Daily Thoughts & Issues

IN THIS ISSUE:

NOVEMBER 1

Days left until the next millennium 01.01.3001

Photo of the Week
Phil DeRiemer/Adventure Photo & Film
Achieve Your Dreams

November 1 - All Saints Day - Christian day for remembering all the virtuous dead. * Mid-Autumn/Day of the Dead/Hallowmas Festival marking the transformation of life to death--the end of the agricultural year, departure of migrating and hibernating animals, and decay and death of vegetal and animal life. Observed by remembering departed ancestors and contemplating one's own mortality. * World Community Day-Day for celebrating the unity behind diversity and remembering we are all one people -- all children of the one universal Deity of many names and aspects. Today through November 4, Diwali/Lunar New Year/Festival of Lights-Hindu festival for Goddess Lakshmi (source of health, fertility, and prosperity) and Her consort, God Vishnu (the preserver); focus is on peacemaking and new beginnings. The Mystic's Wheel of the Year * On this day in 1950, two Puerto Rican nationalists attempt to assassinate President Truman in Washington. * This is International Impotency Awareness Month. * Independence Day in Algeria, Antigua & Barbuda. * St. Marcel's Day - in the fifth century Marcel was invoked to ward off vampires. To change a man, who had been turned into a wolf, back into a man again, was called Lycanthropia. 1881. Forgotten English Now it's called the "men's movement." * 11/8 is Election Day. Vote Absentee Ballot every year. * Birthdays: Stephen Crane, Larry Claxton Flynt, James Jackson Kilpatrick, Lyle Lovett, Gary Jim Player, Fernando Anguamea Valenzuela.

DAILY THOUGHTS

When it comes down to it, you have only your intuition to guide your actions. And you never know the outcome until you act. Achieve Your Dreams

Things to Be Happy About: A vital link. Ice cream without guilt. An enormous white moon.  14,000 Things to Be Happy About

If you have bunk beds, you might as well sleep on top. Really Important Stuff My Kids Have Taught Me

Bill suffered from a lack of self-esteem and never felt that he deserved the best of anything, and as a result, he always settled for "good enough."  Bill traced this belief back to his childhood in Brazil, in which he was always treated as inferior to his older sister: Bill's mother introduced him as "the second child", which created a belief in Bill's mind that he would always be second best. Bill needed to release this belief so that he could enable himself to make appropriate and deserved demands in his adult life. If Life is a Game, These are the Rules

In effective personal leadership, visualization and affirmation techniques emerge naturally out of a foundation of well-thought-through purposes and principles that become the center of a person's life. They are extremely powerful in rescripting and reprogramming - writing deeply committed purposes and principles into one's heart and mind. Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

By the time your kids are seven or eight, you can show them where the vacuum cleaner is and how to use it. Put vacuuming their rooms on the chores list - but teach them to pick up their LEGOs before they turn on the vacuum cleaner. Simplify Your Life

Do those chores that pile up because you tend to put them off while watching a favorite TV show or movie. The task will seem less unpleasant when coupled with a more enjoyable diversion.  Stress Busters

Lend out books from your own library! Assign each book a number. Write the numbers on blank stickers and put them onto books. I list my books and write the sticker number next to each title. To lend a book, I write the friend's name and the book number on another list, to keep track. To Do Today

The only thing that stands between a man and what he wants from life is often merely the will to try it and the faith to believe that it is possible. - Richard M. DeVos  Win the Day!

The best was standing up, bent over a park bench. - Judy, 23. Best of 1001 Sex Secrets Every Man & Woman Should Know

In 1978, California became the first state in the nation to have a statewide gay-rights ballot measure when state senator John Briggs introduced Proposition 6. It would have banned lesbians, gays, and their supporters from teaching in public schools. Can you name the politician who was an unlikely opponent of the measure?  See answer below. Gay & Lesbian Calendar

La Marioneta (mahreeohNEHtah)  Puppet. El presidente no es mas que una marioneta. The president is no more than a puppet. Living Language

Minimizing Naptime Battles. Establish some type of predictable prenap routine. You can let your child choose a restful activity, like reading a book, but set firm time limits. Make the routine positive and pleasurable, with lots of cuddling and pleasant talk, so your child looks forward to it. Sometimes, even after you've performed this prenap ritual, your child will have separation fears and not want you to leave. Try giving him a special toy or blanket to hold as he drifts off to sleep. Parents Tips & Tricks

Answer: Ronald Reagan, then governor of California, who stated, "Whatever else it is, homosexuality is not a contagious disease like measles."  The measure did not pass.

