I am exhausted with life and people, and quite frankly, I do sometimes wish that

[Skidmore]

I could just go to sleep and never wake up. No, I'm not suicidal, just exhausted. Bone tired. Worn out with all the outrage from all sides. Tired of the tribalism from inside and outside of our nation. Sick of the evil that crawls among us and those who feed it. Sick of the empty eyes and souls that only show sparks of life when the circus passes before them. Sick of the greed and games. Sicker still of those who yell the loudest but put nothing on the line to stop it--those who wail and beat their chests while posturing and hurling invectives. Tired of the political stink bombs, incoming and outgoing. Tired of looking forever skyward to avoid being hit rather than to the ground to make certain it is firm. Those who scream the loudest about the space on earth that both the very young and the elderly take up. I'm sick of the greed. I'm sick of the things, stuff, merchandise, garbage, clutter that is pushed on us. Sick of doing without. Sick of worrying and feeling discarded. Achingly exhausted in the sinews. Numbness will never come. In its absence, I just want to sleep, endlessly sleep.

[Steely_Dan]

1. I could have written your post...

I understand the feeling. And it seems to be getting worse. I think much of it is born or disappointment...so much hope, so little actions based on principle. I hear you, my friend.

[hlthe2b]

2. Many of us could....

'Hard to find much pleasure in life anymore, but I still smile at the happy antics of my own dog and other wonderful pups.. Hanging out at the dog park does bring perspective for me, at least...;) Hang in there, all.

[reggie the dog]

37. petting my dog always makes me feel better

too bad i left him with my parents when i moved to france :(

[HCE SuiGeneris]

11. Indeed.

It resonates far too much with me as well.

[SammyWinstonJack]

20. Same here.

:-(

[RandomThoughts]

3. Sorry you feel that way.

I hope you find what you need to make it through that. :hug:


For me it helps to know people don't mean to be that way, and I am that way also sometimes. Although the sadness of them hurting themselves I also understand.

I try to find good things, and have found that there is so much good in unexpected places, it helps in finding joy in many places, even when things are a bit tougher at times.

Good luck, and maybe rest a bit, I do that often also, you are not responsible for other peoples choices, only for what you choose, and how you express it.

[Hannah Bell]

4. take heart & fight the good fight

[grasswire]

5. it helps to shrink your world focus for a while

Focus on one small task that brings beauty or joy to someone else. Do something really good and active for someone nearby. Something unexpected. Fix the gate. Trim the roses. Make a pie. Iron laundry. Something that allows you some tactile pleasure.

Then sit for a spell with something cold to drink and the silent pleasure of gratitude.

By the way, are you getting enough vitamin D?

[whathehell]

9. Good point....It's what I have to do sometimes. n/t

[Billy Burnett]

6. I hear you.

I'm broke (and broken) and I had to let go of my employees this week and did not renew my business location lease.

I could sleep for an eon (but can't afford to do so).

:hug:

[steve2470]

7. You might want to take a long break from politics

I knew almost everything about Watergate in the 1970's. I strongly despised Nixon and the R's. Then Ford pardoned him and, temporarily, destroyed my faith in this country. I had to take a break from politics because I was so totally disillusioned and cynical.

Vote. Give money to your candidates. Take a break from this. I think it will help you a lot.

[bigwillq]

27. Good advice.

I could never take politics (or DU, for that matter) that seriously to where it would affect my mental health. Sure, there are issues that get me heated (gay marriage, equal rights for all people, environmental issues, wars, useless spending) but I realize that I can only do so much. I can't let these issues get in the way of me living my life as best as I can. I can't let them get me down too much. They will not control my life.

[steve2470]

30. thanks nt

[Ladyhawk]

42. I rarely come here, but I've noticed when I do, I get more depressed.

DU is a hotbed of flame wars and ad hominem attacks as well as bad news on the political front. Ever since I sincerely asked for help and got flamed instead, I've mostly withdrawn from this place. I pop in every now and again and shake my head at the way people treat one another. It's disgusting.

I've been re-training myself to treat my right-wing, religious family members with more respect because in the end, we're in this together and they are the only ones who will help me when I need it. I'm the only one that will help them. Blood is thicker than watery political ties. Not a single liberal came to my aid when I needed it most. The only ones who truly cared were my flawed, right-wing family members. And I'm their flawed left-wing family member.

My opinion is this: We've all screwed up and now we all have to pay the consequences. Love each other as best you can. Be as happy for as long as you can. I think we--meaning humanity and perhaps the planet itself--are going down. Blaming each other solves nothing. We're going down and we're going down together.

[Subdivisions]

8. I know exactly how you feel. Thanks for putting both our thoughts into words. n/t

[villager]

10. Have had a summer like that myself...

It's been focusing on my two sons that has kept me mostly/mainly "present." Even some potentially personal "good" things that may loom in the autumn are tempered with knowing we're on the cusp of a precipice, no one in a position to ameliorate some of the coming pain can, or will, do anything about it, etc...

It's one way the other side keeps winning, I guess -- being sociopaths, it's easier for them to exhaust us...

[PlanetBev]

12. I'm with you Skid...

I'd add more, but don't have the heart to do it. What I grieve most about is the downfall of journalism in this country. It's unrecognizable.

[AnArmyVeteran]

13. Well said...

[Saboburns]

14. Life is Suffering

I never paid much attention to that until I lost my career two years ago, at 41 years old. I'm sympathetic to your plight, I'm there myself. I know how you feel, I think about death numerous times throughout the day.

But, I soldier on.

The Buddha says "Life is Suffering not as a downer, but as an attitude to be thankful. Once a person realizes how tough and brutal life is, one then learns to appreciate the few times when life is a pleasure. The small things, the good things.

I've learned to love the tiny, wonderful, free things in life. The love of parents, mu 7 year old best friend, helping others.

Do good for others, it's what helps me every day.

[Greyhound]

29. Of all the religions I know of, it seems to me that Buddhism comes the closest to sanity.

:kick:

[FedUpWithIt All]

15. You're not the only one feeling this way.

I am t.i.r.e.d.

:hug:

There is beauty in the world but we have to shut out the noise sometimes so we can appreciate it.

[sinkingfeeling]

16. I really wish you peace, Skidmore.

[Bluerthanblue]

17. (((hugs)))) my friend,

I understand what you are feeling all too well and you've put it into words perfectly.

Wish I could say something that would help. You aren't alone, we aren't alone- there is so much negativity and anger in this silly old world- I think backing away from all 'media' a bit and just living in the present moment... the right here, right now, is what works best for me-

Hope you find some peace :grouphug: comfort and encouragement.

~blu

[immune]

18. "Tired of the tribalism from inside and outside of our nation"

No, what causes your depression is the destruction of tribalism with its emphasis on extended family, mutual traditions, interconnectedness and deep reverence for the natural world which provides for the needs of all.

What makes you want to go to sleep and never wake up is militant individualism, isolation, chaos and confusion. What destroys individuals is capitalism and its demand that one must look out only for #1 at the expense of numbers 2, 3, 4, as well as the rest of the planet's residents, who must also look for themselves at your expense.

The eradication of tribal lifeways and their actual practice of democracy was simply another successful coup by the oligarchs, whose centuries long derogatory propaganda of the concept of community has convinced millions that they are much better off under the tyranny of the few at the top.

Tribal people are increasingly threatened in today’s world. Dangers come in many forms - from governments and multi-national companies; banks, missionaries and guerrilla armies – sometimes in the name of economic growth and development. Mining and logging companies have destroyed whole landscapes, including vast tracts of rainforest, and seriously jeopardized tribal lifestyles. As their land is appropriated and their environment destroyed, indigenous people’s knowledge and identity are at risk.
If you are outside the UK you will not be able to watch any of the video on bbc.co.uk/tribe for rights reasons. However, you may be able to view video on the Discovery Channel's "Going Tribal" website.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/tribe/topics/issues.shtml

[Skidmore]

22. There are new tribal connections in the modern world, and some

of them you named in your last paragraph. Corporations, religious groups, and military groups have become tribal, each seeking to attach the individual to them in a variety of ways. They are replacing the traditional tribal unit in the developed world. I would add political groups to them as well. Ideological tribes all.

[reggie the dog]

40. the nail has been hit squarely on its head

looking out for number 1 and forgetting about the tribe has led to a massive loss of empathy, sympathy, and understanding

[mdmc]

19. courage

chin up my friend..

[Karenina]

21. I understand what you say.

:hug:

[county worker]

23. I might suggest a book, "Being Noone Going Nowhere" by Ayya Khema

It is Buddhist thinking but it is what got me through when I was feeling like you do.

You aren't responsible for what all those people are doing. You are responsible for the karma you make or the results of your actions.

I'm OK with you thinking it's a bunch of crap and you'd rather not read it.


Here's a kind of funny thing that is similar to what the book has in it.

It's called "selling water by the river"

For forty years
I have been selling water
By the bank of a river
Ho, Ho!
My labors have been wholly without
merit.

It's the idea of not taking credit for the work you do. In your case you're are taking credit for not being able to make a better world. That isn't your job! Stop taking credit for such a shitty
world!


