Golden Nuggets

Author's Website:
http://donfrazier.com

The Reliable Remedy

Since before the days of the snake-oil salesman, magic elixirs, and alleged wonder cures, Americans have invested multiplied billions of dollars hoping to find the panacea for their aches and pains. No claim has seemed too exaggerated where the possibility of relief was concerned. According to history, one such product produced in nearby Louisiana was named Hadacol. It proved to be an elixir of 12 per cent alcohol, plus some of the B complex vitamins, iron, calcium, and phosphorus, dilute hydrochloric acid, and honey. In 1950, the sales for Hadacol exceeded $20 million dollars with each bottle selling for $3.50.

Dixie Dew Cough Syrup and Happy Day Headache Powders were also among the list of short-lived products sold to the public. Three factors brought this venture to an end. First, competition was keen and profits not suitably rewarding. Second, in 1941, the Food and Drug Administration seized some of the Powders. The admixture of aspirin, acetanilid, caffeine, milk sugar, and the laxative phenolphthalein, was deemed dangerous to health when used according to directions and certainly not efficacious for the long list of ailments listed in the labeling. Does the expression, “A sucker is born every minute” seem appropriate here?

No one should be faulted for wanting to find a cure for his or her infirmities, whether they be physical, emotional, or spiritual. The task is to find something that actually does what it says it will do. Therefore, the desired goal of reliability is to sift through all the hype and get the facts. Then, one can proceed with a degree of certainty that they have found their remedy. Charlatans may sound reliable but, in the end, they are just another breed of snake-oil merchants.

As we approach the special season of Thanksgiving, it is important to realize that many who suffer borderline depression will feel especially vulnerable during these festive days. That sounds like a contradiction but the holidays actually spawn more depression than any other time of the year. With all the focus on family, friends, joyful reunions, and celebrations, those who are missing these ingredients in their lives may sense a downward spiraling in their emotional state. Sadness, loneliness, and gloom may be more prevalent than the traditional “turkey with all the trimmings” feast we have come to associate with Thanksgiving. What can one do to ward off these demons of despair and not become the victim of depression? The answer is not as complex as you might expect

The remedy for this potential emotional disaster is seen in the name of this season…GIVING THANKS! The attitude with which you face the holidays will determine how successfully you navigate through them. If you are filled with dread, your emotional and physical wellbeing will plummet. The early settlers knew that this principle of thanksgiving was a panacea for their problematic existence. They knew that, if they stayed focused on the roses, they would not be debilitated by the thorns. There is no empirical data to show them wrong in their approach to life.

In one of our recent group discussions, an attendee mentioned how they were trying to incorporate the Scripture, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) into their everyday life. While it is not always easy, it is possible to express thanks amid difficult circumstances. God knew when He inspired the Apostle Paul to pen those words that it would be a major preventative and curative ingredient in the ongoing emotional and physical struggles we face.

The Bible further confirms the reliability of this remedy by stating, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones (Prov. 17:22); “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken” (Prov.15:13); and “All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast” (Prov. 15:15). Those are some benefits you do not want to miss.

As we approach this Thanksgiving season, let’s prepare to give thanks. An attitude of gratitude is the God-ordained, psychologically affirmed way to enjoy, not just endure, this wonderful season. Expressing appreciation for your blessings will slam the door on depression and despair. A merry heart is a remedy that no elixir can provide. Try it…you’ll see for yourself.

If you need a little encouragement, I’m here for you.
****A Personal Word to Our Readers from Dr. Frazier****  Please feel free to share your questions, observations, or insights with our readers and me. Website: http://www.donfrazier.com