Tuesday, May 13, 2025

 

ESSAY - TRIGGER WORDS

BY DONOVAN BALDWIN

When I was growing up, and as an adult, most of us, maybe all of us, had never heard of "trigger words."

That seems to be a pretty popular expression these days. I guess so many people are having trouble adapting to the real world, wanting safe places and such, that they're psychoanalyzing themselves or picking up psychological phraseology... seeking a way to define what they see as their "problem."

An easy way to justify a reaction to something is to say one thing caused it... a trigger word.

We used to say, "that reminded me", or "that took me back", or "I had forgotten about that until _____ reminded me".

I don't like to use "trigger word(s)" in my speech because that's a trigger word for me, and I don't believe that complex problems should always be assumed to have simple solutions. For some people a "trigger word" is such because they've never had to face enough real life to know the event is common and likely to be encountered many times in life.

I have worked for and with psychologists (before "trigger word" became a popular phrase. I have taken my own family to various counselors (upon recommendation), and sat through some egregious b___ s___.

Before I go any further, let me say that I have known good counsellors, mediocre counsellors, and downright stupid, self-centered counsellors. There ARE good ones out there, but, as in any profession or occupation, there will be "The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly"... apologies to Clint Eastwood.

When my children were referred to a counsellor, the first thing he did was tell us an old family story of his... which I had just read in a copy of Psychology Today magazine in his waiting room. Oddly enough, I had read the same exact story in a Reader's Digest a couple of years before that.

I won't go into the ups and downs, and ins and outs of all I have personally and directly observed... we could be here all day, but, beware self-diagnosis, and approach even the opinions of professionals with a healthy skepticism... especially in the social media driven world of the internet.

And do NOT assume that every problem can be traced to the use of "trigger words" by others. Sometimes the problem is we have taken on someone else's problem, and allow bad feelings to become terrible feelings.

Recently, in a conversation of my teenage daughter's attempted suicide several years ago, I was "triggered" terribly, but took the time to converse and explain events and experiences to someone who truly cared, someone I truly wanted to know what had happened, how I felt... someone who had previously warned ME that they had "trigger words" that made them upset and angry.

Also, for ME, having spent 21 years in the military, the word "trigger" carries a lot more weight than for someone from a civilian environment... where triggers can kill and destroy. Maybe that's why "trigger word" is such a trigger word for me.

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SHAKLEE VIVIX ANTI-AGING COMPLEX

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# posted by Donovan Baldwin @ 12:58 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, May 06, 2025

 

POEM: SONG OF THE LOVER

 BY DONOVAN BALDWIN

Alone I wandered,

Alone in the Universe...

Alone in the dark, forbidding forest of life,

Until...


I heard a sound so sweet,

So compelling that,

I turned to follow it as if,

Fate had decreed I must.


As I walked, the forest became greener,

Flowers bloomed and 

Bushes bore sweet fruit, as

The sound grew nearer... sweeter...


It was a voice, a woman's voice,

And, as my footsteps took me,

Along its path of song and beauty,

I stepped into a glen filled with love song.


There, bloomed all  beautiful blossoms,

There, birdsong accompanied,

The singing of the woman,

Who raised her face and sang to me.


No longer alone was I, who heard the song,

Sung by the sweet woman whose

Shining gaze and loving words,

Welcomed me to her place of beauty.


Without understanding words or song,

I sang back to her as her smile

Widened with understanding and recognition,

And our songs joined and soared....


As did our hearts and souls,

No longer alone, but that best of both,

Lovers in all things who found one another,

In the vastness of the Universe.


And as we sang, the words dissolved

Into only feelings of love and joy,

For there are no words for

The happiness of true love.


Together we sang the song of the lover,

A song different from any other,

A song begun as a solo tune, 

Becoming the best when sung by two.


And so we joined the chorus,

Of lovers past and future,

One bound in joy to one forever,

As they share the song of the lover.

-----

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# posted by Donovan Baldwin @ 11:28 AM 0 comments

Sunday, May 04, 2025

 

ARTICLE: PROTEIN FOR HEALTH AND FITNESS

Protein plays a vital role in both fitness and overall health. It's not just for building big muscles; it's essential for numerous bodily functions that support an active and healthy lifestyle. Here's how protein contributes to fitness and health:   

In Fitness:

Muscle Growth and Repair: This is perhaps the most well-known role of protein in fitness. During exercise, especially strength training, muscle fibers experience microscopic tears. Protein provides the amino acids necessary to repair and rebuild these fibers, leading to muscle hypertrophy (growth) over time. Adequate protein intake post-workout is crucial for this process.   

Reduced Muscle Loss: When you're in a calorie deficit (trying to lose weight), your body can start breaking down muscle tissue for energy. Sufficient protein intake helps preserve lean muscle mass during this period.   

