Sunday, August 09, 2009

Despair doubles our force

It could be as simple as running for a bus - that sinking feeling of missing it, and the consequences thereof, gives a boost to effort.

If we did not feel the misery of loss we would not exert ourselves in difficult situations. It is the intense dislike of losing that propels many successful persons to achievement, rather than the pleasure of winning. Unpleasant feelings are there to act as a spur, to make us try our utmost.

Psychologists talk abut the pleasure/pain principle, and folklore knows the relevance of the carrot and the stick. People will not apply themselves fully out of a simple intellectual recognition of the correctness of some act - they need the stimulus of feeling.

A good antidote to despair is laughter, try these:
How to write a Limerick Edward Lear improved Part 1

How to write Limericks Edward Lear improved Part 2

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