Thank you for the information. I have learned something. Also,
Lenard Nemoy, of Star Trek fame is also Jewish. (It doesn't matter to
me, he is a good actor and I grew up with Jewish neighbors - Good
people) Anyway the Vulcan salute comes from Jewish priests. Anyway,
also interesting is that Jesus was Jewish (some people may not know this).

I also have problems eating outside the home. Don't know why, but I
do. To aid in getting over this I eat a small amount each time I'm
out. Also as time and reoccurrences happen, I eat a little bit more.

Exercise, such as walking does help with the anxiety. We know that
when we get anxious we get a flight or fight feeling. Both require some
movement. Walking is such action but we are neither fleeing the
situation nor are we fighting. The good part is that our adenilan is
not escalating to increase either feeling and it is a neutral response.
However some action is being taken and that helps burn off the excess
energy.

That is what you should do - Take one day at a time. It may be
necessary to even take one moment at a time. Either way, it is OK.

Going out to get dinner. That's normal around here though not the
best. Our pets think we are the greatest hunters! Not only do we go
out and get food, but also bring it back cooked! :-)

Humor as I see it is the 13th tool of AIM.

And no offense here speaking of your religion. I look at it as I
learned something and I thank you.

Scott



hmsherm63 wrote:
> Scott, thanks for the encouragement.
>
> In a matter of 3 weeks, we have 3 of the 5 major holidays. First is
> Rosh Hashanah. this is the day, God created Man. It is the day that
> He actually comes down to us. Much like a King that stays in the
> castle all year except now the King rides through the towns and
> fields to meet his subjects. It is also on this day that the book of
> life is open. Over the next ten days, it is decided who will live
> and who will die in the comming year. God takes a much closer look
> at us. And we are too. this leads to the holiest of holy days.
>
> Yom Kippur. The day of atonement. This is the day we fast for 25
> hours (no food, water, etc.) We spend the day praying for
> forgiveness for our numerout sins. Such as thinking that we are
> screwups and why in the heck did He put me here. God has no faults,
> it is us that fails to see our purpose or that we do not meet our own
> expectations. We should not meet our expectations, we should be
> striving to meet His. It is on this day that the Book of Life is
> sealed and our fate for the year is decided. Again who will live and
> who will die, how much money we will make etc.
>
> Tomorrow night at Sundown is the festival of Succot. This is a 9 day
> festival to commemorate the Exodous from Egypt. We build temporary
> stuctures called Succah in which we 'live'. Actually, we only have
> to have one meal in the Succah on the first night. But the more
> things we can do in the Succah, the better. So, I spent the week
> putting up this structure. With my son's help and my wife's negative
> comments, it got done. No, we did not live in huts in the dessert,
> but we were protected by God's cloud. This is one of the 3
> pilgramages that God commands Jews to make to The Temple each year.
> At the end of Succot, is the holiday of Simchas Torah. A simcha is a
> celebration or a good event. Your birthday (anyone's for that
> matter) is a simcha. And Torah is the first 5 books of the bible
> (Old Testament to non-Jews. To Jews there is no Old as there is no
> New. The New T is about the life and resurrection of the Messiah,
> which, ask any Jewish person, has not come yet.) Anyway, I digress.
> On Simchas Torah, we end reading the last portion of the Torah,
> covering the death of Moses and right away begin the book of Genesis
> with the creation of the world.
>
> There is a lot of prep for these holidays. there is the spiritual,
> mental, emotional, and physical. The is a lot of planning for the
> different celebratory meals. Then there are all the meals out at
> other people's houses. Compared to my sins, eating at other people's
> houses would seem trivial. But this is one of my most anxious
> times. So, I get caught between a rock and a hard place. do I do
> all the cooking and attempt or follow the restrictions at home, or go
> to other's houses for the meals. My family is less than supportive
> about following the guidelines. My wife is of the thought that a
> meal out is one less that we have to cook.
>
> This morning I woke up with my fist anxiety/panic attack in over a
> year. A level seven. I got out of bed and took Joe (our dog; he is
> awesome) for a walk to walk away from the feelings. Funny, no matter
> where i walked those feelings kept right up with me. It is like
> stepping in dog poop and not being able to get it off. (I know i may
> not be telling you anyting new here but...)
>
> As it turned out, the walk did help, I was feeling better as the day
> went on. I am doing by best to take these days one at a time. it is
> too much to take them all at once (although with restrictions of not
> being able to use electricity or cook on some days, planning ahead is
> necessary). I try do my best to put myself in God's hands. I know
> He is there reaching for me and offering His support, but i am so
> blind at times and so lost that I miss.
>
> Sorry this was so long. And I really hope I did not offend anyone by
> speaking on the practices of my faith.
>
> Have a great day!
>
> By the way, I read the handout and the jokes are great, I got alot of
> groans from the people I shared the jokes with.
>
> Harley