Jonathan Jordan, Esq. Part 3

Gypsy and I arrived at the next vet check at about the 93 mile marker with no Jonathan in view. I told the veterinarian that Jonathan hadn’t caught up. He arranged a search party and left looking for him. Shortly thereafter, somehow Jonathan arrived. Again, we partnered up, completed the event, coming in first place. Looking back, I remember being worried about Jonathan and wondered what I would tell Tara about him being lost. Jonathan, I miss your humor.

About six years ago, Jonathan had radiation and drug treatment for his cancer condition. He lost a lot of weight that never came back. That treatment was just awful. I remember visiting him during recovery, as we went out for a trail run. With his cancer in remission, I looked forward to our phone conversations and visits. He was the type of friend that asked how you were feeling; a person you would confide in and expect his utmost attention and feedback. With open communication, it’s easy to develop that special loving bond between males. There was only one Jonathan. I miss you and am angry that you passed. However, Jonathan, you are alive in my mind, and I have so many fond memories of you, dear friend.

PS

 Jonathan, all you had to do was tell me that you did not want to run next year’s 50 K. Okay, I’ll run it with Ethan and Elijah

Jonathan Jordan, Esq. Part 2

Jonathan was a great storyteller, well read, with a larger-than-life, outgoing extrovert personality. He was humorous, serious and knowledgeable about numerous life events. He had a number of sayings such as “well, my daddy would say…. .” His daddy was an attorney who practiced in a small Georgia town. Jonathan and his brothers were athletes and excelled in playing basketball. Jonathan played college basketball; attended law school in California; and was a defense attorney in San Diego. Jonathan, I miss your friendship.

 In addition to being my friend, my running compadre, Jonathan was also my 100 mile Swanton Pacific Ride and Tie partner in 2008 with my equine Gypsy. In that event, we were in the lead, arriving at the vet check at the Butano Airstrip at the 50 mile marker. At about 85 miles, we passed Steve Anderson who was helping out by running a mini aid station. It was pitch dark and the thick ocean fog rolled in. At one point Jonathan said he needed to go to the bathroom so I continued ahead with Gypsy.

To Be Continued

Jonathan Jordan, Esq.

Last Sunday, after my trail run, Linda greeted me, “I have some bad news; Jonathan died.” I looked at her in disbelief. How could my dear friend have died? Jonathan was trail running at Horse Thief Canyon with Elijah Saturday. Elijah being faster, took off ahead of his father. He stopped after some distance, turned around, calling to his father, while running back in the direction of Jonathan. He finally came upon Jonathan who was propped up against a tree, only too late.

The last time I saw Jonathan, Elijah, and his two other high school aged boys. Ethan and Atticus were last February. Atticus was a designated driver as he dropped us off at the start of the Salmon Falls 50 K. I miss you Jonathan.

I first met the tall, good-looking, charming Jonathan with a southern drawl dressed in a cowboy hat, T-shirt and sweats at the Quicksilver Ride and Tie, about 16 or 17 years ago. We struck up a conversation at the event, and quickly became friends. Whenever I would compete in a ride and tie in the San Diego area, Linda and I stayed with Jonathan, his wife Tara and the three boys. Reciprocally, whenever Jonathan or his family came to our area, they stayed with Linda and me. In fact, for the last 12 or 13 years, Jonathan came up to run either the Cool 50 K or the Salmon Falls 50 K.

To Be  Continued

There Are No Do Overs Part 3

Economics was another subject mentioned during the game. Although everyone is retired from their primary occupation or profession, one individual continues to make money. Some commentary: “How does Musk continue to generate income even though his Tesla Motor Company loses money each year? “ “Warren Buffett is not a genius as he only invests in standard safe companies; and he stays away from the dot-com’s because he doesn’t understand them.” “Steve Ballmer has billions and realizes that he can’t spend all his money, so he is giving money away.” Warren Hellman during his 20s, ran Lehman Brothers. Warren, was one of four individuals that completed a 100 mile ride and tie, 100 mile Tevis equine race and the 100 mile Western States endurance run. These three events were one day competitions. He founded the Bluegrass Festival in San Francisco and donated money after his death, to run that Festival for 15 more years. Warren came to the ride and tie events in wrinkled clothing. He never talked about money and at times you would think he was homeless.

