So What If You Can't Pitch A Tent

Some people believe that having a healthy amount of self-esteem depends on how good they are at performing tasks, such as being competent at their job, for example.


However, self-worth should not depend how good you are at tasks.


Take my grandfather as an example.  He was an intelligent man.  But he couldn't pitch a tent.  He was so uncoordinated.


But the fact that he wasn't good at certain tasks such as pitching a tent didn't make everyone else as well as myself love him any less.  And it didn't make me dislike him more either.


Hence, I don't think anyone should feel low about themselves just because they may not be as good as others at certain tasks.  There is more to a person than how competent he or she is at performing tasks.

Here's A List Of Some Places Where You Could Perform Volunteer Work

Community Television Stations (Local Access TV)
Community Radio Stations
Soup Kitchens
Food Pantries
Agricultural Farms
Pre-schools
Elementary Schools
Day Care Centers
Teen Centers
Nursing Homes
Hospice
Assisted Living Homes
Hospitals
Animal Adoption Centers
Animal Rescue Organizations
Environmental Organizations
Disaster Relief Organizations
Libraries
Health Organizations
Fundraisers
Museums
Sporting Events For Youths
Community Centers
And the list goes on and on...

Anyone else with more ideas? Post a comment and add more ideas to the list!

Can A Person Make Progress In Getting Over The Death Of Their Child?

I think it's safe to say that unless a person is a sociopath, nobody gets over the death of their child.

However, I think that maybe some people can make progress in getting over the death of their child.

My great grandmother lost her son years ago.  And I don't think she ever made progress in getting over it and moving on because she cried about her loss everyday of her life, even decades later, and for the rest of her life.

But their are others who, although they never get over it, don't cry about the death of their son or daughter as much as they used to.

So with that said, I think some parents can make some progress in getting over it.  It doesn't happen overnight.  It takes time.  However, I think progress can be made.

Lawyers Defending Clients Who Are Obviously Guilty Are Almost As Immoral

Some criminals are guilty of terrible and unthinkable crimes, such as murder, rape, torture, and more.

But as bad as these people are, the lawyers who defend them to try to prevent them from paying the price by going to prison are, in my mind, almost as immoral and almost as guilty as the person they're defending.

It's one thing if a lawyer is defending someone who may very well be innocent of the charges.

However, if a lawyer is defending someone who's obviously guilty of some very serious crimes, and if the lawyer knows darned well that his or her defendant is guilty, then how does the lawyer live with himself or herself unless he or she is a sociopath themselves?  How does a lawyer like that deal with himself or herself if he/she succeeds in getting the criminal off, while the victim and his or her family suffers even more because their loved ones victimizer avoids the wrath of justice?

Bullies Who Never Learn Their Lesson

Some youths in elementary, middle, and high school like to bully others, until they mess with the wrong person, that is.


However, their are other youngsters who bully students, eventually mess with the wrong kid and end getting beat up as a result, but then continue on with bullying others.


Take this one kid I knew as an example.  When I was in high school, there was this one student who messed with others weaker than he was, and one a few fights against others youths he messed with.


But one day he made the mistake of trying to bully this one student who was bigger and stronger than he was.  This was the physically strongest kid in our grade.  Hence, the bully ended up getting pummeled by this stronger student.


So did he learn his lesson?


No.  Just a short while later, this bully tried to start a fight with a friend of mine, who sort of a muscular kid himself.


It's like, "Hello?  Didn't you learn anything from the beating you took from that other student you should have never messed with?"


The only thing he learned was not to mess with the youth that beat him up a few months before.


Go figure.

Not All Youths Who Have To Do Community Service Are Bad Kids

At one of the libraries that I volunteer at, some youths in the area perform community service there.


According to the librarian, some of these teens are just trouble.  They have no intention of changing their ways.  They have no intentions of becoming law abiding citizens who contribute to society.


However, the librarian also says that many of the youths who perform community service are basically good kids.  She says that they just made a huge mistake by breaking the law, and that they never do so again.  They learn their lesson and really do change.


I agree with the librarian.  Hence, I think it's a good thing for the rest of us to not simply judge all youths who are required to perform community service, because many of them are basically good kids.

Should Some Individuals Be Expected Even More Than Others To Be Good People?

Some folks I know believe that while everyone should be a good example and be law abiding citizens, their are those who should be expected to be good, moral people even more than most individuals, like priests and ministers, for example.


