000 orders so far, says Blondel, who was working a 20 hour day at the start of lockdown.

Parcels include basic foods like bread, eggs, bacon and milk, while the team of 32 volunteers deliver medication free of charge.

We have a wide reach of people who are willing to help others in adversity, as Steve taught us to do, says Blondel. Its been a real team effort, and Im absolutely overwhelmed, gobsmacked to have been nominated for this award.

steveprescottfoundation.co.uk

See original here:
Lockdown Awards: 40,000 of you voted now it's time to announce the winners... - Telegraph.co.uk

COVID19 is causing a lot of anxiety. It is really hard to keep a positive attitude when you know that the solution to the problem is still not clear. Many can suffer from mental health problems.

We all have been through bad situations in our lives even before COVID19 happened. How were you able to deal with it? Entrepreneurs often come across these challenges and this is the reason why 30 percent of startups do not get past their first year because the people behind them gave up.

In my almost 30 years in the business, I have not been spared from going through struggles. I must admit, it is not easy getting out of these dark holes.

You just need to be patient and program your mind to take little steps until you free yourself from fear, hopelessness, and insecurity.

When I feel troubled, I pray hard and condition my mind that everything will get better eventually.

Watching the news and reading other information shared in various social media platforms about various tragic news can all be discouraging, especially for entrepreneurs who need to sacrifice so much. It is fortunate that some businesses were able to continue their operation despite the enhanced community quarantine.

But the situation is still not normal, and it may drive people crazy thinking about how to survive this global disruption.

Keeping a Healthy Mind COVID19 has changed our lives. But, instead of seeing the situation in a negative way, consider this as the best time to bond with the family and at the same time to give yourself the much-deserved break.

Develop a powerful attitude. Acknowledge and accept that you need to play a role and you have the ability to change course. You can say: I failed to take care of my family by providing them what they need because I spent so much time with work and with other people that I overlooked their needs. But, I can do better. I can work harder for the family and will have quality time with them.

Lets say you are an entrepreneur and your business has been terribly affected by our current situation. But you may still have a lot of products which can still be sold at this time. There is still time to turn things around. You just need to believe that you can still salvage your business and that your employees will still be there to help you.

Give yourself time to be with yourself. Learn to know yourself more. Make a small part of your house as your meditation spot and tell family members to stay away from that spot when you need to meditate.

You need to relax your mind and body and not be overwhelmed with what is happening. Give your brain time to fix itself. We can only do so much on our end.

Get a night of good sleep. Enjoy the comfort of your bedroom and savor the moments of not having to be up and too busy.

Not everything is within our control. Getting anxious doesnt help. It can hurt you more than you think. When we immerse our thoughts with negative things, it weakens our bodies. Instead of lingering with such thoughts, throw your energy into a workout. It can be fun, too if you do it with the whole family.

Maybe this is also the time where you can show your family the side that they havent seen, like cooking for them, initiating a game that the whole family can enjoy, letting the kids learn how to clean their rooms or other skills.

Focus on what is in front of you instead of thinking of so many things all at the same time. If we are still not back to the normal that we knew, the only way to live healthily and sanely is to take one day at a time. You only hurt yourself more if you linger on negative thoughts.

Make your mind busy with something positive and something that can still make yourself productive even if our movements are still limited due to the pandemic. Believe that this is just another chapter of your life and that we can all bounce back to where we should be.

If you think that it has become too difficult for you to handle this kind of stress, there are people whom you can turn to professionals who can help you be enlightened. Just hang in there!

-------------

If you or a member of your household are feeling anxious, depressed or mentally stressed, you can reach out to the Philippine Mental Health Associations Psychosocial Online Support through:

Facebook Email: [emailprotected]

SMS: 0917-5652036 Tel. no. (02)8921.4958; 8921.4959

The National Center for Mental Health also has crisis hotline responders who can provide psychological first aid and suicide first aid for those in distress. The following hotlines are open 24/7:

Landline: 7989-USAP (8727) Mobile: 0917-899-USAP (8727)

mental health, entrepreneurs, COVID-19 impact on mental health, anxiety, Philippine Mental Health Association

Continued here:
Business Mentor: Maintaining your mental health during the pandemic - ABS-CBN News

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Fr. Joe Miksch of St. Isidore Catholic Church performs a blessing in 2017. Miksch said recently he is optimistic about the future of churches, though acknowledged he isn't sure what the impact might be from COVID-19 going forward.

