Miranda Lambert - The House That Built Me

The starfish and the boy

“One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed

a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.
Approaching the boy, he asked, ‘What are you doing?’
The youth replied, ‘Throwing starfish back into the ocean.
The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.’
‘ Son,’ the man said, ‘don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish?
You can’t make a difference!’
After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish,
and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said…‘I made a difference for that one.’”

Written by Loren Eiseley 1978

12 Things You Should Be Able to Say About Yourself

POST WRITTEN BY: ANGEL

12 Things You Should Be Able to Say About Yourself

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.
- Mae West

You know you’re on the right track when you can repeat each of the following headlines to yourself, honestly.  (And if you can’t, this list gives you something positive to work on.)

1.  I am following my heart and intuition.

Don’t be pushed by your problems.  Be led by your dreams.  Live the life you want to live.  Be the person you want to remember years from now.  Make decisions and act on them.  Make mistakes, fall and try again.  Even if you fall a thousand times, at least you won’t have to wonder what could have been.  At least you will know in your heart that you gave your dreams your best shot.

Each of us has a fire in our hearts burning for something.  It’s our responsibility in life to find it and keep it lit.  This is your life, and it’s a short one.  Don’t let others extinguish your flame.  Try what you want to try.  Go where you want to go.  Follow your own intuition.  Dream with your eyes open until you know exactly what it looks like.  Then do at least one thing every day to make it a reality.

And as you strive to achieve your goals, you can count on there being some fairly substantial disappointments along the way.  Don’t get discouraged, the road to your dreams may not be an easy one.  Think of these disappointments as challenges – tests of persistence and courage.  At the end of the road, more often than not, we regret what we didn’t do far more than what we did.  Read Quitter.

2.  I am proud of myself.

You are your own best friend and your own biggest critic.  Regardless of the opinions of others, at the end of the day the only reflection staring back at you inthe mirror is your own.  Accept everything about yourself – EVERYTHING!  You are you and that is the beginning and the end – no apologies, no regrets.

People who are proud of themselves tend to have passions in life, feel content and set good examples for others.  It requires envisioning the person you would like to become and making your best efforts to grow.

Being proud isn’t bragging about how great you are; it’s more like quietly knowing that you’re worth a lot.  It’s not about thinking you’re perfect – because nobody is – but knowing that you’re worthy of being loved and accepted.  All you have to do is be yourself and live the story that no one else can live – the story of your own unique life.  Be proud, be confident, you never know who has been looking at you wishing they were you.

3.  I am making a difference.

Act as if what you do makes a difference.  It does.

Is it true that we all live to serve?  That by helping others we fulfill our own destiny?  The answer is a simple ‘yes.’  When you make a positive impact in someone else’s life, you also make a positive impact in your own life.  Do something that’s greater than you – something that helps someone else to be happy or to suffer less.

You are only one, but you are one.  You cannot do everything, but you can do something.  Smile and enjoy the fact that you made a difference – one you’ll likely remember forever.

4.  I am happy and grateful.

Happiness is within you, in your way of thinking.  How you view yourself and your world are mindful choices and habits.  The lens you choose to view everything through determines how you feel about yourself and everything that happens around you.

Being grateful will always make you happy.  If you’re finding it hard to be grateful for anything, sit down close your eyes and take a long slow breath and be grateful for oxygen.  Every breath you take is in sync with someone’s last.

5.  I am growing in to the best version of me.

Judy Garland once said, “Always be a first rate version of yourself instead of a second rate version of somebody else.”  Live by this statement.  There is no such thing as living in someone else’s shoes.  The only shoes you can occupy are your own.  If you aren’t being yourself, you aren’t truly living – you’re merely existing.

Remember, trying to be anyone else is a waste of the person you are.  Embrace that individual inside you that has ideas, strengths and beauty like no one else.  Be the person you know yourself to be – the best version of you – on your terms.  Improve continuously, take care of your body and health, and surround yourself with positivity.  Become the best version of you.

6.  I am making my time count.

Time is the most valuable constituent of life.  Make the time for what does matter today.  Really being in the moment, finding passion in your life, seeing the world and traveling, or just seeing the world that’s around you right now, being with great people, doing amazing things, eating amazing food and savoring life’s little pleasures.