However, I disagree.  I think everyone should be expected to be good, moral, law abiding citizens just as much as the next person.


After all, it's equally important for those of us who aren't priests or ministers to be role models for our youth, and to good and honest in order to continue to make our world as good as it is, and to make the world a better place. Although we all make mistakes, I don't think anybody should be let off the hook more than others for doing something wrong and immoral.

Insulting A Scam Artist Isn't Going To Hurt His Or Her Feelings

One of the most unfortunate realities about people and our world is the fact that while many individuals are good, honest, and are hard working, their are also some people who love ripping off you, me, and everyone else.  Lots of scam artists have no remorse for scamming others.  They could care less if they've harmed you and ruined your life.


I've had scam artists call me up on the phone and we're clearly trying to rip me off.  And lots of others can relate.


However, many folks who know the person on the other end of the line is a scam artist will tell the scammer what they think of them.


But while I don't blame them for doing so, I don't think telling a scam artist where they can shove it makes much difference.  The thing is, scam artists don't care about what you or anyone else thinks of them.  If they did, they probably wouldn't be trying to rip you and everyone else off in the first place.


So if a scam artist calls you up on the phone, it's probably better just to hang up on them.  You're not going to hurt their feelings by insulting them, as unfortunate as that is.

"Innocently" Flirting With Others When You're Married Is Not OK

Marriage can be a great thing for lots of people.  Many who marry find happiness and success, as two people who love each other can live with each other for rest of their lives, or until death due them part.


However, their are rules that every married couple expects out of each other, and with good reason.


Some folks who are married believe that it's OK to "innocently" flirt with other people of the opposite gender, that is, flirting with no intention of starting a relationship with others.


I'm not a jealous type.  But if I get married someday and my spouse starts flirting with others, I would not be a happy person.  If I were married, I would never flirt with other women in front of my wife or behind her back.


And I would expect the same from my wife.


To me, "innocent" flirting is unfair and inappropriate for those who are married.  I don't see what the purpose of "innocent" flirting with others when your married is anyway.

Why Moving From Rhode Island To Maine As A Kid Wasn't Difficult For Me

When I was growing up, I knew lots of other children who had to move from one town or state to another because their parents decided to move.  And many of these kids had a hard time with adjusting to moving from an area they liked to a new place.


However, when my parents decided to move from Rhode Island, United States to Maine, United States when I was 11 years old, it wasn't hard for me at all.


Why?


Because my parents convinced me that Rhode Island was just about the worst place in the country, and that Maine was the greatest state in America.


And believe me, it worked!  I'm glad my parents did what they did.


So if you have one or more children and you want to move out of town, doing what my parents did with me may very well make the major adjustment of relocating a lot easier on your young ones.

Trauma Victims Aren't The Ones At Fault

When I decided to get help for depression as well as other psychiatric issues back in 2000, I knew that some people who've been victimized, such as victims of rape, assault, etc. blamed what happened to them on themselves.  However, I didn't realize that so many victims blamed themselves until I went into group therapy back then.


For years, I've wondered how someone could have something traumatic happen to them caused by their victimizer or victimizers, who did something terrible to them on purpose, yet it's somehow the victims fault?


Sounds strange to me.


Unfortunately, many people in our society in the U.S. think that if one or more victimizers does something terrible to a victim on purpose, that it's partially the victims fault.  And that's part of why so many victims think it's their fault.


But this kind of thinking doesn't make sense to me.  To me it's completely the victimizers fault because they're the ones who decided to do something bad to someone innocent.  They made that choice.  And the victimizer is the criminal, not the victim.

Why Have A Fear Of Flying? I Don't!

Some people are frightened to death over just the thought of flying as a passenger in a plane or jet, even though they say that the chances of getting killed or seriously maimed are higher by being a driver or a passenger in a vehicle on the road.


But many others like myself aren't afraid of flying at all.


So how do folks like me stay calm and unafraid while flying in a jet thirty thousand feet or so above ground?


I don't know about other people.  However, I can speak for myself.


I just tell myself that the chances of getting killed or hurt in a plane accident are lower than getting into an accident in a car, truck, or van.  I'm not afraid of driving a vehicle or being a passenger in a vehicle.  So why should I be afraid of flying when it's even safer than being in a moving vehicle on the highway or on side streets?


This kind of thinking works for me.  And if you have a fear of flying, maybe this type of thinking could work for you as well.

