The majority of this is totally dead on, and I really like the term you used, I would have interjected that in my Psychology class if I had heard it! I also know a lot of this from firsthand experience, but as one gets older and (hopefully) a little wiser they begin to understand that it is what you set your mind to do; I have recent examples of people who have had extremely negative outlooks, to the point of suicide, but with a little encouragement and a lot of patience have been able to help them through their situation.
Thanks for sharing this, I like your writing style.