Mike Harrison took his first drink in his early teens, sneaking off with a can of Schlitz Malt Liquor, the 16-ounce "Tall Boy" with the pull-off tabs that were common in the 1970s.

His last drink, Dec. 30, 2012, was a mixture of orange Gatorade and cheap vodka, a daily concoction he eagerly drank for more than the previous decade.

At home. At work. It didn't matter, Harrison consumed nearly a liter of vodka each day.

But with his last cocktail, something troubling happened. He felt as if an elephant sat on his torso and was restricting his breathing.

The Space Coast Health Foundation recently released data in a study it commissioned that showed the number of people considered "excessive drinkers" in Brevard jumped to 24.4% this year, compared with 14.3% in 2016.(Photo: kmk-vova / Getty Images)

Harrison, now 57, went to the emergency room at Health First's Viera Hospital the next day and doctors there told him he was suffering from acute alcohol-related pancreatitis.

The problem either came from consistently drinking copious amounts of alcohol or an overabundance of protein.

"Sure, I like steak now and then, but it was definitely the drinking," said Harrison, a Melbourne-based sales manager for an auto manufacturer."I was told if I kept drinking, I would die. That was my rock bottom. I had to quit. I wanted to see my daughter grow up and get married, that type of thing. I was very, very lucky."

If Harrison was lucky, then something troubling is happening in Brevard County as data suggests more Space Coast residents are drinking alcohol in what's considered excessive amounts.

The Space Coast Health Foundation (SCHF) recently released data in a study it commissioned called the Community Health Needs Assessment. The data in the assessment indicated the number of people considered "excessive drinkers" in Brevard jumped to 24.4% this year, compared with 14.3% in 2016.

While close to the national rate of people considered excessive drinkers (22.5 percent) its the increase of more than 10% in Bevard over three years thats troubling.

Additional data from the SCHF's Community Health Needs Assessment showed:

South Brevard's excessive drinking rate was 28%; Central Brevard was 22.5%, and North Brevard was 16.3%

Among 18- to 39-year olds, more than 30% consumed excessive amounts of alcohol, followed by 40- to 65-year olds at 23.2%

The level of excessive drinking among lower-income residents was matched to middle-to-high income residents at 24.1%

The SCHF's data, which has an error rate of 4%, is based on extensive interviews of nearly 600 Space Coast residents by the Omaha, Nebraska-based Professional Research Consultants Inc.

Professional Research Consultants conducts health surveys across the United States and has put together assessments for the Space Coast periodically since 2004.

Excessive alcohol use for men, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is having five or more drinks in one sitting (or more than two drinks daily on average) or 15 drinks or more during a week. For women, it's four drinks on one occasion (more than one drink a day average) or eight drinks over a week.

It's no doubt a broad definition of "excessive" that some experts note would include about 30 percent of the U.S. population. Still, alcohol abuse is a growing concern and many, like Harrison, think they have a casual relationship with alcohol and don't realize the dangers of excessive drinking often until it's too late.

"People don't always like to fess up with how much they're really drinking," said Dr. Tim Laird, medical director of the Health First Medical Group. "In medical school, half-jokingly, they said 'Whatever people tell you they drink you can kind of double that for a lot of people.'"

Two alcoholic drinks a day for men, and one drink a day for women "is considered the upper limit," Laird said.

"You get above that you start seeing some of the bad long-term consequences," he said.

The list of those consequences is long. They include heart disease and problems with the liver, lungs, pancreasand stomach. And then there is the greater risk of diabetes, high blood pressureand osteoporosis.

Michele Jones, 55, found out the hard way just a few weeks ago.

In August, doctors told the former Satellite Beach resident, who moved to Bloomington, Illinois, two years ago, that she had late-stage cirrhosis of the liver. Cirrhosis takes place when scar tissue often caused by processing excess amounts of ethanol, the main ingredient of alcohol, over a long period of time gradually replaces healthy liver cells so that the organ cant function properly.

