I wrote this in response to an earlier posting that got tense and ugly.

wow! we are getting a little testy aren't we?

Fox, I especially liked your sign off, "in Christ." I guess we can follow Christ and still be "real."

Actually, I have noticed that I have been having a number of symptoms of deppression and burn-out this week, to the point that my church has given me some time of to recup. I think this issue and all of the assorted unknowns is probably having a deeper emotional effect on all of us (doomer, pollies, and everything in between) than we realize. I suggest for those of us who are prepared that we take some time off in the next two or three weeks, pray, fast and rest; building up our mental, emotional and spiritual resources for whatever comes. Just a thought.

-- JoseMiami (caris@prodigy.net), December 12, 1999

Answers

Jose,

I've been feeling the same thing this week. Lot of other stressors and I'm way behind on preps with about a million things left to do...I live in constant fear of this shit-storm around the corner, and everytime I look at my family in their comfortable, warm, electric house, I ge tthe shivers...can't believe it's coming up so fast...keep hearing spooky stuff...just know it's the real thing. It's going to be a "global catastrophe", and I'm just really, really scared...and tired

go with god

-- Daniel Roberts (daniel roberts@anon.anon), December 12, 1999.

Everyone remember to put surge protectors on all your electrical appliances. Look for the more unusual ones to, like an electric hood over a stove, or a sink garbage disposal.

May God be with you all. I suggest lots of prayer over the next few weeks.

-- nothing (better@to.do), December 12, 1999.

Jose.... We are all stressed.... not knowing if our actions are sane or just wierd. Not knowing anything, after tons of research and thousand of articles read - practically making us y2k experts. yet all we have is a sense or y2k hurricane preparedness... and a huge amount of STRESS.

-- A Guy (waiting@y2kgi.com), December 12, 1999.

-- l (c@c.c), December 12, 1999.

Do not be afraid. Most people reading this forum are well read, trust in God, intelligent and as can be expected, prepared. Nothing is going to happen without you knowing it. This life is short. Eternity awaits. The trials and tribulations we have now or in the future are like a pinprick of pain. It does not last. Take any fellow human shortcomings with tolerance. Enjoy the ride. Live in peace.

-- bruce (bruce@bruce.com), December 12, 1999.

Hey Jose...yes, I think everybody is pretty well maxed out in the stress department. It is important for all of us to try and control our stress levels as too much not only affects the thought process but can have rather severe negative impact on overall health. With the tremendous uncertainty of Y2K looming ever closer, remaining in firm control of mind and body is critical. Stress kills. Don't allow it.

-- Irving (irvingf@myremarq.com), December 12, 1999.

-- l (a@a.m), December 12, 1999.

I get the willies sometimes too. It takes alot of courage to read this board, and it wears on all of us. Just think, we could have instead said "screw it; I'm going to Bermuda!" I feel most at peace these days when I willfully shift my attention to this: "It's in God's hands now. Draw close to him."

Listen for His direction; ask Him to go before you. Visualize Him walking before you, clearing your path.

BTW, Have you remembered to invite God into your bunker?

-- Hokie (nn@va.com), December 12, 1999.

Yeah, good advice. Wouldn't it be great if we could fast as Jesus did, for forty days? Our preps would go so much further(chuckle).I think I'm getting silly as we come down to the wire; it's probably a way to cope.

I am reminded of a song(everything reminds me of a song)by Mark Farner that says: "It's gettin' crazy as the end's coming faster.

Mister, Evil's going to lose to Disaster;

I know it sounds bad, but I'm tired of being had-

So I await my Lord and Master -"

Good music helps with stress.

-- Doorbaby (tomG@h.com), December 12, 1999.

-- l (A@a.m), December 12, 1999.

Jose-- Sometimes I wonder if I can even BEAR the stress! We all have sat glued to the tv in times of crisis or upheaval (like Tianimon Square) feeling intensely the sadness of the people involved. When my mind remembers all of the disasters I've witnessed, (such as the Hindenberg, Titanic, WW I & II, Rwanda, tital waves in Bangladesh, huricanes and earthquakes, Hiroshima, fires, VietNam, starvation etc), then realizes that in a few weeks it could be MUCH worse than all known disasters put together, I feel the deepest sadness for my fellow man. Not "mankind" as a whole, but the kid down the street, and the old lady in the care home, and the young lovers with such hope in the future. It is almost more than I can bear.

