darnold1975

Coping Skills I Learned on Social Media

“Healing is messy, hilarious, and inconvenient. And sometimes smells like essential oils.”

-This Puzzled Life

 Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Because today we are diving into the chaotic swamp of Coping Skills I Learned on Social Media. And according to the internet, all my trauma can be cured with a mason jar, a deep breath, and a girl named Moonbeam who lives in a van and sells chakra stickers on Etsy. Now with a special guest appearance from my therapist. She has thoughts, feelings, and possibly a migraine because of me.

I used to think coping skills were things you learned in therapy from trained professionals with degrees and clipboards. But no. Social media said, “Move over, licensed clinicians. We’ve got influencers with ring lights.” Suddenly my For You Page became a spiritual Walgreens. One swipe: grounding techniques. Next swipe: breathwork tutorials. Next swipe: “Put lavender oil on your forehead and tell your inner child she’s a baddie.” And listen. I tried them all. Because I’m nothing if not committed to healing. And also easily influenced by people who speak in soft voices and have plants.

1. Grounding Techniques (aka: Sensory Hide & Seek)

Social media told me to ground myself by naming five things I can see. So, there I was. Mid-anxiety spiral whispering, “A lamp. A cat. Another cat. A third cat A pile of laundry judging me. Did it help? Honestly yes. Because halfway through, Piper knocked over a cup. Coco screamed like a banshee. And Tinkerbell tried to eat the sage. Suddenly my anxiety had competition.

2. Breathwork (aka: Hyperventilating, but make it mindful)

Every influencer says the same thing, “Just breathe.” Ma’am I’ve been breathing. That’s the one thing I’ve consistently done since birth. But I tried the 4-6 method. Inhale for 4. Exhale for 6. Repeat until calm or until you pass out. And wake up spiritually refreshed.

At one point I inhaled so dramatically I sounded like a Victorian woman about to faint on a chaise lounge. Piper walked in and asked, “Are you okay or are you summoning something?” Honestly, both.

3. Lavender Oil Girl

There’s always one girl. She’s on every platform. She has perfect skin. A soft voice. And a house that looks like a Pinterest board. She says things like, “Lavender oil cured my generational trauma.” Ma’am my generational trauma is from the south. It has roots. It has acreage. It has a porch. Lavender oil is not strong enough. But I dabbed it on my wrists anyway because I’m weak and easily influenced. Did it cure my trauma? No. Did it make me smell like a Whole Foods aisle? Absolutely.

 4. The Cold-Water Trick

“Put your face in ice water to reset your nervous system.” I tried it. I dunked my whole face in a bowl like a Labrador retrieving a tennis ball. Did it help? Yes. Because for 30 seconds, I forgot every problem I’ve ever had.

5. My Therapist’s Opinion (aka: The Professional Sigh Heard ‘Round the World)

Now let’s talk about my therapist. She’s a woman with the patience of Job. The stamina of a kindergarten teacher. And the facial expressions of someone silently asking God for strength. When I told her I’d been practicing coping skills I learned on social media, she blinked three times. Which is the clinical equivalent of buffering and said, “Okay, let’s unpack that.” Which is therapist code for, “Lord, give me the strength not to laugh. Cry. Or quit my job.”

I explained the grounding, the breathwork, the lavender oil, the ice-water face dunking, and the inner-child pep talks. She nodded slowly like someone watching a toddler proudly show them a macaroni necklace. Then she said, “I’m glad you’re trying things. But maybe let’s add some skills that don’t involve drowning yourself in a mixing bowl.” Honestly? Fair.

So, what have I learned from social media coping skills? That healing is a buffet. Take what works. Leave what doesn’t. Laugh at the rest. Grounding helps. Breathwork helps. Lavender oil smells nice. And that girl on TikTok who cured her generational trauma? Good for her. My ancestors said I need something stronger. Like therapy, boundaries, hydration, and maybe a nap that lasts from now until next Tuesday.

But the truth is. If it brings you peace, even for a moment, it counts. Healing doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be yours. Mic drop. Lavender-scented, but still a mic drop. Thanks for reading! I hope you had a good laugh. Have you noticed any other random social media coping skills?

Affirmation: I am grounding. Breathing. Healing. And laughing my way 
through the chaos one lavender-scented coping skill at a time.

***Don’t forget to watch the video!***

#ThisPuzzledLife

darnold1975

Budtender Moment: Banana Latte Strain Vape Cart Review

“Some flavors don’t just taste good. They remind you who you are.”

-This Puzzled Life

Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Today we’re stepping into the warm, creamy dreamscape of one of my favorite flavor lanes on Earth, banana. And when a vape cart leans into that banana latte fantasy, you already know I’m clocking in spiritually, emotionally, and botanically.

Banana Latte is a slightly leaning indica hybrid that keeps the mind bright enough to finish a sentence, a thought, or a grocery list. It is a cross between Banana OG × Café Mocha. Banana OG is a cross between OG Kush × Banana Kush. Café Mocha is a cross between Chocolope x Mochalope. Together they create a strain that tastes like your favorite barista is also your plug.