Remember, your time is priceless, but it’s free. You can’t own it, but you can use it.  You can spend it, but you can’t keep it.  Once you’ve lost it you can never get it back.  You really do only have a short period to live.  So let your dreams be bigger than your fears and your actions louder than your words.  Make your time count!

7.  I am honest with myself.

Be honest about what’s right, as well as what needs to be changed.  Be honest about what you want to achieve and who you want to become.  Be honest with every aspect of your life, always.  Because you are the one person you can forever count on.

Search your soul, for the truth, so that you truly know who you are.  Once you do, you’ll have a better understanding of where you are now and how you got here, and you’ll be better equipped to identify where you want to go and how to get there.  Read The Four Agreements.

8.  I am good to those I care about.

In human relationships distance is not measured in miles, but in affection.  Two people can be right next to each other, yet miles apart.  So don’t ignore someone you care about, because lack of concern hurts more than angry words.  Stay in touch with those who matter to you.  Not because it’s convenient, but because they’re worth the extra effort.

When was the last time you told your family and close personal friends that you loved them?  Just spending a little time with someone shows that you care, shows that they are important enough that you’ve chosen — out of all the things to do on your busy schedule — to find the time for them.  Talk to them.  Listen to them.  Understand them.

Many times it’s our actions, not just our words that really speak what our heart feels for another.

9.  I know what unconditional love feels like.

Whether your love is towards a child, a lover, or another family member, know the feeling of giving love and not expecting anything in return – this is what lies at the heart of unconditional love.  Life through unconditional love is a wondrous adventure that excites the very core of our being and lights our path with delight.  This love is a dynamic and powerful energy that lifts us through the most difficult times.

Love is beautiful and unpredictable.  It begins with ourselves, for without self-love, we cannot know what true love can be.  In loving ourselves, we allow the feeling to generate within us and then we can share it to everyone and everything around us.  When you love unconditionally, it isn’t because the person you love is perfect, it’s because you learn to see an imperfect person perfectly.

10.  I have forgiven those who once hurt me.

We’ve all been hurt by another person at some point or another – we were treated badly, trust was broken, hearts were hurt.  And while this pain is normal, sometimes that pain lingers for too long.  We relive the pain over and over, letting them live rent-free in our head and we have a hard time letting go.

Grudges are a waste of perfect happiness, it causes us to miss out on the beauty of life as it happens.  To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover the prisoner was you.

11.  I take full accountability for my life.

Own your choices and mistakes, and be willing to take the necessary steps to improve upon them.  Either you take accountability for your life or someone else will.  And when they do, you’ll become a slave to their ideas and dreams instead of a pioneer of your own.

You are the only one who can directly control the outcome of your life.  And no, it won’t always be easy.  Every person has a stack of obstacles in front of them.  But you must take accountability for your situation and overcome these obstacles.  Choosing not to is choosing a lifetime of mere existence.  Read The Road Less Traveled.

12.  I have no regrets.

This one is simply a culmination of the previous eleven…

Follow your heart.  Be true to yourself.  Do what makes you happy.  Be with who makes you smile.  Laugh as much as you breathe.  Love as long as you live.  Say what you need to say.  Offer a helping hand when you’re able.  Appreciate all the things you do have.  Smile.  Celebrate your small victories.  Learn from your mistakes.  Realize that everything is a lesson in disguise.  Forgive.  And let go of the things you can’t control.

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Can a fart kill?

