When you take medicine, your expectation about how well it will work can affect how much relief you get from your symptoms. This is called the placebo effect.

It can even make a treatment that has no biological effect feel like it works because you think it will. And a health care providers style interacting with you can impact how you feel about a treatment. But how can a doctors expectation affect their patients symptom relief?

In a research project funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), investigators led by Drs. Pin-Hao A. Chen, Tor D. Wager, and Luke J. Chang at Dartmouth College carried out three clinical simulation studies. These were designed to evaluate how one persons belief about a pain remedy affects the others feelings of pain relief. The results were published online in Nature Human Behaviour.

According to the NIMH, the studies enrolled a total of 194 students. Participants were randomly assigned to play the role of either doctor or patient. Those playing the doctor were first asked to rate their experience of pain relief after applying two creams on their arm: one called Thermedol and the other a control cream. The creams were actually the same. But the doctors were led to believe that one cream was effective and the other was not.

Next, the researchers tested the patients experience of pain in response to a heat sensation after the subjects playing the doctors applied the creams. The patients reported feeling less pain and showed lower responses to pain with Thermedol.

The team analyzed both the doctors and patients facial expressions using a camera and computer software that modeled painful expressions. How much pain the doctors facial expressions displayed affected the patients overall pain rating and the patients own facial expressions of pain, according to the NIMH. The patients reported that the doctors seemed more empathetic when delivering Thermedol.

Similar results were found when scientists ran slightly modified experiments in two follow-up studies. These findings show how subtle social interactions can impact outcomes. However, what the subtle social cues were conveying to patients is unclear. They may have helped the patients know what to expect, increased their own confidence in the treatment, or simply given them more reassurance.

When the doctor thought that the treatment was going to work, the patient reported feeling that the doctor was more empathetic. The doctor may have come across as warmer or more attentive. Yet, we dont know exactly what the doctor was doing differently to convey these beliefs that a treatment works. Thats the next thing that were going to explore, Chang says. What we do know, though, is that these expectations are not being conveyed verbally but through subtle social cues.

To learn more about NIMH and its work, click here to visit the agencys website.

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Doctors' Attitude toward A Treatment May Influence A Patient's Reaction to It - ThirdAge

One in five Americans experience symptoms of depression during their lifetime. And yet, a distinct stigma still exists around the topic, especially in the workplace, according to the book Mental Health in the Workplace, co-authored by psychiatrist Michelle Riba, M.D., M.S., associate director of Michigan Medicines Comprehensive Depression Center.

Employees may be hesitant to speak up about mental health issues for fear of being unfairly judged or worries that it may lead to a reduction in job status, loss of future opportunities or termination.

However, as awareness continues to spread, the conversation is changing, and its an important one, says Riba.

Many adults spend their waking life at work, so its important to determine if we have the safest and healthiest work space for people, Riba explains. Employees and employers need to create this environment together its not top-down or bottom-up. And it needs to be addressed jointly, she says, and thought about in advance before any emergencies occur.

But beyond the negative personal impacts that stress, anxiety or depression can cause, it can actually take a toll on the business itself. According to Ribas book, depressed, anxious, stressed, sleep-deprived, or substance using workers can be unproductive and accident-prone.

"People who arent feeling present may not be able to perform their job. They may be distracted and not concentrating, Riba explains. If its a service organization, they may not be able to work effectively with customers or they may be out more, which can interfere with productivity; its a domino effect.

However, there are ways you as a colleague or supervisor can help in these delicate situations. Below, Riba discusses signs of depression to be aware of, how to respond appropriately and what resources to have in place when it comes to employee mental health.

Signs of workplace depression

Depression in the workplace can be invisible and go undetected. However, there are noticeable signs that could initiate a conversation.

Perhaps youve noticed a colleague whos been keeping to themselves lately, or an employee whos been coming late to meetings or missing them entirely, or someone whos been absent more than theyre in the office? If so, it may be time to delve a little deeper. But keep in mind that signs of depression vary based on the individual and situation.

Its important for people to ask and have regular, non-threatening ways for employers and employees to talk to one another and give feedback to each other about both the positives and negatives about work, Riba says.

One Michigan Medicine employee, who asked to remain anonymous, recently wrote about her personal experience with depression at work in the midst of dealing with a divorce and several other personal situations:

My usual, upbeat personality became withdrawn and sullen. My office door went from open and welcoming to closed and uninviting. I would keep my head down to avoid eye contact with those I passed so they couldnt see my red, puffy eyes. I wasnt me anymore, and I knew it. I was unsure how to remedy my feelings and my work started to reflect my feelings.

Broaching the subject

Although you might notice a change, it may feel difficult or awkward to inquire about, and how you do it should be based on your relationship to the employee, Riba advises.

For a coworker, it depends on how close you are with the individual, but offering to go out for lunch or meet outside work for tea or coffee to talk privately may be a good starting point, she says. Also, volunteering to help the individual on a project may increase trust and relieve stress.

Try to be a listener and sounding board. Offer them collegial help to get them the right attention and their needs met, Riba suggests, which may mean looking into specific insurance information for themor talking them through a particular personal issue. It depends on the situation, but asking whats going on or what can I do to help you can feel supportive to them.