If a banana milkshake and a caramel latte had a baby and raised it in a warm greenhouse. This would be it. The flavors are creamy banana, light roasted coffee, sweet vanilla foam, and a whisper of nutty earth. That “Oh wait. This is delicious” moment that hits right behind the eyes.

The terpene profile Myrcene Caryophyllene Limonene. Some batches may also show Humulene for that earthy, roasted note that pairs beautifully with the coffee vibes. Patients use this strain for stress relief, body relaxation, mood elevation, emotional softening, mild pain, tension reduction creative focus with a warm, cozy mental glow.

And as always every grow, every region, every cultivator shifts the expression. Different soil, different sun, and different hands. And suddenly the banana leans sweeter. The coffee leans darker. Or the body effects lean heavier. That’s the magic of cannabis. The plant is alive. Responsive. And shaped by the land that raised it. Thanks for reading! And keep blazin.’ Have you tried this strain?

Affirmation: I welcome sweetness, warmth, and ease into my body. I allow myself to soften without losing my spark.

***Don’t forget to watch the video!***

#ThisPuzzledLife

darnold1975

My Inner Child Isn’t Healed. She is Fermented.

“My inner child isn’t healed. She’s fermented. Armed. And ready to defend the peace I never had.”

-This Puzzled Life

 Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Warn the neighbors. Tell the ancestors to buckle up and grab the holy water. My inner teenage child is not healed. She is fermented. Rebellious. Allergic to unbalanced rules in a way that should probably be studied by scientists. Or at least documented for future generations.

 She’s not pickled. Not preserved. Not gently marinated in therapeutic insight. Fermented. Like Appalachian moonshine brewed in a bathtub behind a Dollar General. She’s the kind of inner child who, if you say, “Don’t touch that,” will absolutely touch it while maintaining unbroken eye contact just to prove a point. She is the spiritual embodiment of a teenager who got grounded and said “Bet.” And then climbed out the window with eyeliner too dark and a plan too bold.

 And from that bubbling vat of defiance, spite, and ancestral side‑eye rose her. My main protector. Equal parts guardian angel. Petty deity. Rabid raccoon. And one who keeps a sword in her purse “just in case the Lord sends a sign.” A back‑alley swordfighter with a vendetta. And a loyalty so fierce it could bend metal.

 Today we’re talking about the one who meets a perceived threat with a blade in one hand and a laugh full of venom. Sometimes she has the personality of a pit viper. Sometimes she has the comedy that makes you dribble pee. And always, she has the full support of three generations of ancestors already rolling up their sleeves.

 My inner child didn’t heal into a soft, glowing cherub. She fermented with headphones too loud. And a moral compass that points directly toward, “I said what I said.” She is allergic to hypocrisy. She breaks unbalanced rules on sight. She will defy you simply because you thought you had authority. And she’ll do it with a smirk.

 That fermented teen spirit is the raw material my protector was forged from. The one who shows up like, “If you try to control us, I will absolutely climb out the window and join a biker gang.” She is loyal. She is vicious in the name of safety. She is the first to meet a threat with a sword in her hand. And a laugh that sounds like a demon gargling sweet tea. And she is me. 

 She bubbled. She brewed. She aged like ancestral sauerkraut left too close to the summer sun. And from that fermentation rose her again. She who steps forward like, “Oh, you thought you were gonna hurt us? I’ve been waiting for enrichment.” Loyal. Hilarious. Headstrong in a way that makes therapists sigh. And ancestors clutch stress balls. She is the spiritual equivalent of a possum with a PhD in boundary enforcement.

She is absolutely the one you want on your side. Because if you’re on the other side, she will meet you at dawn with a laugh that sounds like a snake hissing through a megaphone. She is just the version of me who survived childhood by turning into a mythological creature with emotional brass knuckles.

 Let me introduce her properly. She will replicate whatever energy you lead with. You want respect? Lead with respect and accountability. You want chaos? You’re cooked. That’s her specialty. And she won’t hesitate to use it in whatever situation presents itself. She’s the part who wakes up before the sun. Stretches her shoulders and says, “If anybody tries us today, I’m ready to ruin their lineage.” She could be violent. But that’s not her first choice. She’s efficient. She can escalate. But she also finishes. And she declares war with a smile. 

 Examples of Her Energy

  • Example One — Someone raises their voice at me. She appears like a Pokémon evolution and says, “We can use our words. Or we can use our ancestors. Choose wisely.”
  • Example Two — Someone tries emotional manipulation. She pulls out a sword she absolutely did not have a moment ago and whispers, “I’ve been waiting for this side quest.”
  • Example Three — Someone disrespects my boundaries. She summons the ghost of Big Mama. Who materializes holding a wooden spoon and a tax bill from 1974.

