Through Life

potor · Joined: 05 Dec 2006 Posts: 49

Few things are more frustrating when people who have a lack of understanding of the mechanism of depression say or insinuate that the afflicted should just 'cheer up,' or 'feel better,' or just 'snap out of it.'

We all know that it doesn't work that way - which it's not possible to 'just snap out of it.' And if these people who make such hollow proclamations were educated on the subject, they would too.

But let me say this. I hope that I and all of you can keep in mind that life is an exercise in time, and that time is the most valuable and fleeting resource of all. When our health and mood is compromised, we lose more time; more time to appreciate and savor and enjoy some of the amazing things that life has to offer.

And I hope that we keep what's really important in life in perspective, too. In reality, there are but a select few things in life that are of the kind of substance and lasting significance that make them worthwhile - the taste of our favorite food or wine, the company of our closest friends, the touch of our most trusted loved ones, the pure and unadulterated laughter that comes from a moment of spontaneous humor, the sun that shines, the powerful and soul-stirring effect of our favorite music, the most poignant scenes from our favorite movie....the realization of unconditional love.

For 2007, I will not advise any living human, with soul and heart, flesh and blood, to 'just snap out of it.'

I will instead encourage all of you, as I remind myself on a constant basis, to separate the important from the immaterial, discard what's not relevant, and embrace our humanity - the love, the jaded, the soulful, anger, pain and pleasure...the smiles, tears, laughter, and sullen...the weak, strong, energetic and fatigued....the lust, the guilt, the inferior, the ideal...and yes....the depression.

We are all flawed creatures in an imperfect world. Let us not fall into the trap of trying to become flawless in a sea of non-existent perfection.

Let us all, in 2007 and the years that follow, embrace the range and variety of emotions and tastes and sounds and sights, some good, many bad, as we spin through time and space on a speck of universal dust, in an infinite space, that define us as humans, and that make us and our lives relevant.

For we are flawed in an imperfect world, with depression as one of our many burdens tacked to our rucksacks, as we journey through life. Let us embrace our depression as we struggle to cope with it.

mablisaki · Joined: 05 Dec 2006 Posts: 21

WORD! Wow! You write like my brother- coming from Evin, the ever proud little sister, trust me, that’s a compliment: wink:

I agree, life is crappy sometimes and sometimes it feels really bad, and one wishes one could just snap out of these feelings, but we all know that’s not possible really. I agree with your comment about the people who say those things, that are such nonsense to say, but they don’t know better unfortunately!

Also, I agree on cherishing the good moments and see whets really important from whets not!

Its important to be hugged and cared for by friends and family, to be loved and to love in return, to have good books to read, to educate our minds, to feed our souls, have a good time with people that matter to us, all these things.

Thanks for reminding me of the people and the things that matter the most in my own life!

joung · Joined: 05 Dec 2006 Posts: 46

Thanks very much for posting this. I'm glad for this forum where people do understand this is not something one can snap out of.
I agree with you wholeheartedly, about life being an exercise in time. I also believe time is so important because it is something that once lost, cannot be regained, so it is important to try and spend it as well as we possibly can. Some days for me with this depression, I feel I've accomplished something just by getting out of bed and doing a few insignificant things, but I still consider it a day well spent as opposed to the alternative. I also agree spending time with our friends and family and making the most of that time, even if it's just sitting around and talking, just being with them, is so very important. Thanks for the great post!

aeunjoo · Joined: 05 Dec 2006 Posts: 37

Thanks for the compliments, everyone.
Writing to an audience that I know shares my experiences is very cathartic, as I know it is for you, as well.
When I began to write this, I was originally planning on using the 'bat in a cave' literary metaphor, often associated with some great American Poetry (i.e. the mind resembling a bat in a cave).
But that was too limiting, dark and foreboding. I am attempting to be a sojourner or nomad from now on, moving and learning. It is much more expansive and free.
I believe we have some control over our lives, and can choose our route, to some degree, if not always our destination.