Improved Recovery: Protein aids in the repair of not just muscle tissue but also other tissues that may be stressed during exercise. This can lead to faster recovery times and reduced muscle soreness.

Enhanced Strength and Power: By supporting muscle growth and repair, protein indirectly contributes to increased strength and power output.

Satiety and Weight Management: Protein is more satiating than carbohydrates or fats. Including enough protein in your diet can help you feel fuller for longer, potentially reducing overall calorie intake and aiding in weight management.   

In Overall Health:

Building Blocks: Protein is a fundamental building block for all tissues in the body, including muscles, bones, skin, hair, nails, and organs.   

Enzyme Production: Enzymes, which catalyze countless biochemical reactions in the body, are proteins. These reactions are essential for digestion, metabolism, nerve function, and more.   

Hormone Regulation: Many hormones, which act as chemical messengers in the body, are proteins or peptides. These hormones regulate various processes, including growth, metabolism, and mood.   

Immune Function: Proteins are crucial for the immune system. Antibodies, which help fight off infections, are proteins.   

Transport and Storage: Proteins transport vital substances throughout the body, such as oxygen (hemoglobin), and store essential nutrients like iron (ferritin).   

Fluid Balance: Proteins like albumin in the blood help maintain fluid balance between blood vessels and tissues.   

Bone Health: Adequate protein intake is important for maintaining bone density and reducing the risk of fractures.   

Blood Sugar Regulation: Protein can help stabilize blood sugar levels by slowing down the absorption of glucose.   

How Much Protein Do You Need?

The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for protein for minimally active adults is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. However, for individuals who are physically active, especially those involved in strength training or endurance sports, protein needs are higher, typically ranging from 1.2 to 2.0 grams per kilogram of body weight per day. Some experts even suggest higher intakes during periods of intense training or calorie restriction.

Good Sources of Protein:

Animal Sources: Lean meats (chicken, turkey, beef), fish, eggs, dairy products (Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, milk), and whey protein powder.

Plant Sources: Legumes (beans, lentils, chickpeas), tofu, tempeh, edamame, nuts, seeds, and plant-based protein powders. Combining various plant-based sources can ensure you get all the essential amino acids.   

Potential Risks of Inadequate Protein Intake (Protein Deficiency):

Muscle weakness and fatigue

Hair loss and brittle nails   

Frequent infections and slow healing   

Swelling (edema)

Increased hunger and cravings

Muscle loss and joint pain   

Skin problems

In conclusion, protein is a cornerstone of both fitness and overall health. Ensuring adequate intake through a balanced diet is essential for muscle growth and repair, various physiological functions, and maintaining a healthy body.   

Related Article: The Purpose Of Protein


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# posted by Donovan Baldwin @ 3:04 PM 0 comments

Saturday, May 03, 2025

 

COMMENT - PIETER DE VRIES, MENTAT AND COFFEE

Peter de Vries, Mentat
Dune
BY DONOVAN BALDWIN

Yes, I know, WAYYYYY out there, more than most know.

Pictured, Piter de Vries, Mentat (human answer to computers) of Dune (1965), a sci fi novel, start of a series by Frank Herbert, and a sci-fi book I read several times as a young man. Piter was a twisted evil Mentat, nemesis of the good Mentat, Thufir Hawat, pledged to the heir of Duke Atreides.... well, you get the drift.
Actual quote for the character in the image: "It is by will alone I set my mind in motion. It is by the juice of Sapho that thoughts acquire speed, the lips acquire stains, the stains become a warning. It is by will alone I set my mind in motion."
Anyway, even Mentats (given to breathless soliloquies of stream of consciousness esoteric wisdom such as that) would have liked #coffee, I bet.
Now tell the truth, did you ACTUALLY read the whole thing?

Like this comment? Read the essay, "Reading Interesting Books" by the same writer.

MENTAL ACUITY SUPPLEMENT BY SHAKLEE


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# posted by Donovan Baldwin @ 5:27 PM 0 comments

Thursday, April 24, 2025

 

ESSAY: THOUGHTS, OPINIONS, AND BELIEFS

BY DONOVAN BALDWIN

On many issues, I have thoughts, opinions, and beliefs. But, I have limited access to facts... and facts include outcomes.

If I don't know what actually caused the problem, and I don't actually know all the possible solutions (the ones which could be applied at THIS time), and I cannot KNOW the future outcome of any "solution", HOW can I KNOW that MY choice is any better than another of several others?

If my neighbor "believes" as strongly as I do, yet as without knowledge as I, in his or her interpretation and solution, what makes mine "best", or even "better"? It is a complicated world we live in.