 Her Loyalty Is Biblical to those where the connection is solid and not wavering. She defends me and the underdogs of society with the intensity of a Southern grandmother guarding her potato salad recipe. She stands in front of me like, “If you want her, you gotta go through me, the ancestors, and three generations of unresolved trauma.” And honestly? That’s love. That means sometimes I’m just trying to buy cat litter at Walmart and she’s like, “Why is that man looking at us? Should I brandish the sword?” And I respond with, “No. He’s comparing prices. Put the sword back.”

 My ancestors watch all this from the spiritual balcony like they’re at a family reunion talent show. Some cheer. Some pray. Some sip sweet tea and say, “Well at least she’s not boring.” And one ancestor, my sassy nannie, always yells, “Let her cook!” That’s the one my protector listens to.

 Healing is beautiful. Growth is powerful. But sometimes the inner child doesn’t heal into a soft, glowing fairy of emotional regulation. Sometimes she ferments into a battle‑ready guardian with a weapon in one hand and generational trauma in the other. Sometimes she becomes the protector who says, “We are not repeating cycles. We are breaking them with flair.” Sometimes she becomes the part who will square up with a shadow, a memory, a stranger, or a poorly worded email. And sometimes she becomes the reason my therapist has to pause. Take off her glasses and says, “I’m gonna need a minute.”

So, here’s to her. To the protector. To the fermented inner child. To the sword‑wielding. Ancestor‑backed. Chaos‑certified guardian who keeps me alive. Safe. And laughing.

And if anyone ever tries to hurt me again? She will rise from the depths like a spiritual tax audit and saying, “You picked the wrong system today.” Thanks for reading! And Praise Be To Teenage Protectors!

Affirmation: I honor the parts of me that survived. I honor the protector who rose from the chaos. I am safe. I am whole. And my fermented inner child is a force of nature.

***Don’t forget to watch the video!***

#ThisPuzzledLife

darnold1975

Budtender Moment: The Supp Cannabis Suppositories Review

“Sometimes wellness asks you to step outside your comfort zone. Sometimes it asks you to bend.”

-This Puzzled Life

Light the charcoal. Because if I’m going to write a consumer review of cannabis suppositories, I need ambiance, courage, and at least one distraction so my brain doesn’t fully process what I willingly signed up for. And this is where your humble, curious, occasionally too-brave-for-my-own-good reviewer try products, so you don’t have to. Or so you can, but with emotional support.

Let me begin by saying that I did this for science. For wellness. For the blog. For the ancestors who whisper, “Baby, why?” every time I try something new. I purchased cannabis suppositories because I’d heard they were great for pain relief, menstrual discomfort, pelvic tension, and deep-body relaxation. And listen, Mississippi humidity already has me fighting for my life. So, I figured why not add one more adventure to the list.

The experience from this product goes like this:

  • Onset: Shockingly fast. Faster than edibles. Faster than me running when someone says, “We need volunteers.”
  • Effect: A warm, full-body calm. Like sinking into a heated massage chair that also whispers affirmations.
  • Discomfort: Minimal. The concept is the part that makes you stare at the wall for a moment and reconsider your choices.
  • Medical Usefulness: Legit. If you deal with cramps, pelvic pain, inflammation, or post-op discomfort, this is a serious option.
  • Recreational Usefulness: Only if you’re adventurous or trying to win a dare at a very strange cookout.

Unexpected side effects include a sudden desire to reorganize your life. A new respect for gravity. The realization that cannabis has officially entered every possible category of wellness. And the urge to text someone, “You will not believe what I just did.”

Let’s talk about anything else for a moment. Like how the Deep South humidity is currently thick enough to qualify as a personality trait. Or how the packaging for suppositories always looks suspiciously calm. Like it knows something you don’t. Or how the instructions are written in the gentlest tone possible. As if the manufacturer is patting your shoulder saying, “You’re doing amazing, sweetie.” Or how I lit charcoal at the beginning of this review like I was preparing for a ritual, because honestly? It felt appropriate.

This product includes:

  • THC 10 mg
  • Intended medical uses (cramps, pelvic pain, inflammation, post-op relief): This will work with any condition. And they are great for people who have a difficult time swallowing. You can still get the relief and not have to eat an edible. I use this for severe chronic spine pain due to pinched nerves and degenerative disc disease.
  • Effects seem to last for a few hours. I never got high. However, some have said that they do get a buzz. I just go relief which was the goal
  • Dosage is one suppository
  • Melt speed (important!) is incredibly fast.
  • Storage instructions (usually refrigeration): I keep mine in the freezer.
  • Any warnings or medical considerations: if there is anything you are concerned about or need clarification, ask your budtender or doctor.

Thanks for reading! And just to let you know, this adventure was worth the relief. Have you tried this product? And how well did it work for you?

Affirmation: I honor my healing, curiosity, and my ability to laugh through the awkward parts.

***Don’t forget to watch the video!***

#ThisPuzzledLife

darnold1975

Top Cannabis Strains For Pain

“Pain may knock on the door. Cannabis decides whether it gets to stay for supper.”