Jim Thelen, pastor at 1C Church in Columbus, poses for a photo inside the facility. He's hopeful the pandemic will result in more blessings and people reconnecting with the faith.

Church leaders in Columbus appear to be hopeful about the future of the communitys need for spiritual nourishment amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

When the fear subsides, well see more people coming to church more often, said The Rev. Jim Thelen, of 1C Church, 2200 28th Ave. I think theres going to be a higher priority to going to church.

For the last 15 years, Thelen noted, church attendance has been declining due to families other obligations, such as vacations or sporting events. The pandemic, he said, may have, in a way, reprioritized peoples faith.

The losing the sense of community over the last three months, I think, has caused people to really feel and sense the need of that, Thelen said. I also notice people who have never experienced church - as in coming to church - and have experienced it online. Some are just going to stay online (because) theyre liking it, theyre being fed and nurtured and feeling like theyre being cared for.

He predicted that this group of people will form a new community of online-only attendees. Thelen cited one instance in which individuals from Bulgaria stumbled upon 1Cs live streaming services and now plan to attend online regularly.

I think thats going to be a whole new community, he said. We, the leadership at a church like 1C, need to ask how do we engage them, how do we minister to them when theyre just online. A church service is great, but I think theres more need involved. Were starting to talk about that.

Read the original post:
Keeping the faith: Columbus churches optimistic about future spiritual needs - Columbus Telegram

I feel: sad, frustrated, angry, anxious, depressed, unsure, afraid, annoyed and upset.

These are all words and direct emotions that Im sure we all can testify to feeling or being effected by over the past several weeks. As a healthcare worker and first time expectant mom, Ive shared in many of the above myself. The ongoing coronavirus crisis has impacted all of us, but each in a unique way.

Many have been unable to work, many have lost their jobs and many continue to work as they are deemed essential workers but now are facing very different work conditions. Aside from our professional roles, our personal roles have been directly impacted as well. Parents are now also full-time teachers, graduating students lack the traditional ceremonies that they have worked years towards, expectant parents face very different pregnancy and birth journeys than they had originally planned, those who have lost loved ones are not able to honor them with a traditional funeral service, and many have postponed long awaited celebrations. Our worlds have been turned upside down at all levels. We are no longer in control of certain aspects of our day to day lives.

Mental health is an area that I feel, as a society, we tend to not discuss as openly and as non-judgmentally as we should. In light of the ongoing pandemic crisis, for many it has taken an even further backseat in their level of importance. Suicide remains one of most common causes of death in the US. Globally, every 40 seconds someone dies from a suicide. Though over more recent years, we are making strides toward mental health promotion and awareness, our progress is not enough! As a society we need to all be more aware of the impact and effect that our own mental health plays in our day to day actions. I strongly feel that now more than ever we should embrace and be more aware of resources and actions to promote our overall mental well-being.

The first thing I will say about being aware of our emotions regarding the COVID-19 outbreak, is to allow yourself grace, time to process how you feel and time to grieve. We all are facing unique difficulties and what some may feel troubled by others do not, and that is OK! As with processing any cycle of grief we need to ask ourselves, OK this is how I feel, now what? As Ive mentioned, we all are feeling differently as we all have our own unique circumstances. First and foremost, be aware that there is no shame or negative stigma associated with how you feel, know that it is okay to seek professional help if you need to. Those who feel debilitated or unsure of how they are feeling should be encouraged to talk to their health care provider.

We have a wonderful wealth of resources available for counseling and psychiatric care in our local area. There are counseling services available in many towns in McKean and Potter counties, many of which are offering counseling services to be completed remotely via video or phone calls. Many primary care offices are offering video and phone visit options as well.

Additionally, there are many things you can do to help yourself remain grounded during these uncertain times. Find joy in an activity or hobby. This varies from person to person but we all have something that brings us joy. This may range from listening to music, journaling, reading, or spending time outdoors to get fresh air. In keeping with social distancing, many communities continue to have their walking trails open or have availability to walk around town for means of exercise. Exercise is one of the most readily available forms of therapy that we can do for ourselves. We all vary in what we can physically do, but we all have the means to do something with the resources that we have. I encourage you to work with your health care team to discuss good options for exercise that may be the right fit for you.

If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis, I would urge you to utilize the crisis prevention phone number: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org. Below are a few of the local resources for mental health services in our area. I also encourage you to reach out to your primary care provider for additional resources that they may be able to offer you.