Can a fart kill?	Apr. 21, 2012
Written by: Dr. W. Gifford-Jones, QMI Agency
Not pulling your finger -- passing gas can be lethal (for fish)
(SHUTTERSTOCK) Ig Nobel Prizes are prestigious awards given each year at Harvard University to those engaged in strange scientific research. For instance, Canadian researchers received the award for showing that small farts, known as fast repetitive ticks (FRTs), can be lethal. But why would the Vatican receive one? Rectal gas (flatus) happens to kings and the rest of us, and is a constant reminder that we’re all human. And when the urge to pass flatus happens in delicate situations, we would all prefer to be in the middle of the Sahara Desert. It’s never been easy to obtain medical information on flatus. After all, what doctor wants to be known as a specialist on farts? But my research reveals that most people pass flatus 15 to 25 times a day. Some deserve to be in the Guinness Book of Records as flatus can reach mind-boggling amounts in those who are unable to metabolize lactose. One man with this problem had 141 rectal expulsions in a mere four hours after drinking two quarts of milk! Very few escape a dinner party in time when they suddenly have a desire to pass flatus. I’d bet that few have the courage to let nature take its course and the devil be damned. That is, unless they’re fed up with dinner parties. But is the withholding of flatus a wise medical decision? Dr. Wynne-Jones, a New Zealand physician, says being polite on these occasions can cause long-term problems. He claims that increased pressure in the colon results in small herniations (diverticula) in the bowel wall. But he makes no mention of whether he practices what he preaches. Perhaps he is an infrequent guest at dinner parties. Genetics plays a role in the production of flatus. If a mother produces methane gas, there’s a good chance her children will also manufacture it. A lighted match was once placed near the trousers of a research participant while expelling flatus. The flame turned royal blue due to methane gas. But, please, do not try this experiment as such situations can cause more than a blue flame. Patients are always advised, prior to examination of the colon, to thoroughly cleanse the bowel with laxatives and enemas. One patient who had not done so was undergoing sigmoidoscopy to remove a benign polyp in the colon. Once the polyp was excised, the area was cauterized to control bleeding. But due to inadequate bowel cleansing, the collection of gas caused an explosion. This resulted in a 15 cm (six inch) tear in the intestinal wall requiring surgical repair. The force also blew the doctor across the room. But can a fart kill? Researchers at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia won their Ig Noble Prize by researching the habits of Atlantic and Pacific Herring. They were studying whether herring could hear the high frequency sounds emitted by approaching killer whales. But during this research they discovered that herring produce fast repetitive ticks, small farts, as a means of communicating with each other. Since herring have no dinner parties to attend, they can pass tiny farts any time they wish to do so. But there’s a problem. Killer whales can hear these expulsions and provide a speedy end to herring. So the moral is, farts can kill. During one Harvard prize-giving, other Ig Nobel Prizes were awarded for outstanding ideas. For instance, the Vatican was given the economics Ig Nobel Prize for outsourcing prayers to India. But neither the Pope nor anyone from the Vatican came to accept the award! Nor did anyone attend from a major soft drink company in Britain to take home the Ig Nobel chemistry award for creating bottled water that contained twice the legal limit of bromate, a carcinogen. Congratulations to Buck Weimer, of Pueblo, Colorado, who won the Ig Nobel biology prize for his practical idea that can help many people -- charcoal activated underwear. Weimer’s wife, who has Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel problem, can now attend social functions as this gas-eating underwear absorbs odours. For more information in the U.S., see the website www.under-tec.com or call 1-888-433-5913. In Canada, 1-719-584-7782.

15 Things Real Friends Do Differently

Marc and Angel Hack Life

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POST WRITTEN BY: MARC

15 Things Real Friends Do Differently

As we grow, we realize it becomes less important to have more friends and more important to have real ones.

Remember, life is kind of like a party.  You invite a lot of people, some leave early, some stay all night, some laugh with you, some laugh at you, and some show up really late.  But in the end, after the fun, there are a few who stay to help you clean up the mess.  And most of the time, they aren’t even the ones who made the mess.  These people are your real friends in life.  They are the ones who matter most.

Here are 15 things real friends do differently:

