Rapunzel,

Another great post... I really appreciate your input and insight. So objective and genuine. You go Girl !!

I wanted to add to the strength in the face of adversity theme.... Looking back in history, it's been depression, time and again that motivated people of any race, religion or creed to effect change for themselves.

The Muslims rose up against nomadic invaders in the 6th Century B.C.

The Jews rebelled againt the oppresion of the Egyptians.

The Christians rose against the Romans.

History is filled with examples of the oppressed rising against the oppressors. Oppression, depression, repression.... is there a common theme in the root of these words?

In our own country, the patriots rose against unfair taxation.

Native Americans rose against the newly formed Union.

The South rose against the North because they wanted to defend slavery and the North's position depressed the South's economy.

The African Americans rose against depression in both the Civil War and Civil Rights Movement in the 50's.

Hispanics and many other ethnic groups are still involved in activity to become equal member of American society.

Gay people have exerted a movement for fair treatment recently.

In each instance, the people formed groups and organizations to battle oppression and unfair treatment. Each group suffered oppression, depression, and repression. Excluding the final two groups, each persevered in the face of adversity, and those two groups haven't given up yet. The depression was not fun for them either. But it was the catalyst that ignited their empowerment. And in each case, at great cost, inroads were laid, and goals, albeit incrementally, were achieved.

I (starting my paragrap with an I) assert that the dynamics which apply to the group, are similiarly applicable to the individual.

Was it Jung who said "Truth lies in the perception of it." ? We can delude ourselves, we can choose different truths, we could choose Bill Clinton "truth", but, what we recieve is equal measure to what we give. If we lie to ourselves, we will be lied to in return.

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but rising every time we fall." Confucius