-This Puzzled Life

Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Let the ancestors pull up a chair. Today we’re talking about pain relief that doesn’t require you to sell your soul to Big Pharma. Pain is a thief. It steals sleep, joy, mobility, and sometimes your entire personality. Cannabis when chosen with intention, can be a gentle usher guiding your body back toward ease. Below is a lineup of strains that have earned their reputation as pain‑relief heavy hitters. Each with its own personality, terpene backbone, and Southern‑approved charm.

1. GMO (Garlic Cookies)

GMO walks in smelling like a truck stop garlic knot and a diesel spill had a baby. And that’s exactly why she works.

  • Type: Indica-dominant
  • Terpenes: Caryophyllene, limonene, myrcene
  • Why it helps: Deep body relaxation, anti-inflammatory support, and a slow, heavy melt that turns sharp pain into background static.
  • Vibe: “I’m not moving. But I’m also not mad about it.”

2. OG Kush

The classic. The blueprint. The strain that taught half the country what “body high” even means.

  • Type: Hybrid
  • Terpenes: Myrcene, limonene, caryophyllene
  • Why it helps: Full-body relief with a mood lift that keeps you from spiraling into pain frustration.
  • Vibe: Porch swing therapy with a side of emotional stability.

3. Ice Cream Cake

Sweet, creamy, and deceptively powerful like a Southern auntie who hugs you too tight but also hands you a casserole.

  • Type: Indica
  • Terpenes: Limonene, caryophyllene, linalool
  • Why it helps: Muscle relaxation, nerve pain support, and a sedating finish perfect for nighttime relief.
  • Vibe: Weighted blanket for your skeleton.

4. Runtz

Don’t let the candy name fool you. Runtz is a pain-relief ninja wrapped in tropical fruit perfume.

  • Type: Balanced hybrid
  • Terpenes: Caryophyllene, limonene, humulene
  • Why it helps: Smooth, even relief without couch-lock, ideal for daytime pain management.
  • Vibe: “I can function again, praise be.”

5. Slurricane

If your pain is loud. Slurricane is louder.

  • Type: Indica
  • Terpenes: Myrcene, caryophyllene, pinene
  • Why it helps: Heavy sedation, deep muscle relaxation, and a mental quiet that chronic pain sufferers rarely get.
  • Vibe: A storm that knocks out the power in a good way.

6. Harlequin

For folks who want relief without feeling like they’ve been spiritually launched into orbit.

  • Type: CBD-rich sativa
  • Terpenes: Myrcene, pinene, caryophyllene
  • Why it helps: Anti-inflammatory support with clear-headed functionality.
  • Vibe: “I can still answer emails. But my back isn’t screaming.”

7. Blueberry

A berry-scented lullaby for nerve pain, migraines, and tension.

  • Type: Indica
  • Terpenes: Myrcene, pinene
  • Why it helps: Soothing, calming, and perfect for winding down after a long day of fighting your own joints.
  • Vibe: A rocking chair on a screened-in porch at dusk.

8. Death Star

A galactic pain assassin with diesel fumes strong enough to baptize your sinuses.

  • Type: Indica‑dominant hybrid
  • Terpenes: Myrcene, caryophyllene, limonene
  • Why it helps: Deep muscle relaxation. Anti‑inflammatory support. And a slow, space‑drifting calm that turns chronic pain into cosmic background noise.
  • Vibe: “I have left Earth. Y’all handle things down there.”

9. Master Kush

Old‑school, no‑nonsense, “I came here to shut your pain up” energy.

  • Type: Indica
  • Terpenes: Myrcene, caryophyllene, humulene
  • Why it helps: Strong body sedation. Nerve pain relief. And a grounding calm that feels like someone unplugged your stress at the wall.
  • Vibe: A weighted blanket. A stern talking‑to. And a nap all at once.

10. Papaya

Tropical, funky, and surprisingly potent. The strain equivalent of a beach vacation where you actually rest.

  • Type: Indica‑leaning hybrid
  • Terpenes: Myrcene, caryophyllene, linalool
  • Why it helps: Smooth, full‑body relief with a dreamy mental float that’s perfect for chronic pain flare‑ups.
  • Vibe: “I’m not ignoring my responsibilities. I’m healing.”

So, the next time pain tries to run your life like it pays rent remember this. You’ve got options. You’ve got allies. And you’ve got strains that hit harder than a Southern grandma’s side-eye. Choose your medicine with intention. And let relief find you like it’s been looking for you all along. Thanks for reading! Keep blazin.’ What are your opinions about these strains?

Affirmation: “My body deserves relief. My spirit deserves rest. And I welcome healing in every form that supports my peace.”

***Don’t forget to watch the video!***

#ThisPuzzledLife

darnold1975

Chronic Pain Awareness Month: Humor, Healing, and a Whole Lot of Weed

“Chronic pain may bend you. But it doesn’t have the right to break you.”