1. They face problems together. – A person who truly knows and loves you – a real friend – is someone who sees the pain in your eyes while everyone else still believes the smile on your face.  Don’t look for someone who will solve all your problems; look for someone who will face them with you.
2. They give what they can because they truly care. – One of the biggest challenges in relationships comes from the fact that many of us enter a relationship in order to get something.  We try to find someone who’s going to make us feel good.  In reality, the only way a relationship will last, and give us joy in the long-term, is if we see our relationship as a place we go to give, and not just a place we go to take.  Yes, of course it is okay to take something from a relationship too.  But both sides should be giving.  It can only be a ‘give and take’ if BOTH SIDES are GIVING.  That’s the key.
3. They make time for each other. – It’s obvious, but any relationship without any face time is going to have problems.  You shouldn’t have to fight for a spot in someone’s life.  Never force someone to make a space in their life for you, because if they truly care about you, they will create one for you.  (Read The How of Happiness.)
4. They offer each other freedom. – A healthy relationship keeps the doors and windows wide open.  Plenty of air is circulating and no one feelstrapped.  Relationships thrive in this environment.  Keep your doors and windows open.  If this person is meant to be in your life, all the open doors and windows in the world won’t make them leave.
5. They communicate effectively. – It’s been said many times before, but it’s true: great communication is the cornerstone of a great relationship.  If you have resentment, you must talk it out rather than let the resentment grow.  If you are jealous, you must communicate in an open and honest manner to address your insecurities.  If you have expectations of your partner, you must communicate them.  If there are any problems whatsoever, you must communicate them and work them out.  And communicate more than just problems – communicate the good things too.
6. They accept each other as is. – Trying to change a person never works. People know when they are not accepted in their entirety, and it hurts.  A real friend is someone who truly knows you, and loves you just the same.  Don’t change so people will like you.  Be yourself and the right people will love the real you.  If you feel like changing something about your friend, ask yourself what change you can make in yourself instead.
7. They are genuine, and expect genuineness. – As Leo F. Buscaglia once said, “Never idealize others.  They will never live up to your expectations.  Don’t over-analyze your relationships.  Stop playing games.  A growing relationship can only be nurtured by genuineness.” Don’t play games with people’s heads and hearts.  Remember, love and friendship don’t hurt.  Lying, cheating and screwing with people’s feelings and emotions hurts.  Always be open, honest, and genuine.  (Read The Mastery of Love.)
8. They compromise. – Real friends meet in the middle.  When there’s a disagreement, they work out a solution that works for both parties – a compromise, rather than a need for the other person to change or completely give in.
9. They support each other’s growth changes. – Our needs change with time.  When someone says, “You’ve changed,” it’s not always a bad thing.  Sometimes it just means you grown.  Don’t apologize for it.  Instead, be open and sincere, explain how you feel, and keep doing what you know in your heart is right.
10. They believe in each other. – Simply believing in another person, and showing it in your words and deeds, can make a huge difference in their life.  Studies of people who grew up in dysfunctional homes but who grew up to be happy and successful show that the one thing they had in common was someone who believed in them.  Do this for those you care about.  Support their dreams and passions and hobbies.  Participate with them.  Cheer for them.  Be nothing but encouraging.  Whether they actually accomplish these dreams or not, your belief is of infinite importance to them.
11. They maintain realistic expectations of their relationship. – No one is happy all the time.  Friends must keep realistic expectations of each other.  Notice when you’re projecting something onto the other person that has nothing to do with them, like a fear from a past relationship, and then make an effort to let it go.  Recognize when you’re looking for that person to do something for you that you need to do for yourself, like making you feel lovable or take care of your needs, and then release those expectations and do it for yourself.
12. They honor each other in small ways on a regular basis. – Honor your important relationships in some way every chance you get.  Every day you have the opportunity to make your relationship sweeter and deeper by making small gestures to show your appreciation and affection.  Remember, making one person smile can change the world.  Maybe not the whole world, but their world.  Your kindness and gratitude matters.  Make an effort to really listen – not just wait to talk.  See the other person as if for the first time.  It’s all too easy to take someone for granted.  Really notice all the wonderful things they do, and let them know what you see.
13. They listen, and they hear every word. – Giving a person a voice, and showing them that their words matter, will have a long-lasting impact on them.  Less advice is often the best advice.  People don’t need lots of advice, they need a listening ear and some positive reinforcement.  What they want to know is often already somewhere inside of them.  They just need time to think, be and breathe, and continue to explore the undirected journeys that will eventually help them find their direction.
14. They keep their promises. – Your word means everything.  If you say you’re going to do something, DO IT!  If you say you’re going to be somewhere, BE THERE!  If you say you feel something, MEAN IT!  If you can’t, won’t, and don’t, then DON’T LIE.  Real friends keep promises and tell the truth upfront.  (Read The Four Agreements.)
15. They stick around. – The sad truth is that there are some people who will only be there for you as long as you have something they need.  When you no longer serve a purpose to them, they will leave.  The good news is, if you tough it out, you’ll eventually weed these people out of your life and be left with some great people you can count on.  We rarely lose friends and lovers, we just gradually figure out who our real ones are.