TODAY'S ISSUE: IMPOTENCY

The penis is a vascular organ which requires exercise. A healthy male will normally experience 3 to 4 erections during their sleep which may last a hour or more each. They are a normal body function whose purpose is to oxygenate the penile erectile tissue. Its inability to achieve and maintain an erection suitable for vaginal intercourse is called "male erectile dysfunction" (ED) or impotency, for short. Impotency affects over 30 million men and their partners. To some men impotency is a symbol of the loss of their manhood, and can be critical to a man’s ego and self-image. And often, because of this, some men are afraid to seek help. And, often when he does, the physician feels uncomfortable or is unable to help because many aren’t aware of the options. If the truth were known, however, virtually 100% of impotency problems can be successfully diagnosed and treated, whether physical or emotional, unless there is permanent injury or severance of the nerves and or vascular supply necessary in the erectile process.

The appropriate treatment for impotence depends upon whether the cause is physical or psychological. A man whose impotence is psychologically based generally still has erections during sleep, whereas an individual whose impotence is physical in origin usually does to. One easy, inexpensive way to test for nocturnal erections is with postage stamps. Glue a strip of stamps around the shaft of the penis before going to bed. If the ring of stamps is broken in the morning, the cause of the impotence is likely psychological. If the strip is unbroken, the impotence is likely physiological. You can also purchase a kit called Snap Gauge from UroHealth Corporation. This test is designed to detect the measure the rigidity of erections experienced during sleep. Call 800.328.1103 for more information. Condensed information below. Go to www.menstuff.org/issues/byissue/impotency.html for more.

Considerations:

Overall health is linked to impotence. In men 40 to 70, 52% of the men were impotent. Men who were being treated for heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes were one and a half to four times more likely than the overall group to be completely impotent later in life. The situation was even worse for men who had heart disease or hypertension and who smoked.

Alcohol intake decreases the body’s ability to produce testosterone. Drinking alcohol may cause the mormonal equivalent of menopause in men. Alcohol not only affects sexual function, but also helps set the stage for a heart attack and other dangerous conditions.

Arteriosclerosis, which restricts blood supply to the penis and to the nerves that govern sexual arousal, may result in a "failure to perform." If impotence is related to clogged blood vessels, a diet low in fats can actually help reverse the problem.

Men who smoked one pack of cigarettes a day for five years were 15 percent more likely to develop clogging in the arteries that serve the penis, a situation that can cause impotence. In addition, heavy smoking decreases sexual capability by damaging the tiny blood vessels in the penis. The use of marijuana and cocaine also can result in impotence.

According to figures from impotence organizations, only about 5 percent of the estimated 30 million men affected are aware of therapy options.

Circumcised men, it is said, have a much higher rate of impotency than uncircumcised men.

Urologists differ in the types of treatment they recommend for impotence, but many opt first for nonsurgical treatment.

Recommendations:

Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Include in the diet pumpkin seeds, bee pollen, or royal jelly. (Caution: Bee pollen may cause an allergic reaction in some individuals. Start with a small amount, and discontinue use if a rash, wheezing, discomfort or other symptom occurs.)

  • Avoid alcohol, particularly before sexual encounters.
  • Do not consume animal fats, sugar, fried or junk foods.
  • Do not smoke. Avoid being around cigarette smoke.
  • Avoid stress.
  • Consult a urologist for testing to determine whether impotence is caused by an underlying illness that requires treatment.
  • Consider possible psychological factors that may be contributing to impotence, especially repressed anger or a fear of intimacy. Exploring psychological issues with a qualified therapist can help.