Volunteering At A Nursing Home Isn't Depressing

Many people I know believe that spending time by visiting residents as a volunteer at a nursing home is too depressing and too uncomfortable.


I don't blame those who feel this way.


However, I do not feel that nursing homes are sad places to work as a volunteer.


The thing is, you have to view it at as an opportunity to help people.  And their is nothing sad about that.


Working at a nursing home, either as a paid employee or as a volunteer, isn't for everybody.  I understand that.  But if you look at spending time at a nursing home facility as something that's worthwhile, then you'll likely feel good about helping residents at nursing homes.   After all, putting a smile on a resident's face really can make it all worthwhile.


So if you're reluctant about the idea of volunteering at a nursing home, I say give it a shot.  You just might find it to be anything but depressing.

There's Lots Of People Out There Who Help Others

Years ago, for several months, I volunteered at a soup kitchen as a cook.  I enjoyed cooking there, especially since I had an interest in becoming a chef for a restaurant or hotel someday.


My supervisor, the kitchen manager at the soup kitchen, knew I liked my job there and also knew that I had a desire to become a full-fledged chef one day.


So after volunteering there for a couple of months, she decided to go ahead and write a letter of reference for me for when I were to apply to work as a cook or chef for a restaurant or hotel in the future.  In the letter, she mentioned that although I had a lot to learn about the art of cooking, I worked hard and had a positive attitude.


But as nice as it was for her to write the letter of reference, it was even nicer because I never asked her to write the letter of reference.  Instead, she just went ahead and did it.  That was nice on her part.  And it showed that she really cared about people like myself and enjoyed helping others.


So yes, there are folks out there, like this lady, who really do care.  We should all remember that.

Please Keep Your Dog(s) On A Leash

Do you own a dog and want to help people in your neighborhood?  Here's how: keep your dog(s) on a leash.


In the town I live in, we have laws that clearly state that all dogs that are outside in their owners yards must have a leash on them in order to keep other citizens safe, to keep other people from getting bit by a dog.


However, not all dog owners abide by these laws.


First of all, if your walking in a neighborhood and one or more large dogs comes up to you, dogs you've never seen before and aren't familiar with, it can be rather intimidating and nerve wracking - even if the dogs are friendly.  The  thing is, you're not going to know if these dogs are friendly or mean if you've just met them for the first time.


Sometimes a dog will come up to you in which you feel threatened, and the owner will shout out to you, "Don't worry, he's friendly."


But just because the owner says that is no guarantee that the dog won't bite you or assault you.


A couple of years ago, my dad was walking around his neighborhood to get some exercise.  And a couple of unfamiliar dogs came up to him.  The owner said to my father, "They're friendly!"  Then the next thing my dad knew, one of the dogs bit him, even though they were unprovoked.


So with this all said, if you own one or more dogs, do the rest of us a big, fat, favor and keep your dogs on a leash.  Doing so isn't difficult, and it's the right thing to do.

Find Out If You Can Buy Something Expensive At A Cheaper Rate First

When you're shopping for something expensive, such as a new vehicle, do your homework before purchasing what it is your looking for.  Find out how much it'll cost and do everything you can to get the best deal.


Years ago, a friend of mine bought a brand new truck.  He paid way to much for it.  I asked him why he paid as much as he did when he could've purchased the same truck for less money at another auto dealer.  He told me the reason was because he didn't know that he was paying too much money because he didn't know he could get the same thing for less.


So I asked him, "If you didn't know, then why didn't you find that out before you bought your truck?"


He didn't know what to say.  He realized that I was right.


If you're looking to purchase something expensive, find out about getting what you want at the cheapest price before buying anything.  Not doing so can cost you a ton of money.

Not All People Who Rationalize That They Aren't At Fault Are Trying To Be Difficult

Some people are never wrong about anything.  They'll never admit it when it's their fault.  And that can be frustrating and unfair for the rest of us.


But some individuals who rarely or never admit that they're at fault aren't necessarily trying to be difficult.  Instead, they can't handle the fact that they're in the wrong.


Take a friend of mine as an example.  Years ago at a parking lot, she opened her car door right on this other person's brand new vehicle.  And when the other person got mad at her, my friend rationalized that the whole incident somehow wasn't her fault!


However, she didn't rationalize that it wasn't her fault to be difficult and unfair.  Instead, she rationalized because she couldn't handle the fact that she was at fault and that the other person with the brand new car had good reason to be mad at her.


