L:Laugh out loud. You'll be amazed at looks you get. And you'll feel better.

I:Insist on optimism. Positive mental health comes from ability to reframe a situation. This is not Pollyanna or head-in-sand avoidance of reality but rather a recall of ways in which you have handled similar situations.

E:Extend yourself to others. Self-absorption backfires. It only serves to deepen depression and worry. Going out to serve others lifts cloud around yourself and allows you to become both blessed and a blessing.

N:Never say "never". The resilient spirit knows that there is always tomorrow.

T:Thanks-give it! There is much to be grateful for.

(c) 2002 by Eileen McDargh. All rights reserved.

Interesting to me, optimism was one of Teddy's major personality traits. By way, we were back going downtown again, on another train and I was still listening to Teddy Roosevelt-speaking to me! It may have been hot subway, but it was music to my ears to hear: "Always do best you can with what you have, and where you are." We certainly had to, as once again we were on wrong train and it actually started back uptown at 14th St. On third try, we finally emerged at Chambers St. Mr. Foote reminded me (I never knew this) that subways were first put in because there had been a snowstorm in NYC that paralyzed city for weeks and weeks. Mr. Roosevelt was significant in getting subways built. How ironic, that we were going back and forth, as we were on line affected by 9/11 and as infrequent travelers, neither of us realized that most of trains only went to 14th St. and then started back up. But then if we had realized this fact, I wouldn't have had such a great adventure!

I emerged from underground a changed woman—Imagine Teddy Roosevelt and myself in conversation? (PS. Do you know why Teddy Bears are called Teddy Bears? I do now.)