Photo by: Erika

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Check out the ZENN Car, made in Canada and illegal to dell here

Check out the ZENN Car, made in Canada and illegal to dell here

Adastra super yacht is a one-of-a-kind aquatic marvel

By Mike Wehner, Tecca | Today in Tech – Wed, 18 Apr, 2012

A project 5 years in the making finally sails into the sunset

In the world of boating, there are yachts, super yachts, and then there's the Adastra, a massive, custom built masterpiece of engineering that looks more like a spacecraft from Star Wars than an actual vehicle. Unfortunately, a new class of marine transportation hasn't yet been coined, so for the time being the 140-foot will have to reside within the "super yacht" category, though to lump it in with any other water-faring ride does a bit of a disservice to its creators at John Shuttleworth Yacht Designs.

Adastra super yacht

The massive vessel's unique triple hull design — also known as a "trimaran" — was based on world record-breaking boats like the Ady Gil. But while previous tri-hulls were created with speed, fuel efficiency, and weight in mind, the Adastra mixes its braun with beauty. Featuring a luxuriousinterior, complete with dinning area, fancy sleeping spaces, and even a bathroom and shower, the brand new barge is both easy on the gas and the eyes.

Adastra super yacht

The ship features a master cabin as well as two guest cabins that will comfortably house a total of nine guests, crew quarters for up to six, and a plethora of deck space for taking in the sights.

Adastra super yacht

Designed and built over a span of five years, virtually every aspect of the Adastra's construction keeps its weight to a minimum while still being eye-catching. Its hardwood cabinetry is crafted of fine, light-weight oak with honeycomb pockets, while important hardware like the hatch and ladders are made of ultra-strong carbon fiber which are just a fraction of the weight of steel components.

Adastra super yacht

The Adastra's top speed hovers around 22 knots, giving it considerable get-up-and-go for a personal luxury yacht, while its fuel-sipping, 1,150hp Caterpillar engine allows it to travel 4,000 miles in a single trip. If you're looking to get your hands on the Adastra, you're out of luck: There's just one of these remarkable vessels in the world, and it's already spoken for.

Your task is not to look for love

“Your task is not to look for love,

 but merely to seek & find all the barriers within

 yourself that you have built against it.”

~Rumi~

Tree nuts linked to lower body weight, decreased type 2 diabetes risk: study

By Carolyn Morris | Shine On – Mon, 16 Apr, 2012 3:49 PM EDT

A large U.S. study has linked eating tree nuts with a lower body mass index and lower risk of type 2 diabetes. (Credit: Thinkstock)Go nuts — it's good for your health! A handful of nuts a day could keep you slim and lower your risk of type 2 diabetes, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.

By "a few," researchers mean more than a quarter ounce of tree nuts — so a small handful of almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios or walnuts. Sorry, your peanut butter and jelly sandwiches weren't included in this study.

"One of the more interesting findings was the fact that tree nut consumers had lower body weight, as well as lower body mass index and waist circumference compared to nonconsumers," states the study's lead author, Carol O'Neil, professor at Louisiana State University Agricultural Center.

"It shows small differences," says Sharon Zeiler, dietitian and senior manager of diabetes education and nutrition at the Canadian Diabetes Association, "but as we know from diabetes, small differences can make a big difference."

The daily dose of tree nuts was linked to higher levels of the so-called "good cholesterol," high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, as well as lower levels of the inflammation-related C-reactive protein. The study included 13,292 adults in the United States who participated in National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys from 1999 to 2004.

Tree-nut consumers were also found to have a five percent lower prevalence of metabolic syndromes, which increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, and stroke.

"As a dietitian, I know that nuts are a good source of protein, fiber and a lot of essential fatty acids — walnuts especially," says Zeiler. But she warns that they are only good in moderation.

"The thing for consumers to think about," she warns, "is that while nuts are very good for you, they're also very high in calories. They contain 'good' fat, but they contain a substantial amount of fat."

So a small handful --  maybe six or eight walnut halves, or a dozen almonds -- might be good for your health. And for those of you who might be allergic to nuts, you can substitute with things like fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, lentils and tofu, she suggests.

Skeptical readers should note that funding for the study came from the International Tree Nut Council Nutrition Research & Education Foundation.

Unsurprisingly, the executive director of that non-profit organization, Maureen Ternus, states that "we need to educate people about the importance of including tree nuts in the diet."

So, go nuts! Just don't overdo it.

The Best Place to Retire Overseas on a Budget

By Kathleen Peddicord | U.S.News & World Report LP – 22 hours ago

If an affordable cost of living is your priority in choosing where to retire, take a look at Cuenca, Ecuador. This city is one of the world's best places to retire overseas on a budget.

