Posted by Karen_kay on February 24, 2004, at 14:14:47
In reply to Re: the funny thing about life...., posted by SummerSanders on February 24, 2004, at 12:02:35
The funny thing is that life is all about perception.. When something's going on in your life, whether others view it as "big" or "small" it doesn't help ease the pain.
I try to be upbeat and positive in my posts. I do this because I am an upbeat person. Therapy has helped with that, along with meds. I don't get down anymore (Oh God, let's all knock on wood for me..) and I think it's a blessing. I could go on about my parent's physical and sexual abuse, or the fact that I'm losing my therapist, or that I can't make or maintain any type of emotional atttachment.... Oh, I could talk for days, weeks years..But I try not to too often, as I feel this board needs positivity. I've noticed that when someone's down, it spirals for others as well.. That's why I try my hardest to not get down. But, when I do, it's nice to have a friend IM me, or to gripe and moan on the board. That's what it is here for.
I can't say that I agree or disagree with you. Everyone has problems and everyone has ways of dealing with these problems. But, I'd have to say when someone's considering suicide and reaches out on the board, their problems aren't "small" to them. And that means that I almost absorb their problems as well.
I think if we all thought positive thoughts, like I try to then we wouldn't be "dwelling" on our problems. But, at the same time, if we aren't dwelling on our problems, how in the world to we expect to fix them and learn from them?
So, basically, what's small to one prson can be exeptionally huge to another. It isn't a contest aobut who hurts more and who really "deserves" to be considering ending their lives. It's real to that person, even if it seems small to others.I think working in a cancer hospital or volunteering elsewhere is a great idea. But, I tend to absorb emotions, so I'd become depressed thinking of the lovely people who are hurt or dying. I'd be too much for me.
But, I used to volunteer at a nursing home and paint fingernails. And the ladies just loved it. So did I. But, I didn't do it to put my life in perspective. I did it because I wanted to help the ladies there feel beautiful. ANd the smiles on their faces proved to me that they felt beautiful.
Please comment, as I do want to continue this discussion. I just have mixed emotions about it. What's real to a person is very real, regardless of whether other people see it or not.
As a girl who has tried to commit suicide twice (obviously I can't do anything right.. And I'm so glad aobut that "flaw") feel that understanding the person and their struggles is much more worthwhile than invalidating them. I don't know how many times I've heard, "But you have so much to live for, ect" At the time, it didn't seem that way. It seemed empty and dark. And I understand where people are coming from when they talk about it. It seems to just hang over your head and call to you.
poster:Karen_kay
thread:315617
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/write/20040102/msgs/317205.html