Posted by CindyLou on March 10, 2010
It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope , and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and injustice.
Senator Robert F. Kennedy, Day of Affirmation Address at the University of South Africa, 1966
Posted by CindyLou on March 9, 2010
Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after the others have let go.
William Feather
Posted by CindyLou on March 8, 2010
What you can do, or dream you can do, begin it; boldness has genius, power and magic in it.
Johann von Goethe
Posted by CindyLou on March 7, 2010
Every man is valued in this world as he shows by his conduct that he wishes to be valued.
Jean De La Bruyere
Posted by CindyLou on March 5, 2010
In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.
Thomas Jefferson
Posted by CindyLou on March 4, 2010
Character may be manifested in the great moments, but it is made in the small ones.
Phillips Brooks
Posted by CindyLou on March 3, 2010
To live at this time is an inestimable privilege, and a sacred obligation devolves upon you to make right use of your opportunities.
Grenville Kleiser
Posted by CindyLou on March 2, 2010
Depression’s Upside
By JONAH LEHRER
Published: February 28, 2010
Is there an evolutionary purpose to feeling really sad?
I’ve heard people refer to John Steinbeck’s last novel, The Winter of Our Discontent when talking about everything from health care reform to the recession. Published in 1961, the novel is the story of Ethan Hawley as he struggles with the same ethical and moral dilemmas many of us have faced. Ethan’s life became a battle between good and evil leading him to contemplate suicide. Ethan Hawley showed classic signs of depression.
Depression, its symptoms and its detection is nothing new. Pharmaceutical companies have made millions dispensing the “happy pill” to masque all symptoms of the illness. Drugs like Prozac, Paxil, Lexapro, Remeron, Wellbutrin, Cymbalta, and Zoloft are advertised on TV almost as often as Viagra. Doctors dispense these drugs with no follow up and many times with no corresponding therapy to address the root of the problem.
The Feb. 25, 2010 New York Times article ” Depression’s Upside” is interesting because it discusses the upside of depression. Increased focus, better memory, enhanced creativity, better decision making and being more attentive are all positive attributes associated with depression according to the studies sited in this article.
The psychiatrists in the piece are re-evaluating the long held belief that deep sadness or negative moods swings should be medicated away. Kay Redfield Jamison, a professor at Johns Hopkins, discovered that successful individuals were eight times as likely to suffer from depression. Why? Because research has shown depressed people have an uncanny ability to focus and exhibit tenacity when problem solving. Both attention to detail and a never give up attitude are attributes found in successful people.
While the pain of depression is undoubtedly real and antidepressants along with therapy must be administered to those like John Steinbeck’s suicidal Ethan Hawley, they may not be the best prescription for those with milder cases of the illness.
Posted by CindyLou on
The grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love and something to hope for.
Joseph Addison
Posted by CindyLou on February 13, 2010
Failure is only postponed success as long as courage “coaches” ambition. The habit of persistence is the habit of victory.
Herman Kaufman