In the upcoming weeks and months, I urge you to frequently check in with yourself about how youre feeling and what measures you can do to promote wellness in your day to day. As one of my favorite authors often has said-

We have control over two things in this world-our attitude and our effort. Rachel Hollis.

I encourage you to try to remain positive, seek joy in your day to day new normal and not to be afraid to seek professional help when you need it!

Dickinson Mental Health Center: dickinsoncenter.org, 877-364-2178

The Guidance Center: guidancecenter.net/locations/

UPMC Cole has non-crisis mental health therapy available by appointment in Coudersport, Port Allegany, Shinglehouse and Emporium and via telehealth from patients home/office. To schedule an appointment call 814-260-5681.

The following are crisis resources that are available in our local area.

Crisis Services:

Kristy Clark, MSN, CRNP, FNP-BC, is a nurse practitioner at UPMC Cole.

See the original post here:
I feel...: A response to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis - The Wellsboro Gazette

Editors note: The Gazette sports staff has compiled lists of its top 15 favorite sports movies. Each day, a different staffer will share some insight into one of their favorites. Some of them are classics, watched and re-watched time and time again. But for a few, maybe well be able to convince some of you to check it out for the very first time.

How could it not be Brians Song?

A Chicago Bears fan for as long as I can remember, this movie still chokes me up today. I watched the movie speech given by Billy Dee Williams as Gale Sayers again this week and, well, I felt like a 11-year-old watching it for the first time.

The movie speech was what Sayers actually said on May 25, 1970, while receiving the 1969 George S. Halas Courage Award.

... He has the heart of a giant and that rare form of courage that allows him to kid himself and his opponent cancer, Sayers/Williams said. He has the mental attitude that makes me proud to have a friend who spells out the word courage 24 hours a day, every day of his life.

You flatter me by giving me this award, but I tell you that I accept it for Brian Piccolo. It is mine tonight, it is Brian Piccolos tomorrow ... I love Brian Piccolo, and Id like all of you to love him, too. Tonight, when you hit your knees, please ask God to love him.

Picollo died less than a month later at the age of 26.

The original Brians Song movie was released in 1971. A remake was made in 2001, but I couldnt bring myself to watch it. The original is a classic.

Truth be told. I dont remember the story as it unfolded. I was 4 years old when the Chicago Bears drafted Sayers out of Kansas in 1965. I was 11 when he played his final season. Ive seen the highlights of his career, however, and am convinced he is one of the all-time great running backs in the NFL. He played only six seasons and averaged 5.0 yards per carry.

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The movie starring a very young Williams, James Caan as Piccolo and Jack Warden as Halas was based on Sayers book I Am Third. Their friendship was controversial in the 1960s a black man and a white man not only becoming great friends, but rooming together on the road. The movie tells that story, as well as Piccolos relentless prodding to get Sayers back in shape after a knee injury.

That 1970 speech was after the 69 season when Sayers won the Comeback Player of the Year Award.

But mostly, this movie is a story about friendship, about the love two teammates can share.

This movie not only appealed to fans of the Chicago Bears and football fans all around the world, it was the most-watched movie on U.S. television in 1971 and, at the time, the most watched made-for-TV movie ever.

The theme song The Hands of Time also was one of the most popular of the time and still rings in peoples ears. Listen to it and it will bring back fond memories and maybe even a few tears.

1. Brians Song

2. Hoosiers

3. Rocky

4. The Legend of Bagger Vance

5. Bad News Bears

6. Without Limits

7. Caddyshack

8. A League of Their Own

9. Major League

10. Field of Dreams

11. North Dallas Forty

12. The Blind Side

13. The Longest Yard (original)

14. Remember the Titans

15. Foxcatcher

Comments: (319) 368-8696; jr.ogden@thegazette.com

10:16AM | Thu, May 07, 2020

12:58PM | Wed, May 06, 2020

07:00AM | Wed, May 06, 2020

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Best sports movies: 'Brian's Song' is about more than football - it's about friendship - The Gazette