Managers should create opportunities for confidential, nonjudgmental conversations, like weekly or biweekly one-on-ones, where theycan openly ask the individual whats going on and how theycan help, while assuring them its a safe place to chat. While some people may not open up to their supervisors for fear of judgement and job security, a simple thank you for your work on this is an easy way to express appreciation for that individual's work. Kindness from a manager could shift the trajectory of someones day.

Remember that each scenario is different, though. Ifyou feel that a colleague or an employee that you supervise is unsafe, and you dont feel comfortable addressing the person directly, Riba recommends speaking privately with another supervisor or with a human resources officer.

Maintaining an open-ended conversation

Employees should feel supported 100% of the time by their colleagues and bosses, especially during personal hardships, Riba says. Encouraging an open-ended conversation allows employees to feel comfortable in freely approaching the subject, or a new one, whenever needed.

But once addressed, how do you appropriately, and respectfully, check back in?

Riba explains that these should be ongoing conversations, especially if you havent seen any changes or improvements in the coworker or employees attitude or behavior. But depending on what the problem is, a check-in may not be required.

If someone needs to be seen for physical or mental health, help figure out the best way to refer them; make sure they have time to go and get the time off they need to get that help, she says.

Offering a book, or sharing an article or video are also indirect helpful ways to maintain a conversation and build trust.

Providing effective mental health resources at work

Nows the time to review what mental health resources are available at your company, regardless of whether youre employed at a large corporation or a local coffee shop.

Every organization needs to look at itself Are there regular educational seminars or information being made available online or in pamphlets, guest speaker events or other ways employees can get information on physical and mental health issues? Riba asks. A company could already have a bunch of brochures on a table, but if theyre in a room no one goes into, then whats the point?

In smaller businesses, sometimes the benefits officer is a colleague and confidentiality might not be trusted.

Employers and employees may not think about this aspect during the hiring process, but what happens when a difficult life issue occurs, like an unexpected disability? Even for smaller organizations, there can be significant ramifications on the business, Riba says.

How can upper management help with this component? Consider creating a survey to find out if employees understand what resources are available and how to access them, Riba suggests. Out of your comfort zone? Outside firms can be hired to come in to assess the environment and ensure whats being provided is getting to employees in the right way.

There should be opportunities for workers to seek help, and not from just the immediate supervisor, but from employee assistance or other ways the organization has set up, Riba explains. It should be clearly acknowledged how one does this, making signs and materials easily accessible so that people know where to go and what to ask in a confidential manner.

Sometimes one person can help shift an entire culture. If you see that your company or organization is lacking in support of those dealing with mental health issues, be the person to help change the stigma and impact your works environment. The first step in helping could be asking, Are you OK?

See the rest here:
When Depression Shows Up in the Workplace - Michigan Medicine

The following awards and recognitions were recently presented to Barr-Reeve athletes who participated in Boys Tennis this past Fall sports season.

Blue Chip All Conference Kayden Graber, Nathan Hunt, Tommy Kidwell, Aaron Wagler, Hagen Knepp, Logan Graber, Most Valuable Player Kayden Graber;

Best Overall Team Records Kayden Graber, Hagen Knepp, Logan Graber; Team Mental Attitude Award Brycen Graber; Senior Leadership Awards Nathan Hunt, Jaeden Lengacher, Jayce Raber, Dalton Whitehead; Senior Manager Award Moriah Bullock, Most Improved Player Jayden Graber; Varsity Tennis Letter Winners Brycen Graber (3), Tommy Kidwell (3) Nathan Hunt (3), Logan Graber (3), Kayden Graber (2), Hagen Knepp (1), Aaron Wagler (1); Tennis Doubles Team Tommy Kidwell & Aaron Wagler Named All District 7; Indiana HSTC Academic All State HM Nathan Hunt; Team Academic All State Honor -Brycen Graber, Kayden Graber, Nathan Hunt, Tommy Kidwell, Aaron Wagler, Hagen Knepp, Logan Graber; District 7 Coach of the Year Brock Higgins; Boys Tennis Season Team Success Season Record 18-1; Blue Chip Conference Champions 5-0, IHSAA Tennis Sectional Semi-Finalist.

Originally posted here:
BR Tennis awards - Washington Times Herald

Katie Sandler uses her life experiences and education to help her clients reach that a-ha moment, enabling personal and professional transformation. However, shes not a life coach, instead, Sandler is an Impact Coach. Her goal is to help clients meet their unmet potential, find purpose in their lives, and ultimately make an impact on the world around them. Sandler herself has overcome immense physical and mental hurdles, including being born without an ear, overcoming paralysis at age 17 and subsequently facing depression head-on. After struggling to keep her head above water, Sandler discovered the benefits of mind-body medicine.With over a decade of experience, including a Masters in Mental Health Counselling, a Bachelors in Psychology, and a background as a psychiatric research assistant from Johns Hopkins, Sandler uses her expertise to impact her clients through one-on-one consultations, group consultations and her Impact Retreat and Group Impact Adventures, which take place all around the world.

We sat down with Sandler to learn more about what an Impact Coach does and what she has planned for her luxury impact retreats next year.