Without faith that we will exist in another state after this life, far better than this one, I could not go on.

Try to hang in there my friends, and thank you for sharing and encouraging me on this forum. May we all have the courage and strength to do the right thing next year.!

Jenny

-- Jenny (Hang@on.now), December 12, 1999.

Good evening.

My wife and I spent the weekend with good friends in Fort Bragg, the town not the base. Good food and good company, but I felt some sadness because of what may soon happen. The 55 miles of highway between us is long and crooked, the terrain very rough to walk. Will I see these good people again any time soon? Ever again?

I've also felt a strong urge to contact old friends I've lost that I've lost touch with. I would bet that many are feeling this need.

Stay safe.

Michael

-- michael frazier (mfrazier@pacific.net), December 12, 1999.

who the heck is --1 and whats your point?

-- Rod (rspain@webcombo.net), December 12, 1999.

What a great way to test the stress level on the forum and like others, huh ? Just ask ? Yep, I can hear it now. "Sir, the herd is DEFINITELY STIRRING and we should be prepared for one of these people to lose it."

My policy is "don't ask, don't tell". It is too easy to get your addy people, and find out who you are. DO NOT state your stress level thinking nobody knows you. Think about it. I personally do not want to be facing any accusations, especially those I make against myself.

-- bobbin' fer apples (zoob@fishn.net), December 12, 1999.

Turn on your speakers! Sheesh!!!!! I mistyped a letter!!So shoot me.

-- l (a@a.l), December 12, 1999.

Wow. Stress. What a concept!

-- bruce (bruce@bruce.com), December 12, 1999.

Dear Jose, "stressed to the max" in an under statement. I do not know why I am allowed to awake each morning (common language: So's I have to go to work, high blood pressure aside). I do not know why my old car continues to run with failing transmission ( I Pray old clunker to work). This is honest Gospel: Last Jan., I paid off all my credit cards by borrowing from my 401K. I have not been able to get a credit card since. I make 45K gross, no dependents, paid out credit is R1 and I1. They refuse me a credit card because they only look at "open credit card balances". This from American Express and a Visa. Dangest thing I have ever lived to see, "You gotta be in debt, to deserve any credit". Yes, I am stressed, because my non-existent credit limit has stopped me from buying all kinds of human-comfort material things. Only thing left, is prayer.

-- Pockets Inside Out (Oncecreditcard@amazon.com), December 12, 1999.

I'm not at all stressed. I'm prepared as much as I can be and I know I'm a capable person and can handle most of what life throws my way. At the same time, I'm not over-confident. I intend to keep up with last-minute Y2K news via this forum and other sources and make sure I'm as ready as possible. I feel pretty rested.

Jose, you say your church has given you some time off, which I take to mean you are a priest. If so, then I can certainly understand why you might need a little recuperation time--I know that's a 7/24 job. Refresh yourself and be well.

-- Keep (on@keepin'.on), December 12, 1999.

Hey "bobbinforapples", I've read JoseMiami's posts,and with what he's told us, I'd be a little stressed too! Good advice about gettin' right spiritually & mentally,that's really all we've all got at the end of the day. And yo' Hokie,If you really get to thinkin' that Bermuda's the place for rollover, start thinking about me 700 miles off N.C. and contemplate what JIT really implies! All the Best,

on de rock

-- Walter (on de rock@northrock.bm), December 12, 1999.

No stress here. I'm prepared for whatever happens.

-- impala (impala@wild.com), December 12, 1999.

Everyone - breathe deap. Hold it. Let go, aahhhh.

-- bruce (bruce@bruce.com), December 12, 1999.

To each his or her own defined worries and stress. Mine is about the Great Indian Desert. I am not impressed with 99.9% of the population globally or domestic. I do not find people "special" "unique" or any other such self ego building nonsense. Just being born doesn't cut the mustard for me.