If you suspect impotence may be related to a drug you are taking, discuss this with your physician. There may be satisfactory, alternatives that will not cause this problem. Certain blood pressure medications and tranquilizers often cause erectile difficulties. The drugs cimetidine (Tagamet) and ranitidine (Zantac) which are used to treat ulcers and heartburn, also have significant side effects in some men. (Caution: Do not stop taking a prescription drug or change the dosage without consulting your physician.

Investigate the possibility of heavy metal intoxication. A hair analysis can reveal possible heavy metal poisoning.

Keep in mind that sexual function changes with age. As you age, you may require more stimulation and a longer period of time to achieve an erection.

Summary:

This will give you some background on the subject. The important thing to remember is "Don’t wait." The longer you wait, the greater the worry, the more difficult the treatment and recovery, and you’ll miss out on a lot of great evenings in bed, too. So, find a qualified doctor who is knowledgeable of the latest medical therapies. If you need help in locating someone the Impotence Institute of America & Impotence Anonymous can help - 1.800.669.1603. The Institute also offers anonymous groups where men can hear the experiences of other men which usually relates to what they are going through.

NOTE: If you would like information included on any of the above subjects, hyperlinks established to pertinent web sites and e-mails, organizations, clinics, events, books, etc. please send the information to the appropriate e-mail address at Feedback at your earliest convenience. You may want to check the various areas of our website to see if we already have the information and, if so, if it is correct.

Disclaimer - Information is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professional services. Any medical decisions should be made in conjunction with your physician. We will not be liable for any complications, injuries or other medical accidents arising from or in connection with, the use of or reliance upon any information on the web.

Hey Man: Did you make a difference yesterday? Let us know at Contact Us.. Spend one-on-one time with each of your parents. It is crucial to get to know each parent on an individual basis in order to be able to free yourself of the pressure of family triangles. Each time you visit your parents, schedule alone-time with each of them. Talk to them separately on the phone, not in a three-way conversation. What Every Man Needs to Know Want to make a difference but you don't know where to start?

BOOK OF THE WEEK

The Next Ten Minutes: 51 Absurdly Simple Ways to Seize the Moment by Andrew Peterson. The desire to discover meaning in our lives is a powerful motivator for many people. Some turn to psychotherapy and counseling for help, some turn to spiritual teachings, and many turn to both. The book is the guide to help us discover the seeds of transformation and meaning in even the most ordinary routines. Itconsists of a collection of exercises originally created for use in the author's successful counseling practice. Rather than taking readers out of the everyday, he invites them to move more deeply into the familiar tasks of ordinary life, such as turning simple breathing, eating, physical love, or throwing out the trash into meditative exercises that can transform your day. Based on both Buddhist philosophy and proven psychology techniques, these succinct and accessible meditations also offer simple and effective methods for therapeutic counseling and personal growth. The power to seize the day is but a few simple steps away. Atria Books/Beyond Words, 2010, ISBN 1582702748

SPECIAL URLs

 