Photo Credit: Katie Sandler

KS: I was actually born without an ear and my parents decided to put me through reconstructive surgery for a chance at a normal life. My parents always had a great attitude about my situation and I believe some of that attitude and character was instilled in me at a young age. I remember when kids would stare at me, instead of hiding I would ask them if they wanted to know anything about my ear. This set me up to face many hurdles that were still to come in my life including suffering from transverse myelitis, a rare neurological disorder that left me paralyzed from the waist down at 17 years old. Thankfully, I come from a family with resources and I was able to find help at Johns Hopkins because they were the only institution studying the disorder at the time.

The hardest part for me wasnt the physical ailment, rather it was the subsequent depression which was brutal to deal with. I struggled with daily life, but then I was introduced to psychology and more specifically mind-body medicine. I was 17 when I was catapulted into the field of psychology and decided to invest my time and efforts to understand it and myself. I graduated with a bachelors in psychology and ended up working at Johns Hopkins, studying a handful of things in neuropsychology, but specifically purpose in life. This ultimately led to my journey as an Impact Coach, diving into private practice, working in hospitals and now owning my own business where I focus on enabling my clients to succeed in life, whatever that may be for them, while also finding purpose.

Photo Credit: Katie Sandler

KS: I created what I call an Impact Retreat, which is a three to five-day, one-on-one or group retreat designed to focus on personal transformation, cultural experiences, and relaxation. In terms of where they take place, it really depends on the situation and the clients wants and needs.With one-on-one situations, I go into my clients environment, with their blessing, to get a first-hand experience of their day-to-day life. From there we typically stay within the client area as to make the program conducive to their daily life and schedule. Other clients opt for a destination for their retreat, for instance, Ive taken clients to Anguilla or a neighboring state. I also offer group retreats, this is a different experience all-together; not nearly as intensive and immersive as the one-on-one Impact Retreat.

In May I will be taking a group to Italy, in particular, the Tuscany region, for a mindful food and wine experience. Im also planning a group retreat to Greece in September and Marrakech in October is almost completely sold out. Im excited about Marrakech because I think its such an interesting destination.I have an interior designer coming with me to Marrakech and weve been talking about how excited she is to be inspired by the culture and aesthetics at the destination. She is also looking forward to seeing how her experience will translate when shes back home.

There is an application process as were selective. No more than 8-people can be on a trip as I want to keep it exclusive, as well as wanting to ensure everyone gets along; good synergy during the trip is essential as the small-group size also provides the opportunity to meet like-minded people.

KS: Every retreat I plan is different from the other. For instance, in Italy, well be discussing mindfulness in regards to nourishment. When we think of nourishment, we associate it with eating or drinking, but we also nourish ourselves with relationships, self-care. I want to focus on incorporating mindfulness when traveling and indulging with people on trips. We will look at portion control, recognizing healthy foods and ingredients and at the end of the retreat, we will explore how to move forward with what was experienced. I want clients to be able to walk away with an idea of how to incorporate this knowledge and new sense of being into their daily life when they get back into their real world.

Photo Credit: Katie Sandler

KS: For me, living the process is based on mindfulness and awareness. I think its important to get off auto-pilot and approach the day with awareness. However, my version of mindfulness and wellness will be different from your version of mindfulness and wellness. Its vital to understand that your life is yours and your process needs to fit who you are. Once we get off auto-pilot and try new things, we can see what works and what doesnt. It helps give us more direction in life, which leads to living life with purpose and making a positive impact.

Photo Credit: Katie Sandler

KS: First of all, every morning is a morning to set an intention of moving forward. I think we can use mornings effectively to set the tone for the day. It doesnt have to be an elaborate or big move, it could be as simple as saying Im not ready for today, but Im going to keep a good head on my shoulders. Whatever you decide, it needs to be real for you.

Secondly, we all need to have a bank of things to pull from. The bank will include tools. Whether it be yoga, painting or calling a friend, you should be pulling from this bank on a regular basis.

Thirdly, use your support system. Dont do life alone. Its also helpful and important to find someone who can hold you accountable.

My fourth tip is to express compassion to yourself and others. When you express compassion you express gratitude, which is intrinsic and wildly beneficial for your overall well-being. Lastly and most importantly, you need to breathe. Your breath has been there since the day you were born and it will be there until the day youre gone. It is the one thing you can constantly rely on to help you at any moment. Use it!

More here:
Impact Coach Katie Sandler Talks Luxury Retreats Next Year And Shares Wellness Tips - Haute Living

Smith will tackle the endurance events at Januarys HSBC UK | National Track Championships, and despite retaining a preference for road racing, says that being thrown in at the deep end against Britains elite will stand her in good stead.

Ahead of the championships, she says:

Track nationals is so important in terms of gaining more experience. It simulates some of the highest level of racing there is, which is so invaluable as the best in the world are in the bunch.

There is an infinite amount to learn from these experienced, world-level riders, from their micro-movements within the bunch to their mental attitude and preparation around events and training. I am in awe of their achievements, knowing what it takes to get to that level. Fingers crossed, I will one day!

