Does Glenn Beck have TMS?

I usually avoid any political sites but Glenn Beck's announcement popped up in my sidebar on Facebook so I read his announcement on his health issues. I couldn't help but wonder…does he have severe TMS?

He feels God has mandated him to continue in his work even though doctors have advised him that it will only hasten his decline. Made me think of the time's I thought I was doing God's bidding when really…it was my superego masquerading as divine direction.

Also his symptoms and where they are manifesting- like vocal cord paralysis - fits TMS all too well.

I wish him well and hope he can get things sorted out sooner than later.

 

Very interesting. I don't know what to think, but agree with NS that is likely to be TMS. I wish there was a way to give him a Dr. Sarno book. He has a big media platform, so if he was helped by it he could spread the word very well.

 

Speaking of public figures, I recently read 'Open' the Andre Agassi autobiography, and it struck me on the first page that he too has TMS, and struggled with it during his tennis career. Here's a snapshot from a review about his childhood:

Agassi was born in Las Vegas to a brutal Iranian immigrant, a former Olympic boxer, who forced his four children to play tennis. As a pre-schooler, Andre began hitting balls on the backyard court for hours every day. School, friends, social life and especially thinking were considered distractions by his father, who terrified the entire family. But while his sisters rebelled and his older brother, Philly, finally lacked the killer instinct, Andre became his father's obsession and whipping boy -- one who was expected to whip other boys and unsuspecting men on court. His father pitted him at age 8 against suckers, including football great Jim Brown, who foolishly bet $500 that he could beat the kid. Before junior tournaments, Mr. Agassi fed his son caffeine-laced pills. Later, he tried to turn Andre on to speed.

Now wouldn't it be great to have Mr Agassi's profile on board too! Oh and BTW his book was an excellent read.

 

Oh, Colly, what a sad childhood. It's a wonder Agassi even survived his childhood.

 

I too think Glenn Beck has TMS. Definitely, Agassi. I'm glad my parents never pushed me to do anything.
On the other hand, I don't think they thought I'd graduate college or make anything of myself.
I was different. I didn't go from high school to factory or corporation work.
I became a newspaper reporter, then a freelance author of 4o books.
I remember, after high school I bought a copy of John Steinbeck's new book, Travels with Charley,
and my mother was shagrined, saying "Why did you buy a book? You already have one."
She never did understand or appreciate I was different, but I've forgiven her for that.

 

You know, I have always wondered what Glen Beck's problem really is. It seems like he is always having test and more tests and there is never anything wrong with him. I remember watching him a few years ago on Fox and he was sure at one time that he had one of 2 terrible illnesses, but nothing ever came of it. I just bet it is TMS.

 

Colly: Sounds exactly like my late father's ill-conceived attempt to turn me into a golf pro! Is there a tyrant bully daddy behind every little good little over-achiever? Sometimes it sure seems like it!

 

Hmm? I can be forced to play tennis all day, get coached by Pancho Gonzalez, shipped off to
Bolleteri's Tennis Academy in sunny Florida, where I can hang out with Maria Sharapova, sneak out at night and party in town, marry Brook Shields, marry Steffi Graff, have millions of dollars in endorsements for life--OR--I can follow in my father's footsteps and be a door man at a Las Vegas casino?--Hmm?--tough choice???--DADDY, PLEASE FORCE ME TO PLAY TENNIS ALL DAY LONG!!!

 

God I have those same issues not as bad …its TMS all the way.

 

Is there a tyrant bully daddy behind every little good little over-achiever?


Bruce, I have only recently been pondering your question. I (more specifically, my ego),used to be intimidated by the good little over-achievers…not so much any more.

 

Parents who push their kids into becoming super athletes ought to stop it.
My brother wanted to be a Notre Dame football player but never even went to college.
He pushed his son to be a star football player but that didn't work out,
then pushed him to become a basketball star and neither did that.
His son wound up with bad knees and a bad back.

I'm glad my father never cared if I even played a sport. I was lousy at all sports
but loved playing golf and tennis.

 

I agree, Walt. I too am glad that my kids didn't project their insecurities onto me. However, I could have used a little more direction.

 

Hi again, North Star.
I got absolutely no direction from my parents, either.
They were too busy working to keep us all going.
I flew with my own wings and liked it.

 

I've sure seen a lot of good little mommy's boys pushed by a tyrannical papa to over-achieve who suffered a whole host of psychological and physical symptoms thereafter. The breeding ground of a true MF! I think that as American society ages the pressure to 'make it' is going to wane along with the vanished Western frontier and stagnating middle-income wages. Of course, this brings up the inevitable question about whether the USA is still the 'Brave New World' of the 18th century Enlightenment full of hopeful promises that attracted migrants from Europe? That's a whole separate book-length study I'm afraid!

 

Bruce, that would be a good discussion to have over a crackling fire with some adult beverages. I think there is a course correction taking place with kids. They are reported to be less materialistic and more focused on making the world a better place. Or so I hope. The track we've been on certainly isn't a sustainable one.

TT, please bring the Picon Punch.

 

We heard that one before, North Star. Kids today are different . . . . Play it again.

 

Yeah, I hear ya, Bruce. Human nature is human nature.

 

My next-door neighbors kids, boy and girl, are not teens yet, but all they do is go to school and after-school and weekend sports.
Their father works long hours and the mother does all the home work... cooking, cleaning, ironing, driving the kids to sports all the time.
She doesn't trust them to do any chores so she does everything including lawn work and snow blowing.
The kids aren't learning how to do anything useful.
If kids don't learn (as I did as a teenager) to clean house, cook, do the dishes and laundry including ironing, they will not make good
roommates or spouses. I hope teens and twenties today care more about the world and those in it, but also learn how to DO THINGS.