-This Puzzled Life

Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Call the ancestors. Because we’re about to talk Chronic Pain Awareness Month in a way only a Deep South Mississippi mama with three chaotic cats and a cannabis prescription from the universe can.

Let me set the scene. I’m sitting on my porch. Humidity thick enough to baptize a biscuit. And trying to write something meaningful about Chronic Pain Awareness Month. This month exists because millions of us walk around every day with pain that doesn’t clock out. Doesn’t take PTO. And sure, as hell doesn’t care that we have laundry, children, jobs, and a cat named Piper who believes gravity is optional.

Chronic Pain Awareness Month is recognized to shine a big ol’ spotlight on the folks who live with pain that lasts longer than a bad relationship. It’s about education, advocacy, and reminding the world that chronic pain isn’t “just in your head.” Though, Lord knows it does take up mental real estate like an ex who won’t return your Tupperware. And the cats have something to say.

Piper, leaping onto the table: “Are you writing about your pain again? Because if you need help, I can knock something off the counter. It’s therapeutic.”

Coco, judging from the armchair: “Honestly, Mama, chronic pain should be scared of you. You survived Mississippi summers, two boys, and me. You’re basically immortal.”

Tinkerbell, serene as a yoga instructor who charges too much: “Pain is temporary. Snacks are eternal.”

And then, because they’re my cats, they all sniff my cannabis jar like it’s the Holy Grail.

Piper: “Is this the medicine that makes you stop yelling at the air?”

 Me: “Yes, baby. Mama’s plant-based peace treaty.” 

Coco: “It smells like you’re about to forget what you were mad about.” 

Tinkerbell: “It smells like enlightenment.”

Listen. I tried the pills. I tried the creams. I tried the stretches that made me look like a confused possum. But cannabis? Cannabis said, “Come here. Let me loosen that spine like a church lady’s wig in a windstorm.”

It didn’t cure me. But it gave me relief. Real relief. The kind that lets you breathe again. The kind that lets you laugh again. The kind that lets you sit on the porch and watch the sunset without feeling like your bones are auditioning for a horror movie. My cats fully support this journey. Mostly because they think my grinder is a toy.

People are suffering quietly. Pain steals joy, time, energy, and sometimes hope. Because folks deserve access to treatment, including cannabis, without stigma. Chronic pain warriors are some of the strongest people walking this earth. And they deserve recognition, support, and a soft place to land.

So, here’s to Chronic Pain Awareness Month. To the warriors, the survivors, the folks who keep going even when their bodies act like they’re held together with dollar-store tape. To cannabis, my little green miracle. To my cats, who think they’re emotional support animals. But are really just chaos with whiskers. And to you reading this. Living this. And surviving this. Pain may be loud. But your resilience is louder.

Affirmation: I honor my body. I honor my journey. And I deserve relief, rest, and joy.

***Don’t forget to watch the video!***

#ThisPuzzledLife

darnold1975

A Prayer So Wild Even the Angels Clocked Out Early

“Some prayers lift the spirit. Others just lift the eyebrows.”

-This Puzzled Life

Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Hide your children, your casseroles, and your common sense. Because what I witnessed at that unfortunate local Mississippi event wasn’t a prayer. It was a theological Nascar crash. And every angel in heaven refused to file the insurance claim.

Picture it. A field full of red hats bobbing like a colony of patriotic mushrooms. The air thick with humidity, Axe body spray, and generational resentment. A folding table sagging under the weight of mayonnaise‑based salads. And a speaker system held together with duct tape and denial.

Then he stepped forward. The Chosen One of the Red‑Hat Prayer Circle. A man built like a refrigerator with opinions. A man whose shirt had more eagles than the actual sky. A man who looked like he’d been baptized in Monster Energy. He grabbed the microphone like he was about to drop a mixtape called “Gospel of the Grievance.” 

He clears his throat like he’s about to summon the Holy Ghost, the founding fathers, and the HOA board all at once. And then. Lord help us. He opened his mouth.

What came out was not a prayer. It was not a blessing. It was not even a coherent sentence structure. It was a spiritual Yelp review written by a man who thinks the Holy Trinity is God, Country, and Bathroom Legislation. Then he begins The Prayer. The one that made the angels file HR complaints.

“Heavenly Father. We come before you today under this blessed Mississippi sun. Which you made hotter every year to punish the radical left for their wickedness.

Lord, we know that every single problem in this world can be traced back to them. The hurricanes? The liberals. The price of eggs? The liberals. My gout flaring up last Tuesday? Father God, that was the liberals too.

And Lord, we thank you that our sins don’t count. Because we carry the “Jesus Warranty.” We swipe it like a rewards card. We sin. We repent. We sin again. And you just keep stamping that little heavenly punch card. But the liberals, Lord? Unforgivable. They are the real ones on the predatory registry. Not all the republicans. But that’s none of my business, Father.