Yes, economics is important, but it is just a commodity or a vehicle for exchange. Well-being or life satisfaction is complicated. Yes, Orman and winners of the Swedish lottery, and our Monday night football group have economics in play. Money is important in our economy. However, it’s not one of our basic psychological needs, even though some pursue it in an attempt to gratify some unconscious or conscious deficit. Accumulating more and more dollars does not seem to satisfy or fulfill that desire, or fill up what’s missing. In fact, Gates, Buffett, Ballmer, Bezos, Hellman and others give it away. What about Larry Ellison? How much does he donate?  Ellison owns two military jets. Is that his Second Amendment right?

Having an automatic weapon and an organized militia were also discussed on MNF. Everyone in the group has guns. In fact, one of us killed a rattlesnake, on his property, with his rifle.

 Health, relationships, meaning in life, acknowledging death and reaching a state of integrity are important conditions regarding evaluating life fulfillment. Answering and responding to a survey provide limited information at best. Further, one does not always tell the truth in a survey. In order to tell the story, an in-depth interview provides more significant wisdom into one’s story. Asking someone if they’re happy or fulfilled is scratching the surface. Plus, I don’t know of any 40-year-old that desires to trade places with a 70-year-old. But likely, more 70-year-olds would like to be 40 again.

PS

Yes, I remember the final score of the game.

There Are No Do Overs Part 2

Eric H Erikson addressed critical stages with psychological crises for the young and the old. Briefly, the tasks of the younger generation or the bottom of the U-shaped had to do with developing and achieving intimacy. Therefore, the significance of a union, based on mutual trust, so that one achieved the ability to regulate the cycles of work, procreation and recreation were paramount. Also significant, was the ability to be invested in guiding the next generation. Can both Erikson and the U shaped idea both be accurate? As far as the last stage of development, or the top of the U, the question has to do with developing or achieving ego integrity. In this stage, the ability to accept one’s life; and to defend the dignity of one’s life cycle against all physical and economical threats while approaching the end; and accepting the fact that we have only one lifecycle. In other words, there are no do overs. Once the train leaves the station, it’s gone.

Although not a research study, but instead our Monday Night Football group is an example of male bonding. We watched last Monday’s game between the Chicago Bears and the Seattle Seahawks. This glimpse provided some insight into those individuals 65 years of age and older per topics discussed. One topic had to do with race. For example, we viewed a game played by predominately black millionaires that are under contract to white billionaire owners. Yes, it is a game that is played by elementary and secondary school children. Some were critical and put down a player’s ability during a playing mistake. The zebra liked officials were also criticized on certain penalties rendered. On the subject of education, one individual stated that all kids couldn’t be saved and we should focus on those that could be saved.

Talk was also political. Depending upon the party affiliation, an individual was talked about many times as either being good or bad. Hillary was called the worst candidate put forth by the Democrats, in part, because of her lack of being elected to any public office. It was stated that she couldn’t even beat Obama, at the time, who also had a limited political resume. It was stated that Trump was a criminal, and a reply: “what did he ever steal from you?” Reason, facts and rational judgment were only in the eye of the beholder. Emotions permeated the discussion. No one’s beliefs or thoughts were changed, regardless of the facts.

