JAMES WATKINS, LLC
CAPE CORAL, FLORIDA

to support this online ministry. (Unfortunately, the paperwork involved to maintain a tax-exempt status has become too complicated for my little mind, so gifts are not tax-deductible.) You can make check out to “James Watkins” and mail to me care of Wesleyan Publishing House, PO Box 50434, Indianapolis, IN 46250. For a gift of any amount, I’ll email you a copy of Only as a visitor. There was one frightening moment when I wasn’t allowed out of the closed section of a psychiatric hospital until the supervisor could confirm I was not a patient. How could that happen?! Permission for reprints Non-profit organizations may make up to 500 (five hundred) hard copies of any article on this site provided the following credit line is included on each copy: Reprinted with permission from www.jameswatkins.com For any commercial use, written permission must be obtained and fee agreed upon by email. Rosen says humor may competitively inhibit negative thoughts with positive ones, and in so doing, foster hope in people. Positive emotions, such as those arising from experiencing humor, can stimulate thought and prompt people to discard automatic behavioral responses and pursue more creative paths of thought and action, he explains. In the study, sense of humor was not only represented as the tendency to display laughter, smiles and other similar responses, but was measured across four factors – humor production, humor as a coping strategy, attitudes toward humorous people and attitudes about humor. 4. . . . the convenience store sells live bait. For external use only. Discontinue if rash, redness, irritation, or swelling develops. May contain nuts. If swallowed, do not induce vomiting. Side-effects may include drowsiness or mild to severe agitation. Do not read while consuming alcohol or operating heavy machinery. Appoint a designated reader if intoxicated. Keep away from open flame. Do not store above 451 degrees. Do not use near or place in water. Void where prohibited by law, taxed or licensed. Any medical information provided is for general educational use only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Parental discretion advised. Views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of any other person—real or fictitious, living or dead—using the name James Watkins—heretofore referred to as “the author.” (NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana) “Baby bottles” are big business here in the French Quarter of New Orleans. (I should point out, I’m not here on my own freewill, but the Ramada Inn on Bourbon Street is where the youth convention is housing its speakers and musicians.) Outside the hotel, business fronts flash titillating signs advertising Big Daddy’s Baby Bottle Bar, the “Wash Your Own Baby Bottles” lounge and shower room, plus a night club featuring men with baby bottles. Meanwhile tourists with video cameras and an arm load of gaudy beads lurk in the streets shouting, “Show us your baby bottles.” in this important article to help your child or teen cope with a catastrophe like a terrorist attack: Confirm that you will help him stay safe in the future. Help your child make sense of this horrible experience Use the same approach you use every day when you hear a siren zipping down the street. At that point, you say, “Someone needs help. The siren means help is on the way. Let’s pray for the people who need help and those who will give help.” Older children, beginning about the age of 8 or 9, often want to do something to help. They aren’t old enough to donate blood; they can’t volunteer at agencies. However, they can attend a memorial or prayer service. They can donate money. Find out what the school is doing. Most schools will schedule counselors to talk with students. Afterward, ask your child, “What did the counselor say today that made sense to you? How did you feel after she talked to your class?” These five steps are helpful for conversations with adolescents in times of tragedy: No one was really prepared for the tragedy, but taking a few minutes to organize your thoughts before the conversation, even making notes on paper, may be helpful. What topics do you want to be sure and address. What will you say about God, hope, and love and forgiveness in Jesus Christ? Write out a Bible passage or two (but not a sermon or lecture), and a prayer. Some passages might come from one of the other resources on this site, especially the Meditation Guide for the National day of Prayer. Second, I want to assure you there is hope. Here are some things I’ve found helpful. You’ll find support and encouragement—and realize you’re not alone in your feelings. There are even online support groups, but be careful on the Internet as not all the advice is helpful or accurate! Third, I have found that my faith gives me hope for today. I know it may sound trite, but God loves you and wants to be with you through this painful journey. He really does! I know that even though I don’t always feel it. (I’m certainly not here to proselytize—especially during a traumatic time—but this post may be helpful: I care about you and if you’d like to continue the discussion, please feel free to email me. And, if you need immediate help, please call 1 (800) SUICIDE (784-2433).