A reflection on a classic movie, the history, today’s rise in hate, division, extremism, and antisemitism; and a perspective from psychology and neuroscience about Tevye’s and society’s challenges
“Tevye” is a 1939 American Yiddish film based on Tevye the Dairyman from Sholem Aleichem’s famous stories and his struggles to survive the antisemitism and the pogroms of Western Ukraine. The movie was a forerunner of the popular musical and the movie “Fiddler on the Roof.”1
Difficulty describing profound and highly impactful events is a challenge for most, as words cannot capture the essence and totality of the happening. There are talented writers, poets, spiritual masters, and philosophers who have come close to conveying the mystery and otherworldliness of personal and profound, unique experiences. Experiences can be momentary, powerful, ecstatic, liberating, and enlightening, or painful, life-threatening, tragic, traumatic, and damaging. The event can occur over time with duress until circumstances change.
I have recently joined the open-source Mastodon social media network. It has better features for communicating with others on a non-company-owned media site. In my research, it appears to have many protections and ease of use. I will remain on Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin until I’ve gained more experience with Mastodon. If you are interested and on Mastodon, you can follow me at: @ronparksmd@h-net.social and @ronparksmd@mastodon.social
There has been a lack of progress in passing new legislation and regulations to help curb the increase in mass shootings of innocent people. Tragic loss of life from mass shootings or active shooter incidences is now an almost daily occurrence and increasing. People feel helpless and angered that our elected officials, for-profit businesses, and organizations can’t have fruitful discussions or surmount their partisan stuck talking points and biases.1
Sometimes our life appears to be guided by a developed personal inner story—an inner voice thought narration that runs in the background and captivates our mental life. Jacqui, a very talented editor, shares her personal story of getting ensnared with some mental health issues on her path to realization, restoration, and change.
Her story led me to explore our constant need to be self-aware, mindful of our influencing beliefs, and alert to early signs of mood disturbances. Editing and modifying any self-defeating, inner stories or ideas, is essential to maintain flow and healthy well-being.
Jacqui’s Mantra “Anything other than first is a fail.” This was my mantra from the time I was very young. Strangely enough, it wasn’t my parents that pushed me...
I remember the day I first experienced tragedy as if it were yesterday. What happened left a deep sense of sadness within me. My best friend, Tony, and I met on the school bus. It was on the first morning of our 6th-grade year in rural Maryland and we were both wary of the bigger kids. We hit it off immediately and as the year progressed, we took to hanging out at each other’s house. I used to enjoy visiting his house, as his mother used to make us peanut butter cookies and lemonade. It was the happiest of times.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a marked increase in depression with mental health resources being overwhelmed when needed the most.
There is a role for conventional treatments with medication, especially in the situation of resistant or major depression, where more natural therapies have not been effective.
The current COVID-19 pandemic is a wake-up call to understand all the contributing factors, and steps needed to protect ourselves and future generations from recurrences and the devastation.
Hopefully, soon, COVID-19 will peak and subsides. Its rapid spread and lethality have had a devastating and tragic effect on the most vulnerable people and the vital infrastructure of our society.
When the final analysis is done, what will be learned and taken away as practical ideas or as more profound wisdom? Some useful areas of interest and inquiry may focus on
are common in our population and may contribute to unique advantages or disadvantages. There now is better recognition and awareness of autistic traits. Current scientific evidence supports that there is a predominant genetic origin of AST.
Autism Spectrum refers to the varied presentation of individuals that may have unique strengths but also challenges with difficulties in social skills, communication, motor coordination, repetitious movements or behaviors, and early-life developmental issues.
with massive destruction and disruptions of lives. The full impact of the storm forced people and communities into survival mode. The process of recovery, the rebuilding of homes and lives begins as the storm moves and resides. For some people, the aftermath of the storm is a time of reflection, self-assessment, prospect taking, and possibly personal transformation.
With her new waitress job, she was able to move into a small rental cottage near a scenic local river. It was the first time she felt some security. She now had a place to call her own, where she could store her meager belongings. Her daughter settled into a new school.
