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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sleepygirl on August 8, 2005, at 21:17:22
I'm supposed to be happy. I don't know why I'm not. It could be all those people out there who are "out to get me"- no they aren't but it feels like it. I wish I was passionate about something, but not obsessive. Is that possible? Oh, and I'm quite sick of therapy. This is my wet blanket thread of the day. Thank you for reading and have a nice day.
Posted by caraher on August 9, 2005, at 9:25:11
In reply to happiness eludes me..., posted by sleepygirl on August 8, 2005, at 21:17:22
What a set up for disappointment - saying you "should" be happy when you aren't! I think it was Richard O'Connor in "Undoing Depression" who said that many depressed folks imagine that "normal people" are happy most of the time, when in fact the more usual state might better be described as a kind of mild anxiety. So first of all, perhaps you're setting the bar too high?
Second, saying "should" suggests almost a moral failing on your part, rather than something you simply wish for yourself that you just don't have.
I hope you learn to be happy, or at least content. Perhaps you cannot become as "passionate" as you'd like, but someplace better than where you are now should be within your reach!
Posted by Shortelise on August 9, 2005, at 13:33:54
In reply to happiness eludes me..., posted by sleepygirl on August 8, 2005, at 21:17:22
" Thank you for reading and have a nice day. "Sleepygirl, this made me laugh. You probably weren't being funny, but this for me was funny.
Happiness. I live for the moments of contentment. The pursuit of happiness is an exercise in futility, if'n you ask me. Happiness comes like a butterfly. You can plant the garden, and invite it, but it comes only on the right wind, in its own time.
But, yeah, I hear you. ((sleepygirl)) I am lucky to have moments of happiness as well as contentment. I think it's in all of us to have these. Maybe it's hard to recognize them.
I wonder - what if you put on your favourite music, sat in your favourite place, made the thing you best like to eat or drink, and sat there quietly, the phone unplugged, everyone you are responsible for is out. How would that feel? Or if you did your favrouite thing, with your favourite person? Do you thinkyou could create a moment of contentment?
ShortE
Posted by sleepygirl on August 9, 2005, at 22:11:48
In reply to Re: happiness eludes me..., posted by caraher on August 9, 2005, at 9:25:11
Ah yes, the "tyranny of the shoulds" and "musterbations" comes to mind. Who came up with that? I want to say Ellis.
I suppose you hit it on the head when you talked about the suggestion of "moral failing" I put across in that post. I guess I'm feeling a bit lost, but that's OK for a while :-) Thanks
Posted by sleepygirl on August 9, 2005, at 22:23:16
In reply to Re: elusive happiness » sleepygirl, posted by Shortelise on August 9, 2005, at 13:33:54
Actually that was pretty representative of my very dry sense of humor. I just sort of do that automatically.
Yes I guess I do have my moments. I said to caraher above that I'm feeling a bit lost, like Huh? I think I'm feeling sad about some things.
I think I could create many moments of contentment. I guess there's so much I want, so much to do, and the moments they get lost and that's a little scary you know?
Ah well, life goes on relentlessly-I don't mean that in a negative way, but just to say I guess I'm just trying to find my appreciation for it
:-) Thanks
Posted by Declan on August 13, 2005, at 0:40:53
In reply to Re: elusive happiness, posted by sleepygirl on August 9, 2005, at 22:23:16
What's it?
'The masses of men live lives of quiet desperation. What seems like resignation is actually ....' I forget. Thoreau, I dunno.They say live in the moment, but I'm not sure, either way, what I've found there.
Declan
This is the end of the thread.
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