Sunbathing in the rain

[susand]

OK, first - the title of this topic is a phrase I heard some time ago (discussing a book I think, about depression) so if it constitutes "intellectual copyright" or some such, I'll call it sunbathing in the fog!

The phrase came to mind again as earlier in the week I once more found myself paddling about in that state of mind that can extend from "low or down to full blown depression"

I have been in that state too frequently over the past 3 years, sometimes triggered by trivial incidents, in spite of having an armoury of coping mechanisms.

One of the ideas I have found helpful is this one of sunbathing in the rain. And this is something that all you amazing people are doing all the time. In spite of what we are going through, what we have to do, how we feel, and the losses and limitations we experience, we keep on keeping on with courage and bursts of humour.

I wondered if anyone would like to join in a section that shares their secrets, their own creative ways of dealing with the cards we have been dealt? (Yep, and eating chocolate can be very creative.....lick it? suck it? bite, melt?!!).

I keep notebooks and journals and include sayings, proverbs or words that friends have inspired me with and turn to them when I need some comfort.

Two of my favourites over this year:

"The question is not how to cure, or to be cured, but how to live"
(I think I've already shared that in another thread!)

"You can always cope with the now, but you can never cope with the future"!

(And sometimes I just need to take the time to have myself a "pity party" in order to cope with the now!

I do lots of other things as well! And you?

Have a good weekend
Sue D

[john]

hi sue,
yep, i'll drink to that (the happiness secret sharing section that is - not the big d!!)
for me, i just concentrate on the here and now, there's no point in spoiling what i have today for fear of what i may not have tomorrow. oh, and putting on a big show of feeling good. the sad fact is that that is what other people want to see, and they'll tend to not avoid me 'cos i pull them down!
and of course there's that humour thing. i think i'm very funny and i sometimes make myself laugh out loud with what i think is a great quip. doesn't always strike everyone else as funny, but then that's their problem, innit?
shall i speak to the boss about a new section then? what shall we call it? how about "a funny thing happened on my way to the forum"?
just joking! take care sue - john

[liz2mac]

Lol, Susan I like this. Two phrases I've been given this year are : "apply a tincture of time" & "a leap of lunacy".
I like the first one because it reminds me that things do change given time, sometimes we just have to wait it out.
A leap of lunacy I love. We have to be so sensible and grown up about things, but underneath we're just waiting for the opporunity to break out!
liz

[susand]

I like these! And I am currently in the position of doing both!!!

[geoff]

I heard something on the radio today

We all know the expression "Do you believe the cup is half full or half empty"
But the real question is "Is there enough water for the fish to swim in it"

We are the fish, and right now we are trying to make sure there is at least enough water.
And we can do it together.

Geoff

[mali42]

Hi Geoff
Thats a good way of looking at it-----fish are always safer in shoals

Malcolm

[liz2mac]

Hey shoal, I'm swimming hard to catch up!
Liz