To Be Continued

There Are No Do Overs

 Where does this title grab you?  “The Surprising Joy of Old Age” was found in the September 17, 2018 edition of Time. In the article, a number of studies were referenced. In one, a group of 30-year-olds were compared to 70-year-old’s as to their happiness. Were the 70 -year-olds defined by sorrow, dread, or regret? Or, were they defined by peace, gratitude, and fulfillment? According to the study, 70-year-olds were happier than 30-year-olds. Another author claimed that there is a U-shaped course in life. The happiest times are in childhood and old age, while the unhappiest were in their 40’s and 50’s. Further, it was stated that this U shaped phenomena runs across nations, cultures and incomes levels. According to one author, older people have more ability to normalize crises and realize that they will survive them.  One other study compared successful CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, aged 50 to 70, to younger people on tests of reasoning and processing speed. Not surprising, the younger people scored better. However, the CEOs were running huge, stable and profitable companies. Further, the article indicated that death is inevitable and that so many of us may reach that end smarter, and even smiling. Really, it doesn’t fit my limited experience.

A second article, this time, in the New York Times, dated August 26, 2018, was titled “Winning the Lottery Beats Losing, A Study Finds.” In this article, a study of lottery winners in the Swedish lottery were compared. They found that lottery winners on measures of “well-being “and “life satisfaction” differed. Responses to a question asking about happiness however, showed less of a connection to the amount of lottery winnings. On the other hand, life satisfaction as measured by taking fewer mental health prescription drugs were found with lottery winners. Come on, what about other prescription medications? These researchers and other studies found that money increased life satisfaction scores when they compared those that had greater winnings on the lottery than to those that had less lottery winnings. Winning the Swedish Lottery might increase your life satisfaction?

Suze Orman’s “New Rules of Retirement,” found in the August/September 2018 edition of AARP listed 7 guidelines. Number 1 was “Embrace Your Age” while 5, of course, of the next 6 had to do with economics.

To Be Continued

Thank You Mom Part 3

Seems to me that the task of optimum proper mothering requires a stable, reliable, trustworthy mother figure. What is the percentage of mothers that can bring these personality traits to the table? What if mothers themselves have been mothered with a terrible model so they themselves have not developed basic trust, and then how can they be expected to provide the necessary and important mothering techniques for their infant? It is clear that the amount of trust derived from earliest infantile experience does not seem to depend on absolute quantities of food or demonstrations of” love,” but rather on the quality of the maternal relationship.

Additionally, many unions between men and women fail, as evidenced by the high divorce rate. We know that individuals often marry for the wrong reasons. In a failed or troubled union, becoming pregnant and having a child does not provide the fix or solution. It’s no wonder that so many of our children, through no fault of their own, start out with at least two strikes based on ineffective mothering.

Two psychodynamic defense mechanisms during this critical developmental stage include projection and introjection. In introjection, we experience and act as if an outer goodness has become an inner certainty or an outer “badness” has become an inner certainty. While in projection, we experience an inner harm as an outer one. As a result, we can endow significant people with an evil that is actually within us. With this being the case, the use of reason and rationality is compromised. In other words, crises pertaining to love, trust and faith can characterize irrational attitudes toward adversaries and enemies in many “normal” individuals. Unfortunately, there are many who profess faith, yet express mistrust in life and in man.   The diagnosis of depression is one outcome. Yes, mistrust is all too common in our society.

Thank You Mom Part 2

When the infant learns to anticipate help, he becomes quiet when he hears and sees preparations being made to feed him, even though nothing has entered his hungry mouth. The expectation or anticipation of the reduction and satisfaction of the tension of the inner needs becomes associated with the mother or familiar figure. If under favorable circumstance when this occurs, the infant can develop a sense of social trust [being all right, inner certainty and predictable goodness, sense of personal trustworthiness]. The Infant, not only begins to trust another, but begins to trust oneself as well. However, if maternal techniques or responses have failed, forms of discomfort and people associated with them surface. Behaviors such as discomfort or tension of his bowels; unwillingness to let the mother out of sight without undue anxiety ; perhaps biting or unease during feeding; or interference with the depth of his sleep  suggest infant  problems.. If and when this occurs, a sense of distrust is developed [having been deprived, having been divided, and having been abandoned] .Now we have a disruption of mutuality between mother and child. The perception, and imagery that help is on its way is necessary and critical for trust to develop. If not, we have the beginnings of anger, frustration coupled with a perception of a “bad” non-loving or non- giving mother .Further,  a sense of worthlessness, inferiority, and inadequacy follow.

