I was listening to a Nerina Pallot song on the way home last night and, for the first time, noticed that it contains the lyrics 'depression is only desire deprived' - which struck me as being a very flippant view of life.
But, it did start me off on a interesting train of thought. I can absolutely see why a very strong desire for something, left unfulfilled, could make someone feel depressed. In few days, if my Grandad was still with us, it would have been my Grandparents 65th Wedding Anniversary - and I'm sure that there is nothing in the world that my Nan will want more than to be able to spend the day celebrating with him - a very real reason why desire denied could cause depression.
But the implication in the song seems to be that depression is a result of not being able to have what you want - so is the secret of happiness being able to get what you want? And how many of us would really be able to pin-point what it is that we want so badly...
In the last two years I have had an abundance of fantastic experiences. If I am being honest, very probably as many as most people hope to experience in a lifetime - and I consider myself to be far more fortunate than I deserve. I have visited three continents, relaxed on fantastic beaches, enjoyed the hustle & bustle of capital cities, stomped across deserts, been on a gondola, stayed in 14th century hotels, had lunch with Mickey Mouse, swam with stingrays and dolphins, hurtled from 13 stories high towards the floor at high speed - so many memories that I couldn't possibly fit them all in a blog.
I have a loving family, a beautiful charming daughter and husband who is as good a dad as he is partner - no-one could ask for more. So does this make me immune to depression? I certainly have no 'desires deprived' - if only life was that simple. Or maybe I am just completely ungrateful?
Or maybe Nerina Pallot is just talking total crap...
But, it did start me off on a interesting train of thought. I can absolutely see why a very strong desire for something, left unfulfilled, could make someone feel depressed. In few days, if my Grandad was still with us, it would have been my Grandparents 65th Wedding Anniversary - and I'm sure that there is nothing in the world that my Nan will want more than to be able to spend the day celebrating with him - a very real reason why desire denied could cause depression.
But the implication in the song seems to be that depression is a result of not being able to have what you want - so is the secret of happiness being able to get what you want? And how many of us would really be able to pin-point what it is that we want so badly...
In the last two years I have had an abundance of fantastic experiences. If I am being honest, very probably as many as most people hope to experience in a lifetime - and I consider myself to be far more fortunate than I deserve. I have visited three continents, relaxed on fantastic beaches, enjoyed the hustle & bustle of capital cities, stomped across deserts, been on a gondola, stayed in 14th century hotels, had lunch with Mickey Mouse, swam with stingrays and dolphins, hurtled from 13 stories high towards the floor at high speed - so many memories that I couldn't possibly fit them all in a blog.
I have a loving family, a beautiful charming daughter and husband who is as good a dad as he is partner - no-one could ask for more. So does this make me immune to depression? I certainly have no 'desires deprived' - if only life was that simple. Or maybe I am just completely ungrateful?
Or maybe Nerina Pallot is just talking total crap...
