A fable about my sig.

Years ago, a man with cancer started a new treatment, which had good results and was -- at the time -- confirmed by other medical personnel.

His doctor noted that his health improved, and the treatment continued.

News got out that the treatment was not more effective than a placebo; the original results were falsified and the supporting results were skewed.

His doctor noted that the man's health suddenly took a downturn, and had a thought.

His doctor mocked up a series of articles that "reproved" the effectiveness of the treatment, and gave them to the man. The doctor noted that the man's health began to improve again.

Eventually, however, the man got ahold of some more real news, and, thinking that research had wavered but had finally decided the treatment wouldn't work, began to become more ill again.

Despite the best work of his doctor, the man died.

The man had a deep, overriding faith in science. He also believed any research thrown in front of him, apparently. Perhaps, had he faith in God, he would have survived; or, perhaps, died and believed God wished it so. I have actually heard a psychologist hypothesize that cancer isn't the result of random mutation but the direct reaction to an inability to adapt.

I think that what a person thinks shapes their very reality. Some of this is feedback, where they are not conscious of it, and some is an effort of will on the part of the person.

If I think I am a failure, and I act like a failure long enough, then I will be a failure; my mentality shaped my reality.

I realize this could easily sound like babble. That's why I usually don't discuss it...but you asked. :)

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You are what you think.