Jones drank mostly beer and hard liquor and eventually started sampling the popular growing malt beverage products, like alcohol-infused lemonade and flavored sodas, sold at convenience stores.

Then I fooled myself into drinking just wine, thinking that was more socially acceptable, Jones said. Until I found myself drinking a whole gallon of it or those convenient boxes.

On the behavioral side, the problems are just as daunting.

Abigail "Abby" Jones, a licensedmarriage and family therapist who is the Substance Abuse and Dual Diagnosis Service manager for the Cocoa-headquartered Lifetime Counseling Center,said the rising trend of excessive drinking in Brevard County mirrors what's happening across the United States as Baby Boomers age and phase into retirement.

"We have a lot of people in Brevard County who have aged out of the workforce and are entering retirement," she said. "Statistics have shown there is an increase in alcohol abuse and excessive use once these individuals retire and once they are not within a regular work routine."

Jones added it's not easy for many people to acknowledge they need help, even if they're not self-identified as an alcoholic, because it's seen as a behavior with a simple start-and-stop switch.

More research is showing that excessive drinking and alcohol abuse are medical and behavioral conditions and needto be treated as such.

"Typically, it's considered alcohol abuse when someone is drinking to excess and that drinking is affecting their daily level of functioning in various aspects of their lives," Jones said. "Let's say someone is having missed absences from work or if it's affecting your friendships and your family. That's going to tell you there's a problem with alcohol abuse."

The Community Health Needs Assessment also noted a sizable rise in excessive alcohol use and driving among Space Coast residents. According to the data, 4% of respondents this year admitted to driving after consuming too much alcohol vs. 1.4% in 2016.

For whatever reason North Brevard respondents 13.5% were in that category compared with 1% in Central Brevard and 3.3% in South Brevard.

Without his wake-up call back in 2012, Harrison said he'd still be drinking close to two gallons of vodka each week. He'd buy a 750-milliliter bottle for about $7 and thought nothing of emptying it each day after mixing it with Gatorade.

Besides, he grew up in an environment with heavy drinking.

He recalled his father was an alcoholic who rarely missed the start of 5 p.m. happy hour each day, part of that era's culture.

Harrison's father tended to get mean and difficult after too many drinks, and that's what Harrison had always associated with alcohol abuse. (Harrison's father died of cirrhosis of the liver two months after turning 60.)

Since Harrison never got mean and angry when he drank, he didn't see his drinking as a problem.

His medical emergency changed everything.

Harrison now labels himself a full-blown alcoholic. And though he has never gone through Alcoholics Anonymous, he espouses the "one day at a time" mantra that is the underpinning of the most popular international self-help group.

Ironically and fortunately Harrison says he never had a strong desire to drink alcohol after leaving the hospital in early 2013. The hospital treatment, which included two painful weeks of detoxification, changed his outlook and his taste for alcohol.

These days he might go to a restaurant or sports bar that serves alcohol but the temptation to drink hasn't been an issue for him in nearly seven years.

If the urge were to reintroduce itself, Harrison keeps handy a photo on his phone.

It shows him incapacitated at Viera Hospital soon after his emergency room visit in 2012, shirtless and connected to a series of tubes and monitors and looking as he's nearing death. Also in the photo is a bottle of Skol vodka, the brand he used to drink with his Gatorade.

"It reminds me that I don't drink," Harrison said. "And if I do start drinking again, this is what will happen."

Wayne T. Price is with the Space Coast Health Foundation. For a copy of the SCHF's Community Health Needs Assessment, go towww.SCHFBrevard.orgor contact him 321-241-6604 or Wayne.Price@SCHFBrevard.org

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We're consuming more alcohol in Brevard these days, and it's not good for our health - Florida Today

ANAHEIM, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zyxel Communications, a leading provider of secure broadband networking, Internet access and connected home products, will showcase its portfolio of fixed wireless broadband, whole-home managed WiFi and in-building wireless solutions for service providers at MWC19 Los Angeles October 22-24, 2019, at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Zyxels high-performance networking solutions will be shown at the companys booth (South Hall #1019) and in the OnGo Pavilion (West Hall #5002).