Cuenca is a beautiful colonial city in an interesting and diverse country. The health care is high quality, honest, and inexpensive. The climate is spring-like and pleasant 12 months of the year. And Cuenca's large and growing expat community is one of Latin America's most diverse and well-blended.

There are other colonial cities in Ecuador, but Cuenca is the cultural heart of the country. In this center of art and literature, you can attend the orchestra, a play, a tango show, or an art opening, and these activities are usually free.

Cuenca is also a popular destination for international tourists and language students, offering many super-affordable options to study Spanish. The tourists and students bring vitality to the city and help support Cuenca's developed infrastructure for amenities and services.

However, perhaps the biggest draw to Cuenca is its cost of living, which is extremely low, especially considering the quality of life that you find here. The falling dollar has caused prices to go up sharply for overseas retirees whose retirement incomes are denominated in U.S. dollars, but who are living in places where goods are priced in the local currency. But this exchange-rate concern does not exist in Cuenca, because Ecuador uses the U.S. dollar.

The $1 fixed-price lunch is still alive and well in Cuenca (although $2.50 is more common), and the city is awash with fresh tropical fruits and vegetables for pennies on the dollar. Fresh fish and shrimp arrive daily from the coast, and much of the local poultry is free-range. A bus trip through the city is a quarter, taxis start at about $1.50, and gas is only $1.48 per gallon.

You could rent a furnished apartment for as little as $400 per month, an unfurnished apartment from $300 per month, or buy a small condo outright for less than $40,000. Thanks to thecomfortable year-round climate in Cuenca, you won't have to worry about heat or air conditioning, which is another important reason why retirement in this city is as affordable as it is.

Cuenca is very walkable and boasts an excellent public transit system, as does all of Ecuador. You could live easily without a car, which shaves even more costs from your monthly budget.

All that said, Cuenca is not the most affordable place to live in Ecuador. In small towns like Cotacachi or Vilcabamba, you could retire on an even more modest budget of as little as $650 or $700 a month. But the cost of living isn't the only factor you should consider when choosing a retirement spot. You want to balance the cost of your retirement against the quality of retirement life you'll be able to enjoy. Part of the reason the overall cost of living in places like Cotacachi is so low is because there's simply not much to do, meaning there's not much to spend money on. You could live quite frugally in Cotacachi, but also very simply.

Cuenca, on the other hand, is a fully developed city, where you could enjoy a rich and full life. To be able to enjoy all that the city has to offer, plan on a budget of $1,500 a month per couple if you're renting and $1,100 per month if you own your home. You could certainly live here for less, but these estimates will allow you to make the most of your new life in Cuenca.

Kathleen Peddicord is the founder of the Live and Invest Overseas publishing group. With more than 25 years experience covering this beat, Kathleen reports daily on current opportunities for living, retiring, and investing overseas in her free e-letter. Her book, How To Retire Overseas--Everything You Need To Know To Live Well Abroad For Less, was recently released by Penguin Books.

What Causes the Seemingly Stable to Have Sudden Mental Breakdowns?

After Jet Blue: What Causes the Seemingly Stable to Have Sudden Mental Breakdowns?

04/08/2012

Sudden psychotic episodes or what used to be called nervous breakdowns, don’t usually make the news, but they do when the victim is currently flying a commercial airline like the case of a recent Jet Blue pilot who had to be subdued.

The Jet Blue pilot began acting erratically on his flight headed from New York to Las Vegas, forcing the co-pilot to lock him out of the cockpit and make an emergency landing. It leaves many wondering what causes people to lose it? WSJ Health Blogexplored this fascinating subject. 

One passenger on the plane said that “I don’t think when the pilot woke up that this was what he was intending to do, but unfortunately it happened to him.”

A psychotic episode is when you lose touch with reality for whatever period of time the episode occurs. It can be caused by a brain tumor, thyroid condition, fever, infection, drug use, or a bad reaction to a prescription drug. It can also be caused by a bipolar disorder and extreme depression, especially when there’s major stress on top of mental illness.

There are usually warning signs, however, even if they are only noticed after the fact. “When people present a kind of rapid onset of a psychotic state that hasn’t been noticed before and that seems to come out of the blue, in retrospect there is usually some clinical prodrome,” or early symptom, David Hellerstein, a professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University, tells the Health Blog.

Photo: Thinkstock