MENSTUFF COLUMNS BY AUTHOR

  • The Advice Diva - The Advice Diva - relationship and sexuality issues discussed - www.menstuff.org/columns/advicediva/archive.html
  • Peter Alsop - Song of the Month - www.menstuff.org/columns/alsop/archive.html
  • Reid Baer - A Man Overboard - Interview of the Month - www.menstuff.org/columns/overboard/archive.html
  • Reid Baer - Poetry - poetry read on YouTube - www.menstuff.org/columns/baer/archive.html
  • Molly Barrow - Shrink About This - www.menstuff.org/columns/barrow/archive.html
  • Peter Baylies - At Home Dads - on at-home-dad issues that impact fathers who stay at home to raise their kids - www.menstuff.org/columns/baylies/archive.html
  • Tom Blake - Middle-Age Relationships - from an expert on dating after 50. www.menstuff.org/columns/blake/archive.html
  • Mark Brandenburg - Great Fathers - on fathering issues - www.menstuff.org/columns/greatfathers/archive.html
  • Ted Braude - BoysWork - a columnist in the The Detroit Free Press "Body and Mind" section www.menstuff.org/columns/braude/archive.html
  • Armin Brott - A Father's Guide - hosts "Positive Parenting" on radio www.menstuff.org/columns/brott/archive.html
  • Dan Bulf - Get Real - weekly pod cast on men's issues - www.menstuff.org/columns/bulf/archive.html
  • Ken Byers - Transition - on men's life transitions - www.menstuff.org/columns/byers/archive.html
  • Sandra L. Caron - Sex Talk - college students get answers to their questions - www.menstuff.org/columns/sextalk/archive.html
  • Neil Chethik - Relationships - www.menstuff.org/columns/chethik/archive.html
  • Otto & Susie Collins - Susie and Otto - relationship issues discussed - www.menstuff.org/columns/susie&otto/archive.html
  • David Copeland - How to Succeed with Women - www.menstuff.org/columns/howtosucceed/archive.html
  • Forrest Craver - Spirituality & Social Change - www.menstuff.org/columns/craver/archive.html
  • Layne & Paul Cutright - Powerful Partnerships - relationship issues - www.menstuff.org/columns/cutright/archive.html
  • Ron DesMarais - Cavemen in the Kitchen - great recipes for men - www.menstuff.org/columns/desmarais/archive.html
  • Jed Diamond - Irritable Male Syndrome - www.menstuff.org/columns/diamond/archive.html
  • Doc Love - Women Don't Lie, Man Don't Listen - answers to relationship issues - www.menstuff.org/columns/doclov/archive.html
  • Barry Durdant-Hollamby - Creating Change - creating change in your life - www.menstuff.org/columns/durdant/archive.html
  • Irv Engel - The Real Deal - www.menstuff.org/columns/engel/archive.html
  • Nancy Fagan - Expert Dating Advice - with Nancy Fagan - www.menstuf.org/columns/fagan/archive.html
  • Warren Farrell - Men's Issues: Facts and Perspectives www.menstuff.org/columns/farrell/archive.html
  • Leonard Felder - Wake Up or Break Up - www.menstuff.org/columns/felder/archive.html
  • Marty Friedman - Strong Men, Strong Marriage - www.menstuff.org/columns/friedman/archive.html
  • Kim Garretson - Mansgland - using humor to encourage prostate exams - www.menstuff.org/columns/mansgland/archive.html
  • Lion Goodman - How to get Women to Love You - www.menstuff.org/columns/goodman/archive.html
  • Liz Halliday - In a Man's World - www.menstuff.org/columns/halliday/archive.html
  • Rick Hanson - Your Wise Brain - www.menstuff.org/columns/hanson/archive.html
  • Tim Hartnett - Daddyman Speaks - being a father www.menstuff.org/columns/daddyman/archive.html
  • John Hershey - Blood, Phlegm & Bile: Parenting with Humor - He writes a syndicated biweekly humor column about parenting and family life. www.menstuff.org/columns/hershey/archive.html
  • Gary Hoeber - Psychotherapy as Soul Work, www.menstuff.org/columns/hoeber/archive.html
  • Patrick Houser - Fathers Make a World of Difference, www.menstuff.org/columns/houser/archive.html
  • Paul Joannides - The Guide to Getting It On - on sex - www.menstuff.org/columns/getiton/archive.html
  • Jack Kahn - NOMAS Boston - www.menstuff.org/columns/kahn/archive.html
  • Patrick Kennedy - Seniors - www.menstuff.org/columns/kennedy/archive.html
  • Joe Kort - Gaydar - to increase understanding between gay and het men - www.menstuff.org/columns/kort/archive.html
  • David Kundtz - David Kundtz - presents seminars, workshops, retreats, and conference presentations in the areas of men's emotional health, stress management, and spirituality. www.menstuff.org/columns/kundtz/archive.html