Fixed Wireless Broadband Solutions

Zyxels family of fixed wireless broadband products deliver high-speed, high-capacity connectivity enabling service providers to deliver an array of bandwidth-intensive applications such as high-definition video streaming, live event broadcasting, and much more.

Whole-Home Managed WiFi System

The Zyxel portfolio of mesh-powered, whole-home WiFi system gives service providers the ability to offer managed WiFi services customized to meet the unique requirements of each subscribers home and to provide the rich experiences that generate recurring revenue and lasting customer satisfaction. The MultyPro and MPro Mesh WiFi 11ac and WiFi 6 (11ax) solutions respectively, with integrated intelligent software and mobile self-help apps, allow service providers to deliver seamless whole-home coverage in nearly any subscriber environment.

DAS solutions

Zyxels DAS (Distributed Antenna System) solutions utilize CAT5 technology to provide solution providers with a highly functional, easily installable and affordable indoor cellular solution for the middle market. The Zyxel DAS solution, which includes the ZoneDAS Base Unit, extender and remote unit, supports multiple independent 20 MHz-wide channels/bands/operators and multiple coverage zones. The system scales to support environments ranging from 2,500 to 80,000 square meters making it ideal for deployments in environments such as warehouses, high-rise buildings, hospitals, and shopping malls.

For more information about Zyxel and its connectivity solutions, visit http://www.zyxel.com/us and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

About Zyxel:

Zyxel, a pioneer in IP technology for over two decades and trusted brand for over 30 years, provides a complete portfolio of multi-service LTE, fiber and DSL broadband gateways, home connectivity solutions, smart home devices and enterprise-class Ethernet switches, security and Wi-Fi equipment for small to mid-size businesses. Zyxel offers integrated, interoperable network solutions based on open standards. Headquartered in Anaheim, California, Zyxel offers its partners service-rich solutions backed by a domestic team of logistic, sales, and technical support professionals.

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Zyxel to Showcase 5G LTE Solution for Fixed Broadband at MWC19 Los Angeles - Business Wire

(Shideh Ghandeharizadeh | Daily Trojan)

Summer Walker gave fans a forewarning during her NPR Tiny Desk performance this past week. Look, Im really freaking excited to be here but I have social anxiety like a motherfucker, Walker shared with the room. Im freaking the hell out, Im sweating, but this is so exciting for me. I watch this show all the time. Despite the notice, Twitter users found her performance abysmal and commented on her perceived lack of energy.

The R&B songstress isnt the first artist to publicly speak on mental health or to be criticized for how their mental health condition perpetuates in their artistry. In his book ZAYN, former One Direction member Zayn Malik discussed anxiety in conjunction with his rise to fame.

When I was in One Direction, my anxiety issues were huge, but within the safety net of the band, they were at least manageable, he said. As a solo performer, I felt much more exposed, and the psychological stress of performing had just got to be too much for me to handle at that moment, at least.

Similarly, Talk singer Khalid took to Twitter last year to detail his social anxiety: Going out in public is a little hard, being recorded non stop, everyone staring at you and shit.

What is particularly significant about artists such as Walker and Khalid detailing their struggles with mental health is how their experiences redefine how we discuss mental health and people with high visibility.

Struggles with anxiety, along with other mental illnesses, have often been regarded as white people issues or a set of experiences only felt by the privileged. But according to the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, Black adults are 20% more likely to report severe psychological distress than white adults. Black adults are also more likely to have feelings of sadness, hopelessness and worthlessness than adult whites.

What Summer Walker and Khalid experience isnt unique to them because they are celebrities, but its something more common in the daily lives of Black people. The two artists have unintentionally sparked conversations about the struggles of Black people operating in the public sphere. And in support of Summer Walker, many Black women on the internet opened up about their anxiety and depression being disregarded as an attitude problem, as just being angry or standoff-ish.