Lord, we thank You that here in Mississippi, we stay focused on the things that matter most like genitals, bathrooms, and our loyal governor who kneels so faithfully before the Orange Messiah. He bends the knee so hard, Lord, he’s got calluses shaped like patriotism.

Father, we lift up the windmills to you. Those demonic pinwheels of destruction. They’re out there slaughtering birds. Driving whales insane. And screaming so loud they give people cancer. Lord, we know the whales are acting up because they can’t handle the noise. They’re liberals at heart, Father. Sensitive. Emotional. Always protesting something.

And Lord, we rebuke the immigrants who are coming here to eat our dogs and cats. We know this because someone’s cousin’s neighbor’s Facebook post said so. And that’s good enough for us.

Father, protect us from the left trying to make everyone gay and transgender. They’re out here handing out pronouns like coupons. Even though they say that pronouns are in the English language. And that’s also a hoax. Next thing you know, my truck’s gonna identify as a Prius.

Lord, we thank you for the brave idea of firing nuclear weapons into hurricanes. We know it would’ve worked if the deep state hadn’t interfered. We thank you for the tariffs on penguins, Father. The money is pouring in. We don’t know where from. But it’s pouring in.

We thank you for answering our prayer about gasoline. It’s the lowest it’s ever been. Even though the sign says otherwise. But we don’t read numbers. Lord numbers are liberal. We thank you for the funds for the Pedophile Patio at the White House. We don’t know what it is. But the liberals said it’s bad. So, it must really be good. And that’s enough for us.

Lord, we ask You to bless our crosses. Which absolve us of all wrongdoing. We wear them proudly, Father, even when we’re screaming at cashiers or crashing Grindr. Not that we’ve ever crashed Grindr. That was the liberals.

And Father, we rebuke the rumors about ladybugs we may or may not have contracted from Lindsey “Lady” Graham. We don’t have them. We’ve never had them. We don’t think. That’s the liberals’ fault too. Lord, we pray for this nation. We pray for our bathrooms. We pray for our genitals. We pray for our Orange Messiah. And we pray that you continue to forgive us instantly while holding everyone else accountable forever. In your holy, conservative, red‑hat‑approved name we pray. Amen.”

As the final “Amen” echoed across the field. Bounced off the port‑a‑potties. Ricocheting through the humidity. And startling at least three confused squirrels. I realized something profound. This wasn’t a prayer. This was a confession disguised as patriotism. A spiritual tantrum. A theological meltdown. A holy‑ghost‑free revival sponsored by conspiracy theories and lukewarm potato salad.

The red‑hat faithful walked away feeling forgiven. Justified. And spiritually moisturized. Not because they’d repented. But because they’d shouted loudly enough to drown out their own guilt. Meanwhile, the rest of us stood there blinking like we’d just witnessed a raccoon steal a wedding cake.

If delusion had a megachurch, this prayer would’ve been the keynote speaker. If hypocrisy had a hymn book, this prayer would’ve been track one. If nonsense had a national anthem, this prayer would’ve been sung at every football game.

And here’s my final word. May we all be delivered from prayers that sound like Facebook comments. May our humor stay sharp. Our queerness stay loud. And our spirits stay unbothered. And may the next local event have better food, better theology, and fewer polyester hats. Thanks for reading! And thank you for your attention to this matter. Praise Be To Allah!

  Affirmation: I stand rooted in truth, humor, and queer resilience. No amount of red‑hat chaos can shake my spirit or dim my brilliance.

***Don’t forget to watch the video!***

#ThisPuzzledLife

darnold1975

Top Cannabis Strains for Depression (Without the Panic Attack Plot Twist) 

“Some days the sun hides. But the spark inside you doesn’t. Light it gently.”

-This Puzzled Life

 Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Today, we’re diving into the sacred ceremony of “Strains That Lift Your Mood Without Sending You Into a Full‑Blown Existential Spiral in the Wal-Mart Produce Aisle.” If we’re going to talk about depression‑friendly cannabis strains, we need the ancestors, angels, and at least one confused cat spirit guide to supervise. 

Depression is like that uninvited cousin who shows up at your house. Eats your snacks. And refuses to leave. But panic attacks? Oh no. We’re not inviting them to the cookout. This list is all about strains that lift the fog. Brighten the vibe. And won’t have you pacing the hallway like you’re waiting for the results of a pregnancy test you took “just to be sure.” These strains are gentle. Uplifting. And won’t snatch your soul into the Anxiety Multiverse.

Grab your rolling tray, emotional support lighter, and your favorite snack that you swear you’re “saving for later.” Let’s get into it.