For 17-year-old Smith, selection as part the Great Britain team for the junior womens road race at Yorkshire 2019 was a big step on that ladder to the top of the sport. Having assessed that race from a personal point of view, the Ripon rider has set herself goals on both track and road for 2020.

She explains:

At Yorkshire, having a domestique role highlighted to me what I need to improve on in a supporting role, but also where I might have my own strengths as a future team leader.

I have some pretty big personal goals on the road for the next year to have a crack at a podium in both British and international road races, and hopefully to be selected to go to the road world championships again.

There is no doubt that I currently prefer riding on the road and getting out into the Yorkshire countryside, but Im working hard on the track, and it is growing on me! I make sure that theres a mix of sessions and races throughout the calendar to try to do my best in both disciplines and keep my options open.

On the track, Id love to make the squad to go to junior track world or European championships, as well as trying to retain my junior national points race champion jersey. At nationals, Id love to meet the qualifying time for the individual pursuit, and aim for a top 10 in the bunch races.

The HSBC UK | National Track Championships take place over the weekend of January 24-26. Tickets are available here.

See the rest here:
Abi Smith looking forward to 'invaluable' experience at HSBC UK | National Track Championships - British Cycling

The cure for being stuck in victimhood is to see ourselves as responsible for making our own choices

Over 2,000 years ago, the Stoic philosopherSeneca wrote, Show me a man who is not a slave. Seneca was speaking of mental enslavement: One is a slave to lust, another to greed, another to ambition, and all men are slaves to fear.

The Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius was also a Stoic philosopher. In Meditations, he wrote, Alexander and Caesar and Pompey. Compared with Diogenes, Heraclitus, Socrates? The philosophers knew the what, the why, the how. Their minds were their own. The others? Nothing but anxiety and enslavement.

Conquering politicians may have ruled over millions, but they still couldnt control their own minds.

Do privilege and wealth help one escape mental enslavement? We have only to look at all the dysfunctional behavior in Hollywood and see that money cannot buy psychological freedom.

Aurelius reproached himself: Stop allowing your mind to be a slave, to be jerked about by selfish impulses, to kick against fate and the present, and to mistrust the future.

Their contributions are great works of humanity because they reflect timeless themes.

Few of us have not suffered bitter setbacks, asRyan Holiday, author of several books on Stoicism, observes:

So much of what happens is out of our control: We lose people we love. We are financially ruined by someone we trusted. We put ourselves out there, put every bit of our effort into something, and are crushed when it fails. We are drafted to fight in wars, to bear huge tax or familial burdens. We are passed over for the thing we wanted so badly. This can knock us down and hurt us. Yes.

Each of us forms our identity around what could be called our story of me. In his book Question Your Life, Greg Krech observes how often these stories contain resentment. Through our stories, Krech cautions, we create our own burdens:

Wearing a garment of disappointment, resentment and anger is a great burden. It continuously weighs us down as we try to move forward in our lives It affects our fundamental view of life. It buries us in a complaint-based lifestyle in which our attention is consistently drawn to what is going wrong and how the world fails to meet our expectations.

In his book, Bonds That Make Us Free, philosopher C. Terry Warner asks us to reflect on this question: Why do we embrace our miseries and preoccupy ourselves with our victimhood?

Experiencing other people or circumstances as having more power over our own happiness than we do, Warner says, is to be stuck in our victimhood. We believe they have the ability to cause troubling feelings in us that we cannot do anything about, no matter how we try.

When we believe other people and circumstances are responsible for how we feel and for the choices we make, we are living a lie of victimhood.

Warner asks us to reflect on times we are most troubled. The real source of our afflicted emotions can be found in our self-absorption. Warner writes, Those times when we feel most miserable, offended, or angry are invariably the occasions when were also most absorbed in ourselves and most anxious or suspicious or fearful, or in some other way concerned about ourselves.

In our self-absorption, we betray our sense of right and wrong. Warner helps us recognize that our self-betrayals can occur in small ways, as in this story of a busy man:

A busy man driving home late at night notices the gas gauge dropping near empty. Almost imperceptibly, yet unmistakably, he feels he ought to fill the tank for his wife so she wont have to do it the next day. But he doesnt.

In the mind of this busy man, an urge arose to act from his highest values, yet he did not. This is self-betrayal.

To justify his choice, the busy man may have searched his mind for data. Thinking of all the things he does for their household that his wife doesnt, he may have concluded,Im far busier than my wife; she should be keeping the tank filled for me.In his mind, he became the victim of an unsupportive wife. His wife, not he, was to blame for his failure to put gas in the car.

In this trivial example, the busy man got stuck in his thinking. Portraying himself as a victim, he undermined his relationship and a happy life.

Warner writes, Life becomes hard to bear only when we, as self-betrayers, cast ourselves in a victims role by regarding others as our victimizers and nurse our misfortunes as if they were badges of honor.

Feelings of irritation [escalating to anger], humiliation, self-pity, resentment or frustration come with self-betrayal. These emotions are accusatory. Warner writes, Only people who are doing something that goes against their own sense of right and wrong have to spend time and energy spinning out a self-justifying story.

Our self-justifying stories create resentment. Warner writes, To take up a hard, resentful attitude toward others is to have to live in a resented world, a world full of people who oppose and threaten us. How they are in our eyes is reflective of howweare.

