Category Archives: Glossary

Glossary: Nodding

Glossary

“Nodding” is the principal sign of opiate intoxication. Out of nowhere, the individual will abruptly appear as if he or she were falling asleep, stay that way for an indefinite period — often leaning or bending over at angles that seem to defy gravity, and somehow, somehow not falling — and then, just as abruptly, come back to complete alertness.

Glossary: TDAP

Dependency, Glossary

TDAP — Temporary Disability Assistance Program — is a State of Maryland cash benefit for people who have an active, pending application for Supplemental Security Income and/or Social Security Disability Income.

The benefit is $185/month. It lasts for a maximum of one year or until a determination is made as to the SSI/SSDI application. If the SSI/SSDI application is denied and not appealed, TDAP is cut off at once.

I received this benefit for some time 2011-2012 when I was legitimately disabled. It was a big help with living expenses. I am not disabled now.

Most of my acquaintances get it.

My therapist and I have had several conversations about whether I might be eligible for SSI/SSDI based on psychiatric factors, and thus far have decided not to pursue it. An SSI/SSDI application is normally denied the first three or four times one applies, and one won’t normally get an award without a lawyer. It takes a lot of work.

One must be fully committed to dependency.

Glossary: God’s plan

Glossary, ,

Many people believe God has a “plan” of concrete events that must take place in history.  There are Bible passages that express or imply a similar view.  One of its most common expressions is found in the tract, “The Four Spiritual Laws,” which begins with the statement, “God loves you, and has a wonderful PLAN for your life.”

I believe God’s only “plan” is that sentient creatures do as they choose and face the results of their choices.

Glossary: Peace of mind

Glossary

A state of being that, at least until very recently, I have taken to be the whole point of Jesus’ teaching.  From here:

Attributes of peace of mind:

  • unusual relaxation of the lower abdomen, from the navel to the groin
  • a sense of warmth in the same area
  • corresponding relaxation of the diaphragm, enabling exceptionally deep breaths and corresponding relaxation of the whole body
  • complete presence — attention to the material here-and-now
  • complete acceptance of, or peace with, oneself
  • complete acceptance of, or peace with, What Is — the world as it is

When this state occurs, I normally wind up thinking, “This is it.  This is the best.  Everyone should have this.  If there were a gift I could give every human being, this would be it.”