Darrel, you and I are dealing in apples and oranges it seems. I am trying to change the personal and you are trying to change the general; two different approaches.

Perhaps I chose the wrong word when I said you can only change the personal. I should have said "control." However, I did mention the saying on peace. Still, we have to find inner peace before we preach it to others or it won't be believable or sincere. We need to learn motivation, a self-control issue, in ourselves and our personal life before we can hope to change apathy in a general setting. So in essence, my statement is fact. It is also a fact that you can't hope to change a partner or friend with whom you are in a relationship. You can only change your own actions and reactions. Again, I'm dealing with inner personal issues and you are dealing with external issues... or so it would seem.

As for Depression, right now I can't think of anything positive I have derived from it other than experience. The experience of Depression is not good, productive or fun. I find that my perspective is terribly scewed when I'm depressed. Everything less than positive in reality, changes from minor to extremely major. Depression in itself is mind numbing and apathy producing. We can set goals for ourselves all day long but when it comes to getting out of bed and washing our faces, we're stumped, immobilized by the demon Depression. In turn, we become frustrated, demorilized and our anger is turned inwards on ourselves perpetuating the vicious cycle.

Wendy has some very valid points in her post. I hope you re-read it and weigh it in your gut to see how it settles with you. If you hear any faint tinkling of bells, read her post yet again. There's no way for me to really know, but I'm hoping you aren't setting goals that are too high for you at the present time.

<font color=blue>This above all: To thine own self be true. --Shakespeare</font color=blue>