War and Depression

I don't think any of us can prove this wrong. On the other hand, I don't think any of us can prove this true, either. And either way, it may not be any great comfort. But consider the possibility that, however atrocious it is, that these things may not end up being catastrophic for the world.

First of all, you're not the only one fighting depression, and sure as hell not the only person who is finding themselves moving further into the dark tunnel when thinking about the war and the state of the world. I'll not attempt to trivialize your concerns, for the points that you raise are valid - this is a frightening time to be alive.

There's a part of me that wishes all of this were over - the decision made and so forth, so that this unbearable tension would be broken and we can at least figure-out what to do or not do from that point. However, then I think that so long as the invasion has not occurred, that the retaliation has not started, then there is still hope. But hope for what?
At this point I honestly can't figure-out what I think should happen - I don't know what to be meditating and praying for. Mainly patience and clearheaded thought and strength of character and for cooler heads to prevail - but at the same time I think that Saddam does need to be dealt with, and that's where it all gets convoluted in my mind. And I too feel impotent.

So here's how I am dealing with things (and some of these sound corny, but they really do work for me).
1. When I wake-up I give a silent "thanks" to the spirits or gods/goddesses or whatever, for another beautiful morning;

2. I look at my work and think "well, maybe these words will inspire someone to donate the money that will let us save another bobcat or raccoon or owl or bat" and am happy that I am able to use my writing skills toward something that affirms life;

3. I spend a lot of time with my pets - their oblivion to everything but attention and pets and food reminds me that maybe I am thinking too much about the big things and not enough about the little ones;

4. I hug people. A lot. And I write and call old friends. And I visit those that I can - just re-establishing those bonds of laughter and love and support helps balance my mind;

5. I spend as much time as I can in the wilderness, watching the wildlife - hearing their cries and watching as they move so effortlessly through the world - and I look more closely at the land - the trees and grasses and rocks and dirt and water and I think about the perfection of what it is and how lucky I am to be alive at a time when it's still really wild and free;
6. I talk to people about the world and the situation and try to remain calm and thoughtful, under the theory that the more people know and understand, the more power they have to change their environment;

7. I accept, as best I can, that right now my actions are not going to change the minds of the world leaders, and I also accept that my actions can make small changes in the world and that if we all make small, positive changes, eventually the world will change, too;

8. We've instituted a "bitch time" - 1/2 hour, every night, where we let it all out about how mad we are at Bush and so forth. And then we have to tell each other four good things that happened that day - sounds corny, but it helps shift the mind;

9. I get 1/2 hour of the news in the morning and the same in the evening - and NO MORE! And I have to choose between local and national and international news. Also, no depressing movies or TV shows - only stuff that is positive and entertaining and engrossing - same for books, too; abd

10. I spend time here and at other websites, reading and writing and chatting and thinking - it all reminds me that there is good in the world - a lot of it - and that the good does out-weigh the bad, though sometimes it's hard to see that.

I realize that a lot of this is New Ageish and cliche-ridden and so forth. And I also realize that this makes me look like an angel or something - but I'm not - I'm really struggling with all of this, too Matt, and I know we're not the only ones on here that feel the same way. I think that talking about it helps, to let everything out, but at some point we need to move past thinking and talking about it and filling our minds with other things, because fretting and mulling it over and over and running in circles in our minds is not going to help the situation.

Be proud of your students - you're giving them the skills that they need in order to go out and start fixing the world. That is an amazing gift to give someone - a skill that will help them forever, in all fascets of their lives.

Hold on to the beauty and fragility of this life - it's precious - suicide isn't the way to go - it's a selfish act and it's not worth it. Things look bad now, but that's because the chemicals causing the depression are having a field day, as you feed them more and more chaos to thrive upon. Get in to see a Doctor and a therapist - they can get you on the meds and help you find the coping strategies to get through all of this.

I promise you - LIFE IS GOOD! And life is beautiful. And we are really damned lucky to be living and breathing and celebrating life with our fellow beings. I know it's ugly for you right now. But hang in there - it will start to look better. Keep coming here and reaching out to others - you're not alone.

I can understand the frustration of the American standpoint. But, really selfishly, from a UK point of view I wish Blair would just keep his glory-seeking neck out of it. Bush, I think, is a moron. Blair on the other hand has this idea that if things work out okay he can have his own Falklands and take a chunk of kudos for himself. A so-called socialist who actually wants to be Margaret Thatcher is a disturbing idea, really.

On the whole, I hate all politicians who tell the public to be 'brave,' secure in the knowledge of their own safety bunkers. My solution is to move all these people to a small island and let it be known to all who have a beef with them that this is where you send your bombs and pestilence! I'm big on realistic ideas, me.

My real depression is about being lonely and having no money, though. When I win the Lottery tonight, I think I'll go out and buy lots of friends. Can you get those at M&S? Any special offers? :)

def. switch off news matt.

keeping up with what x pro war colummist is saying this week and anti-y colummist is saying the other week is not one of them.

Hang on in there. *hugs*