For some time now, there have been these energy drinks on the market.  They are advertised by, with seemingly funny commercials.  They come in brightly colored cans so as to catch a customer’s eye.  The commercials always tout them as just energy drinks which will give your energy level a boost.  What they always fail to mention is that these beverages are loaded with caffeine.  Drinking just one can will immediately give one a boost, all right.  A boost in the heart rate and in the blood pressure.  Young people are being targeted by these ads.  The manufacturers know exactly what they’re doing.  It would be interesting to know who has a financial stake in these energy drink companies.  Young people are getting addicted to caffeine through these drinks.  Caffeine will dangerously boost the heart rate and blood pressure, if too much is ingested and will act adversely upon the nervous system as well.  A person will not be able to sleep much or well.  It can affect one’s moods.  If you drink these regularly and miss even one of your accustomed number of drinks, you will experience withdrawal symptoms, such as a headache and uneasiness.  Caffeine is just as much a drug as are cocaine and marijuana.  How many caffeine addicts are out there, both in and out of the Church?  If you must have this kind of beverage every day, to stave off headaches and nervousness, you unfortunately, are an addict.  Read section 89 in the Doctrine and Covenants and note particularly, the words, “conspiring men.”  This can and does, apply to those who market an addictive beverage to people.

For the past week, I have been having to live with frequent and severe back pain.  It’s a way of life for me.  I know that I will have this problem for the rest of my life.  When it happens, I can’t do the things I normally do, such as go for walks and clean house.  It is frustrating and depressing.  It makes me want to be cranky.  I have learned that the pain is humbling, and therefore a good life lesson for me.  I get the opportunity to re-learn how to accept help, as well as be humbled to ask for it.  When it comes to the things I can’t do, I prefer to concentrate instead on the things I CAN do.