The 1980's were a challenge

Life can be awfully tough as a mom or dad too. So I guess life can be rough going for a lot of years for a lot of people of all ages. The responsibilities and day to day problems at home and at work can be overwhelming.

Things are made more difficult if we are handicapped healthwise or with poor self-confidence, worries, guilt or anger. My 1980's held my share of these things - but at least I was working on them now.

That feeling of hopelessness might seem very appropriate to a person's situation, but many others have been there and have suffered similar or worse experiences. They have survived to enjoy life and so will most who decide to think the right thoughts and take the right steps ahead.

As it turns out bad feelings are often there because of bad thinking which can be difficult to stop. The key is to think about the good things in life: family, friends, music, nature, pets . . . which can quickly reverse that feeling of despair. The mind does not allow two trains of thought at the same time.

"The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven." - John Milton (1608-1674)

A pleasant activity works wonders - cycling around the seawall or fishing a quiet lake.