The facts tell us mental health issues within the Black community are not rare, and we shouldnt be surprised when artists like Walker are forthcoming about their struggles because similar experiences are woven into the music we love. Think of Kanyes I Thought About Killing You, or a host of songs by Kid Cudi.

Despite this commonality, there is a continued set of expectations placed on artists, particularly Black ones, to consistently show up as perfect for the public eye.

Based on previous interviews and performances, Summer Walker has been labeled as rude, boring and unapproachable. And even with knowledge of her anxiety in mind, there is continued criticism of the singer concerning her public persona.

It seems that as fans and consumers, we operate under the assumption that our favorite artists owe us a level of performance and visibility, which isnt always true. Artists are not robots to be fine-tuned, and neither are they products of large companies and corporations with a return policy to adhere to when something goes astray.

Criticism of Walker is reminiscent of how Amy Winehouse was dissected by the public during her very public struggles with fame. Due to her bulimia and alcohol abuse, she often staggered drunk on stage, and her voice, known for its soul and power, sounded empty. Audiences booed her, concerts were stopped midway and whole tours were canceled for health reasons, according to her management. At the time, tabloids and the media spun her health issues into glamorized celebrity gossip. Her sickness was not met with seriousness or compassion.

Although Walkers experiences are not wholly parallel to Winehouses, their fame impedes on the empathy they receive in a similar fashion. Celebrity dissolves no person from struggling with addiction, anxiety or depression and how that manifests in their work is not something for us to critique or poke fun at.

As society continues to remove the stigma surrounding mental health issues, we must support celebrities and high-profile figures who deal with these issues rather than acting as if they should meet our expectations in light of them.

Ellice Ellis is a senior writing about the music industry and social justice. Her column Everything but the Song runs every other Tuesday.

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Everything but the Song: Celebrities are also affected by mental health issues - Daily Trojan Online

Bounce House America made its Kissimmee delayed debut Sunday (Saturday was canceled due to nearby Tropical Storm Nestor) to a nice-sized crowd through the late morning.

You know how you friends will rent a bounce house or two for their kids birthday party? This is like that on steroids. Bouncers are first greeted by The Big House. Shaped like a castle, its the Guinness book-certified worlds largest bounce house. Inside, theres stuff to climb, big balls to run through, gauntlets to conquer, bubbles to chase and a DJ hosts The Big Bounce, set to music, at the top of every hour.

That one, oddly enough, while being the worlds largest, isnt even the one they call The Giant. That name is reserved for a 900-foot long obstacle course that challenges all ages and abilities. My 10-year-old daughter who faces obstacles all week long shes a second-degree karate blackbelt took it on and reported back, It was very tiring. But also very fun. Ill do it again when I catch my breath. (Oh yes, she did.)

Then theres the mental challenge of the mazes in Air Space, and the non-stop action of of its ball pits the personal favorite of my 4-year-old son. (Hint for the adults: you may have to go in and rescue your little kids. And then someone may have to come rescue you!)

Theres food and beverages to purchase on site, as well as socks, if you dont bring yours. If you bring yours, think dark colors theyre going to get dirty when you run in the grass from bounce house to bounce house.

So if you like inflated fun, this is the time to pounce and bounce and its ALL at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee!

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Big socks and your big kid attitude to Big Bounce America this weekend at OHP - positivelyosceola.com

In this increasingly high-tech, busy world, one Connecticut doctor is getting back to basics.

Hes known as Doc Warren, and his office is an idyllic sprawling farm in Wolcott, where Mother Nature is an important part of the mental health treatment plan.

He has the requisite wall full of degrees, certificates and accolades; he has decades of experience. But the Hawaiian shirt he wears is just one clue that Dr. Warren Corson III, PhD, is not your typical clinician. Nor is his practice, the Pillwillop Therapeutic Farm, a typical mental health clinic.

Instead, Pillwillop is where counseling gets off the couch and into a 50-acre paradise, where clients can hike, meditate, garden and reconnect with nature. Offices are located inside an historic red barn, comfortably outfitted yet retaining rustic charm.

