Judy McBride: "Welcome to my 'Coping with the Trials and Struggles of Life' class. My objective is to show you how to deal with negativity. For almost a year, we've witnessed a mean -spirited animosity toward change from talk-radio pundits and no-spin-zone television hosts who rile up the masses. What you have seen and heard in response to possible changes in health care, economics, education and foreign policy is a prime example of a psychological condition called A.B.S. (Adjustment Breakdown Syndrome).This syndrome exists in people who refuse to adjust to change."
"You might recognize A.B.S. during important times in American history, such as the integration of a public school in Little Rock, Ark., around 1957, after Brown v. Board of Education. And you should have noticed A.B.S. in full effect when the first African American president was elected."
"How can you survive A.B.S. today? Remember these words from the song 'Everything Must Change' from Quincy Jones' "Body Heat" album: 'There are not many things in life you can be sure of, except rain comes from the clouds, sun lights up the sky, and humming birds do fly.' Also, realize that in life a person must make adjustments.
"My great aunt, Dr. F.C. Welsing-McBride, the first psychologist of the McBride family, has the best advice about surviving ABS: 'Reading is more important than watching television.'"
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