Top 10 Depression‑Friendly Strains

  • Blue Dream (Blueberry x Haze): The Beyoncé of mood‑lifting strains. Smooth. Reliable. And won’t let you spiral about that text you sent in 2014. This is a personal favorite of mine.
  • Harlequin (Colombian Gold x Thai x Swiss Landrace): High CBD, low chaos. Like emotional bubble wrap for your brain.
  • Pineapple Express (Trainwreck x Hawaiian):Tropical sunshine in plant form. Depression tries to speak but this strain says, “Shh baby, not today.”
  • Jack Herer (Haze x Northern Lights #5 x Shiva Skunk): Energetic but not jittery. Like coffee that went to therapy.
  • Cannatonic (MK Ultra x G13 Haze): CBD‑heavy and emotionally supportive. The strain equivalent of a weighted blanket that also pays your bills.
  • Girl Scout Cookies (OG Kush x Durban Poison): Sweet, uplifting, and comforting. Depression gets confused and wanders off.
  • Lemon Haze (Lemon Skunk x Silver Haze):Zesty mood boost without the “my heart is tap‑dancing” effect.
  • Granddaddy Purple (Purple Urkle x Big Bud): A hug in flower form. Perfect for when your brain feels like a wet sock.
  • Strawberry Cough (Strawberry Fields x Haze):Uplifting and social without the panic. Like a pep talk from a friend who actually has their life together.
  • ACDC (Cannatonic phenotype): CBD queen. Zero panic, all peace. Depression gets bored and leaves.

And there you have it. Ten strains that lift your spirit without sending you into a full‑blown “Why did I say that in 7th grade?” panic attack. Depression may still try to slide into your DMs. But with these strains, you can leave it on read.

Remember your mood matters. Your peace is sacred. And your cannabis should never feel like a surprise roller coaster ride operated by a raccoon. Mic dropped. But gently. Because lighters bounce weird. Thanks for reading! What do you like about the strains from this list that you’ve tried?

Affirmation: I deserve peace, joy, and moments of ease. And I welcome them into my life today.

***Don’t forget to watch the video!***

#ThisPuzzledLife

darnold1975

Budtender Moment: Purple Diesel Strain Review

“Purple Diesel is that friend who shows up unannounced. Cleans your kitchen.And leaves you with a playlist that changes your whole week.”

-This Puzzled Life

Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Let the smoke rise like a front‑porch sermon. Today we’re talking about a strain that pulls up with diesel on its breath. And purple royalty in its bones. It’s a strain that goes by the name Purple Diesel.

Purple Diesel is a sativa‑dominant hybrid. It’s the kind that wakes you up. Straightens your crown. And tells you to get your life together but nicely. It is a cross between Sour Diesel × Pre‑98 Bubba Kush. South Diesel is a cross between Chemdawg × Super Skunk. Pre-98 Bubba Kush is a cross between OG Kush phenotype × (likely) Afghani landrace influence. This is the kind of ancestry that explains why Purple Diesel hits like a caffeinated poet with a velvet robe.

The flavor tastes like grape skins crushed under a boot heel. A splash of berry lemonade. A diesel‑fume exhale that says, “I’ve lived a life.” And a faint herbal sweetness that lingers like gossip on a porch swing. It’s fruity, funky, and fuel‑forward. And a whole personality in vapor form.

The terpene profile is Limonene, Myrcene, and Caryophyllene. Together they create a profile that’s energizing without being chaotic, flavorful without being sticky‑sweet. Consumers often reach for Purple Diesel when they need relief from mood, fatigue, stress, and mild pain. It’s the strain for when you need to move, but you also need to feel something again.

Please keep in mind that depending on differences in grows depends on what area of the country it is grown in. Ther will also be slight differences depending on when, where the plant was grown. Thanks for reading! And keep blazin.’ Have you tried this strain?

Affirmation: I rise with clarity. Move with purpose. And honor the energy that fuels me.

***Don’t forget to watch the video!***

#ThisPuzzledLife

darnold1975

Suicide Awareness Month: When Silence Becomes the Sin

“I don’t blame the people we lost. I blame the silence that swallowed them.”

-This Puzzled Life

Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Lord knows, if we’re gonna talk about Suicide Awareness Month in the Deep South, we’re gonna need all the spiritual reinforcements we can get. The air gets thick. The whispers get quieter. And the truth starts pacing the room like it’s looking for a way out.

Let me set the scene. It’s September in the Deep South. Humidity thick enough to baptize you against your will. Church signs flashing Bible verses like spiritual traffic tickets. Every conversation about mental health wrapped in a casserole dish of denial. Then Suicide Awareness Month rolls around. And the way conservative Southern Baptists respond? You’d think someone asked them to admit they’ve been depressed since Reagan.

They hit you with the classic, “Thoughts and prayers.” And that’s the entire statement. Full stop. Period. End of sentence. End of conversation. If you try to talk about suicide beyond that? Oh, honey that happens behind closed doors. Whispered like gossip. Treated like sin. And buried under shame so thick you’d need a backhoe to dig it out. That’s how the shaming works down here. Not by yelling. But by refusing to speak at all. And I’m tired of silence being the loudest killer in the room. Suicide isn’t a “them” problem. It’s an all of us problem. And the numbers don’t lie. Even when the people in power do.