It's not uncommon to have people come into therapy and maybe we'll be sitting in the chicken area, Warren explains, so they may be petting some chickens or ducks or rabbits while they're talking about some hardcore issues.

Upon arrival, guests are immediately greeted by Uther, a squat white bulldog eager to accompany patients to Docs office. Patients meeting with Docs wife Lisa, a fellow clinician, can snuggle up to felines Mia and Smurf during their sessions. All are rescued animals.

We want to be able to help those who can't help themselves, Lisa says, so [the cats] came from Bridgeport, and a lot of our chickens have come from other neighborhood farms.

Its a legacy the Corsons began with the adoption of their first office dog, Helen, a deaf bulldog mix who survived obvious physical abuse and malnourishment before wandering into an auto body shop and being taken in by an animal rescue group.

Corson describes her transformation from a frightened, growling puppy to a trusting, loving dog beloved by patients. Her story, he says, resonated particularly with patients working to heal from abuse.

I think half the time, the clients were coming for her, not me, he says. I was just the guy who could bill it. She was the one who was getting them to talk.

Interacting with animals is just one way of breaking down barriers to mental health at Pillwillop. Services are offered regardless of a person's ability to pay.

Our primary purpose is to serve people for counseling services but were also a non-profit community organization, Lisa said.

The farm is open to the public, not just patients, with offerings like art classes and meditation. Cut-your-own Christmas trees are grown and sold each year as a fundraiser to support pro bono care.

For both Corsons, leaving the lucrative traditional field for this charitable mission took a leap of faith. During his doctorate program, Warren said, a group of peers staged an intervention to convince him not to pursue the non-profit model. They couldnt talk him out of it.

I wasnt happy, Doc Warren explains. And I could stay in an environment making money and not be happy, or I could find what my happiness was.

I would rather be here being happy and getting to experience the environment than be unhappy and making more money. The only trade-off is that we all have lint brushes everywhere, Lisa jokes.

One could say determination is in Doc Warrens DNA.

After dropping out of school at age 14, the Bristol native worked to support his parents, both disabled in separate accidents. He grew up poor, he said, and several generations before him hadnt finished school.

He worked minimum wage jobs, even cleaning toilets for a time. At just 15 years old, he became a father. That was the turning point, he said, to find stability and a greater purpose to support his namesake.

Today, Warren Corson IV is a licensed professional counselor who works just down the hall from his dad as part of the Pillwillop practice.

From high school drop-out to PhD, Warren hopes his own story will inspire others to find their happy place, too.

If youre unhappy with life you can do something about it, Doc Warren says. You gotta find whats true to you. Theres going to be a million people wholl tell you you cant do it. If they have something valid to say, listen to them.

But otherwise our attitude has always been, watch me, he said.

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A Happy Place: Wolcott Therapeutic Farm Redefining Mental Health Care - NBC Connecticut

Milan and Rising Sun stars highlight the list.

(Milan, Ind.) The Ohio River Valley Conference has named its top volleyball players for the 2019 season.

Milan, Rising Sun and Southwestern finished the season in a three-way tie for the conference championship.

Making the All-Conference team for Milan is Jennifer Barker, Avery Getz, Angela King and Maddy Schmidt.

Rising Sun had three all-conference selections. They are Tyrrah Miller, Lindsay Montgomery and Cora Poling.

The 2019 ORVC Mental Attitude Award went to Rising Suns Emma Levi.

Danessa Mortensen (Milan), Ken DeDreu (Rising Sun) and Chris Johnson (Southwestern) are the ORVC Tri-Coaches of the Year.

The full 2019 ORVC Volleyball All-Conference Team is listed below.