And then I found the special, the unique...and do all one lone American woman can do to fight on their behalf against any perceived threat. I address the CIA on the net, write anyone I get a hold of, and e-mail the Indian military and government.

On earth exists a people who upon hearing their life sustaining trees would be cut, wrapped themselves around those trees, and were all hacked to death. They put aside a part of their grain each year to feed and bring about a flourishing of particular birds. (They are not eco-liberals.) They feed monkies in their cities as a sacred duty and do nothing when the crops they desperately need are raided. They have designed a life sustaining system in that dead animals are carefully left on the edge of the city to sustain the voltures, and sacrifice their lives standing in front of endangered species against poachers. Then are the ooh so rare camel owners, breeders, and trainers. Out in the the middle of the barren desert is held the camel fair and all the camel show off the latest in bridle wear standing with their bedouins.

99% can be replaced but the 1% cannot.

I have spent much time begging India, that if in Y2K it must decide who lives and who dies, that it will pick the people of the Great Indian desert to live. Something special has to still be out there, after it all, for the Y2K survivors to behold.

The odds of one American woman begging all over the place, that the people of Great Indian Desert be watched over, has probably done zilch but I sure had given it a try. I find even thinking about Y2K and its potential threat on the 1% enough to raise my shoulders to my ears. And of course the threat of Pakistan and India having a nuclear engagement is another.

-- Paula (chowbabe@pacbell.net), December 12, 1999.

I have never been so stressed in my whole life ! I can't even function. I can't stand to hear about any "future" plans. I really am depressed! I'm not a good conversationalist these days.

-- BurnoutGi in Ohio (maximum@stressed.com), December 12, 1999.

This is no time for Americans to "tense up".Yes,prayer is always good. But don't forget the old saying,"Praise the lord and pass the ammunition".

-- Dennis W Smith (orby@worldnet.att.net), December 12, 1999.

Stressed..? I am actually getting calmer now. At this point really nothing you can do. Am typing this at 5am local time right now. Visiting the folks in Germany one last time before rollover.

Timechange is wearing on me.

Anyway... IF you are really THAT stressed.. UNPLUG... Go enjoy the weather and christmas. Savor the experience... Calm down...

And then face whatever comes refreshed......

-- STFrancis (STFrancis@heavengermany.com), December 12, 1999.

Holidays have something to do with it. Come at bad time of year.

-- St. Nick (santa@northpole.com), December 12, 1999.

Jose,

And maybe that respite should include minimizing time spent on this forum. I think it makes some of us more tense. It's Christmas, time to be with real people, not virtual people.

-- Lars (lars@indy.net), December 12, 1999.

Honestly Jose, my stress has practically disappeared. I'm no fatalist, and I've done all I possibly can, but being Christian means I must ultimately submit to God and trust in His perfect love over the supposed "wisdom" of mankind (yes, this means me too...)

God has always been King, it's just we humans get so busy with "life" that we forget this...:)

You do and will remain in my family's prayers.

-- (Kurt.Borzel@gems8.gov.bc.ca), December 13, 1999.

Hi Jose, If stress includes mood swings and depression, then yes, there is some here. It will be a relief when Jan. 2000 is over. Can't even put my thoughts into coherent words. Need a break from this.

Would be so much better to have someone to talk to, especially face to face. Someone else who is a "doomer" Anyone in the Pensacola, Fl. area?

-- Mr. Pinochle (pinochledd@aol.com), December 13, 1999.

Walter, no doubt dude! The Bermuda reference was re: the DWGI party- hard-to-the-last-minute-then-beg-for-food-and-water crowd.

I guess it could also apply to the pollies here who are sooooo invested in defending the DGI position that it's obvious that the only person they are really trying to convince is themselves. Otherwise, they'd redirect their energy to a forum where there exists an opportunity to influence persons to their perspectives.

If they can't stand the heat when it's still an abstraction, then what will happen to them when TSHTF? They'll have a total breakdown. I can hear their psyches now......"snap!" They are gonna be the ones who go ballistic, and I don't want me or mine to be anywhere near them when that happens.

-- Hokie (nn@va.com), December 13, 1999.

