I struggle with this so much as I see loved ones deal with their babies’ diseases and illnesses, people fighting cancer, friends struggling to connect with their children, trying to keep their marriage together. There’s just so much – and sometimes it feels almost foolish to be positive in the face of their struggles. Does that make sense?

I like that you say that what they need to build is “belief in themselves.” This is so true for the life challenges that people are presented with – such as yours and mine: relationship issues, career issues, parenting issues, etc. But what can we do when a two year old is in the hospital fighting for life? Or a family member is suffering severe mental illness? Or a parent family is kept from their children and grandchildren? These are the things I struggle with most. How do I offer comfort in such trying times? (I’m not asking you to respond again, Al, just elaborating…)

I firmly believe that the way we (the fortunate) help those around us is by being extremely positive as often as possible and frequently point out that things could be far worse for folks. What we need to build up in those less fortunate is “Belief” and I mean belief in themselves not religion. Pointing out to folks how they surmounted tough odds in the past also seems to help.

Hope my words are somewhat helpful:)