JENNIFER BARKER, MILAN

REGAN CARROLL, JAC-CEN-DEL

KYLIE ECCLES, SOUTHWESTERN

ELLE FORD, SOUTHWESTERN

ALLY FURNISH, SWITZERLAND COUNTY

AVERY GETZ, MILAN

ANGELA KING, MILAN

LINA LEATHERMAN, SHAWE MEMORIAL

LINDSEY MEYER, SOUTH RIPLEY

TYRRAH MILLER, RISING SUN

LINDSAY MONTGOMERY, RISING SUN

MARISSA NAYLOR, SOUTHWESTERN

CORA POLING, RISING SUN

ASHLEIGH REAM, SOUTHWESTERN

MADDY SCHMIDT, MILAN

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ORVC Announces 2019 Volleyball All-Conference Team - Eagle 99.3 FM WSCH

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. and Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach with newly sworn-in members of their Cabinet.

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. held his final swearing-in ceremony today, officially filling out his administrations 29-member Cabinet, which has been charged with moving forward his transformative agenda to stabilize the Virgin Islands government and restore public trust and to rebuild and sustain a vibrant economy.

This is the final round of people we are swearing-in, and its a time of great transition for us as a Cabinet, Bryan said. People look at change course now as a physical change, but its a mental change. Its an attitude change. Its a policy change. Its a whole different vibe of government coming to life in the Virgin Islands. Were looking ahead to all we have to do.

During the ceremony, which was attended by all Cabinet officials, Gov. Bryan told his Cabinet that the honeymoon phase of the transition into government leadership was coming to an end.

Now we got to start pushing because we are settled in now, he told his Cabinet. Now is the time to get things done. This is a time of doing. Our job is to make the Virgin Islands better for everyone who lives and who comes here.

Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach thanked the newly sworn-in members for stepping forward to serve and encouraged them to work closely with fellow Cabinet members to accomplish their goals.

We get so much work done when we work as a team than when we create our own silos, Roach said.

The governor also thanked the 33rd Legislature of the Virgin Islands for approving every one of his nominees to hold Cabinet-level positions, for the first time in recent history. President of the 33rd Legislature, Sen. Novelle Francis Jr., attended the ceremony as well as Sen. Kenneth Gittens.

At the ceremony held at Government House on St. Croix, seven designees placed their hand on a Bible and raised their right hand to take the oath of office before Presiding Judge of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands Harold Willocks.

The newly sworn-in commissioners and directors are:Trevor Velinor, Police commissionerKimberley Causey-Gomez, Human Services commissionerRichard Evangelista, Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs commissionerKodjo Knox Limbacker, Adjutant General of the Virgin Islands National GuardRupert Ross, Bureau of the Information Technology directorDaryl Jaschen, Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management AgencydirectorRaymond Williams, V.I. Lotteryexecutive director

Each commissioner and director delivered brief remarks, reflecting on their decision to serve at the highest levels of government and stated their commitment to serving the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Both Roach and Bryan also delivered remarks encouraging the new Cabinet members to make teamwork a hallmark of the service.

Cabinet members previously sworn-in are:Finance Commissioner Kirk CallwoodAttorney General Denise GeorgeOffice of Management and Budget Director Jenifer ONealEducation Commissioner Racquel Berry-BenjaminPublic Works Commissioner Nelson Petty Jr.Sports, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Calvert WhiteProperty and Procurement Commissioner Anthony ThomasTourism Commissioner Joseph BoschulteAgriculture Commissioner Positive NelsonLabor Commissioner Gary MolloyHealth Commissioner Justa EncarnacionDepartment of Planning and Natural Resources Commissioner Jean-Pierre OriolPersonnel Director Dayna ClendinenOffice of Collective Bargaining Chief Negotiator Joss SpringetteInternal Revenue Bureau Director Joel LeeV.I. Fire Service Director Daryl George Sr.Bureau of Motor Vehicles Director Barbara Jackson McIntoshBureau of Corrections Director Wynnie TestamarkOffice of Veterans Affairs Director Patrick FarrellOffice of Disaster Recovery Director Adrienne Williams-OctalienV.I. Energy Office Director Kyle FlemingLaw Enforcement Planning Commission Director Ray Martinez

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Final Seven Sworn-in to Complete the Bryan/Roach Cabinet - St. John Source

"Over the past 47 years, and since Partridges first started trading, the year 2018 has proven to be one of the worst!"