On the other hand, if the mother is too overzealous or overprotective in her behavior, the child may not be able to learn or develop that anticipation or the expectation that assistance is on its way. Some frustration is necessary for optimal development with the key word being “some.” If the mother is too nonresponsive or neglectful with her child, again, the child may not be able to learn, develop, anticipate or expect that assistance is on its way. Too much ignoring or frustration is not good and once again a perception of “bad” mother develops. If so, infant behaviors of  sucking, watching, searching, fingering, babbling, playing, and imagining may not work for the specific satisfaction of some pressing need.

To Be Continued

Thank You Mom

The importance of proper mothering, of the   infant, in the development of personality has been well established. The infants first two years are identified as a critical period because this is a crucial stage for personality development. The infant, in this stage of development, is likely to develop a sense of trust or a sense of mistrust per Eric H Erickson. That outcome, in this stage, plays a major role for later development.

Initially, or in the early weeks of life, the child suffers from identifiable stress that comes from hunger, pain, discomfort, loud noise or rough handling. As a result, the child, in an attempt to relieve the tension or stress, can be seen as crying, or exhibiting some form of hyperactivity. Crying or hyperactivity are the only mechanisms available for the infant to express its painful tensions as talking or locomotion releases  are not yet established. This painful tension is referred to as primary anxiety.

How can a mother or anyone else be on hand to always anticipate the infant’s needs, since these needs cannot always be known? It is inevitable that the infant is repeatedly overwhelmed by the stress or primary anxiety of his needs, which he himself is powerless to satisfy. There are old wives tales regarding allowing or not allowing the child to cry during this painful period. However, there is no authoritarian external source or cookbook that has the right absolute answer for this maternal behavior.

The infant’s developmental task is to gain some control over the many uncontrollable tensions; so they become less intolerable; or so that a little delay in satisfying them becomes less of a disaster. In other words, as time goes on, the demand for the immediate satisfactions of these tensions becomes more manageable and becomes less imperious as the result of proper maternal intervention.

To Be Continued

Fear Part 3

Another example of fear common to highly competitive individuals is called the fear of failure. The fear of failure has motivational qualities in which the individual attempts to avoid the failure. Personally, years ago it was about six weeks prior to the 100 mile Western States trail run, when I developed an overuse injury. I was running with Tony, Tom and others on our usual Wednesday night run. I was showing off by keeping pace with my younger friends. I was scheduled to run a 50 mile trail run with my friend Bob on the coming Saturday. The injury was a setback. Instead of getting proper rest and smart rehabilitation, my logical and rational thinking got hijacked by my emotions. Foolishly, I thought that I still had to train hard, after just two weeks of minor rest and rehabilitation. I was irrationally fearful and my clouded thinking believed that I had lost significant muscle memory and muscle strength in that short period of time. That example was neither the first nor the last time that I overcompensated with fear getting in the way. My overcompensation was strictly -based on fear.

On the other hand, the desire, or seeking out of experiences that are consciously or unconsciously feared are called counter phobia per A Psychiatric Glossary. There are numerous examples that one places themselves in a situation that is dangerous and scary. For some, all it takes is for someone to say “you are a scaredy-cat” or “I’ll bet you that you can’t or won’t do that” for that individual to make the leap. In adolescence, with its peer pressure, numerous behavioral examples of fear-based stupidity can be found.

Fear of failure is just one example how we attempt to compensate, overcome and deal with fear and anxiety during our lifetime. Some seek power, control, fame, money, etc. in order to compensate for their underlying fear or fears. It doesn’t matter how much power, control, fame, money, etc. that one accumulates. The fear being internal will always be there because fear is constituted in our brain and is part of our nature.

As far as existential thought, the following ideas are relevant regarding fear: 1. Man is a being that will someday die.2. Man has strong irrational forces within him 3. Man cannot be comforted by religion {sexual abuse}, political {toxic Republican –Democratic divide}, scientific {nuclear bombs} or other illusions.4.Man, by living with these realities, finds life difficult and coupled with anxiety and dread.

