Holidays, But Good To Keep In Mind Year Round

[monkeyswrench]

It's usually a time we think of family, friends and such. Most, regardless, smile and act in high spirits. After all, we're all supposed to be happy. This really isn't always the case. What we see on the surface isn't necessarily reality. This is where it ties in with the rest of the year.

There's a song out by Jelly Roll, "I'm Not OK". Honestly, I wasn't a fan of his...just not my style of vocals or music. Flipping stations a few weeks ago, stopped on that song. There's a line "So if I say I'm fine, Just know I've learned to hide it well"

I think there's more of that beneath the surface than we have an idea of. Nobody has the "perfect" life, or the "perfect" family. That's a myth, and probably more imaginary now with social media.

Yesterday, someone close to me said "I wish my body showed more signs, then people would understand. People think I'm weird or a freak...maybe I am?"
No, no they're not. Probably more "normal" than they think. "Normal" is really like "Perfect", a concept not reality.

Things aren't always what they seem.

 

[24 Sleekenforcer]

Most people are good at not showing their pain. Everyone has some struggles in life, whether it’s health or some type of addiction. No one really has the perfect life or family. You just have to make every day better than yesterday.

 

[EmpirE231]

Some lyrics I came across the other day or more so a speaking intro to a song…. And it’s called overthinker

I think we all think too much… life and your current state are all a matter of perspective. I sometimes think things are going sideways in life, and then catch the news of a friends tragic loss of their young child… and then everything I was stressing and overthinking about become irrelevant

We all need more meaningful relationships and engagement in our lives. Modern life is full of distractions and they will consume you if you allow it.

Anywho…. The lyrics..



A person who thinks all the time
Has nothing to think about except thoughts
So, he loses touch with reality
And lives in a world of illusions

By thoughts, I mean specifically, chatter in the skull
Perpetual and compulsive repetition of words
Of reckoning and calculating
I'm not saying that thinking is bad
Like everything else, it's useful in moderation
A good servant, but a bad master

And all so-called civilized peoples
Have increasingly become crazy and self-destructive
Because, through excessive thinking
They have lost touch with reality
That's to say
We confuse signs
With the real world

 

[EmpirE231]

Fixed the quote

 

[ltbaney1]

man that hits home. this year has been a kick in the teeth for me. sitting in a good friends garage the other night, who knows what went on this year, and he has had rough couple of months, asked how i was. i did the usual, im doing alright just got to keep going. he kind of paused and looked at me, and said no, how are you really doing? i broke down and poured it out, he did the same. i called him the next day and said i have not felt that much relief in a long time, we were both able to just let it go. 2 guys freinds for over 30 years sitting in a garage, sometimes its what you need.

 

[monkeyswrench]

man that hits home. this year has been a kick in the teeth for me. sitting in a good friends garage the other night, who knows what went on this year, and he has had rough couple of months, asked how i was. i did the usual, im doing alright just got to keep going. he kind of paused and looked at me, and said no, how are you really doing? i broke down and poured it out, he did the same. i called him the next day and said i have not felt that much relief in a long time, we were both able to just let it go. 2 guys freinds for over 30 years sitting in a garage, sometimes its what you need.

Stress and depression are nasty things. I believe they can cause more pain than the physical injuries. I've always looked at physical pain pretty simply, either it will get better, or your body will eventually fail. Either way, it will end soon. Been through a couple episodes where that has been the case...still here. The other, more mental pains or problems, can be masked, but can go on much longer.

And yes, sometimes you need to vent. Purge some things. It doesn't fix it, but it helps. It's a move in a better direction.

 

[troostr]

Thanksgiving through New Year can be the hardest time for a lot of people. Folks that kinda mention a struggle in June or July typically have it compounded through the holidays. The holidays are busier, more costly, usually require more "in person" interaction, family, etc. All or any one of these that cause any kind of stress or anxiety through the middle of the year go from 35 to 100 in a blink! Everyone needs a vent, and usually a few different outlets to do it. A forum post, a long-time buddy hanging out, on a date night with your spouse, or that complete stranger in parking lot that just looks like someone needs to say Hi and recognize them. Either way, no matter if you're struggling or thriving, pay attention to people. You might run into that person that needs to hear that you've been there and that its going to work out fine, or that person might run into you and let you know the same.
The holidays that you'd think should be the most wonderful time of the year are the hardest on most. Addicts struggle more, people in financial trouble struggle more, people that wrestle with depression and anxiety struggle more. The song lyric is so true, those that have learned to just be ok get better at the illusion of it the longer they hide it- but everything and everyone has a breaking point.

 

[Sawtooth]

There are lots of people, male and female, young and old that are great at projecting rays of sunshine but yet on the inside they have a category 5 storm that could break the surface on any given day. For some this “storm” is recent/new and for others it’s been gaining strength for years, and each person’s storm feeds differently. For some it can be the simplest of things that feed the darkness inside, things that most people would not pay a second thought. And for others it seems once they reach a tipping point everything has a negativity to it and the storm picks up energy.
As mentioned in some of these other posts the holidays seem to exasperate these feelings within, so take a moment and have a look in the mirror, is there a storm in your eyes looking back, it’s ok to talk about it, it’s ok to admit you’re down, and it’s ok to ask for help…….none of these things are a sign of weakness!
If you are lucky enough to not have a storm brewing inside then do your best to share some happiness with others, like family members, neighbors, coworkers, heck even total strangers…….a simple smile and hello can go a long way in someone’s life.
I hope everyone can experience and enjoy happiness and not just during the holidays! Merry Christmas All.