It was Ye Rocky Shoppe Horror Picture Show. Bad weather at the start of the year, rising business rates, rents and auto enrolment contributions coupled with local building works, pension fund shortfalls, bad weather and continuing political uncertainty were the background factors. It was hard to think how it could get any worse and although some trading elements have improved such as weather and building works, some like rates and pension contributions are not likely to get better anytime soon.

Incredibly we now pay 1,000 a week in business rates with no sign of our appeal being looked into in the near future. Also the threat of a no-deal Brexit would introduce tariffs of around 22% on average to our European imports, as far as we can make out, and as for pension contributions its all about bond yields so these are all areas outside our immediate control. However as John Major used to say no pain, no gain, and after a period of shock and outrage last year and kicking the metaphorical cat we slowly got our act together and did something about it.

The Christmas quarter ended up better than our expectations and the effort we made focusing on smaller cost areas has started to bear fruit for the time being. Although the febrile nature of consumer confidence at the present time means that any form of complacency would be fatal. Somewhat surprisingly 2019 has actually shown some bounce and hopefully not of the metaphorical dead cat variety we need him to kick when things go wrong (metaphorically speaking). In terms of trading performance January was actually down by 1.5% in 2019. February up by 6.3%, March up by 7.6%, April up by 6.2%, May up by 0.1% (thank goodness I bought that doughnut), June up by 2.9% and July up by 5.8%.

As I write this at the end of August, we are actually up 8.5% compared to August 2018 admittedly with one extra Saturday of trade this year. These figures are being compared to the poor figures of 2018, of course, but overall for the year we are about 4% up in sales and around 2% up in customers. It is difficult to know exactly why 2019 has been such an improvement for us on 2018. Many factors play a part. A recent article on the BBC News website highlighted research showing that longevity in humans is strongly linked to a positive mental outlook. This is likely to be the case for businesses as well and independent food shops in particular. Although, adopting a positive mental attitude is easier said than done, especially when facing a barrage of bad news that you have no control over.

This is actually one of the main reasons I enjoy going to the Speciality & Fine Food Fair each September. To recharge the emotional batteries and experience the creative energy of so many producers of great food. And hopefully transfer some of it into our shop. Just before the rollercoaster of Christmas begins. Fingers crossed for the rest of 2019!

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2019 and all that | Expert Eye - Speciality Food

Deepak Chopra knows not everyone will get his message. Particularly this time.

His new book, Metahuman: Unleashing Your Infinite Potential, is a journey into a world deeper than reality. Its about moving from what you know to what you can be. And its deep.

But the renowned best-selling author and spiritual guru wont leave you hanging. He outlines steps to help you get there. Chopra will talk about his new book Friday at Unity of Houston.

In an interview with the Houston Chronicle, Chopra explains his message.

ON RENEWHOUSTON.COM:What is mindfulness, anyway?

Metahuman sounds like something from a sci-fi show. What does it mean to you?

Its a deep understanding of a fundamental reality, as opposed to a perceptual reality. Perceptual reality is what youre experiencing right now in this moment through your senses. A fundamental reality is a conscious agent. You are a conscious agent or a soul thats having a human experience.

How do you live like a meta human when theres so much going on?

By Deepak Chopra, M.D.

Author appearance

Deepak Chopra will talk about his new book and what it means to metahuman at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Unity of Houston, 2929 Unity Drive.

Well, you could stop every few hours, take a few deep breaths and ask yourself, Am I awake right now? Am I aware right now? Thats a start.

You book has a 31-day guide at the end. Why is it important to give steps?

If you want to make a word into a sentence or a paragraph or a story, then you have to know how to do that step-by-step. So we are building a case for fundamental reality step-by-step.

