9 Quotes by Catherine Gildiner

What puzzled me was why I seemed to be so troubled by all these irregularities and exceptions to major rules while others blithely marched ahead.

The problem with a small town is that when you don't buy into the powers that be there are very few other choices. It's like a play where there is only a "virtuous" lead, a villain, and bit players. Better to be the villain because you're not duped into believing you're in more than a play, and at least your name goes on the program.

The big fish ate the little and.

The big fish ate the little and that was how it worked. To me that.

Whatever role we are loved for in our family, we will continue to enact it, despite the toll it takes.

The only thing I do know is that when your mother labels you negatively, you believe her – for who else forms your self-image?

Patients who were rarely praised as children, often distrust the positive things people say about them as adults. A child’s concept of self is formed in childhood and it takes a long time with many affirmative examples to turn that self-concept around.

I know what the word stress means but I don’t know exactly how it feels. I don’t think I have it. I just keep on keeping on, surrounded by the village idiots.

Workaholism is another compulsion – you work because you feel anxious when you’re not working. Some psychologists see it as an addiction, and certainly our modern culture has glorified it. It’s not unusual to hear people say proudly that they do nothing but work. Substitute another addiction in that sentence – “I do nothing but drink,” say – and it doesn’t sound so virtuous.