Warner warns of three aspects of self-betraying conduct: Accusing others, excusing oneself, and displaying oneself as a victim. We cant seek vigilantly for evidence that others are mistreating us, as self-betrayers do, unless we actively put ourselves in the victims role.

Having chosen the role of a mistreated victim, we may also choose to feel resentful and entitled. We may see the world as unjust and owing us something. We may believe we are broken while seeing others as advantaged and privileged.

In our victimhood, we believe we are not responsible, others are. And many politicians are happy to exploit our false belief.

What might one say to a man who grew up in a single-parent household in a violent inner-city neighborhood and attended a public school where he learned little and was bullied by classmates? This man may face racial discrimination. If he fathers illegitimate children with several women and is and in out of prison, is he responsible for his behavior? Is he not a victim of his circumstances?

Warner recognizes lifes trials and sees life beyond victimhood:

Though none of us is responsible for the misfortunes that befall us, we are, thankfully, responsible for how we use those misfortunes. We cannot alter past events, its true. Not having been responsible for them, we cannot take responsibility for them. But we are responsible for the effect they have upon usfor the meaning we assign to them and the way we remember them. And we can learn and grow from them.

Marcus Aurelius put it this way in Meditations: It can ruin your life only if it ruins your character. Otherwise, it cannot harm youinside or out.

Warner acknowledges that one may be called uncharitable for holding the view that we are responsible for what we make of our lives. Yet to say a person is not responsible says, You cant! rather than You can!

Warner reflects on what it means to believe that a person is not responsible:

Although those who hold this view think theyre being compassionate and kind, they are only being indulgent. Indulgence is a punitive counterfeit of charity. It extends no hope at all for freeing ourselves of our emotional troubles. It takes the position that we are stuck with being the deficient vessels we think we are and are doomed to cope with our lot as best we can.

Genuine compassion, seeing in all people the ability to take responsibility, is hopeful. Warner writes, It is because we are responsible for whatever we have become that there is hope for us to change fundamentally. True compassion can be found only in extending this hope to others, never in denying it to them.

Look around, Warner says. Have you known people who seem to have made a lifestyle out of amplifying their victimhood? Dont stop with seeing the choice for victimhood in others. Warner asks, Do you see any of this tendency in yourself?

The cure for being stuck in victimhood is to see ourselves as responsible for making our own choices.

Barry Brownstein is a professor emeritus of economics and leadership at the University of Baltimore. He is the author ofThe Inner-Work of Leadership. To receive his essays, subscribe atMindset Shifts. This article was originally published on the Foundation for Economic Education.

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Responsibility Is the Antidote to Mental Enslavement - The Epoch Times

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Malema swears to throw out Makhubo as Joburg mayor

EFF leader Julius Malema has warned the ANC not to celebrate its return to power in the countrys metros.

In an interview with Sunday World on Friday, Malema said his party would again work with the DA if the official opposition changed its attitude.

Malema spoke ahead of the partys elective conference at the weekend, where he is expected to be re-elected unopposed.

His statements come in the wake of a tumultuous week, during which mayors from the coalition partnerships formed after the 2016 local elections were ousted.

On Wednesday, some DA councillors and its coalition partners voted with the ANC to give Geooff Makhubo the mayoral post of the countrys economic powerhouse with 137 votes.

Makhubo, who is ANC regional chairman, is accused of receiving millions of rand from Regiments a company embroiled in state capture for helping it get a lucrative tender in the City of Johannesburg before he joined the city as a councillor.

Malema said Makhubo could soon be thrown out, as the EFF would not only hold him accountable but would also engage small parties about his future.

If the DA changes its attitude and say they want EFF, the ANC is out. The ANC shouldnt overcelebrate [sic], especially Geoff, because it is just a matter of time before his stories come to real life, he said, adding talks with the ANC collapsed after the ruling party insisted on Makhubo.

Geoff is not safe because Geoff could not remove a speaker, a day after being elected. How do you say you are safe if you failed to remove a speaker?

Malema said they would work with any party that was prepared to share power with them in order to respond to criticism that the fighters have no experience in governing.

This, he said, will be on the principle of anti-corruption and prioritisation of black communities.

As the court overturned the decision to remove controversial Tshwane mayor Steven Mokgalapa, who was involved in a sex scandal, the EFF is smelling power.

But Malema had harsh words for the DA, after talks with leaders including Helen Zille on the Joburg mayor post collapsed, and accused it of white arrogance and racism.

Asked whether the ANC was becoming the better devil to work with, Malema said: It is a matter of the EFF must govern, and they [ANC] are prepared to vote for the EFF and we voting for them on condition they give us power that is legislature that can be used to hold them accountable.

There is no other devil. Were not choosing between two devils.

The other devil is just not willing to participate, he added, accusing the DA of not wanting to share power in metros to consolidate its white voter base.

By George Matlala matlalag@sundayworld.co.za

Original post:
If the DA changes its attitude, the ANC is out - Johannesburg Sunday World

Im a huge fan of butterflies, not the insect but the metaphor, and my interdependency upon the motion of their wings. In chaos theory, the butterfly effect is the sensitivity and relationship between initial conditions whereby a small change in a state of a deterministic nonlinear system can result in large differences in a later state. Whew!

