Another Thought to Share...

[Oliver1970]

"People don't fake depression, they fake being okay. Remember that. Be kind."Robin Williams

I'm guilty of this. I don't want to be a burden on anyone else. In life, I look totally normal, and in truth, I'm fighting every day.

Please take the time to check on each other. A small gesture to you may be the thing that allows someone else to find the strength to get through that moment.

Everyone here has their reasons for being here. And every one of you are important. Tomorrow you might speak the words that ease someone's pain...or save their life. Never underestimate your worth in that regard. You matter.

Be gracious to those who try and help. Even if they didn't. The effort is enough.

[Agora1]

Beautifully said Oliver as well as very meaningful. Thank you for

sharing and being who you are xx

[Oliver1970 in reply to Agora1]

Thank you. I appreciate your kindness. I hope you find your peace.

[DodgeDhanda]

Hi O1970.

U are so right with the faking it & with depression once it's taken a deep root into ur very being, it then we pretend when in fact we are all ducks on the body of water called life....

On the surface the duck appears calm & in full control but in the water they're all paddling like hell to get to where they want to go. It also reminds me of a quote in the movie The Watchmen & it goes.

Heard joke once: Man goes to doctor. Says he's depressed. Says life seems harsh and cruel. Says he feels all alone in a threatening world where what lies ahead is vague and uncertain. Doctor says, "Treatment is simple. Great clown Pagliacci is in town tonight. Go and see him. That should pick you up." Man bursts into tears. Says, "But doctor...I am Pagliacci.

Lastly

I wish U love & light on ur journey.

[Oliver1970 in reply to DodgeDhanda]

Thank you. I hope you find your peace.

[DodgeDhanda in reply to Oliver1970]

Hi O1970.

Tyvm & I'm happy to say I have found my peace & my zen & it took years but it was my local NHS & the mental health department & the course they put me on helped me learn & understand what went wrong & how it made me feel & to realise it wasn't my fault.

I could've easily left group & gone on with a happy life & not give a single thought to those here still dealing with their lives & wanting a positive outcome. I'm not like that as I came here needing help & I got that help & from many different people & I realised I could be completely open here as others understood me but I wasn't able to do that with my family & kids & so this is my family too & I pop in to offer help as & where I can.

I wish U all the epiphanies that U need to understand why it is as it is & the wisdom to put into practice all U learn my friend .

[Riki_]

Wonderful quote, it's really is as simple as considering the person right next to you that can make someone's day. Everyone shares their own side of the story, taking the chance to greet someone can clean someone from dwelling on thoughts.

[Oliver1970 in reply to Riki_]

In the darkest moments, for some reason, we only allow ourselves negative thoughts. The kindness extended destroys that narrative for a moment.I hope you find your peace.

[Nothing_but_books]

I appreciate you sharing these thoughts.

I've offered help and gotten no acknowledgement. It makes me wonder if my effort matters.

I've also reached out here in miserable circumstances and found, time and again, what wonderful members we have.

[Oliver1970 in reply to Nothing_but_books]

Please, never doubt that your effort matters. There comes a point where for some, it takes every bit of energy they have just to survive.I hope you find your peace.

[Nothing_but_books in reply to Oliver1970]

It comes in bits when it will.

[Spud-u-Like1982]

Absolutely true. When I worked in the civil service I dealt with benefit claimants, something I am now, ironically, and I was horrified at the way some of my colleagues spoke to people. Alot of my colleagues assumed everyone was a chancer. Their lack of empathy was frightening. At one point I had to do pre-calls to people who were getting their benefits stopped. I couldn't let them know that, I just had to tell them firmly that they would receive a callback and they would need to list all conditions, medications, etc. I would then pass the information to a decision maker who would often nil them. Out of about 6 decision makers, one guy was VERY empathetic and kind to them. The rest were awful and sometimes these people having their benefits stopped had terminal cancer!

I was even disciplined for being on a call for nearly 2 hours to a suicidal ex soldier who was going to lose his benefits, had lost custody of his son and was losing his home. He also had severe PTSD. All he needed was someone to listen and try and help him realise he should at least carry on for his son. I went online on my work computer for different charities for ex-military, just to try and help him hopefully get back on his feet. Being online, I was pulled up for that too. Madness!

Empathy can be a gift and it can be a curse, but it makes it all worthwhile if just listening to someone helps alleviate their troubles and that might in turn save their life.

[Oliver1970 in reply to Spud-u-Like1982]

Thank you. Never stop trying.I hope you find your peace.

[Perriex in reply to Spud-u-Like1982]

Thank goodness ppl like you are in the world.

You made a difference at that job.

Couldn't agree more about empathy -- I too see it as a gift and a curse.🌹

[Dolphin14]

Oliver1970

Great words of wisdom. We all need to be reminded of this.

🐬

[Oliver1970 in reply to Dolphin14]

Thank you. I hope you find your peace.

[Mustloveanimals]

thank you for your message. Those little gestures matter a lot to me.

[Oliver1970]

They mean the world sometimes. I know.Thank you. I hope you find your peace.

[catsrock]

Great post. Also, my 18-year-old cat is an Oliver! Thank you for kind words.

[Oliver1970]

You're welcome. You never know what might help, so try everything and accept any help offered.I hope you find your peace.

[faucet]

Very well said☺️