Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

OldBaldy1701E

(6,632 posts)
Fri Sep 6, 2024, 10:43 AM Sep 2024

Thought for the Day. (TRIGGER warning: suicide mention)

So, I loved reading sci-fi and fantasy when I was younger and there is a great series by the incomparable Piers Anthony entitled 'The Incarnations of Immortality'. Each book follows one of the five incarnations. The first book is about being the Incarnation of Death. In it, he goes to attend to this one fellow who is committing suicide in his bathtub. The guy and he have a discussion about suicide and why the dude wanted to die. The man was insistent that he be allowed to die and wanted to pass into oblivion. Since the dude had already done the deed, Death was just there to facilitate his soul passing. However, once he attempts to do this, the 'soul' just disintegrates. Death has this thought as he is leaving the scene.

"That man was half right. He may be better off without the game but the game may not be better off without him"


This thought is one that I struggle with constantly. Mainly because, if this is to be true, then it sure would help some of us to know that the game is better off, because, for some of us, there is little to no proof that the game is so. Yet, we are expected to just believe that somewhere, some faceless person has benefited from something we did or said. There is no proof that such a thing has ever happened to anyone I have ever interacted with. Without proof, why should I worry about that statement? I do, but why should I?

(Just a thought that I always have. I wanted to get other opinions on it. Thanks in advance. Also, yes, this is about mental health support, as I do not see this as a viable reason to stay alive, which makes it a 'platitude' and almost insulting. Yet, people say a variation of this stuff to me all the time. Why should anyone believe a word of this when there has never been any sign that my life has had a positive effect on anything? I understand that some will say "You should not want to be rewarded for such acts." I am not looking for that. But, I need some evidence that I have had this effect on someone because otherwise I have to go on the evidence that I do have. And that evidence all indicates that I am a waste of skin. Call me shallow you must, but some proof of accomplishment would do wonders as far as helping my mental state. Why is that such a tall order?)
13 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Thought for the Day. (TRIGGER warning: suicide mention) (Original Post) OldBaldy1701E Sep 2024 OP
Obviously you matter to us because we are reading your post Bayard Sep 2024 #1
"I considered it an accomplishment to just survive every day." OldBaldy1701E Sep 2024 #7
We sometimes want to make big sweeping changes. Keepthesoulalive Sep 2024 #2
Yes, Delphinus Sep 2024 #3
I so agree Delphinus Sep 2024 #4
Me too. My favorite was the one about Death. The Fate one is a close second. (n/t) OldBaldy1701E Sep 2024 #10
And, Delphinus Sep 2024 #11
You are dealing with two different puzzles, right? MerrilyMerrily Sep 2024 #5
I agree with you. OldBaldy1701E Sep 2024 #8
Okay. murielm99 Sep 2024 #6
That would be a nice thing to hear. OldBaldy1701E Sep 2024 #9
You may never hear. murielm99 Sep 2024 #12
With all due respect... OldBaldy1701E Sep 2024 #13

Bayard

(24,145 posts)
1. Obviously you matter to us because we are reading your post
Fri Sep 6, 2024, 11:02 AM
Sep 2024

It is an important question.

What would you consider, "proof of accomplishment?" When I was asking these kinds of questions, I considered it an accomplishment to just survive every day.

OldBaldy1701E

(6,632 posts)
7. "I considered it an accomplishment to just survive every day."
Fri Sep 6, 2024, 04:25 PM
Sep 2024

I cannot argue with that one.

I don't know exactly what might constitute 'proof'. Maybe just evidence that such a thing did happen? To see something palpable?

Back in the day, one thing that I had happen is I had a few students who learned guitar from me. After a time, both of them were much better than I was. Both did not pursue it but both have a great appreciation for music and the instrument. So, that is proof. Both also took the time later on in life to let me know this. That was proof. Now, I know that sounds egotistical. And, it probably is.

But, it would sure go a long way towards helping me see that I have done something in life worthwhile. And, that would help my depression and feelings of failure a lot.

Maybe that is too much. That is why I was curious about hearing other opinions on the thought.

Keepthesoulalive

(814 posts)
2. We sometimes want to make big sweeping changes.
Fri Sep 6, 2024, 11:10 AM
Sep 2024

But it’s the small things that can make people around you feel like they count. With a phone interaction just saying thank you and you have been very helpful can make their day, when so many people yell and curse them . The same with fast food, the folks on the front lines customer service are taking a beating, the need kind words a smile and a thank you. You will see how grateful they are to be recognized as human beings also a little coin also helps to show gratitude.

Delphinus

(12,160 posts)
4. I so agree
Fri Sep 6, 2024, 12:50 PM
Sep 2024

with what keepthesoulalive says - it is these small things that we do when interacting with others that mean so much. And, regretfully, we will never have that Clarence angel at our side to show us the ripple effect of our lives.

As an aside, but related to your post, I loved Piers Anthony's series on the immortals.

