THE TIME I WENT TO Fishing the Louisiana Gulf Coast has always been a passion. It’s what I did with my father growing up. The tradition continues with my sons Bennett and Chris. My wife Susan and daughter Stephanie usually tag along too. I got Susan addicted while dating, and getting the whole family hooked has helped with how often I get to go. And we always have a blast! With a Grand Isle camp as our home base, we fish for trout and redfish along the coast. When it’s calm, we venture farther out for red snapper, ling, amberjack, wahoo, and mahi-mahi. On this particular morning, when Bennett, Chris, my brother-in-law Jimmy, and I dropped bait 25 miles out near an offshore platform, in water only 200 feet deep, catching yellowfin tuna wasn’t a thought. They just don’t hang out there — ever. Yellowfin are typically found over 80 miles out, and the tackle needed for a 150-pound yellowfin is much bigger than what we were carrying. When my pole bent and the drag screamed, we figured it was amberjack. After 45 minutes with Jimmy at the wheel following the fish, the unmistakable giant yellow “sickle fin” cut the surface. It was a huge yellowfin! After my knees stopped shaking, we finally boated it and headed straight in. I immediately called Susan and Stephanie at the campsite and told them that tuna was on the menu for dinner! HOW I ENDED UP AS A D
Many people deal with unwelcome, intrusive thoughts every day. We’ve all experienced unwanted images or notions racing through our minds, and it can be difficult to concentrate on what we need to be doing. These thoughts can also trigger feelings of anxiety, worry, and shame. But know you’re not alone — some estimate that 6 million Americans are affected, so many can empathize with what you’re going through. Here is some good advice about intrusive thoughts and how to manage them in a healthy way. What are intrusive thoughts? Intrusive thoughts are unwanted ideas that occur without warning at any time, often triggered by stress or anxiety, or even short-term biological factors, like hormone shifts. They can come in many forms, and people often worry about what they mean, so naturally, they try to control or stop the ideas altogether. But trying to prohibit these thoughts can make them more persistent. What can you do? Instead of pushing these thoughts out of your mind, acknowledge that they are intrusive concepts and allow them to linger. Understand they will pass, but prepare yourself for other unwanted thoughts. Most importantly, push through and HOW TO MANAGE INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS Why Do I Constantly Think About This?
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continue to complete your tasks and errands when the thoughts occur.
If you try to control, suppress, question, act, or engage with intrusive thoughts, you’ll likely be even more fixated on them. You’ll feel more in control if you allow them to pass through your brain instead of trying to avoid and ignore them. Intrusive thoughts can feel distressing, but allowing them to freely enter and exit your mind will provide you with ease — even if it doesn’t seem that way. However, if intrusive ideas persist and continually impair your ability to work or do things you enjoy, seek information from a mental health professional. You’re never alone in your struggles, so don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it.
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