Although Im not smart enough to fit too many pieces together mentally, I enjoy conceptualizing the trail of big events backward to their birthing butterfly. Of course, since there are so many threads to time and life, nothing will have a clearly defined path but on balance it isnt difficult to imagine the connections if you dont require absolutes by relying upon imagination and assumptions.

For those of you who havent yet turned the page of the newspaper to something more interesting such as an advertisement for a vacuum cleaner, this subject settled into my thoughts along with my thoughts regarding December 7, 1941. Way back on that Sunday, I was short of 10 months old but in that moment the history of what would be my world pivoted to an entirely new direction.

Of course the Hawaiian attack was simply part of the ongoing result of many separate yet convergent butterfly wing-flaps. Long before the actual attack, a thought or a concept or a wish in a garden or at a table in Japan emitted conceptual breeze, eventually spoken out loud and eventually adopted as a good idea or necessary or advisable. Regardless of motives, the idea flew and eventually blew its way through the planning and preparations and execution.

The big idea and effort didnt just spring out of nothing. Butterflies started the process and I find that concept both interesting and comforting. My point is that wherever and in whomever the idea initially gestated it changed the world my world forever. And in my personal opinion, it turned out to become an eventual blessing to global humanity.

In late 1941, Britain was under virtually constant attack by Hitlers Germany. The prevailing attitude in this country at that time was to rely upon the ocean to insulate us from what we considered a European fight. We provided the British with what covert support we could such as reporting U-boat activity and sightings and clandestine efforts not privy to the American public. The unanswered question which has always floated asked if this country wouldve stood by to see England fall? Japan made that question moot in December of 41. Japans attack brought the United States fully into the war making it a world war.

In total, its estimated about 85 million people died in World War II but it wouldve been more had we not been able to defeat Japan without actually invading their island homeland. Based upon our experiences island hopping and on Okinawa, defeating Japan using conventional warfare, foot by foot, street by street, tree by tree wouldve likely cost us a half-million lives, not to mention the millions it wouldve cost the Japanese. The two atomic bombs cost a half-million lives give or take but likely saved ten times that number.

And today when you see nighttime photos of Nagasaki and Hiroshima, the physical scars are long gone. Im sure there are mental scars remaining in some of the population but Im somewhat cynical about any remorse. In my version of reality, I have to point out that it was their butterfly that initially started the whisper of war winds (read Herman Wouks Winds of War) and that tiny ripple of a breeze eventually brought the battleship Missouri into Tokyo harbor.

And it also brought a prosperous Japan in which my daughter resides. Sundae married an excellent Japanese citizen 14 years ago and have resided in Tokyo since then. Her and Shingo and Rentaro (Bug) visit us a couple of times every year. I so enjoy talking to Shingo about history and customs and economies.

This year were all meeting in Hawaii for Christmas. One of our planned excursions is to visit the Arizona Memorial. Ann and I have been on that tour a few times but the kids havent. Its a great monument and an amazing testament to history. The monument rose from somebodys initial idea or concept. Butterflies are everywhere.

Our lives have all sorts of twists and turns, pivots and hinges, stops and starts. Everything is intertwined. There are so many threads, theres no way to know where one came from or exactly where its going. But we all know that there are tiny breezes that are going to blow our futures in different directions and even into different realities.

This political thing we have going on today is just another example of an initial wing-flap growing and expanding although in this case, I doubt it was a butterfly that caused the initial ripple. It was probably the flap of an eagle. Whatever has happened or will happen, were surfing a wave of history and Im enjoying the ride.

Like my somewhat weird view of the Pearl Harbor attack ending up as hugely beneficial to humanity as a whole, I think this impeachment spasm will likely end up hugely beneficial to people like me.

If liberal governance is effectively resisted for another 4 years, I think the benefits to the country will be lasting. Well see what happens. Therere a lot of butterflies (and eagles) flapping in the world, some in the halls of government. In my opinion which Im sure many dont share; this ongoing nonsense is just congressional flatulence that will eventually vent into the atmosphere.

But of course, wings are wings and wind is wind and history is an amazing river.

Otis Gardners column appears here weekly. He can be reached at ogardner@embarqmail.com

See original here:
Column: Pearl Harbor and the butterfly effect - Opinion - New Bern Sun Journal

Its tale of beauty battling her brain.

Former figure skater Riley Sawyer, 20, who has graced the pages of the Sun as a top SUNshine Girl for the past two years, opened recently up about her battle with multiple concussions at least 15 to date.

She is now working with a new mental health program called Head1st that helps those dealing with mental issues stemming from their trauma.

I want to inspire people to know that they are not alone. They are not the only ones who feel like I did, said Sawyer. Because I heard so much about the physical health of, but never the mental health.

As a young teenager, Sawyer was outgoing and her aunt Teena Sawyer, a figure skating coach, took an interest in her niece and became a big influence in her life motivating her to take up figure skating at 13 years old.

Yes my aunt was a crazy good figure skater. She was a coach out of the Whitby figure skating club, said Sawyer.

