Friday, May 1, 2009

Climbing Mount Everest

mount-everest-summit …especially these days. Even in good times, its bad news that sells. News media after all is ultimately a money-making venture which seeks to satisfy the voyeuristic lusts of the masses in order to sell space to advertisers. Human beings have a curiosity and a hunger to gawk at the sufferings and ill-fortune of others. It takes our attention away from the problems at home. In a rather macabre way, it is a relief to know that others have it worse than we do.

And if we watch or read the news day after day and turn away from it without doing anything positive with what we’ve seen or heard, then we are forced to admit that it has served no greater purpose for us than to be a voyeuristic distraction and fodder for another session of bitching and moaning.

Often I have found myself in a desperate search for a distraction…something… anything that will take my attention away, even for a few moments, from my own anxieties, problems and pain. But I cannot shoulder the weight of the world. In my struggle with depression I have often had to wean myself from the news, for weeks or months at a time, in order to survive. And I don’t feel guilty about it in the least.

I try my best to be a loving father and “dad” to my daughter, a respectful and caring son to my aged parents, a gentle caretaker to my pet cats, and a responsible steward of the part of the planet within my reach. And for now, this is my mission and my task, my reason for living and breathing each day. It is all I can handle.

It is also the reason why I have not been blogging since my I initial burst of creativity. I never dreamed that it would take so much energy and discipline to sit down and write something on a regular basis. But then again, it should not have come as a surprise to someone for whom simply getting dressed, all too often feels like an attempt on Mt. Everest.

15 comments:

Laura said...

I understand all too well the struggle of depression. Thanks for such a thought provoking post.

Mark Krusen said...

I can relate. Thanks for climbing the mountain today.It's nice to hear from you again. Blocking out the news is a good thing really. We'll let you know if the world ends. Besides that just come out and play when ever you feel like it.

susan said...

Ah Sunshine. First rule in Journalism, "if it bleeds it leads". If people didn't have the nature to stop and slow down to see the wrecks on the highway......

Maybe you are right, we feel lucky someone else has it worse. The poor sod in the car could have been us.

Nothing wrong with going away from the news. Hug those kitties enjoy happy things and know you ARE a loving father to your daughter, and a very good son to your mom and dad, and a good care taker to the two nom noms you share your abode with, and the nom nom you just adopted in your heart.


We all know what it's liketo feel like your are climbing Mt. Everest. Just make sure you got your long johns on when you do it.

soulful sepulcher said...

It's good to be honest and say what you can handle and can't handle; hell who watches the news? it is known that famous bloggers type in their pajamas! what else?

Mark Krusen said...

So does that mean you type in your PJ's Stephany?

susan said...

I think Stephany would type in a teddy, Mark.

But Yeah, I type in my jammies. I wish they had the hole in the back like my old Dr. Dentons.

soulful sepulcher said...

heck yeah, pajamas rock.(a teddy susan? LOL) hey did anyone go on a walk today? (waving my hand in the air!)

hey thanks for coming back Pete so we have a place to hang out.

Pass the brownie cake Mark

Mark Krusen said...

Hey you ladies are Pre-verts. You know what a Pre-vert is? It's just someone that hasn't verted yet.

susan said...

Hmmm. I wanna piece of cake too, with ice cold moo juice on the side.

Or a piece of that pie you posted a few weeks back.

Nom Noms for humans. Milk for kitties. Every one happy happy joy joy.

Sweats are nice to blog in too.

susan said...

Mark,

I also want my beloved Yankees to play again like they care, but, I will settle for cake and be happier with it.

Did you see the 12 year old gal from NJ who pitched a perfect little league game against BOYS?

soulful sepulcher said...
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Mark Krusen said...

Pete,
See what you started by posting again? All the wack jobs from all over the place stop by to say hi.

Stephany,
Don't compare me to Stan. He is definitely a pre-vert.

LizRN said...

So glad you are OK. You shouldn't feel you have to put alot into your writing; just letting us know you are well some days is enough. I have had to turn off the news at times also...some people can help the world and some of us can only do our piece by taking care of ourselves and families. You may never know the positive impact you will have on your daughter. My children are adults now and just beginning to appreciate what I did for them, and believe me, I did not give them everything they wanted...and still don't. Love and communication are powerful. Just think the lives, or non-lives your cats could have had if you had not taken them in. Give yourself the credit you deserve and take care of yourself.

soulful sepulcher said...
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susan said...

Peter,

You are also a good friend to those who are lucky enough to be called your friends.