I'm not saying that it's OK for some people to rationalize that nothing is ever their fault.  But many people who think they're never at fault just can't handle the truth, unfortunately.

Some Who Say They're Realistic Thinkers Aren't

Positive thinking can be a powerful tool in improving your life and making you happier, in general.


However, some people aren't believers in positive thinking.  Instead, they believe in being realistic.  They believe in being realistic thinkers.


In my opinion, being a realistic thinker, in of itself, isn't a bad thing.


But some people, I've noticed, who say they're realistic thinkers aren't.  Instead, they mostly see the bad parts of life.  I myself used to think like that.


To me, if you're going to be a realistic thinker, you must see both the bad in life, the good, and everything in between.  If you mostly see the negatives in your life and in the world, you're being a pessimist, not a realistic thinker.


Life and the world is not all wonderful.  However, it's not all bad either, not even close.

Whether A Job Is Considered Good Or Bad Is A Matter Of Opinion

Many people have strong opinions about what jobs or careers are good and what aren't. 


For example, many feel that working as a Certified Nursing Assistant is a terrible job, a job that doesn't pay well and is bottom of the barrel.


However, I believe that to say that a job is good or not is a matter of opinion. 


I'm not talking about the pay of the job.  I'm just talking about the job itself.


For example, I used to work as a doorman/bellman for a hotel.  And while that's generally not considered a good job, most people think it's better than being a custodian.  However, I also used to be a janitor.  And lots of folks are surprised when I tell them that I actually enjoyed being a custodian more than I did being a doorman/bellman.


That's why I feel that to say a job or career is good or not is a matter of opinion.  Everyone is different when it comes to what they like or dislike about a job or career.  Some individuals have jobs with high social stature that they're very unhappy with.  And their are others who enjoy making a living with a job that isn't considered as good by many others.

High Functioning People Who Are Doing Something With Their Lives

Many people in our society in America have the idea that you're not doing anything with your life unless you have a great career.


However, having a fantastic career in which you make big money and enjoy high social stature isn't realistic for everyone, as some people have physical and/or emotional disabilities that prevent them from having a successful career.


Besides, many individuals do a lot with their life, even if they don't have a career.  Maybe they've raised a family or do charity work in which they're proud of, just to give a couple of examples.


With that said, how do I define doing something with your life?


I think people who do the best they can with what they have are doing something with their lives.


Take someone who doesn't have a disability, but doesn't do much to help him or herself.  Than take someone who does have a disability but does the best he/she can with what they have.


Who of the two are more successful?  Which of these two people are doing something with their lives?


I say it's the person who is disabled who does the best he or she can with what they have.


So if you have a disability, you can still be a high functioning person if you do what you can to help yourself.  And doing what you can is commendable, I think.

Firing An Employee Is Often Hard

As many business owners will tell you, one of the hardest and most awkward parts of being a the boss at your own business is sometimes having to fire one or more of your employees.


If I owned a business and had an employee who didn't work hard and had an attitude problem, it wouldn't be so hard for me to fire that person.


However, if I had an employee who was a nice person, had a good and positive attitude about his or her job, and did the best they could to work hard and do a competent job, but I had to fire that person because he or she just wasn't doing a good job and it was clear that they weren't going to get better at their job...that would be hard for me to fire that person.  If that person was a full time employee, me having to let that individual go would have a big effect on his or her livelihood.  And if that person was supporting a family, having to fire the individual would have a direct impact on his or her family as well.


So if you're thinking of starting a business in which you'd have employees working under you, you might find that having to fire people every so often is one of the more difficult aspects of being an owner of your business.

Some Facts About The Runner's High

If you're feeling a little blue or depressed, achieving what's called "the runner's high" can make you feel better and happier.


So what is the runner's high?


If you get some physical exercise, such as going out for a run or doing some aerobic exercising, certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) can be boosted, giving you a good feeling emotionally.


According to a psychiatrist who I used to see, the runner's high is subtle.  It won't make you feel super-high.  However, it will make you feel pretty good nonetheless.


This doctor told me that, for most people, doing aerobic exercises, jogging, running, or just going out for a walk around your neighborhood will give you the runner's high after about ten minutes or so.


You can also get the runner's high via heavy weight lifting.  However, you're more likely to get the high with aerobic exercise, running, walking, or jogging because by doing that you're body is moving around more than it does with weight lifting.