  • Bruce Linton - Dr. Dad - on fathering - www.menstuff.org/columns/drdad/archive.html
  • Ron Louis - How to Succeed with Women - www.menstuff.org/columns/howtosucceed/archive.html
  • Tom Matlack - Tom Matlack - Good Men Project - www.menstuff.org/columns/matlack/archive.html
  • Wendy McElroy - Wendy McElroy on Feminism, www.menstuff.org/columns/mcelroy/archive.html
  • Robert N. Minor - Minor Details - on GBT sexuality - www.menstuff.org/columns/minordetails/archive.html
  • Robert L. Moore - Man & Mythology - www.menstuff.org/columns/moore/archive.html
  • Dennis W. Neder - Being a Man - general questions about men's lives - www.menstuff.org/columns/neder/archive.html
  • Marty Nemko - Worklife - general questions about men and work - www.menstuff.org/columns/nemko/archive.html
  • Eli Newberger - Eli Newberger - general information on men's lives - www.menstuff.org/columns/newberger/archive.html
  • Linda Nielsen - Embracing the Father - working with the father/daughter relationship. www.menstuff.org/columns/nielsen/archive.html
  • Kathy Noll - Bullies and Youth Violence - working with schools, teachers and parents to end school violence - www.menstuff.org/columns/noll/archive.html
  • Mark Phillips - Stay-at-Home-Dads - helping men maintain that which makes us men, instead of becoming hairy Mom-substitutes - www.menstuff.org/columns/phillips/archive.html
  • Carey Roberts - Socialism & Feminism - is a social commentator on political correctness. www.menstuff.org/columns/roberts/archive.html
  • Perry Rose - Dating, Relationship, Sex
  • Glenn Sacks - His Side - on fathering - www.menstuff.org/columns/sacks/archive.html
  • Trudy Schuett - Domestic Violence - serving the under-represented www.menstuff.org/columns/schuett/archive.html
  • Carl J. Schutt - Circumcision - social commentator on circumcision - www.menstuff.org/columns/schutt/archive.html
  • Hugo Schwyzer - A Pro-feminist's Response - www.menstuff.org/columns/schwyzer/archive.html
  • Michael Shaffran - Men's Issues - www.menstuff.org/columns/shaffran/archive.html
  • Judith Sherven - Judith & Jim - discussion and answers regarding relationship issues - www.menstuff.org/columns/judith&jim/archive.html
  • Judith Sherven - The New Intimacy - www.menstuff.org/columns/newintimacy/archive.html
  • George Simons - Bellicose Veins - is a US specialist in intercultural and gender communication who hangs out in Mandelieu - la Napoule, France, as well as in Santa Cruz, CA. www.menstuff.org/columns/simons/archive.html
  • Andy Smith - Hard Hat Brotherhood - www.menstuff.org/columns/hardhat/archive.html
  • David B. Smith - Fighting Father Dave - www.menstuff.org/columns/smith/archive.html
  • Jim Sniechowski - Judith & Jim - discussion and answers regarding relationship issues - www.menstuff.org/columns/judith&jim/archive.html
  • Jim Sniechowski - The New Intimacy - www.menstuff.org/columns/newintimacy/archive.html
  • Reena Sommer - Custody - is an internationally recognized relationship and divorce consultant. www.menstuff.org/columns/sommer/archive.html
  • R. Don Steele - Don Steele - relationship questions answered -
    www.menstuff.org/columns/steele/archive.html
  • David Steinberg - Comes Naturally - on sexuality - www.menstuff.org/columns/steinberg/archive.html
  • Mary Lou St Lucas - A Mother's Love - www.menstuf.org/columns/stlucas/archive.html
  • Surprise - Surprise Author - From a new columnist every month - www.menstuff.org/columns/surprise/archive.html
  • Steven Svoboda - Fatherhood, Activism and the Law www.menstuff.org/columns/svoboda/archive.html
  • Michael Taylor - A New Conversation with Men - www.menstuff.org/columns/taylor/archive.html
  • Bruce Van Horn - Yoga for Men - issues around the health benefits of yoga for men - www.menstuff.org/yoga/archive.html
  • Michael Webb - Secrets of Blissful Relationships - on relationship - www.menstuff.org/columns/bliss/archive.html
  • Stuart Wilde - Spirituality - www.menstuff.org/columns/wilde/archive.html
  • Dr.Williams - Sex Health - on sexual health - Dr. Williams, www.menstuff.org/columns/sexhealth/archive.html
  • KC Wilson - On Gender Politics is a social commentator and author. www.menstuff.org/columns/wilson/archive.html

