Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Sandeep on January 29, 2013 at 7:04am

Thanks a lot sarah. that was very encouraging. 

Permalink Reply by Lewal on January 28, 2013 at 7:16pm

http://8tracks.com/whatsupdoc77/try-not-to-get-too-pumped

Permalink Reply by William Boyd on January 29, 2013 at 11:01pm

"Let go of the uncontrollable things. Focus on the Things that You Can Control in Life."

Indeed.

Sucking it up is pretty much the only choice. Like it or not. May sound a little abrupt and harsh, and it is. But I've never really been one for needing mollycoddled. Having both parents, and one child dead already, I've taken a few hits on the brain. "Stiff upper lip son".

Permalink Reply by Brenda on January 28, 2013 at 6:13pm

Have you tried getting into a meditation practice?  I meditate almost daily (i miss a day here and there) and find it refreshing.  I started with a lying down meditation (on a yoga mat on the floor) to keep back straight but i find it more comfortable.  Then when i do a sitting meditation it's easier on me because of all the practice i've done lying down.

Permalink Reply by Reg The Fronkey Farmer on January 28, 2013 at 6:40pm

Prayer - How to do nothing and still think you are helping.

Permalink Reply by Unseen on January 28, 2013 at 7:58pm

Yeah, it's called "doing something." For example, when I run into someone dealing with depression I have good advice. I went through a 2-year clinical depression about 20 years ago. I tried medication, but it didn't work. What did work, I finally realized, was putting up a fight. For example, if you're depressed about unemployment, get out there and slug away trying to find a job. If you seem to fail time after time, at least you knew it wasn't because you didn't try. If you just give up, the conclusion that you earned your failure will be hard to avoid.

Don't pray. Get out and do something instead.

Theists will point toward the miracle of prayer as they call it, saying it turned this or that person's condition around, and maybe it did, but not because prayer works but because putting up any kind of effort is better than putting up none. Doctors note that people with potentially terminal conditions beat the odds more frequently if they are fighters.

(And I wrote this post before seeing Reg's graphic.)

Permalink Reply by Logicallunatic on January 28, 2013 at 8:13pm

The fact that there is no judging psychopath up in the clouds is enough to give me comfort. We find comfort from each other, from the love of our family and friends and knowing that the bad times will eventually pass. A sort of stoic calm in the face of tragedy does it for me. Therefore non-belief in deities can be liberating and comforting in its own way. 

Permalink Reply by Diane Holcombe on January 28, 2013 at 8:18pm

Pray is reflection / I don't believe it has to be attached to anything. So at times I feel pushed to an edge or stretched beyond capacity and my immediate reaction is to revert to what I was taught year ago as a catholic - I realize that I don't need to pray for the answer or guidance to be given to me or for some divine intervention, instead I pray to myself. I take that quiet moment to remind myself that I can handle what is in front of me- to stay present. That I have the strength of those around me and most importantly I have my own strengths- and the beauty in that truth is its not dependent on anyone else to give anything to me. Being atheist means I do not rely on anything but this moment - I don't feel I'm paying for my past or my future- things are what they are and therefore the weight that comes with so many religious attachments I don't have to carry.
I'm not looking for reasons, excuses or answers. I do want I can, I am responsible for my part.
So my answer to prayer is go ahead and be grateful for yourself pray to yourself in acknowledgment of the amazing being you are and those you are surrounded by- there is nothing preventing you from appreciating what you have or acknowledging what you don't as long as your not expecting someone else to ride in and save you, martyr yourself or place blame.
Reflection is good for us all.

Permalink Reply by jared manley on January 28, 2013 at 8:55pm

 Having urges to pray? This is similar to the smoker who has long since quit but craves one in moments of stress etc.

 So this is the thing about prayer: It releases chemicals in your brain and you get a bit of a fix. This like the smoker having a cigarette after years is basically putting a glove over their emotions. So bad times are the perfect scenario for that. So there is an element of stress, then prayer then the chemical reward. That being said, does it surprise you that one would have an urge to pray during tough times? Not a lot different from the former smoker.

Try jogging, hugging, cuddling, sex, masturbation, have a wrestling match with a brother or at the local gym. Just not all at once.  Try to give your body what it wants (chemicals) and replace the habit of prayer -the association of prayer with something secular.

 Take care.

Permalink Reply by Luis Veras on January 29, 2013 at 4:24am

Am I the only one creeped out by the fact you suggested sex, masturbation and cuddling along with wrestling with a brother in the same sentence? ;-)

Permalink Reply by jared manley on January 29, 2013 at 10:13am

I hope not.

Permalink Reply by Strega on January 29, 2013 at 11:58am

Yes but it's OK as long as you don't smoke afterwards...

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