Also, while you're exercising, you're more likely to get the runner's high by combining the exercise with positive thinking.


So if you want to feel a little better, try to achieve the runner's high.  Hey, it often works for me.

Just Enjoy Watching Sports

For many years, I've watched my favorite sports teams, such as the New England Patriots, and have enjoyed rooting for them, hoping for them to win games and championships.


And I've watched my favorite teams struggle through the losing seasons as well.


However, as much as I dislike seeing these teams I root for lose, I'm not a fanatical fan who thinks it's the end of the world to have my favorite teams lose.  Also, seeing teams I like win, as fun as that is, doesn't make my life any better.


Yet some other fans think it's somehow the end of the world and think it's so terrible for their favorite teams to lose.


To me, if a big part of your happiness relies on seeing your team or teams win, then maybe it's time to look at your priorities.  I mean, if your teams win, is it going to really make your life a lot better?


If you think so, then it's time to get a life, I think.


I say just have fun watching your favorite sports teams!  It's only a game, after all.

The Good Old Days Were Better?

Many older people talk about the good old days.  They often chat about how and why things were better back then, in their minds.


Sure their were certain things that were better back then.  But many folks conveniently fail to mention about the things that were, back in the old days, worse then they are now.


I realize that today's world is far from perfect.  However, back in the good old days, our world went through two world wars, count them, two!  Women and minorities had less rights and were generally treated worse than they are now.  And the stigma against mental illness in America was also worse than it is now.


It's OK for the elderly to remember how things were back in the day, as long as they remember how it was compared to now honestly.

Sooner Or Later, Bullies Mess With The Wrong Person

Some kids in elementary and high school enjoy bullying other students.  They think they're being tough and being a big shot by taking advantage of youngsters who are physically smaller and weaker than they are.


However, what bullies should realize is that if they go around messing with others, sooner or later they'll mess with the wrong person and get beat up as a result.


The thing is, some individuals are physically stronger than they appear.  And some people, even physically smaller folks, are quite good at fighting, especially if they've been trained how to fight by martial artists. 


If you're a bully, you often don't know who you're messing with.  No matter how big, strong, and tough you are, their is always somebody else that can beat you up.


Hence, if you're a bully, do yourself and the rest of us a favor and cool it!

Getting A Song That's Stuck In Your Head Out

Who hasn't been annoyed with having a song that gets stuck inside their mind that they just can't get out of their head?  Who hasn't had a time when a song gets played in their heads over and over?


And as anyone will tell you, it's even more irritating when it's a song that you don't really like, or just plain old hate.


So what can you do about it the next time this happens to you?


One way is to try to think of another song, preferably one you enjoy.


However, while this works sometimes, it doesn't always get the job done.


If this doesn't work, try turning on a radio or stereo system.  Put on your favorite radio station.  Or pop in a CD with music on it that you really like.


From there, listen to a song or two until it drives the original song that you couldn't get out of your mind.


Doing this usually does the trick for me.

Why Not Become A Positive Thinker?

In general, people who practice positive thinking are happier than people who are typically pessimistic.


So with that said, what's the point in not being a positive thinker?


Positive thinking is not a cure-all.  And positive thinking by itself cannot overcome serious clinical depression.


However, it is one of the components to overcoming mental illness.  And it can help prevent individuals from ending up with clinical depression in the first place.


You only live once.  So giving up on negative thinking and becoming, in general, a positive thinker is a good idea.


And if you're already a positive thinker, continuing to see the bright side of things and of life is a good habit to keep.

You'll Be In Over Your Head If You Try To Play Psychotherapist

Many people have friends or family who struggle with mental health issues, such as depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Bi-Polar disorder, just to name a few.  And lots of people with these types of issues find it to be therapeutic to express how they feel to others, such as yourself.


However, while being a good listener can help them, you have to realize not to get in over your head while trying to help people with mental illness.


You have to realize that if you try to give too much advice, if you try to play psychotherapist, it can actually make matters worse, as you have to be educated enough to know that you're not educated enough to play therapist (unless you actually are one, of course).


For example, if you're trying to help someone with an eating disorder, you have to know what to say and when to say it.  So if you're not highly trained and experienced like good therapists are, you could actually make things worse for them.


I'm not saying that you should never give advice to someone with mental illness who you're trying to help.  But know your limits.  Trying to play therapist should be left up to those who actually are therapists.

