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...so very well put....."I have of late—but wherefore I know not—lost all my mirth, forgone all custom of exercises, and indeed it goes so heavily with my disposition that this goodly frame, the earth, seems to me a sterile promontory; this most excellent canopy, the air—look you, this brave o'erhanging firmament, this majestical roof fretted with golden fire—why, it appears no other thing to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of vapors."
"How weary, stale, and unprofitable seem to me all the uses of this world, 'tis an unweeded garden grown to seed, things rank and gross in nature possess it merely."
-Hamlet
Cori, thanks for this informative article. I have struggled with depression for most of my life and I don't think that makes me weak or doomed, necessarily. Even those who possess a stalwart faith sometimes crumble under the onslaught of "the daily grind". This writer seems to understand the moral decay of our society and the depression it spawns is directly linked to the ubiquitous, insidious tech world that's feeding the 'I Want It Now' Culture and Consumer Culture. Consumers invest so much hope (and cash) into the idea that a new Subaru or new iPhone is going to fill a void or make them happy. People are not so much immersed in advertisements as they are reprogrammed. Facebook promises to "connect" you to friends and family but users are increasingly isolated. It's a trap...even as I type these words on my Samsung tablet using the Internet I realize we are entangled in this web, pun intended.
The best one can do is to live consciously (or deliberately as Thoreau says in Walden) and embrace what matters: love, friends, family, joy, nature, sunny days, rainy days, laughter...it sounds fluffy but one must sieze that zest for life on one's own, no one can do it for them. Personally, I think understanding our purpose and getting acquainted with our Creator is the fulcrum on which our entire existence hangs.
Thanks, Scott....so very well put.....
...I live with a depressive who battles daily....I know it's not easy for her, and until medication was found that worked-it was like living with a complete unknown....I suffer from anger control issues, but being more mindful of that and also having the right medication-has made a huge difference....there are always "one of those days", but thankfully they're far apart....Thanks, Scott.
It's amazing how finding the right medication (and correct dosage) can work wonders in a person's life. My depression moves in like a squall and I've learned to manage it by focusing on artistic and creative outlets but I'm not averse to taking meds. I wish I could find something to keep me balanced. I seem to function more as a bipolar personality but with less extreme fluctuations. I'm glad she has gained the upper hand....I live with a depressive who battles daily....I know it's not easy for her, and until medication was found that worked-it was like living with a complete unknown....I suffer from anger control issues, but being more mindful of that and also having the right medication-has made a huge difference....there are always "one of those days", but thankfully they're far apart....