But at that same time as far as she can remember she incurred her first concussion skating and it has crept in and become part of her life, sometimes leaving her in a dark place. She also now suffers from short-term memory loss.

Like any teen, she enjoyed sports like ringette and soccer. As an athlete, she suffered bumps and lumps along the way.

The worst I ever got was playing ringette in high school in a mixed class, said Sawyer. All I remember is this big guy just came at me full steam and crashed into me.

I went hard to the gym floor, but I got back up.

Riley Sawyer, aged 20, was out on the ice for the first time in years figure skating at Scarbrorough's Centennial Recreation Centre with her former coach Ryan Shollert. Riley has sustained upwards of 15 concussions since the age of 13 and is now part of the Headt1st concussion awareness program on Tuesday December 3, 2019. Jack Boland/Toronto Sun/Postmedia Network Jack Boland /Jack Boland/Toronto Sun

Riley Sawyer, aged 20, was out on the ice for the first time in years figure skating at Scarbrorough's Centennial Recreation Centre with her former coach Ryan Shollert. Riley has sustained upwards of 15 concussions since the age of 13 and is now part of the Headt1st concussion awareness program on Tuesday December 3, 2019. Jack Boland/Toronto Sun/Postmedia Network Jack Boland /Jack Boland/Toronto Sun

Riley Sawyer, aged 20, was out on the ice for the first time in years figure skating at Scarbrorough's Centennial Recreation Centre with her former coach Ryan Shollert. Riley has sustained upwards of 15 concussions since the age of 13 and is now part of the Headt1st concussion awareness program on Tuesday December 3, 2019. Jack Boland/Toronto Sun/Postmedia Network Jack Boland /Jack Boland/Toronto Sun

Riley Sawyer, aged 20, was out on the ice for the first time in years figure skating at Scarbrorough's Centennial Recreation Centre with her former coach Ryan Shollert. Riley has sustained upwards of 15 concussions since the age of 13 and is now part of the Headt1st concussion awareness program on Tuesday December 3, 2019. Jack Boland/Toronto Sun/Postmedia Network Jack Boland /Jack Boland/Toronto Sun

Riley Sawyer, aged 20, was out on the ice for the first time in years figure skating at Scarbrorough's Centennial Recreation Centre with her former coach Ryan Shollert. Riley has sustained upwards of 15 concussions since the age of 13 and is now part of the Headt1st concussion awareness program on Tuesday December 3, 2019. Jack Boland/Toronto Sun/Postmedia Network Jack Boland /Jack Boland/Toronto Sun

Riley Sawyer, aged 20, was out on the ice for the first time in years figure skating at Scarbrorough's Centennial Recreation Centre with her former coach Ryan Shollert. Riley has sustained upwards of 15 concussions since the age of 13 and is now part of the Headt1st concussion awareness program on Tuesday December 3, 2019. Jack Boland/Toronto Sun/Postmedia Network Jack Boland /Jack Boland/Toronto Sun

Riley Sawyer, aged 20, was out on the ice for the first time in years figure skating at Scarbrorough's Centennial Recreation Centre with her former coach Ryan Shollert. Riley has sustained upwards of 15 concussions since the age of 13 and is now part of the Headt1st concussion awareness program on Tuesday December 3, 2019. Jack Boland/Toronto Sun/Postmedia Network Jack Boland /Jack Boland/Toronto Sun

Riley Sawyer, aged 20, was out on the ice for the first time in years figure skating at Scarbrorough's Centennial Recreation Centre with her former coach Ryan Shollert. Riley has sustained upwards of 15 concussions since the age of 13 and is now part of the Headt1st concussion awareness program on Tuesday December 3, 2019. Jack Boland/Toronto Sun/Postmedia Network Jack Boland /Jack Boland/Toronto Sun

Riley Sawyer, aged 20, was out on the ice for the first time in years figure skating at Scarbrorough's Centennial Recreation Centre with her former coach Ryan Shollert. Riley has sustained upwards of 15 concussions since the age of 13 and is now part of the Headt1st concussion awareness program on Tuesday December 3, 2019. Jack Boland/Toronto Sun/Postmedia Network Jack Boland /Jack Boland/Toronto Sun

Riley Sawyer, aged 20, was out on the ice for the first time in years figure skating at Scarbrorough's Centennial Recreation Centre with her former coach Ryan Shollert. Riley has sustained upwards of 15 concussions since the age of 13 and is now part of the Headt1st concussion awareness program on Tuesday December 3, 2019. Jack Boland/Toronto Sun/Postmedia Network Jack Boland /Jack Boland/Toronto Sun

Riley Sawyer, aged 20, was out on the ice for the first time in years figure skating at Scarbrorough's Centennial Recreation Centre with her former coach Ryan Shollert. Riley has sustained upwards of 15 concussions since the age of 13 and is now part of the Headt1st concussion awareness program on Tuesday December 3, 2019. Jack Boland/Toronto Sun/Postmedia Network Jack Boland /Jack Boland/Toronto Sun