Delphinus

(12,160 posts)
11. And,
Fri Sep 6, 2024, 04:54 PM
Sep 2024

to go back to your original post, this came across in an email to me this morning - "Through my thoughts, words, and actions, I have a vital role in bringing peace to earth." It is something I am going to live into. Perhaps it will give you some peace.

MerrilyMerrily

(195 posts)
5. You are dealing with two different puzzles, right?
Fri Sep 6, 2024, 02:21 PM
Sep 2024

The big, important puzzle for you is whether you are, in fact, the waste of skin you feel like at the moment. Since wondering such a thing, as painful as it is, proves that you are still capable of self-awareness and reflection, my vote is no. Since I don't actually get a vote on your opinion of yourself, I'll move on to your second, much smaller puzzle -.which is why should you believe the platitude that you have had, and could continue to have, a positive effect on someone else?

The posters before me put their fingers right on the most obvious way ordinary people can rescue ordinary people from a day so dreadful that they want to quit a job they need badly. Have you ever talked on the phone to a customer service rep and heard their voice change from forced cheery courtesy (with an undercurrent of emotionally bracing for more abuse for the millionth time today) to genuine warmth and relief as you make it clear that you not only do not blame them personally for the cable fixer not showing up but understand that they want to be part of the solution? If not, go ahead and behave that way the next time you talk to a customer service rep, or a fast food cashier at rush hour, and keep doing it until you hear that warmth and relief from one of them. It's a beautiful sound, almost as good as having Angel Second-Class Clarence by your side.

Btw, I like to think I have a positive effect on rude obnoxious service reps by civilly but firmly letting them know that crap won't fly. Does 'em a world of good, I say to myself. A positive effect on an unsympathetic group who are in danger of becoming, um, wastes of skin.

Obviously, there are ways to make an enormous positive difference, like Jimmy Carter or Dolly Parton or Malala Yousafzai. And there are ways to try your damnedest to make a positive difference in a big way that may not (yet) make the big difference you are aiming for (that counts - Go Greta Thunberg). But little things that might mean a LOT to someone else? You probably do those every day, and if you don't you can start any time you feel like it.

OldBaldy1701E

(6,632 posts)
8. I agree with you.
Fri Sep 6, 2024, 04:30 PM
Sep 2024

But, it is tough to draw another breath when you don't think you have done anything and there is no evidence that you have.

At least, I think.

murielm99

(31,526 posts)
6. Okay.
Fri Sep 6, 2024, 02:39 PM
Sep 2024

I did something small for someone once that apparently did make a difference.
It was my freshman year in college, orientation week. We were in the middle of taking placement tests. The tests were voluntary, but why repeat a lot of things we had learned in high school, or AP courses?

It was a beautiful day. I was walking back to my dorm. A girl was walking a bit behind me, crying. Finally, I turned around and asked her what was wrong, and if I could help. She told me that she had just bombed a Latin placement test. I invited her back to my dorm room and gave her coffee. She talked about it. After a while, she felt better.

About a week later, I went to her floor and found her. She was doing okay.

Flash forward to senior year. This girl was a superstar, getting ready to graduate with high honors. Earlier, she had been talking to a group of girls. A couple of them did not like me. They thought I was crazy and weird. She said, "Wait a minute," and told them the story that went back to our first week in school. She defended me. One of my acquaintances repeated this defense to me. I verified that it had happened. I was touched by this story. I had some affirmation that I had done something right at least one time. There are surely some things in your past that are like this incident. You may never find out about them, but I am certain that they are there.





murielm99

(31,526 posts)
12. You may never hear.
Fri Sep 6, 2024, 05:55 PM
Sep 2024

But the good things are still there. Most people never do hear, but they go on.

OldBaldy1701E

(6,632 posts)
13. With all due respect...
Sat Sep 7, 2024, 06:15 AM
Sep 2024

Most people don't suffer from what I suffer from. Just as it is easy for me to rush to the scene of an accident and render aid while others cannot even look in that direction, some can be 'safe in their own head'. I am not so lucky.

As stated before, I know this may come off as rather shallow and egotistical, but here we are. I still say I do not understand why there is no proof of my ever making a difference unless there was never any 'difference' made. Was everything I did a complete waste of time? Because it sure looks like it. How comforting to know that my life has had zero positive impact on anyone or anything. (I don't have to worry about the negatives... the entire world has no problem reminding me of those at every turn, and it never forgets such things. EVER. Hell, I was reminded of the time I lied to everyone about being bitten by a snake when it was briars that made the holes. I was six at the time. I was reminded of this not long ago. Something that happened over 54 years ago. No one seems to remember the good you did. Just the bad.)

Of course, there is also the simple fact that, in our culture, we seldom hear about 'good news' because those who profess to offer the news want clicks and good news just doesn't get them. That is why we get all the rethug input with little coverage of the Democratic side. They know that both sides will read their crap when it is about the MAGA and their insane leaders.

I apologise for rambling. I am not doing well these days. And, I have no one to talk to about it. I don't want to burden my husband and I have no one else to turn to.

Latest Discussions»Support Forums»Mental Health Support»Thought for the Day. (TRI...