When A Doctor Won't Tell You What The Possible Side Effects Of A New Medication Being To Prescribed To You Are

Some medical doctors are more knowledgeable and competent than others.  And some divulge more information than others if you ask them medical questions.


However, any doctor should be able to give you at least some information if he or she decides to prescribe you medications, such as possible side effects, and what the risks and benefits are of the medication(s) you're being prescribed.


Years ago, I saw a medical doctor who, when he'd prescribed me a medication, wouldn't tell me hardly any of the potential side effects of the medication he was prescribing me.  I'd ask him what some of the side effects were, and he'd say "The medication may make you sleepy."  From there, I'd ask him about what else their were for possible side effects.  He'd then say, "The pharmacist will give you more information."


It's impossible for even the best medical doctors to be able to remember every possible side effect to every single medication.  It would be information overload.  But this guy wouldn't tell me anything.  It's like he was hiding information from me that I had the right to now.


If you go on a new medication, the doctor should be able at least some of the possible side effects of the pills you're taking and how much chance their are of the medication causing these potential side effects.  If the doctor won't say, tell him or her that you want to know what it is you want to know.


It's your body and your health, after all.

Are Volunteers True Heroes?

To me, a hero is someone who risks his or her life to save others.


And that's what volunteer firefighters do.  They have my respect, especially since many firefighters I know say that they don't get much thanks from others in the community.  If firefighters aren't heroes, I don't know who is.


However, are those who volunteer at soup kitchens, nursing homes, and food pantries heroes as well?


Since I think true heroes are those who risk their lives to save others, no, those who volunteer at nursing homes, soup kitchens, and food pantries aren't heroes.


But they still get my respect since they try to contribute to the community and try to help those in the community who really need to be helped by others who volunteer their time and efforts.

You Have No Chance At Winning The Lottery

When I was in my early 20's, I purchased a few lottery tickets, hoping that the extremely remote chance of me winning millions of dollars would occur.


Hey, I had the right to dream.


However, after just a short while, after buying just a few lottery tickets, I gave up on the dream.  And that was good considering that I wasn't excited about my chances of becoming a millionaire in the first place.  I knew better.


But there are many others who keep purchasing lottery tickets over the long term.  They point out that they'll never have a chance at winning the lottery if they never actually play the lottery.


They're right.


However, what some don't realize that you also have no chance of winning the lottery if you do play.


I mean, the chances of winning it big are like one in a ga-zillion!


There's nothing wrong with play the lottery sometimes since it can be fun and harmless to play.  But I'd still rather spend my money on other things.

Men Who Beat Up Their Wives/Girlfriends Should Try Messing With Someone Their Own Size

Many men treat women with respect and class.


Unfortunately, some men don't.  And some of these guys elect to treat their wife or girlfriend in a physically abusive manner.  Some of these men have hot tempers and decide to take their frustrations out on their significant other.


Then, to make matters worse, they blame their abusive behavior on the female that they like to bully.  Furthermore, they claim that they can't control their anger and can't control their desire to hit their wife/girlfriend.


A lot of these types of men end up having to go into therapy, rationalizing that they can't control their abusive ways.  Then the therapist will ask them, "If your wife/girlfriend was a cop, would you still hit her?" Or "If your wife were a martial artist, and you knew that if you tried to hit her than she'd beat you to a pulp, you'd you still hit her?"


One of my professors in college, a therapist, told me that asking these men these questions usually gets them to realize that they can control their physically abusive outbursts.


In my opinion, you can't always control how angry you feel.  However, you can control how you react to it.


So to all men who physically assault women on a regular basis, why not try messing with someone your own size and physical strength?  Hitting your wife or girlfriend isn't brave by any means, is it?

Chasing Tornadoes Isn't For Everyone

Some people are thrill seekers.  It's how they feel so alive emotionally.  It's a big part of what they live for.


As for myself, I've thought about participating in thrill seeking activities, such as skydiving, for example.


However, I've given up on the idea of chasing tornadoes in the areas of the United States which have the highest rates of tornadoes, such as the Mid-West.


For one thing, if I spend good money to travel there, there is no guarantee that I'd experience a tornado or two.


The other thing is seeing neighborhoods and towns being destroyed would be too upsetting for me.  Seeing the pain tornado victims go through, such as losing their homes and even losing loved ones would take away the excitement for me.  It would be traumatic for me as well.


If you want to try to experience tornadoes, don't let me stop you.  But it's not for me.