Riley Sawyer, aged 20, was out on the ice for the first time in years figure skating at Scarbrorough's Centennial Recreation Centre . Riley has sustained upwards of 15 concussions since the age of 13 and is now part of the Headt1st concussion awareness program. (Pictured) Posing at the Toronto Sun for an upcoming SUNshine Girl shoot in her skating outfits on Thursday November 28, 2019. Jack Boland/Toronto Sun/Postmedia Network Jack Boland /Jack Boland/Toronto Sun

Riley Sawyer, aged 20, was out on the ice for the first time in years figure skating at Scarbrorough's Centennial Recreation Centre . Riley has sustained upwards of 15 concussions since the age of 13 and is now part of the Headt1st concussion awareness program. (Pictured) Posing at the Toronto Sun for an upcoming SUNshine Girl shoot in her skating outfits on Thursday November 28, 2019. Jack Boland/Toronto Sun/Postmedia Network Jack Boland /Jack Boland/Toronto Sun

Riley Sawyer, aged 20, was out on the ice for the first time in years figure skating at Scarbrorough's Centennial Recreation Centre . Riley has sustained upwards of 15 concussions since the age of 13 and is now part of the Headt1st concussion awareness program. (Pictured) Posing at the Toronto Sun for an upcoming SUNshine Girl shoot in her skating outfits on Thursday November 28, 2019. Jack Boland/Toronto Sun/Postmedia Network Jack Boland /Jack Boland/Toronto Sun

Riley Sawyer, aged 20, was out on the ice for the first time in years figure skating at Scarbrorough's Centennial Recreation Centre . Riley has sustained upwards of 15 concussions since the age of 13 and is now part of the Headt1st concussion awareness program. (Pictured) Posing at the Toronto Sun for an upcoming SUNshine Girl shoot in her skating outfits on Thursday November 28, 2019. Jack Boland/Toronto Sun/Postmedia Network Jack Boland /Jack Boland/Toronto Sun

Riley Sawyer, aged 20, was out on the ice for the first time in years figure skating at Scarbrorough's Centennial Recreation Centre . Riley has sustained upwards of 15 concussions since the age of 13 and is now part of the Headt1st concussion awareness program. (Pictured) Posing at the Toronto Sun for an upcoming SUNshine Girl shoot in her skating outfits on Thursday November 28, 2019. Jack Boland/Toronto Sun/Postmedia Network Jack Boland /Jack Boland/Toronto Sun

Thats what most athletes did before recent research, they toughed it out. But after the ringette episode, Sawyer knew something was wrong.

She figures her get up and go, no-quit attitude of competing hard has led to as many as 15 concussions.

Even though she has since embarked on a safer career in modelling, Sawyer said by the end of the day she just wants to curl up in a ball with her little service dog Baby a 12-year old Chihuahua-Pomeranian mix.

Then she recently stumbled upon a program on Instagram called Head1st.

It is a Concussion Awareness program put together by new-found friend Cody Oehm, 27, who hails from Owen Sound.

The program helps let those dealing with concussions know they are not alone and can look beyond the dark room, depression, anxiety and even suicidal thoughts.

Oehmsaid he was diagnosed and hospitalized with three concussions while playing competitive hockey with the Walkerton Hawks in the Ontario C league at the age of 20.

I was hospitalized and it lead to a bunch of physical and mental health issues, said Oehm. The underlying issues lead to inflammation on my brain that cut off the production of hormones.

Oehm said he was an outgoing kid, but he started shying away from everything and within a few months he was in a dark place with suicidal thoughts and dealing with pretty deep anxiety.

By 24, he was working with an endocronologist who put him on hormone replacement therapy, which made him better within a four to six weeks.

The mission of Head1st is to make the world aware of the issue of the impact concussions can have on hormones and mental health, said Oehm.

After sharing his experiences on Facebook, his inbox was flooded with thousands of messages from people with similar stories.

I realized this was more common than originally thought, said Oehm. And about 20% of the people affected have some sort of Pituitary dysfunction after the fact.

Sawyer has now jumped on board to start researching her own health with the help of Head1st to sort out her myriad issues.

This past week Sawyer met up with her former figure skating coach Ryan Shollert at Centennial Recreation Centre in Scarborough and laced up her blades to confront her demons.

Both hit the fresh sheet of ice with Shollert getting Sawyer to limber up first, knowing full well she might be a bit rusty like her skates after not being on the ice for a few years.

Sawyer glided into some easy moves like corkscrews and camel spins, smiling from ear-to-ear with the minor accomplishments.

Her confidence soared.

But at the end of the 30-minute session as she pulled off her furry white headband drank some water bottle, somewhat winded, she confided Shollert noticed she was struggling a bit and kept her calm and focused.

I thought I was going to puke out there, said Sawyer. But I didnt tell him that

Nowadays Sawyer loves being in front of the camera. But she said that can also be taxing.

Some may think it is easy to get in front of the camera and Vogue yet at the end of the day it is exhausting.

After her recent SUNshine Girl shoot and video interview she said she went home and slept really well and was refreshed in the morning.

She hates not competing and loves letting her mind and brain flow freely even though it may be a bit foggy some days.

But she has found new optimism by putting her head first.

jboland@postmedia.com

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BEAUTY AND HER BRAIN: Former figure skater and SUNshine Girl talks concussions - Toronto Sun