Posted by jay on March 11, 2003, at 14:34:15
In reply to Re: Get a grip » kazoo, posted by Dinah on March 11, 2003, at 8:10:54
It is when people say "it's ok to **not** have a grip..etc.." that has made me 'progress' in life. I've read that often denial is a bit of a protection for families from the throes of complete annihilation. Of course it also works for us as individuals sometimes too. That's what I think telling someone to "get a grip" is, asking someone to turn a bit of a blind eye to their pain. The problem is, this denial exists so widely and so deep.
I would very much argue that yes, families and people *must* let and admit it is o.k. for people and loved-ones to sometimes (maybe even more than often) sit with their pain, but be non-judgemental and supportive about it. That is a deeply valuable lesson depression has taught me. It's not being passive, and just letting people fall to pieces, because you offer that un-conditional support. I see it as a jewel, one that has kept me going in the worst of times.
Jay
poster:jay
thread:207440
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20030308/msgs/208120.html