Take time to find the cure that is within you

You have within you a powerful ability to improve your physical and emotional health. A positive mental attitude combined with optimism has been linked to strengthening your immune system. Norman Cousins is a perfect example of this phenomena. Norman, a magazine editor, was 49 years old when he was diagnosed with a crippling connective tissue disease. He was told that he only had a 1 in 500 chance of recovery. Cousins had previously done research on the impact of human emotions on physiology. He had a firm belief that positive emotions were a key component to fighting disease. Cousins created a recovery program which included massive doses of laughter brought on by watching comedy films and television shows. He discovered that 10 minutes of intense laughter gave him at least two hours of pain free sleep. When the pain set in again, cousins would resume watching the comedies. Cousins laugh therapy aided his full recovery from the debilitating disease. In addition to Norman Cousins experience, research shows laughter decreases stress hormones, increases 'good' cholesterol, and reduces artery inflammation. You can actually laugh your way to physical and mental health. So, look for the humor which exists in most situations. A good sense of humor is an integral part of the cure within you. The placebo effect demonstrates the power of your mind to cure ailments. When new drugs are tested, two groups of test subjects are used. One group gets the new drug, while the other receives a placebo. The test subjects do not know which group they are part of. At the conclusion of the drug test, the percentage of people who took the drug and saw improvements is compared to the percentage of the placebo group who also experienced improvements. A fascinating aspect of these studies is that there is a percentage of people on the placebo who experience the same benefits as those taking the drug. This is incontrovertible evidence of your minds ability to cure various ailments. This power also boosts the effectiveness of medications. People who take medications have better results when they believe the medications will work. Your mind has an amazing ability to facilitate your wellbeing when directed by a positive attitude. What you say to yourself has a tremendous impact on your physical and mental wellbeing. Positive self-talk boosts the cure within you. Your worst enemy cannot harm you as much as your own negative self-talk. Yet, too many people regularly say awful things to themselves. Dont internalize negative emotions. Dont connect a negative emotion with a physical ailment. For example, dont say to yourself, Im so upset I have a stomach ache. If you do this you are inviting the ailment into your body. Additionally, negative emotions are linked to lowered immunity. Release negative emotions instead of hanging on to them. Exercise enhances the cure within you by lowering stress. If you are stressed out because you dont know how to deal with a problem, just go and get some exercise. Even if you dont feel like it, just go do it. You will feel better. Acknowledge the powerful cure that is already within you. Stop any behavior which interferes with it. Focus on the strategies which enhance it.

NOW AVAILABLE: "Dare to Live Without Limits," the book. Visit http://www.BryanGolden.com or your bookstore. Bryan is a management consultant, motivational speaker, author, and adjunct professor. Email Bryan at bryan@columnist.com or write him c/o this paper. 2020 Bryan Golden

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Dare to live without limits Week of 5/11/20 - Press Publications Inc.

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There Will Be 4 Identity Types in This Recovery. Which One Are You?

The following article is based on excerpts from Ben Angels book, Unstoppable: A 90-Day Plan to Biohack Your Mind and Body for Success. Buy it now from Amazon | Barnes Noble | iBooks | IndieBound. And be sure to order The Unstoppable Journal, the only journal of its kind based on neuroscience, psychology, and biohacking to help you reach your goals.

Nearly half of adults in the United States reported that their mental health had been negatively impacted due to worry and stress over the coronavirus, according to the latest Kaiser Family Foundation poll. Adverse mental-health effects due to social isolation may be particularly pronounced among older adults and households with adolescents, as these groups are already at risk for depression or suicidal ideation.

The pandemic is likely to have both long- and short-term implications for mental health and substance use. Those with mental health concerns pre-pandemic, and those newly affected, will likely require mental health- and substance-use services. Keeping this in mind, you must know where you sit on the mental-health continuum to understand how it is affecting you physically. When people undergo traumatic stress either mentally or physically, it creates a pattern within the body that soon emanates into psychological and biological side effects. You can now track where you fall into this continuum by taking an Identity Quiz on how well you are coping with your current situation. We have been able to survey more than 50,000 entrepreneurs and found out 54 percentof them fall into the two lowest categories:The Guardian and The Defender.

Related: 5 Ways to Boost Your Immune System During the Coronavirus Outbreak

There are four identity types in total:The Catalyst, The Synergist, The Guardianand The Defender. Your goal is to ensure your physical and psychological energy stays above a 50 percentcharge,the state at which you become a conscious creator and feel motivated, focused, and driven to achieve your goals.

When you fall below this state, you switch into a state of self-preservation mode where you run out of physical and emotional energy. This is where your fight-or-flight response is triggeredand your brain prioritizes vital bodily functions over personal or career goals.

Below, you're going to learn which identities we need to be most concerned about and what you can do to change your identity to help you through these harrowing times.

