• image.alt
  • With Mayo Clinic oncologist

    Edward T. Creagan, M.D.

    read biography
Please read: Important 2013 cancer research update from Dr. Michael Camilleri

Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Sign up now
  • Stress blog

  • Feb. 16, 2011

    Who are the real stars?

    By Edward T. Creagan, M.D.

3 comments posted

At a recent workshop on health and wellness I attended, the instructor conducted a powerful exercise. It went something like this: Take a moment and write down the names of last year's Super Bowl winner, winner of best actor at the Academy Awards, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and the wealthiest person in America. If you're like me, you can maybe remember one or two of these individuals.

Need more help?

If the stress in your life is more than you can cope with, get help right away.

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
    1-800-273-TALK (8255)
  • Go to the nearest hospital or emergency room
  • Call your physician, health provider or clergy
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness
    www.nami.org
    1-800-950-NAMI (6264)

Here's the rest of the exercise. Write down the names of your favorite teacher, your favorite coach and the most significant person in your life. Chances are you have no problem remembering these individuals. Why? Because they made an impact on your life. They directly influenced you. They encouraged you to be better than you thought you could be.

The lesson is clear. You will be remembered because of the people you help rather than the accomplishments you achieve or the things you accumulate.

3 comments posted

blog index
  • February 18, 2011 11:05 a.m.

    My 6th grade teacher, Mr. Aase! I'm approaching 60. But this teacher, who was just beginning his career, made a lifelong impression on me. Just one of the things, he introduced a bunch of country kids to classical music. None of us even had a record player in our homes. I still love classical music and have quite a collection of CDs!

    - Alma

  • February 18, 2011 5:13 a.m.

    Brilliant! This is so true, it is more important to be kind that to be right. Achievement should be measured in the number of people we loved and who loved us. When someone shames or wrongs us we remember them too, when we feel shamed or humiliated we get stuck with negative feelings... let that go... it only continues to hurt you. Remember the good let go of the bad. Give goodness and love to others it will come back to you!

    - Peggy

  • February 16, 2011 9:23 a.m.

    That is so true. I know none of the first answers. But I remember my favorite teacher was Ms. Massey in the 1st grade. Favorite coach was Coach Brown & York. People close to you everyday make the difference.

    - Heather

Post a comment
  • Print
  • Share on:

  • Email

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger