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...
4 comments:
perhaps not total crap - but fairly crap, as I guess any simplistic explanation of serious mental ill health is bound to be - txxx
Too often, in my opinion, people are mistaken in thinking that they will find happiness in something specific, whether that's money, or a house or a child or travel.
All of these can be wonderful, but it's our attitudes more than our achievements that determine how satisfied we are.
I think you're right Alec - like you northshore, I count my blessings - but ultimately, it's how I view things that affects how I feel - and even knowing this doesn't always help, because emtions are so powerful and to try to control them all the time is impossible - and probably undesirable anyway. It's a really difficult puzzle this one - I think that somtimes a percieved lack of choice or control is difficult to bear and can make me at any rate, feel low and fed up. But then I try to remember not to be too wedded to one way of seeing or doing things and that helps me a bit. It's difficult, I would prefer to talk about it- sometimes blogs are just not immediate enough.
hya,
ya certainly have packed a lot in!
i always think time's a good thing, when you look back from the future and reflect back on such good times (if your anything like me) you will get a happy feeling from it.
when your in the middle of doing something ya never quite realise the significance of it, i always think.
n that song ya on about... well if it was only that simple ay!
purkul
x
Post a Comment