Operating at 0- 25 percentof their capacity. Traits of Defenders:

Rely heavily on caffeine or other stimulants to make it through the day.

Food cravings of sugars and carbs.

Anxiety.

Lack self-awareness and typically have low self-esteem.

Cognitive functions are in severe decline, like forgetting names, numbers or information;inability to make decisions.

Low levels of concentration.

Quick to exhaustion as brain doesnt have the fuel it needs to focus.

Chronic digestive issues, joint pain, skin rashes and unexplainable brain fog and fatigue.

Insomnia.

Defenders are depressed, anxious and struggle to make it through the day. Many will blame this on a poor mental attitude and feel they are lazy. They are emotionally depleted and need love and support from others, including medical professionals, to help them get their health and their life back. Defenders must seek out medical and professional help immediately.

Operating at 25-50 percentof their capacity. Traits of Guardians:

Procrastination and criticism derail their efforts.

They can keep going, briefly relying on willpower.

They have goals, but they seem unattainable.

Self-doubt has laid its foundation.

Chronic stress.

Nutritional deficiencies taking their toll.

Poor diet and lifestyle choices.

Less energy and focus.

Takes longer to recover from physical or emotional events.

They can endure for some time, but this constant state of fight or flight is taking its toll on many of their bodily and brain functions. It's typically the first time in their life they can't function as they used to, and many in the medical field will tell them it's typical aging and prescribe a drug to help alleviate the symptoms without treatingor accurately definingthe cause.

Operates at 50-75 percentof their capacity. Traits of Synergists:

Learning to balance willpower with sustainable energy, though starting to find it harder to maintain willpower alone.

Energy levels tend to fluctuate throughout the day.

Focus and concentration also varies throughout the day; unable to maintain constant energy.

They have an inner understanding that rest helps to reset the body for long-term success.

Relatively even moods.

Deliberate and conscious creators.

Not easily distracted.

Can quickly slide back into a Guardian if they fail to look after their physical and emotional health.

Operates at 75-100 percentof capacity. Traits of Catalysts:

Greatly self-aware ofhow their brain and body works for peak performance.

Abundance of psychological and physical energy to fuel them daily.

Able to troubleshoot problems calmly and methodically.

Able to pinpoint underlying issues and correct them successfully.

Operates from the higher executive part of their brain.

Strengthens their cognition through meditation, education, supplementsand a healthy diet.

Are society's game changers, both locally and globally.

Yes, we all can become The Catalyst, but it takes self-awareness and courage to dig deep into the root causation of your illnesses. Here are the first steps you should do to get yourself on the path to becoming unstoppable.

If you scored as a Guardian or Defender, you mustn't go on this health journey on your own. Finding a functional medicine doctor who specializes in chronic conditions will have the additional training needed to get to the root cause of your concerns. Following the steps below will aid in your knowledge of brain and body consciousness so you can increase your energy and build emotional and physical resilience to manage these stressful times.

Food sensitivities can trigger a range of issues, including; fatigue, bloating, brain fog, respiratory problems (e.g.asthma, sinusitis, rhinitis), headaches/migraines, depression, anxietyand sadness. They cause an inflammatory response in the body. Keep a food journal for a minimum of 30 days to track your mood and links to food. For a comprehensive report, you can order a food sensitivity test from companies such as Everlywell.

According to one study, 92 percentof the U.S. population has a nutritional deficiency. Nutritional deficiencies can occur regardless of whether an individual eats a healthy diet or not. This is due to farmland soil becoming deficient in essential micronutrients. Before you supplement, visit a functional doctor and have a full blood test done. Your doctor will be able to uncover any deficiencies that are impacting your physical or mental performance.

Nootropics are smart drugs or synthetic substances taken to improve mental cognition in healthy individuals. Consult your doctor before taking it. If we do not replenish ourselves, it can lead to burn out, exhaustion and depression. L-Tyrosine, L-Theanine, L-Carnitine, Magnesium, vitamin Dand Ashwagandha are but a few nootropics that can help you maintain proper brain function. They are go-tosfor Silicon Valley elite.

With all of us dealing with this new normal, we can optimize this time to go within and discover what is holding us back. Many of you suffering from depression, anxietyand fatigue may find the answer within these lines to help you get your body and mind back to optimal performance.

Related: 5 Ways Brands Can Reinvent Their Digital Marketing Strategy You Now Have An Extra Week to Return Your SBA PPP Loan There Will Be 4 Identity Types in This Recovery. Which One Are You?

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