Watershed Voice columnist Charles Thomas writes, “When I was a kid, the Dallas Cowboys were called America’s football team because they were winners. But today, I think the Detroit Lions are America’s football team because even though they are perennial losers, they just keep getting back up, again and again and again. Through grit and determination, the last are now first, and the Lions are finally having their moment in the spotlight. As Prince once sang, ‘the ride up front is better once you been in the back.'”
Big World Small Town
Watershed Voice columnist and psychotherapist Charles Thomas writes, “There is ample scientific evidence that being in a healthy relationship is associated with less anxiety and stress, better general mental health, a lower risk for depression, and even longer life span.” But what constitutes a healthy relationship? Charles has answers.
Watershed Voice columnist and psychotherapist Charles Thomas writes about how his favorite musician Prince dealt with the grief of losing his son, and how while grief may be inevitable, responding poorly to it is not.
WSV columnist and limited licensed psychologist Charles Thomas writes, “While there weren’t many silver linings to the pandemic, one good thing that did happen as a result of it was that our culture developed a fresh appreciation of the importance of mental health care. But a large block of Americans has been left behind. This is in spite of the fact that they make up nearly 80% of all suicides, have fewer friendships and social connections than other groups, and are also more likely to binge drink and have substance use disorders than other groups.”
Watershed Voice columnist Charles Thomas writes, “Because ChatGPT can write essays, I thought it would be interesting to ask it to write a couple of essays for Watershed Voice about recent issues we’ve reported on. (The following) is an edited transcript of my conversation with ChatGPT, along with ChatGPT’s first work for Watershed Voice.”
Watershed Voice columnist Charles Thomas writes, “If you’re lonely this Valentine’s Day, I think it’s normal and even laudable to yearn for the opportunity to love in this active way and to find the kind of love that is real, harsh, and at times, even dreadful.
“But dreaming of a love perpetually frozen in the moments after a meet cute is likely to bring only sorrow. While that kind of love does exist, it’s as fragile as a soap bubble that immediately pops when hit with the faintest of breezes. When that bubble has burst, we are left with a mess that must be cleaned up. Then it’s time for us to start the harder task of active love. As G.K. Chesterton wrote, ‘to love means loving the unlovable.'”
Watershed Voice columnist Charles Thomas writes about the importance of deliberate practice when attempting to develop expertise.
WSV columnist Charles Thomas recalls the “saddest Christmas” he’s ever had, and how a recent exchange with a Las Vegas taxi driver helped put into focus what Charles and many of us take for granted.
Watershed Voice columnist Charles Thomas imagines what C.S. Lewis’ “The Screwtape Letters” would look like if instead of trying to damn “the patient” to hell, the two demons at the center of the story tried to create the worst mental health in that patient. So if you’re looking to improve your mental health, stop listening to those inner demons, and go for a walk.
Watershed Voice columnist Charles Thomas writes, “Having now lived for a half century, I remember a time when things were different. I remember when people who disagreed could have vigorous debate about a topic and then walk away still liking the other person. In short, I remember a time when we were all better at empathy.”
WSV Columnist Charles Thomas writes about the ongoing controversy surrounding Riverside Church, and how we might address perpetual problems like sexual and spiritual abuse as a society.
WSV’s Charles Thomas suggests three steps to take when learning how to lose with grace.
WSV’s Charles Thomas writes, “The Most Reverend Desmond Tutu was one of the great spiritual giants of our time, so when I learned that he had once visited our fair city of Three Rivers, I was shocked.”
Big World, Small Town columnist Charles Thomas ranks what he believes are his five best columns of 2021.
WSV’s Charles Thomas writes, “The honest truth is that many of us feel sad around Christmas time. If that’s where you are this year, please know that you are not alone.”
WSV’s Charles Thomas writes about importance of beauty, as well as the risk and reward of sharing one’s creative efforts with the world. “Why do they take the risk? Why put yourself in a position to have something you worked on for hundreds of hours become the subject of ridicule? Why risk openness and honesty when we live in a culture that has a strong tendency to mock almost everything? I’m sure there is no single answer to those questions, but I think an important reason that we take those risks is because deep down, all of us want to be a part of something beautiful. In fact, I think that a drive to merge with the beautiful is essential to who we are as human beings.”
It’s often said it takes a village to raise a child but the same can be said about an independent, nonprofit news organization. Over the next two weeks we’ll introduce or in some cases re-introduce the people who make Watershed Voice what it is today.
WSV’s Charles Thomas writes about legacy, immortality, and the importance of perspective during a long life lived.