Plus

  • Health Tips - on general health - www.menstuff.org/columns/healthtips/archive.html
  • Independent Means - resources for raising financially fit kids - www.menstuff.org/columns/independentmeans/archive.html
  • Numbers - www.menstuff.org/columns/numbers/archive.html
  • Questions - www.menstuff.org/columns/q&a/archive.html
  • Surprise - from a new columnist every month - www.menstuff.org/columns/surprise/archive.html
  • Words Can Heal - helping children grow up healthy - www.menstuff.org/columns/wordscanheal/archive.html
  • Wuzup?! - National or international events happening this month - www.menstuff.org/columns/whassup/archive.html

AWARENESS EVENTS THIS MONTH

November is International Impotency Awareness Month. We provide background information on this new drug and alternatives to Viagra. Impotency, Viagra and other solutions as well as Books on the subject. National Diabetes Awareness, Lung Cancer Awareness, Native American Heritage, Aviation History, Diabetic Eye Disease, Dummies for Tummies, Epilepsy Awareness, International Drum, *National Adoption, National Alzheimer's Disease, National American Indian Heritage, National Family Caregivers, National Child Safety and Protection, National Life Writing; National Marrow Awareness; National Sleep Comfort; Orphan Disease; Peanut Butter Lovers; Vegan Awareness Month

11/1-12/13:  Merlin's Snug Hugs for Kids, 11/27-12/26: Ramadan. 11/1/00-01/01/01: Tie One on the Safety; 11/4-12/4: Jewish Book Month. 11/26-12/25: Operation Blessing International's 30 Days of Holiday Hope. 11/27-12/26: Ramadan. 11/1-7: Vegan Awareness; World Communication. 11/5-11: Pursuit of Happiness, National Chemistry Week. 11/6-10: Kids' Goals Education Week 11/6-12: Random Acts of Kindness; Shallow Persons Awareness Week 11/8-14: Pursuit of Happiness Week. 11/9-13: Goodwill Annual Used Book Sale. 11/12-18: *American Education; National Geography Awareness, Operating Room Nurse Week. 11/13-19: National Children's Book Week. 11/17-19: National Donor Sabbath. 11/17-23: *National Farm-City Week. 18 -25 November 2000: International Herpes Awareness Week. 11/18 -25 International Herpes Awareness Week 11/19-25:  *National Family; National Family Caregivers; National Game and Puzzle Week. 11/19-26: Bible Week. 11/1-2: Day of the Dead. 11/1 is All Saints Day, National Authors; National Family Literacy. 11/2: US Elecetion Day - Vote Absentee Ballot. All Soul's Day; National Men Make Dinner; 11/3: Culture Day. 11/3-5: Great American Warm-Up; 11/4: Sadie Hawkins; Sweden All Saints. 11/5: Guy Fawkes Day. 11/6: Halfway Point of Autumn. 11/8: Punsters; Abet and Aid Punsters; Cook Something Bold and Pungent; National Young Reader's Day. 11/10: USMC Birthday, Veterans Day (Observed); Lung Cancer Awareness; 11/11: Veterans Day; Remembrance Day; Vox Populi Day. Cook Something Bold Day. 11/12: America Recycles Day. 11/13: World Kindness Day. 11/14: Children's Day (India); National American Teddy Bear; National Community Education Day. 11/15: Gypsy Condemnation Order Anniversary, Shichi-Go-San (Japan); National Educational Support Personnel Day. 11/16: *Great American Smokeout; World Harvest, International Day for Tolerance; 11/17: World Peace Day. 11/19: World's Men's, Have a Bad Day; 11/20: Universal Children's; UN African Industrialization Day. 11/21: UN World Television; World Hello Day. 11/22: National Stop the Violence Day. 11/23: *Thanksgiving Day (US) 11/24: Sinkie Day; Buy Nothing; "What Do You Love about America Day; 11/25: You're Welcomgiving Day. 11/29: UN International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. 11/30: Computer Security; Stay Home Because You're Well Day.

* Means a Presidential Proclamation has been made.

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Men are so competitive that we even "out-die" women in all 15 of the major causes of death in the U.S. Most of these deaths are preventable with a positive change in life-style, eating habits, and/or general health care. Let's not strive so hard to hold on to this record. See what you can change now to live a healthier life.
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