Over 49,000 people died by suicide in 2023. And that’s one death every 11 minutes. Suicide rates have climbed back to their previous peak after years of fluctuation. But some groups are hurting more than others. https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/data.html?, 2026

1.American Indian & Alaska Native Communities

These communities have some of the highest suicide rates in the nation. Youth in these groups are disproportionately impacted due to historical trauma. Lack of access to care. And systemic neglect. 

Click to access JED-Suicide-Trends-Report_June-2024.pdf

2.LGBTQIA+ Youth

LGBTQIA+ youth face significantly higher suicide risk due to rejection, discrimination, and lack of safe spaces. And let’s be honest. The current political climate isn’t helping. Policies targeting queer and trans youth only increase fear, isolation, and hopelessness.

Click to access JED-Suicide-Trends-Report_June-2024.pdf

3.Black Youth

Black youth suicide rates have been rising with unique stressors tied to racism, community stigma, and lack of culturally competent mental health care. 

Click to access JED-Suicide-Trends-Report_June-2024.pdf

4.Veterans

Veterans continue to face elevated suicide risk due to PTSD, trauma, homelessness, and lack of adequate support. The VA reports long‑term patterns of high suicide rates among veterans. Especially those facing mental health and substance use disorders. 

https://mentalhealth.va.gov/MENTALHEALTH/docs/data-sheets/2024/2024-Annual-Report-Part-1-of-2_508.pdf?

5.Young People (15–24)

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people. In 2024 alone, nearly 5,915 young people died by suicide. 

https://suicidology.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/US-2024-Suicide-Final-Data.pdf?

I don’t write this from a distance. I write this from the front row of grief and personal struggle.

My life has been touched by suicide from more angles than I ever wanted. I’ve seen it happen to friends and family. People I loved. People I tried to reach. People I didn’t know were hurting until it was too late. And let me say this clearly. I am not mad at them. I do not hate them. I am not angry at what they did.

I am just deeply, sorry that they weren’t able to be reached. Sorry that the world failed them. Sorry that shame kept them silent. Sorry that help wasn’t accessible, safe, or welcoming. Sorry that they believed the lie that their pain was a burden. They deserved better. And so do the people still here.

I’m not here to sugarcoat this. Our nation’s mental health crisis is rising in part because of the current administration’s policies. And the harm they inflict on marginalized communities. When leaders create fear. Strip rights. Target vulnerable groups. And normalize cruelty. The emotional fallout is real. People feel unsafe. People feel hopeless. People feel hunted. And hopelessness is fertile ground for despair. This isn’t partisan. It’s human. And the statistics reflect the pain people are living through.

And here’s the thing I keep coming back to, over and over, like a hymn that won’t leave my bones. We are losing people because we refuse to talk. We are losing people because shame is easier to hand out than compassion. We are losing people because silence is the South’s favorite weapon. And its most deadly.

I grew up watching folks whisper about suicide like it was a scandal instead of a tragedy. I watched churches pray for “healing” while refusing to name the wound. I watched families bury their children and still pretend nothing was wrong. I watched people I loved slip through cracks that should never have existed in the first place. And I’m done pretending that this is normal. I’m done pretending that this is holy. I’m done pretending that this is anything but deadly.

Because the truth is this. People don’t die from weakness. People die from isolation. People die from shame. People die from being told their pain is an inconvenience. And if that stings, good. Some truths are supposed to.

 I have lost people I loved. People I laughed with. People I prayed for. People I would’ve driven across state lines for if I had known they needed me. And I don’t carry anger toward them. I don’t carry resentment. I don’t carry judgment. What I carry is sorrow. A deep, marrow‑level sorrow that they didn’t feel reachable. That they didn’t feel safe. That they didn’t feel like this world had room for their pain. And I will never stop wishing they had stayed. Not because their leaving was wrong. But because they deserved a world that didn’t make leaving feel like the only option.

 Let me say this plainly. Because I’m not sugarcoating a damn thing today. Our country is hurting because our leadership is hurting us. Policies that target the vulnerable create despair. Cruelty from the top trickles down like poison in the water supply. And if that makes someone uncomfortable, they can go ahead and sit with that discomfort. Maybe it’ll teach them something. I’m not here to protect feelings. I’m here to protect lives.

 This is my altar call, benediction, my Southern‑fried truth served hot and holy. We cannot pray away what we refuse to confront. We cannot heal what we refuse to name. We cannot save people we refuse to see. If we want to stop losing our loved ones, we have to stop hiding behind “thoughts and prayers” like they’re bulletproof. We have to talk. We have to listen. We have to show up. We have to fight for the living with the same passion we mourn the dead. Because every single person lost to suicide deserved a world that didn’t break them. So, if you hear me. If you really hear me. Then stand up. Even in the back. Even if your knees pop like bubble wrap. And say it with your whole chest. Thanks for reading! How can you relate to this?

 Affirmation: My voice is a lifeline. My truth is a lantern. I speak so others don’t have to suffer in the dark.

***Don’t forget to watch the video!***

#ThisPuzzledLife