MSI Press Blog

  Many people assume that depression is simply sadness. In reality, severe depression can be a life-threatening illness that affects how a person thinks, feels, and views the future. For some veterans, depression develops after combat exposure, traumatic experiences, physical injuries, chronic pain, survivor's guilt, PTSD, difficult transitions to civilian life, or a combination of these factors. What makes depression especially dangerous is that it often convinces people that nothing will ever improve. That is why support matters. Learn to Recognize the Warning Signs Depression does not always look like sorrow. Some veterans become withdrawn and isolated. Others seem constantly irritable or angry. Some stop participating in activities they once enjoyed. Others begin neglecting their health, sleeping excessively, or sleeping very little. Particularly concerning signs include: Talking about feeling hopeless Saying they are a burden to others Giving away valued possessions Expressing...

  Every war is different. The weapons change. The uniforms change. The enemy changes. A veteran of the Revolutionary War would recognize little about modern warfare, just as a Vietnam veteran's experience differs dramatically from that of someone who served in Iraq or Afghanistan. Yet beneath these differences lie remarkable commonalities. Veterans separated by centuries often share experiences that civilians may never fully understand. They Answered a Call Larger Than Themselves Veterans come from different generations, backgrounds, and beliefs. Some volunteered. Some were drafted. Some joined for adventure, opportunity, patriotism, family tradition, or a sense of duty. But all accepted the possibility of sacrifice in service to something beyond their own immediate interests. That willingness creates a bond that transcends era and geography. They Learned the Value of Dependence Military culture prizes competence, but it also teaches something else: no one succeeds alone. Whether i...

  Most people do not think of cats as comedy coaches. Dogs, perhaps. Dogs are enthusiastic audiences. They wag at your jokes and seem delighted by your mere existence. Cats are different. Cats are critics. Over the years, I have discovered that my cats have taught me more about humor than any book, seminar, or stand-up special. They did not do so intentionally, of course. Cats rarely do anything for our benefit. But by observing them, I learned several important lessons about what makes people laugh. Timing Is Everything A cat can spend hours doing absolutely nothing. Then, without warning, it launches itself across the room because it imagined an enemy inside a paper bag. The humor is not in the action itself. It is in the timing. If a cat dashed around the house continuously, it would not be funny. What makes the moment hilarious is the contrast between stillness and sudden movement. Human comedy works much the same way. A joke often succeeds because it interrupts expectations. W...

  Today's Publisher's Pride is How to Improve Your Foreign Language Immediately by Boris Shekhtman, which reached #31 in study and teaching references . the successful practices of diplomats and international journalists now available to any language learner Book description: This is the fifth edition of a popular book that provides a unique set of tools designed to enhance an individual's success in communicati0n in a foreign language environment. The devices presented allow the speaker of a foreign language to demonstrate the level of his/her language more impressively, so impressively, in fact, that it appears that the speaker's language itself has improved overnight. These techniques were developed and tested by the author with adult professionals in such varied fields as journalism, diplomacy, government, and international business. Many of these professionals have attested to the efficacy of these tools in their own columns. "This book provides the most bang...