I'm back...again

I know...it has been a while. Too much has happened since I last posted to possibly fit into a year's worth of blogging (and that is no hyperbole, by any means). Since I last wrote, I have been married to the most beautiful women imaginable ( :) ), honeymooned in Kauai (I'm convinced that is the current Eden of the earth right now), and have progressed in psycho-oncological research (it just means that I study psychosocial aspects in cancer...). And I have been a TA for Stats courses and Psychometrics...really, no biggy...
It almost seems impressive when I list it out like this (and I could have listed out much more than this...so much has happened, I feel exhausted just thinking about it, and I doubt it has to do with the current time at night), but I know it has almost nothing to do with my ability, unique talent, or general level of intelligence (seriously, I don't know...my wife administered the WAIS IV to me, and we're still not completely certain about it...). I AM certain that it has to do with other things: integrity, commitment, faith, love, determination, respect, and self-control (above all else). To all who find it worth your time to read this blog (or actually have interest since my last post was about a year ago...), I want to impart something I have learned - even at my young age, I feel confident in imparting something of value - which is to love what you do, find intrinsic worth in it, and maintain your integrity throughout the process. In addition to that, respect those who work the hardest (especially when they are in a higher position in the hierarchy than yourself), meet adversity with a steady and honest mind, and do your utmost to cherish the relationships you are fortunate enough to have...seriously, I can tell you that research supports social support and its health-protective benefits :). Protect those friendships that you have, and provide the space that grace can only provide. I
I know I must sound like I believe myself to be God's gift to...I don't know...but you are reading this, so you must be interested in what is on this grad student's mind :).
I want to focus on the importance of social support here for a moment. It is such a crucial protective buffer in health (both mental and biological) health. It has been found to be predictive of and commonly associated with better health. Perhaps in the most provocative manner, Christakis has linked the importance of the influence of social networks to influencing the adoption of risky health status (e.g., obesity) and the cessation of risky behavior (e.g., smoking). It is amazing to see his models suggest that our linkages to friends (influenced and moderated even by the degrees of separation from a given social contact) will influence our own behavior. The importance of the network of social interactions we create and maintain cannot be overemphasized. We are linked to those we commune with and we influence one another in a bidirectional manner (i.e., person A influences the behavior of person B at multiple levels of organization, and vice versa). When coupled with the concept of integrity and self-control, we are put to the forefront of our own behavior and faced with the knowledge that we influence others to varying degrees, given the context.
Who do you consider your friend? Why do you consider that person your friend? How do you think others would consider your relationship (constructive, hazardous, etc.)?
I want to leave you with a contemplative question: what do you consider worthwhile? And, more importantly, why do you consider it worthwhile?