PHYSICIAN, HEAL THYSELF!

Phil Hardman finally takes the medicine he so often prescribes and it works!

- Phil Hardman

I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that although I fully understand the need for the coronavirus lockdown measures, the isolation is taking quite a toll. I haven’t seen my kids face to face for 10 weeks, or my friends, and as a result, I’m finding it increasingly difficult to fight off depression. Of course, that’s familiar territory for many of us, and I am sure I don’t have to tell you all the benefits that airgun shooting can bring to one’s peace of mind. A venture out with the rifle, be it for some backyard plinking, or some hunting, can do wonders for our mental health, if you can find it in you, to push yourself into actually going out, of course. This is where many of us struggle, and a battle I have found myself having all too often lately.

Isolation breeds depression, which increases isolation, and the circle continues. The only way to break it, is to push yourself hard. I call it a battle, because that’s what it is, and I am sure many of you face similar battles daily.

EVENTUAL VICTORY

After a number of weeks of repeatedly losing that battle, and vowing to fight harder the following day, I eventually won it one-day last week, and, after repeated requests from the farmer, found myself driving to my permission, although I will be honest, even as I arrived at the farm and removed my Weihrauch HW100BP from its case, I still didn’t really want to be there.