Check out some Mindfulness Meditation. A good book is "Where ever You Go, There You Are" by Jon Kabat-Zinn

We are so used to taking responsibility to make the world a better place that we end up killing ourselves because we can't do what we weren't meant to do anyway. What a shame.

It's OK to be happy even when the world is going to hell in a hand basket. What a crazy thought right? It just might keep someone from doing something stupid.

[Duppers]

33. if we could be mainly passive observers, as Kabat-Zinn advocates,

would we be here posting, reading, and fighting for a cause that transcends ourselves?

I do understand that when we're overwhelmed, overly dismayed, we should back away and take a break.

Ultimately, we must first realistically fill our own 'cups' in order to go on helping others. As the airlines tell us, "In case of emergency, parents, put your oxygen mask on first."

[county worker]

43. To go to another source, "to everything there is a season"

I think it's our desire that makes us unhappy. Can we take away the desire of a person like Cheney to do what he does? No? Then why do we desire that he not do what he does? That's what we have to work on. Our desire not Cheney's, that's his job.

In my mind the reason we post and read and fight here is because we don't know another way.

Another song that makes me think a lot about putting on your mask first is "Wild Child" by Enya.

Ever close your eyes
Ever stop and listen
Ever feel alive
And you've nothing missing
You don't need a reason
Let the day go on and on

Let the rain fall down
Everywhere around you
Give into it now
Let the day surround you
You don't need a reason
Let the rain go on and on

What a day
What a day to take to
What a way
What a way
To make it through
What a day
What a day to take to
A wild child

Only take the time
From the helter skelter
Every day you find
Everything's in kilter
You don't need a reason
Let the day go on and on

Every summer sun
Every winter evening
Every spring to come
Every autumn leaving
You don't need a reason
Let it all go on and on

What a day
What a day to take to
What a way
What a way
To make it through
What a day
What a day to take to
A wild child

What a day
what a day to take to
What a way
What a way
To make it through
What a day
What a day to take to
A wild child
What a day
What a day to take to
What a way
What a way
To make it through
What a day
What a day to take to
Da-da-da
Da-da-da-da-da-da
What a way
What a way
To make it through
Da-da-da
Da-da-da-da-da-da
Da-da-da
Da-da-da-da-da-da
What a way
What a way
To make it through
What a day
What a day to take to
A wild child
What a day
What a day to take to
A wild child


Another one I like is "The Prayer" Josh Gibson and Charlet Church others sing it

http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category/music/watch/e178773nqtJcxMz

I pray you’ll be our eyes
And watch us where we go
And help us to be wise
In times when we don’t know

Let this be our prayer
As we go our way
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace
To a place where we’ll be safe
La luce che to dai

I pray we’ll find your light
Nel cuore restero
And hold it in our hearts
A ricordarchi che
When stars go out each night
L’eterna stella sei
Nella mia preghiera
Let this be our prayer
Quanta fede c’e
When shadows fill our day
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace

Give us faith so we’ll be safe.
Sognamo un mondo senza piu violenza

Un mondo di giustizia e di speranza
Ognuno dia la mano al suo vicino
Simbolo di pace e di fraternita

La forza che ci dai
We ask that life be kind
E’il desiderio che
And watch us from above
Ognuno trovi amore
We hope each soul will find
Intorno e dentro a se
Another soul to love

Let this be our prayer
Let this be our prayer
Just like every child
Just like every child

Needs to find a place,
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we’ll be safe
E la fede che
Hai acceso in noi
Sento che ci salvera

[Octafish]

24. It's a Good Fight.

It gives us something to do, think about and learn from. Besides, life would be boring if the Evil bastards got everything they wished and deserved.

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

25. I think a good many of us can relate.

For you, Skidmore:

James Taylor, Sleep Come Free Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fWCZv9FH2s&feature=search

[donheld]

26. !!!!

[bigwillq]

28. See post #7

Good advice in there.

Hope you can find peace. Don't let them get you down. :hug: You can only control what you can control. You will get enough sleep when you're dead. Live your life, even if things aren't going so great right now. Find the things that make you happy and live it up. Fix the things you can change and stop worrying so much about the things you can't.

[live love laugh]

31. This is a true Depression era. nt

[madville]

32. Whenever I feel like that I think about how good we really have it

We could be worried about getting hacked up by a machete wielding religious warrior, or worried about being stoned to death for expressing an opinion. As bad as the world gets we will usually be better off than everyone else. Go visit a shanty town in Central America or Africa, see people working for $1 a day, then come back to your internet accessible discussion board accounts and whine about how horrible life is. I'm always thankful for what I have and where I'm at, it could be much worse and might be one day but at least enjoy the good times while they are here.

