Gosh, life is funny sometimes.
I guess I want to hear from all of you. I talk about my own experiences a lot, the things I figure out and the things I work out that make life more emotionally satisfying.
My family has a genetic tendency to anxiety/depression, and I've somehow eked my way through some stuff, and am continuing to eke, and it's comforting to talk/write about it. Getting it out there makes it seem less drastic and difficult when there are difficulties, but it also makes things funnier and happier when I take time to write about them.
My friends are all becoming more adult-like, with bigger families and/or established careers, so I figure a lot of you are starting to settle into yourselves, figure out what makes you happy and fulfilled. I figure that a lot of you are also starting to think about the big picture and set some long-term goals.
So, to those of you who read and might take a moment to comment... how's life?
What is it that makes life worth living for all of you?
Have you had any epiphanies lately (even small ones) that have propelled you into greater happiness?
Were there any general conference messages this time around that hit you hard, and why?
This is my attempt at non-omphaloskepis, but whatever form of skepsis would be reaching out and connecting and learning from others' experiences.
4 comments:
Hi, yo! I live for the sun, for friends, for a gentle hug from my mother and father.
Somedays I don't want to be alive, but my faith keeps me going until my brain chemistry once again levels out. Thank God for antidepressants.
Life has been hard, but full of joys. I try not to listen to the voices in my head that tell me that my depression will get the better of me in years to come and that I will either go off the straight and narrow path or just resign. But, for now, I'm happy.
Life is at its most blissful. I've been happily married for nearly a year, I'm still employed, and I feel like I'm a part of my current ward.
What makes life worth living? I've never really thought about that question before. My snippy answer is that I'm really not interested in dying. Off the top of my head, I guess I consider living and the value thereof is in all the interesting things to do, see, and learn.
My visiting teacher provided a very interesting thought the other day. "What do you want to be when you're 50? For example, there was a woman she knew (or knew of) who was 40 and wanted to be a doctor. However, it was going to take her to be 10 years to complete a medical degree. Well, she was going to be 50 no matter what she did. Would she prefer to be 50 and still wishing she were a doctor or be 50 and be a doctor?" Lately my modus operandi has been, "In five years when I'm likely tied down with kids, what will I wish I had been done when I was newlywed with a dual-income?" That's pushed me to do a lot of things I'd normally not due either in interest of time or in interest of stashing instead of spending money. I like the perspective of the other direction - what do I wish to become - rather than what do I wish I had been. I like that.
General Conference was so-so for me. I had a lot of mixed feelings on President Packard's talk regarding homosexuality; it's a topic that I'm just plain confused on as it tends to alienate good people, yet there definitely is the law of heaven and I don't dispute it one bit. I took special note of Elder Perry and Elder Bednar's talks as I'm teaching on those topics in RS this year.
There are a lot of reasons life is worth living.
No matter what's happening now, there's always joy up ahead that I don't want to miss out on. There are beautiful things to see outdoors (and indoors) There are sincere hugs from kids. There are good things to eat. Great books to read.
My dad once said that the prescription for depression is to be a mother of young children. That sounds pessimistic, but there is an element of truth in it. You are at the most overwhelmed phase of life with the fewest opportunities to escape the pressure. I can decide that I've had enough for now and go for a nice brisk walk. You have to wait for someone to take responsibility for the kids so that you can get away. But do take the time every day to get away and refresh your body and spirit, outdoors if possible. In the temple as often as possible.
I haven't had much depression, but definitely have had my share of anxiety. And oddly, I think these trials have turned me into an optimist. Things always DO get better. There is always some joy to find in each day, if we look for it. I can remember one child telling me in a disgusted voice "you always try to be HAPPY" And that is both a good thing and a bad one. I WANT to be happy. But I have a hard time when I'm not. I have a hard time going through suffering. Learning to allow suffering to be a part of real life, just as valid though not as fun as happiness, has been helpful.
There's always good stuff to come. Mom
Hayley,
you are an inspiration. You and I both know that you are worth it and that your strength is something you ought to be proud of... and not let worry undermine you, though personally I completely know what you mean. Thanks for answering.
Janell, awesome. Oh, those moments are wonderful, aren't they? And living life to its fullest at every stage makes life so much richer, fuller, and makes it so much easier to move on to a next phase, because you've enjoyed the previous one and experienced it to the fullest.
Mom: Great insight, and comforting advice, as always. I work hard to enjoy the stage I'm in, but knowing it becomes less emotionally rigorous later is such a relief.
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