Experts and facts can be found to support every side of any multifaceted problem or event. We hire people, ordinary people, politicians, to sort through this morass of information and misinformation, and reach decisions for us.
T
They, human and limited as they are, hire other humans to hunt down, summarize, and encapsulate information on the given problem(s), and then, take it upon themselves, as we asked, to make decisions for us, based upon the results of this research... AND their own, quite human, thoughts, opinions, and beliefs.

THEN, we either idolize them and put them on pedestals reserved for the gods, or we castigate and reject them, demanding they be cast into the lowest depths of hell.

I am NOT fond of career politicians, but, I don't want their job either.

WHAT MAKES SHAKLEE PRODUCTS DIFFERENT?

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# posted by Donovan Baldwin @ 4:55 PM 0 comments

Saturday, April 19, 2025

 

HUMOR - THE DAY ERNIE BROKE MR. REBER'S GUN CASE

BY DONOVAN BALDWIN

Not to pick on Ernie, but, he's a key participant in the story...

In 1973, I graduated from the University of West Florida, and was hired as a manager trainee at a Woolco store at Gateway Mall, in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Mr. Reber was the manager for several departments, including sporting goods. I worked in furniture, housewares, the pet department, and lawn and garden.

Reb hired Ernie.

Ernie was a disaster. A very nice guy, disaster followed Ernie wherever he went.

The sporting goods department sold, among other things in those days, guns (nobody thought ANYTHING about it), and bowling balls.

Hmmmm.

One day as I was cruising from one or my departments to another, I heard a loud crash from sporting goods. Thinking someone might be hurt, I headed there.

What I saw stopped me dead in my tracks... well, for a second, but I couldn't wait to be the first to break (pun intended) the news to Reb. So, I ran for a house phone and had Reb paged to call the phone I was at.

The phone rang, I answered. He said, relatively calmly, since we paged each other all the time for various issues, "This is Reb, what's up?"

"Hey, Reb," I replied, in my smoothest, most professional manner, "Remember that glass gun case you used to have?"

"Sure, of course.... WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN USED TO HAVE????"

"Well, Ernie just dropped a bowling ball through it..."

Didn't know a guy that old could cross a store that fast... and with bad feet, too...

It all happened so fast, Ernie was still looking at the bowling ball lying amid the guns with a nearly perfect hole in the top and the middle glass shelf.

One of life's little moments not to be forgotten... not for Ernie, not for Reb, not for me... snicker, snicker.

True story, by the way.

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WHAT MAKES SHAKLEE PRODUCTS DIFFERENT?

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# posted by Donovan Baldwin @ 2:55 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

 

TRUE STORY - U. S. ARMY SECOND LIEUTENANT (2LT) WITH A MAP AND A COMPASS

BY DONOVAN BALDWIN

Background for non-military types: The most helpless thing in the world is a Second Lieutenant (2LT), lowest ranking, newest officer, with a map and compass.

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From 1978 to 1980, I was Assistant Operations NCO (SGT E5) at the 24th Infantry Division and Fort Stewart NCO Academy, Fort Stewart, Georgia.
The academy was located in the Georgia woods (and swamps) at a site called TAC-X which had been used for training during the Vietnam era. This was an isolated site about 20 miles from main garrison (i.e. civilization) and was surrounded by a dedicated training area... which other units could only use after prior coordination.
There was an access road, a mile or to long, among the thick pines from the main road to TAC-X.
One morning as I was driving in on the access road, I was surprised to see a jeep with two soldiers emerge from the woods... where no jeep was supposed to be.
The driver waved me down. He was a SP4 (Specialist 4th Class kind of like a corporal), and his red faced passenger was a 2LT.
I approached the jeep from the driver's side, saluting the LT. I had to move a bit in front of the vehicle as he was looking straight ahead and did not turn his head at my approach. The blazing red LT stiffly returned my salute without making eye contact.
The SP4 was very polite and apologetic, and asked, "Excuse me, Sergeant, but can you tell me where we are and how to get back to our unit?"
"Where are you supposed to be?"
He said, "I can show you on the map..." which happened to be in the LT's hand. Slowly, respectfully, he reached over and took the map from the LT's grip.
The bright red LT didn't make a move and continued to stare straight ahead.
The SP4 showed me where on the map they were SUPPOSED to be... several miles away, about half way between our training area and main garrison.
I gave him directions on how to get back to the main road and find the area they were supposed to be in.
He thanked me politely, handed the map back to the LT (who took it with as little movement as possible), gave me an almost despairing look, and drove off.
As they left, I gave the LT a proper salute... which he didn't see or return, since he was still facing forward, not having moved or said a word... and still bright red.

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# posted by Donovan Baldwin @ 12:42 PM 0 comments

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