Whether it be: porn, sex, drugs, alcohol, cigs, food, exercise, violence, etc. the mechanism in the brain – the neurological reward pathway operates in the same way.
Just thought it might be of interest. They reckon about 10% of people experience addiction at some point in their lives. I myself have an addiction to nicotine – something I need to work on. Have a watch, go on, I’ll wait.
What’s interesting to me, is the transformation people undertake. They have to identify their addiction and make the choice to deal with it. This transformation process is a difficult one; with the individual having to work on deep rooted issues. And most people don’t get it right the first time; but when they finally do it’s an incredible sight to behold. It gives me real hope in the strength of the human spirit.
I recognise that people visiting this page/post might want to know where they can get support. If you require support around your mental health, addiction or physical health, see this Support page here.
I bought this photo frame (above) from Next a few years ago. I absolutely loved it, but couldn’t get photos printed in the 3×3 and 4×4 sizes that the frames required. I tried cutting the photos down, but they either didn’t look right or things/people that I wanted in the photo I’d have to cut off. So I ended up putting it away in a cupboard.
Recently, I came across the photo frame. I decided to have another look online for 3×3 and 4×4 photo prints and discovered OddPrints by Matt Burns.
Matt Burns recently said in email:
I wrote OddPrints mainly because I’m a programming-maths-nerd and I found printing photos for little frames really difficult. I figured what chance do casual computer users have?
Matt’s right he’s made it so easy; even a technophobe like me can work OddPrints. First you upload a photo, select your size (Below Left) and then choose any other options (Below Middle):
Upload your photo and select your size.
Choose your options.
How to print your own photos.
Then you can either print your own (Above: Right) with the guidelines on or get them professionally printed by OddPrints. I had mine printed by OddPrints; the quality of print and speed of postage were superb. When my photos arrived I simply cut them down and put them in the frames.
Hurray! A simple solution to my problem. I highly recommend having your photos printed by OddPrints. So if you need photos in odd sizes visit: OddPrints.
My initial reaction was pride. All out gay or bisexual men have had to have these difficult conversations at some point, so I definitely empathised. These conversations are hard enough, but for Tom it must have been even more difficult given his position.
Tom is an Athlete in the Sporting Profession; and how many out gay professional Athlete’s or sports people do you know? Gareth Thomas the retired Rugby Player comes to mind, but he only came out as gay after he retired.
Then there’s Robbie Rogers a US Football Player, who used to play in the UK but no longer does. It is unbelievable that of the estimated 4,500 professional Football Players in the UK, he is the only gay or bisexual one. Statistics apparently show that 1 in 10 men are gay or bisexual, so it is likely that there are many professional footballers as well as other Athlete’s and sports people that haven’t come out.
The reason Athlete’s and sports people don’t come out is the stigma still attached with being gay in the sport industry. Professional sports people worry about losing fans, sponsors and ultimately their jobs. Tom will have been aware of all this and is very brave for risking all.
I’ve read many journalistic reactions and opinion pieces on his disclosure. I’ve also read many supportive messages to him, along with some quite blatantly homophobic ones.
I wasn’t just proud that Tom had come out as being in a relationship with a man, but that he had put himself in a position of emotional vulnerability in search for acceptance. Acceptance is an innate human desire and in order to gain acceptance you have to let people know you.
I have pondered if Tom deliberately avoided using the words gay or bisexual, or even if these words needed to be said. I’m sure that Tom coming out will be a great role model to any gay teens struggling with their sexuality – what it means for them and their life.
If I were to give a message to Tom it would be this:
Thank you for sharing who you are. I wish you every happiness, you deserve it. Keep the people in your life that accept, love and care for you. The people that don’t this feel this way – don’t worry or waste your time thinking about them. Just keep working, living and loving who you are.
Published by: The Gay UK on Friday 17th January 2014.
