In a weak moment I read something a PhD wrote
Everyone knows a person’s interests change many times throughout life. We go so quickly from Kermit the frog to ‘our? body to having kids to career to graduations, weddings, etc.
Right now, my reading interests are health (depression/recession), golf course negotiations (I need more shots), anti-tax increases, vinegar uses and are Works cleaners better than Lysol?
I’ve had bouts of depression since Hazel died and all headlines referencing this affect get my attention, even if they are too long.
Long headlines are upsetting. However, even this one, ‘What we can learn from Beethoven about living well? got me into the article, but not until I checked the author’s name and biography at the end.
The writer is Paul Pearsall. He has a PhD and is at the University of Hawaii. The sub-head says he thrived despite a devastating health problem, and you can, too.
Being a professor (publicly financed) at Manoa in Honolulu would probably have helped reduce my stress.
Headlines with nine words are way too long. Such long writings are like someone coming out of a movie and telling the ending for all to hear. Suspense and interest is slipping. Another suggestion: Don’t read articles with question headlines. The writer obviously needs help.
But, the prof ended with five questions in an issue of Bottom Line Health.
1. Do you look for life’s lessons when you experience crisis?
2. Does adversity make you stronger?
3. Do others seek you out–and seem strengthened by your presence–when they are suffering?
4. Do negative events make you grateful for what you have?
5. Do negative events broaden your understanding of meaning and purpose of life?
The more you answer ‘yes? the more likely you are to thrive in the face of adversity, he concludes.
As a general rule, I do not absorb anything written or said by PhDs. They spend all those years in an academic life, never meeting a payroll, never shooting pool and playing shuffleboard in a saloon, reading only tomes of boring stuff and avoiding we common folks. Besides, they all speak and write in monotones.
So, to answer Dr. Pearsall’s questions: 1) In a crisis I: 1. Cry, 2. Wet myself, 3. Order a copy of the Porcupine Press and look for off-color humor.
2) Adversity frightens me, to the point that any more diversity is likely to do things that send me club hunting – Alcoholics Anonymous club.
3) No one seeks me out when they are suffering. Word is out that I’m not comforting. Mental health (depression) sufferers better go directly to professionals, avoid amateurs and PhDs.
4) Do negative events make you grateful for what you have? What the hell kind of question is that? Be grateful for negative things? You out of your mind, doctor? If it’s negative it’s anti-positive, isn’t it? Show me a person who can answer ‘yes? to number 4 and I’ll show you a teacher at Manoa, Honolulu.
5) Negative events do not broaden my understanding of the meaning and purpose of life. Having been there, let me tell you negative events during periods of depression eliminate that meaning and purpose I think you’re talking about.
In fact, negative events when hale and hearty don’t give meaning and purpose to my life, ever. Give me positive every time and I’ll show you purpose and meaning. No one ever wins at poker with a negative feeling. And, you can’t win at life with that frame of mind, either.
PhD-less James A. Sherman is a graduate of a class D Michigan high school and a drop out of two colleges.