I have to write a paper (due tomorrow10/14) with a bunch of illistrations. My topic of choice is 'how we react to circumstances, not the curcumstances themselves, often make us unhappy' if any of yall had any specific examples of that, and wouldn't mind me quoting you in my paper, it would be greatly appreciated.

-woogs

 

Oh boy... I hear examples of this all the time, but just can't think of any right now.

You know, like when something happens and you're down about it and think it's so crappy and unfair, but then someone points out "hey, look at the brightside of it..." and then they explain a good thing that you didn't even think of, and suddenly it's not so bad at all...

I wish I could give you some specific examples, but maybe that will help you think of some you've experienced.

EDIT: You may want to quote a line or two from the song "Always look on the bright side of life." Just for a little panache (flair, style, etc.) Depending on your teacher, that'll either get you an A or a C... isn't objective English class fun!?

 

Wellll...I'm not quite sure what that is supposed to mean but what comes to mind to me is when something happens and we mistake the meaning and overreact...or make up meanings that hurt us. kind of like what I warned about in the "death' thread. In general, "negative meaning"/misunderstanding of an event whether personal or global ==> negative outcome.

An example would be my wife and her general anxiety. She was so freaked out after 9/11 she literally wanted to move to New Zealand. Immediately. i pointed out:

1. All our relatives would be 1/2 a world away, she'd be lonely.
2. We had no way of making money there, so we'd be destitute.
3. She was more apt to be hurt on the way to work than by a terrorist.

Another example: While commuting, someone cuts in front of you, then gives you a dirty look. 3 more drivers do other things like that. The meaning you take is that people suck, and you go to work/school in a defensive mood, ready to be insulted and ****ed off because that's what you now expect from folks.

In reality the poor sucker's commute mug was damaged by his kid playing with it, and he just got a lapful of hot coffee, swerved and was in pain when he looked to see if he messed anybody up. The lady in the red car is having menstral cramps, and the guy in the red car was distracted by the business report on the radio that his company is laying off 50% of the workforce.

You get the idea, run with it. Even if it's off target, if you write it well, the teacher will love it.

 

my teacher actually gave an example of a g1rl who quoted a song, and really liked her paper. any idea what song I could quote?

 

Hmmmm !
Reaction:
1)A Deer's eyes caught in the headlights look ?

2) Immediate Temper Tantrum

3) Profanity

4) Tears

5) Calm,Cool,Collective

 

I first heard that song in the movie "As Good as it Gets" with Jack Nicholson... I think it's pretty appropriate for your paper, if you work it in right.