Posted by Anonymous on March 14, 1999, at 23:52:17
In reply to Re: answer, posted by Terry on March 12, 1999, at 11:31:07
Dante: I thank you for sharing that story, and I'm sorry you have taken such grief for it. I think that HooWha's first message expressed my position best - positive thinking *will* help, but not when you are in the grip of depression. I suppose it might to the extent that you can tell yourself you will get through the day and keep living, but it would certainly be difficult to think yourself out of depression, especially if biological. Unfortunately, HooWha and James could not leave well enough alone with their first messages and have deteriorated this thread. If you disregard positive thinking (which, by the way, I admit I don't do well), you take away a tool in life. And if you guys would read it again, it's not about magically thinking yourself happy. It's about choices. Sometimes, we have less control over choices (being in the grip of depression, for example). But, what if instead of choosing an impossibly large goal (being happy), you choose to keep living? When you drag yourself to work everyday, isn't that a choice? Some people don't, you know. If you guys are in a terrible depression now, then I can understand your reactions to Dante's story. However, that is no excuse to be sarcastic and stupid, and belittle someone who was trying to share something.
poster:Anonymous
thread:3621
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990301/msgs/3703.html