Cupidopolis

I have always maintained that education is extremely important. In fact I am not the only one, which is why education is compulsory until 16. But education does not need to end there. Today without a degree there is very little that one can do. I have heard people say but I cannot afford it. Yet there are websites which can help you find a grant to help you continue your education such as the Pell grants. The truth is that unless you want it and unless you try, you will not get anywhere. So spend a little time and think about where you want to be in 10 years time and then think about your next step!

“I keep hearing voices and I am convinced that there are aliens. My friends laugh at me and say there is no such thing but I know that I hear them and so I know they are there. How can I prove them to my friends?”

I am not going into whether or not there are aliens as honestly I do not know the answer. But if you are hearing voices, you might need to get checked out with your Doctor. Hearing voices may be a symptom of schizophrenia. I am not saying that you are schizophrenic, but you might want to rule it out with your GP. If you are suffering from schizophrenia, your doctor may be able to prescribe some tablets to deal with your illness.

Betting can often be a problem if it gets out of hand. And although there are groups such as gambler anonymous, the point is to not arrive into the situation where you do become a compulsive gambler. Gambling problems are never an easy issue to broach, but if not dealt with can arise into very serious serious problems such as huge financial debts, lies, family problems and stress related issues.

This does not go to say that you should not gamble. After all I seriously believe in a democratic society and freedom of choice. After all a quick flutter can raise your heart rate and give you a sense of excitement. It can even give you a really nice feel good feeling, that can actually even be good for you.

Even simply buying a lottery ticket is gambling, yet most people who buy a ticket are buying a dream. At least for until the draw, you can think “If I win… I will pay my bills, buy a house, get that new gadget, take a round the world holiday, etc !”

The key to gambling is moderation. Good Luck!

Someone recently expressed an opinion that in today’s society if you are not savvy with computers, you begin to border on illiteracy. It is assumed that most people can read and write. And with every day that passes, there is a growing consensus to expect people to have IT access from email to being able to browse websites. I did ponder about it and realised how true that is. In todays world, we do rely on technology and if we cannot use it, it does affect our lives negatively. Thankfully with all the courses around, we are able to ensure that we are able to make the most of technology available. Oh, and the fact that you are reading this (unless printed out on a piece of paper) means that you too have at least begun to get to grips with IT. Congratulations!

I cannot help but wonder how many visitors actually come to this website, and how many people actually benefit from my advice. I have been thinking of installing a free hit counter but that would only tell me how many people visit the site. It is up to you my visitors to tell me what you think. Do feel free to leave comments and email any problems you have. I cannot promise to answer all problems, but I will do my best.

Smiling is a good way to improve your mental health without much effort. Not only that, you will also make other people happy.

Try it. It is really easy. Stretch your lips and curve them upwards. Go on. You can do it. A little bit more. You are nearly there!

See how much better you are feeling already!

“My son is driving my car with a learner licence and therefore no insurance. I am worried that he will get caught and go to prison. How can I stop him?”

As you are aware, it is illegal to drive without both a licence and without insurance. On top of which, not only does your son stand a chance of getting a fine and a possible jail sentence but you also run the risk of having your car seized by the police and crushed. That would soon put a stop to his driving but it would also stop your driving.

Do explain the situation to your son as it can affect the rest of his life. You can always offer him an incentive to get his licence like paying for his insurance. You can easily get Discount Car Insurance to cover him. Last but not least, do hide your keys from him to make sure he does not take your car. After all, your car is your responsibility!

“I enjoy a couple of glasses of wine at night. My friends have said I am an alcoholic. How can I prove to them I am not. I only drink a couple of glasses at night!”

We often think of alcoholics as constant drunks, people who start drinking from the moment they wake up. Sadly this is just an extreme case of alcoholism. Being an alcoholic is about dependency on drink. It often starts with a must have drink every night and then proceeds to lunch and before you know it are dependant on alcohol.

I cannot tell your friends that you are not an alcoholic. But I would suggest that you take a look at your drinking situation. Are you drinking every night. Can you go a couple of nights without any wine? Can you try to cut down to perhaps a couple of drinks at weekends? If you have any difficulty with cutting down, then perhaps you do have an alcohol problem. Like with most problems, it will be wise to seek appropriate help. Joining a club like the AA (alcoholics anonymous) would be a first step to admitting you have a problem. If you still feel that you do not have such a problem, do have a chat with your nurse or GP who may be able to offer you further insight and examine how much of a problem / issue you really do have.

By taking these steps, you will also be helping reassuring your friends, who incidentally seem to be good friends.

“I really want to take my family on holiday but it is not easy coming up with something that suits everyone. Do you have any suggestions?”

There are a whole range of holidays you can take. A nice holiday in the sun is always a fun treat. Everyone loves the beach, the sun and the sea. Just remember to take the sunscreen.

Another alternative would be getting a cheap flight to Orlando to visit Disney World. There is always something for everyone young and old! And so far I have never heard of anyone being disappointed with going to disney world!

“My son is 14 months and is not yet walking. I am worried as the other kids in our mums and tots are all walking.”

Children develop at different stages. Toddlers are so called toddlers because they toddle - walk unsteadily. I would give it a little more time but if you still feel worried, speak to your health visitor, GP or pediatrician who will help put your mind at rest.