Existential philosophy foreshadowed the Human Potential Movement with more current ideas pertaining to self-actualization, well being, and happiness. Thank you Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger and Sartre for insights regarding human motivation. You influenced my thinking.

 On the bright side, keep moving, build muscle, and eat healthy to reduce the fear of aging.

Fear Part 2

Homo sapiens created religion and government in order to control the social order. Man has been perceived as being intrinsically good, as well as evil because of his weak will, evil spirits, ignorance and corruption within the society. Insightful philosophers Machiavelli in the 16^th century and Hobbes in the 17^th century came to the conclusion that the population at large could be manipulated through fear. Are they right?

Politically, our leaders have employed fear throughout the ages. Our most recent presidential election had slogans like “make America great,” build the wall, restrict immigration, tear up that Iran nuclear deal, etc.  These slogans all have underpinnings of fear. Repeat the slogans over and over and eventually it works.

Turning to individual pathology, there are a number of disorders that illustrate the negative dynamics of fear and anxiety. A few of the anxiety disorders include: 1. Agoraphobia-avoidance of certain situations and/or being alone in public places. 2. Social Phobia-avoidance of certain social situation like public speaking. 3. Simple Phobia-persistent irrational fear of a compelling desire to avoid an object or situation other than being alone. 4. Panic Disorder-physical disorder 5. Generalized Anxiety Disorder-generalized persistence anxiety 6. Obsessional Compulsive Disorder-excessive brooding, rumination or preoccupation. 7 Posttraumatic Stress Disorder-existence of recognizable stressor that would provoke significant symptoms of distress in almost anyone per Diagnostic Criteria from DSM.

To Be Continued

Fear

Trail running has many advantages aside from the natural health benefits. For example, when I run with my Border collie Sherry, I often, in my mind, outline my ideas for a post. On this particular 10 mile trail run, the subject of fear came to mind.

Homo sapiens have been around for about 70,000 years and our biological beginnings have not changed. We are born helpless, dependent, and fragile. We cannot exist independently. We can’t speak; grasp things with our hands; have indiscriminate vision; have no muscle mass; are unable to locomote; nor able to use our prefrontal cortex effectively. We are unable to protect ourselves from heat or cold. Essentially, we are born fearful, needy and autistic in our early development. We rely on our caretakers. However, in our amygdala, fear is registered. Emotional fear is with us until we pass and that is certain.

Just think, back in the day, of a few natural dangers like wind, fire, rain, cold, heat, and the large meat eating animals looking to satisfy hunger. These elements certainly gave ancient man reasons to be fearful within his environment.  About 70,000 years ago culture started to be formed; and about 12,000 years ago the agricultural revolution began the evolution that resulted in producing more intelligent people.

Man in an attempt to deal more effectively with the hazardous environment, reduced his fear by creating  multiple gods , along with various rituals like sacrificing animals or humans to pacify the angry God’s. Then came the  Greeks who  depicted  numerous  fearful ,powerful  Gods like Apollo - who could be cruel and destructive; Hades  -of the underworld and dead;   Hera –driven by jealousy and vengefulness ; Hermes-he protected livestock ; Poseidon, the goddess  pertaining to floods ,droughts and earthquakes; Ares, the God of war, bloodshed and violence;  Zeus , King of the gods ,weather, thunder, lightning to name a few. The Hebrews followed and simplified the ideas of deity’s and settled on one God. This God was a masculine like father who laid out rules for man’s behavior and could protect this small insignificant tribe.  Man required protection from fellow man. How has that worked out? Now, one can argue that we have become like Gods. We’re in the process of “taming” nature and on our way in polluting and destroying our planet as we know it.

