visitor feedback

by Donald B. Ardell, Ph. D.

* Don -- The blubber issue is a big one. Perhaps health plans should be paid by the pound (or the BMI), as well. The easy touch in me would likely want to see exemptions for those who are trying. Warm thoughts,

Don Kemper, Boise, ID

* Don -- Your essays are informative, inspiring and entertaining. Keep up the good work.

Rob Reisinger, Sarasota, FL (rreisinger@comcast.net)

* I like your essay, Don. I spent most of my 50 years of working life working with kids ... seriously abused kids who had been removed from their homes and parental custody permanently due to extreme sexual abuse (in California) ... and in schools later when I felt burned out from residential and foster-adopt work. I can tell you that both during latency and pubescent years, sex is the major issue to be grappled with for both parents and kids alike .... and until our nation adopts a more intelligent, open and useful view of sex education, both the sexually abused and the abusers will continue to be victims of a repressive society and pay the horrid consequences thereof. What we do to a natural and beautiful experience is a crime.

Jacqueline Kinnie, Sarasota, FL

* HI Don--This is really good. I'm embarrassed on behalf of any legislators who would vote against providing accurate information in federally-funded programs. You did a good job with this --lots' of back up for your assertion in the title.

Lenore Howe, Canterbury, NH

* Don -- Regarding your recent essay--Isn't it sad that we no longer hunt for our food? We don't even walk to the grocery store and carry it home (which to our early ancestors would have been seen as a miraculous convenience!). Instead, we wait to edge out another car for a space as close as possible to the door to the supermarket. Someone else puts the groceries in a bag for us while we watch, and if we have more than one or two bags, someone carries them to our car. When we get home, we yell "Someone help me carry in these groceries!" The stressors of not getting help with the grocery bags and fighting for the parking space increase the adrenaline and cortisol in our bodies, and now we really need exercise! What can we do?

1. Walk to the grocery store.

2. If we've already had our exercise, park in a space as far away from the door as you can, and use your grocery shopping to at least get a bonus walk -- and park without stress.

IMHO,

Robert Fellows, Minneapolis, MN (rfellows@robertfellows.com)

* Hey Don -- Just wanted you to know I'm still reading (and enjoying) your essays -- with "critical thinking." I liked the one about rewarding docs for health promotion. I think such a day is not far off. In fact, it's probably here in some big HMO's out west. Expect this to spread to other parts of the country. I also have to agree partially with you (and George Carlin) on religion and prayer. Still, I'd like to get in a plug for a "mature spirituality"--a rare commodity in our time.

Religion often corrupts and fosters immaturity, but a mature spirituality can give a deeper meaning and purpose to life. Too bad people confuse these two entities. I've seen mature spirituality help people deal with life's challenges, including addictions, losses and even successes in positive ways. Alas, I've also seen religion corrupt, undermine, distort and inhibit personal growth.

For me (not that you asked, but I thought you'd enjoy my take on it), prayer is not asking God for favors. It's a form of self-talk (something that we do most of our waking hours anyway) that takes me out of my Reptilian/limbic brain (i.e., wanting more money, sex, power, etc.) and into my prefrontal cortex where I think about and aspire to higher values, priorities, meaning and purpose. It helps to keep me centered and become the person I want to be. I admire people (yourself and George Carlin) who just naturally do the right thing, but for me prayer and spirituality are added resources that remind me to do my best. I really don't care if there's a reward at the end of life. My approach to spirituality makes life better for me and everyone I encounter. I'll keep fighting my demons and try to stay focused while extended wishes to you for a "blessed Christmas" (don't you just hate that phrase). Also a healthy and prosperous New Year, but not too prosperous, as too much prosperity corrupts! Your friend,

Bill Gaertner, Milwaukee, WI (goodhealthmd@juno.com)

* Hey Don -- I agree with your perception...every medical issue can be handled with a pill. No personal responsibility need enter here. And if the pill doesn't work, why, then we sue the doctor or the drug company. Simple!

Jim Mayr, Pensacola, FL

* Don --Great essay! I loved it. And your new format is very appealing.
Nice work!

Frank Sanchez, Tampa, FL (Pacojs1@aol.com)

* Hi Don - I am getting around to resubscribing to your newsletter - I
have really enjoyed the e-mail's this past year. I wish we lived closer
together. We'd be great training partners. I would be teaching you how to
nordic ski now, we'd be looking forward to that first blanket of snow, and
getting ready for the National Masters in Mpls. Anyway, thanks for adding so much to my life. I really look forward to turning on the computer on
Friday's! Take care.

Phil Rogosheske, Minneapolis, MN (rogo@astound.net)

* Dear Don -- Another article with sass and sensible shoes. Well done, as always. If you haven't already, may I recommend reading a book called "Authentic Happiness by Martin Seligman, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania (Random House, NY, 2002). He writes, "Good things and high accomplishments, studies have shown, have astonishingly little power to raise happiness more than transiently." Onya, Don.

Glenn Cardwell, Perth, AUS (glennc@netspace.net.au)

* Don -- Sometimes your style of writing -- with long sentences, tangents,
stories within stories, quirkiness, and many bullet points -- reminds me of
the Farmer's Almanac calendar or the Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap bottle
labels -- both positive, nostalgic associations for me! Keep it up!

Robert Fellows, Minneapolis, MN (rfellows@robertfellows.com)