Goodbye 2024, Hello 2025

The Tortuga Speaks

By Carlos Miro, Citizen Beach Editor

Surviving Disasters: The Hidden Toll on Health

Disasters leave a profound imprint not just on our physical surroundings but also on our mental and emotional well-being. The loss of homes, communities, and even cherished routines can trigger a cascade of health challenges rooted in feelings of powerlessness, loneliness, and chronic stress.

One of my favorite authors, Dr. Mark Hyman, often emphasizes the interconnected nature of our physical and emotional health. When disasters strike, the resulting upheaval frequently dismantles the foundations of well-being: our sense of safety, our connections with others, and our ability to manage stress.

A significant factor in disaster-related health challenges is the feeling of powerlessness. The inability to control or prevent loss creates a psychological burden that can manifest physically, with elevated cortisol levels and disrupted sleep patterns. Over time, this state of heightened stress increases the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and mental health disorders.

Loneliness, another pervasive issue following disasters, further exacerbates these effects. As neighbors and friends are displaced, the erosion of social networks leaves survivors vulnerable to feelings of isolation. According to Dr. Hyman, the lack of connection is as detrimental to health as smoking or obesity. Without the buffer of community support, survivors often struggle to rebuild emotionally and physically.

The loss of community itself compounds the damage. The double-whammy hurricanes have scattered friends and neighbors, disrupting the shared bonds that foster resilience. The absence of familiar routines and supportive networks creates a sense of disorientation that magnifies the psychological toll. This fragmentation undermines our innate human need for belonging and cooperation, leaving many untethered and alone.

Disasters challenge us in profound ways but also offer an opportunity to cultivate resilience. By acknowledging the health impacts of powerlessness, loneliness, and chronic stress and prioritizing community and connection, we survivors can begin the journey to healing—not just their external world but their internal one as well.

Guest Writer: Personal Reflections

By Ralph Kennedy, formerly of Treasure Island

As we reflect on the devastation wrought by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, let us take a moment to honor those who lost so much—homes, livelihoods, and, most tragically, loved ones. These storms left indelible scars on Treasure Island and the surrounding communities, reminding us of the fragility of life and the resilience of the human spirit.

Too often, we take for granted the people and comforts we cherish. For the residents and business owners of our coastal barrier islands, this tragedy has redefined what they had and what has been taken away. The overwhelming sense of loss—compounded by the helplessness in the face of such catastrophic forces—serves as a sobering reminder of our little control over nature’s power.

Walking through the storm-ravaged streets of Treasure Island, I encountered stories written in the rubble. Piles of waterlogged belongings lined the sidewalks—books that once transported their readers to other worlds, stuffed animals that once brought comfort to children, musical instruments that once filled homes with melody, and mattresses that can no longer provide rest. Each discarded item bore witness to a life interrupted. It felt heartbreakingly unfair, senseless even, and yet, it was undeniably real.

In those moments, I realized how deeply we crave stability—a sense of normalcy in our lives. When disaster strikes and the familiar is upended, we are thrust into situations that feel alien and unsettling. As difficult as it may seem, preparing for such “off-normal” moments is essential. It begins with a promise: to acknowledge life’s unpredictability and to develop a questioning attitude that prioritizes safety over complacency. This mindset might one day save your life, which is far more valuable than any material possession.

One message I hope you take from these reflections is this: life is precious, unpredictable, and profoundly real. Caring for yourself and those you love is your greatest commitment. In times of crisis and calm alike, this bond of care will sustain you and reward you in ways that transcend the hardships of today. Treasure it, nurture it, and carry it with you always.

Editor’s Note: I received Ralph’s note in early November. Ralph has since moved out of Treasure Island: “My wife and I couldn't take putting our life there back together, so we sold our mess of a home.”

Every person in Treasure Island, St. Pete Beach, or Madeira Beach who leaves is a net loss to our community. Understandably, people want to pick up stakes and leave. And, sure, new people will (eventually) move in, but they won’t share our same history of loss, friendship, and heroism in the face of disaster. We’ll miss them.

Guest Writer: Finding Happiness Against All Odds

By Gary King

After living on Treasure Island (Paradise Island) for 45 years and selling my home just four years ago, witnessing the emotional and financial devastation caused by the recent storms is beyond heartbreaking. Many long-time beach residents seemed unprepared for the sheer scale of the storm surge. With nearly 100 years of near misses, a certain level of complacency developed—a natural human response rather than a judgment.

I am no stranger to trauma. Living with PTSD and having endured 39 extreme traumas in my 79 years, I have spent the last 35 years as an international speaker and author, dedicating myself to researching how to reverse the effects of PTSD completely. On June 13, 2022, I discovered a pathway to emotional freedom from trauma.

In November 2019, I launched the Happiness Experiment. My years of studying psychology and human behavior revealed patterns that are consistent worldwide, governed by six scientific principles—including quantum physics. In my latest book, I outline six terms that many people may not fully understand but which control all aspects of human life:

Social Compliance Brainwashing Subliminal Influence Cognitive Dissonance Entrainment Auto-Suggestion Now, consider this: in the last six years, the word happiness has been conspicuously absent from news broadcasts, national billboards, movies, or any significant signage. Yet, happiness is an algorithm much like a computer algorithm—what we focus on shapes our reality. If someone views the word happiness three times a day for 90 seconds, it can change their life profoundly.

Through the Happiness Experiment, I’ve placed 612 happiness signs in St. Petersburg and Gulfport. Over five years, I’ve gathered data showing that these signs reduce suicides, depression, school violence, and road rage. The signs have now spread to nine states and several foreign countries, impacting countless lives.

To illustrate the power of one principle, auto-suggestion: it can cure cancer. It’s rooted in the scientific principle known as the placebo effect. People can rewire their mental outlook by consistently seeing and internalizing positive messages.

Unfortunately, six other words have been used over the last few years to undermine lives deliberately—tools of control, power, and profit. These six words have fostered division and despair instead of happiness and inner peace.

But happy people can overcome any obstacle. I am living proof of this, having endured 39 traumatic events and emerging stronger. In 2025, I plan to tour the country to teach veterans and their families how to reverse PTSD without drugs or therapy.

Locally, I estimate that approximately 250,000 residents in Pinellas County alone suffer from PTSD, many without realizing it. They remain unsupported, highlighting the critical importance of emotional and mental health. If I could address world leaders, I would ask one simple question: “What do you believe is more important in human life than emotional and mental health?”

I fear their answers would revolve around money, power, influence, control, and materialism. It’s a sobering but likely reality.

Every day, I read the comments on platforms like Nextdoor from beach residents grappling with loss and trauma. Their pain often brings me to tears. Leadership should not be confined to authority and control—it must also encompass empathy.

My next book, Finding Happiness Against All Odds, will be dedicated to the residents of the beach cities. If anyone is interested, I would be honored to give a public presentation to affected residents on overcoming overwhelming emotions and moving forward.

You are not alone in this journey; I am here to help.

Warm regards, Gary King (Kyng Me [email protected] 727-692-9909)

Wishing you peace in a time of overwhelming challenges.