To Be Continued

It's Difficult Being Healthy Part 3

I’m going to take issue with our do-nothing Congress and radio and TV news that seems to focus over and over on presidential tweets, pardons, immunity, impeachment and the most important upcoming election in history. It’s obvious that most of our risk factors for Alzheimer’s, CTE, and dementia relate to personal choice. Personal choice is complicated by our greedy capitalistic food, beverage, pesticide and drug cartels. Congress by severely limiting regulation [thank you, lobbyists], has allowed these industries to flourish and make money at the expense of the population at large. It’s difficult to name many foods that haven’t been genetically modified with ingredients that we have difficulty pronouncing, let alone have any insight to knowing what they mean for us. These industries, with Congressional assistance, have taken advantage of the biological characteristics of man, in that they create highly emotional addictions for the bad and hazardous ingredients that contribute to our ill health. It’s no wonder that three quarters of Americans are either overweight or obese. These industries and its representatives along with the congressional assistance are committing crimes against humanity. They are exploitive man made creations.

Non-healthy individuals have problems with exercise and being active. We all know that physical exertion is difficult, with labored breathing and muscle soreness. However, movement It so very important for our mental and physical health. Forget about antiaging and focus on improved physical and mental health. Electronics or the various apps have not made us any healthier. Keep moving or atrophy. As in the Nike commercial, “Just Do it.”

It’s clear that we require hands on” alternative” government, public school and meaningful corporation intervention to create, regulate, and educate about healthy, nutritious foods and diets; proper dietary supplements; realistic movement and exercise programs.  Having strong thumbs may be good for electronics, but does improve anyone’s health. It takes education and professional modeling or personal tutoring to assist in making the changes as too many people are failing on their own.  Perhaps, radio and TV could do more like public TV in displaying good taste, education with professional input in programing.  We need the Greek Goddess Hygiela, Athena and God Ares now.

It's Difficult Being Healthy Part 2

German psychiatrist Dr. Alois Alzheimer first described the symptoms of this disease in 1907. Alzheimer’s is an irreversible progressive disorder in which brain cells [neurons] deteriorate resulting in loss of cognitive functions. These functions are primarily memory, judgment, reasoning, movement, coordination, and pattern recognition.  In the advanced stages of the disease, all memory and mental functioning may be lost.

A few sobering statistics: 1. 5.7 million in our country are living with Alzheimer’s disease. 2. 14 million in our country are expected to have this disease by 2050. 3. 277 billion $ is the estimated cost in the United States from Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia for 2018. 5. Number of drugs, 5, approved by the FDA to treat symptoms of Alzheimer’s, but not the root cause. The only way I would get on that train, if that was the only train leaving town.

The Time article addressed the Sprint Mind research study that tested whether aggressively lowering blood pressure would have an effect on people’s risk of cognitive decline, including symptoms of dementia related to Alzheimer’s disease. The study involved more than 9,300 elderly people who had heart problems or were at a higher risk of developing heart disease, because they had high blood pressure. For the study, Individuals that lowered their blood pressure to less than 120mm HG, lowered the risk of developing MCI or probable dementia as measured by the various test by 15%, compared to people who lowered their blood pressure to 140 mm HG.

The article pointed out that two drugs BAN2401 and aducanumab are drawing attention for those unlucky. These drugs only address the symptoms and in the best case, slow the deterioration of the nerves. Slow means that your impairment lasts longer.  According to one study in the UK, those with an excessive drinking habit [8 glasses of wine in a week] or those that didn’t drink at all, had a higher risk of dementia than those who drank moderately.

Significant Alzheimer’s risk factors [Institute for Natural Resources] include: 1. Genetics and family history 2.Age and sex 3. High blood pressure 4. Cardiovascular disease 5. Insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome in diabetes 6. Traumatic brain injury 6. Low educational achievement, low mental stimulation and smaller brain size 7. Poor diet-Mediterranean diet lowers risk; toxins, lack of exercise and obesity. 8. Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption 9. Chronic inflammation, hearing loss, low social support 10. Chronic stress, anxiety, depression, and sleep disorder 11. History of caregiving for a family member with dementia.

To Be Continued