Earlier this year you announced a GoFundMe campaign to bring awareness to suicide prevention and mental well-being through a global movement called NeverAlone. Can you talk about it?

Every day you read about suicide in the newspapers. The second most common cause of death among children and adolescents (ages 10-24). Theres something drastically wrong with us if our children feel so desperate that they have to kill themselves. You know its an act of ultimate desperation and not being connected with loved ones, and with the world. Theres something wrong globally with our mental state, so mental well-being should be our priority and particularly taking care of our next generation.

MINDFULNESS FOR THIRD GRADERS? See how meditation and yoga can help kids ward off anxiety and depression, only on HoustonChronicle.com

How do you personally stay centered?

I dont take myself seriously. I pay attention to my family life. I just do what I enjoy and if it doesnt have a meaning or purpose for me, then I dont do it. I focus on three things: service, community and spiritual practice. I also asked myself, Is it going to make a difference? If not, I don't do it.

Why is getting centered so hard?

Because we are bamboozled into thinking that theres something out there that will make us happy.

How do you encourage people to stay positive in the thick of the political season?

When you realize how insane the whole thing is you dont get involved. You just go and vote for that person that comes close to your ideas and then let the unknown take over. Thats my attitude.

joy.sewing@chron.com

ReNew Houston: Get Houstons newest source for healthy living, straight to your inbox. Sign up for the newsletter today.

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Deepak Chopra ponders what it means to be human - Houston Chronicle

What is meant by the phrase game changer? Who or what can that phrase be applied to? Most often its applied to sporting events or war. But what would it mean if it were applied to your life.

Game changer refers to a shift in outcomes, either good or bad. If you are not pleased with the events or circumstances of your life, a change of some kind would be a game changer for you.

Sometimes a game changer is as simple as a change in attitude from one of dejection, lack, and inertia to one of gratitude, abundance, and boundless energy.

Tall order? Maybe not. It is often extraordinary the kinds of changes that show up in our lives when it is viewed through a different lens.

It is often extraordinary the kinds of changes that show up in our lives when it is viewed through a different lens.

When you start from a place of gratitude, really internalizing all that is right in your life, you have affected the outcome. You have uncovered a game changer called gratitude.

If you are wondering what you have to be grateful for, start with the small things and what you can label as the treasures of your heart. Begin by filling your heart with gratitude for simply being.

When you wake up in the morning what is the first and most obvious of your treasures? You woke up! Not enough to be grateful for? Then think of the many who did not wake up.

Once you begin to takeinventory of your treasures, things to be grateful for, you are better able toface life from a different, more positive attitudeone of thankfulness. Gratitudebecomes a game changer.

The benefits of gratitude are numerous. To start with, gratitude lowers stress, which we all know is unhealthy. When you have a sense of gratitude, you can successfully cope with the challenges that come your way, you have more enthusiasm as you face the day.

It will actually prove difficult to feel defeated or depressed when you are grateful.

Gratitude helps youput life in perspective as it enhances your wellbeing. When you have a more positive,can-do perspective, success is easier to attain.

By expressing gratitude for even the small positive aspects of your life, you are likely to feel happier and more optimistic. You will feel more in charge.

Wouldnt you prefer to face the day in a more positive I can do it frame of mind? What a game changer that would be for so many people! Would it be for you, too?

If you are struggling with finding that place of gratitude in your life, start small.

For example, when you make your to-do list in the morning or you are in some way reviewing the coming day, think of one small thing that you are grateful for. Write it down, either at the top of your to-do list or in a journal.

This exercise should get easier everyday and your list should begin to grow. If it is still difficult for you to feel grateful, talk to someone who can help your through it and recommend other exercises you can try so that you can uncover your gratitude treasure.

You see, gratitude really is a game changer that can affect your life on so many levels.

It affects your physical and mental health, your relationship with others and your satisfaction with your career or job. You are more likely to feel optimistic and you can better position yourself for success in whatever you attempt to do.

Previously publishedon Goodmenproject.com

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Gratitude is a Game Changer - Thrive Global