Paula,

Are you open to the idea that you may be romanticizing Indian culture? In New Dehli monkeys are a public nusance, like rats in Baltimore (spreading disease), yet the hindus there feed them because one of their gods is a monkey dressed like a man; they even have a temple in New dehli where they worship this uh monkey-man-god.

In India 20 THOUSAND women are burned alive every year for refusing to marry the man their parents select for her; the man whose family offers money or position to the bride's father. Women are property, and when uncooperative, are burned alive. If they do not cook/clean to the man's standards they are commonly beaten and ridiculed. If they have a career then they are shamed and sometimes disowned by their husbands and family. Think back to colonial America, when women were discouraged from reading, writing, working outside the home. Now realize that that lifestyle to the average Indian women woud be a step forward.

India has a grose history of human rights violations. India has a nuclear arscenal. India needed Ghandi for some very good reasons, and many of those reasons were not portrayed in our little Hollywood movie.

I met Ghandi's grandson and his wife about a year and a half ago, at an ARE lecture in Virginia Beach. They reside in Memphis Tennessee, and teach nonviolence to the impoverished and incarcerated persons in what they consider to be the most violent city on the planet. They feel their efforts are more accepted in America than in their native culture. This is very sad.

My best friend is a first generation Indian American. I saw first hand the dynamics of her parent's household, and the sexism with which she and her brother were raised.

If you knew the truth of India, then you would know that letters from a woman only reinforce their bigotry.

I'm sorry to break the news to you, but encourage you to also focus some of your wonderful efforts locally.

-- Hokie (nn@va.com), December 13, 1999.

Nnnnngngnngngnnggyyangiiiiiignnnnn......

Kook

-- Y2Kook (Y2Kook@usa.net), December 13, 1999.

Actually Keep, I am a pastor, not a priest. So... I have the advantage of a terrific wife to talk to you. She keeps me balanced. This is a difficult time (end of the 20th century) to be a pastor, especially with relational authenticity. I am not an entertainer, or corporate administrator. Out of 50 or 60 pastors that I know personally, only 1 or 2 others have investigated y2k or encouraged preparation for their people. I suppose that some of my burn-out has been long-term chronic emotional fatigue unrelated to y2k, however the uncertainities and the "bizarre" naure of y2k has added greatly to my mental stress. I have found myself withdrawing socially and being totally absorbed in my preparations.

As I said earlier, I intend to unplug from the issue (I am finished with my preps) and to spend some time renewing my spirit and seeking God. After all, He is in charge and He is in control of this whole thing and He may use this to allow His light to shine in the midst of darkess! Blessings to you all.

-- JoseMiami (caris@prodigy.net), December 13, 1999.

Jose,

I am a pastor to. I can relate to much you have said. I believe there is coming a great change to the church. Those who are trying to be sincere, authentic followers of Jesus will begin to form house churches next year. I have already started mine two months ago. It is so wonderful. There is a lot of love, singing, praying, and I have felt what God intended a pastor to be a feeder and caretaker of the sheep, not a denominational front man or career administrator.

Do you have David Wilkerson's latest book, God's Plan for the Coming Depression? I'll send you a copy if you don't. The email is real.

God has opened your eyes to see. Stay close to Him. He is going to use you like John the Baptist. Jesus said, "Be Ready". You are. Wait, like Noah had to wait 7 days in the Ark before it started to rain.

Your brother in Christ, Pastor Bob Nahum 1:7, Isa. 8:11-17

-- BB (peace2u@bellatlantic.net), December 13, 1999.

Jose,

the millennium is only a number,that is, it'll change of a digit. This of course doesn't mean we won't be happy in celebrating the jubilee and in reinforcing our faith in God.As for depression,I got a couple of suggestions; lots of sun-lighty places,friends,no alcohol, work. Good luck

-- andrea raffaello marco besso (besso.ch@bluewin.ch), December 13, 1999.

I wasn't stressed till I heard Bennett saying nothing is going to happen. Good grief, I think I over prepared and I'm losing it. Help me out here I feel warped.

-- A.E. Newman (noworries@all.com), December 13, 1999.