[BeFree]

34. heh

Become compassionately dispassionate with your compassion.

Which means that in all our endeavors in which passion has leverage, be dispassionate whenever it gets to be too much. Don't let your compassion overrun and control your actions.

Or: Shit happens.

[Duppers]

35. Skidmore, I've always read your posts

and have great respect for you.

Besides some much needed rest, it sounds as if you need some joy in your life. There are a lot of cold, wet noses at the pound who need a home. Some times my critters were the only thing that made me smile. Just a thought.

Hugs to you. :hug:

Rest.

[reggie the dog]

36. can you go on a vacation?

do you have a car and can you drive out to the woods/mountains and go camping?

do you have family you can go visit for a week or two?

you need a break

if you cannot afford an actual vacation and you are into some of the counterculture candies you could always spend 5 dollars on a hit of LSD (they dont call it a trip for nothing you know) the world is shitty and you have many reasons to feel as you do and i quite often have similar feelings

[hfojvt]

38. Have you been running for office?

I found that to be exhausting. Now it is more like I am on vacation.

[Vickers]

39. There has to be some comfort in the self-awareness and cognizance

you show in the OP.

Peace to you, friend. No advice.

[AmBlue]

41. For you, Skidmore...

I have not posted at DU in a long time, but do now because of how deeply your words resonate with me and so many others. You always have something to say that's worthy of reading and I thank you for that. Take a breather from politics, my friend. Get outdoors. Go swimming. Look up at the clear blue and see all that's still right, instead of only what's wrong. Remember, you are no less than the trees and the stars...

Well, I came upon a child of God
He was walking along the road
And I asked him, tell me, where are you going
This he told me:

Said, I'm going down to Yasgur's farm
Gonna join in a rock and roll band
Got to get back to the land
And set my soul free

We are stardust Stardust
We are golden
We are billion-year-old carbon Golden
And we got to get ourselves
Back to the garden

Well then, can I walk beside you?
I have come to lose the smog
And I feel myself a cog
In something turning

And maybe it's the time of year
Yes, and maybe it's the time of man
And I don't know who I am
But life is for learning

By the time we got to Woodstock
We were half a million strong
And everywhere was a song
And a celebration

And I dreamed I saw the bomber jet planes
Riding shotgun in the sky
Turning into butterflies
Above our nation

We are stardust Stardust
We are golden
We are caught in the devil's bargain Golden
And we got to get ourselves
Back to the garden

[w8liftinglady]

44. I wish you were near me...sometimes,just talking with someone face-to-face...

I had this problem a lot as a nurse.Sometimes,death and suffering is too much.We formed an informal support group( as many of us drank,popped pills to cope).It truly did help to talk with like minds.If you ever need to talk,PM me and I'll give you my number.You are a wonderful person.Watch a mindless,funny movie...And call me,if you need to.

[pecwae]

45. I hear you,

I really do. Although life is connected to politics in some fashion at almost every level see if you can disengage. Get outdoors, get small into the life of the little things or get huge into the life of the universe. Just go beyond somewhere. This isn't all. This is just a speck of the sum total. You're far more meaningful. Nurture yourself.

[hamsterjill]

46. I hear you loud and clear!

Feel the same way about the world, in general, too. Occasionally, I still see a bright spot, and I try to hold on to those bright spots.

I will NEVER give up, however, because winning this "game" is all about numbers and there have to be more of "us" than there are of "them".

Hang in there, do something kind for yourself, and remember above all else that the rest of us need one another!!!

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

47. This is why some of us

turn to a spiritual solution. Who can say whether or not it's real? I only know this; I get relief from this world when I take time to pray and meditate..... :)
You have nothing to lose by trying it. Notice please all you lurkers and kibbitzers, I didn't say religious.

[slackmaster]

48. When I feel like that, I take a bunch of old appliances and car parts out to the desert

And shoot the shit out of them with rifles.

[Solly Mack]

49. I grok

[EnviroBat]

50. In the same place right now.

A woman that I was completely in love with for the past 18 months, suddenly left me at the end of July. I took her and her daughter into my home and gave them everything I could give. It was so wonderful to finally have found a "family" I could call my own. But she became ashamed of herself for not "contributing" more financially I guess. We had an argument about something stupid. She's gone. My life feels so empty and hollow, and a few weeks ago my family found me in the bedroom with a loaded shotgun, and no hope of ever finding anything wonderful in my life again. It's been hard to carry on day after day, but I do it. Somehow I do it. I suspect she's staying at her ex-husbands trailer home. He's a miserable drunk bastard, so I can't imagine that she's in a better situation now. But I can't wonder about it anymore. She's always in my thoughts, and on my mind. I miss them more than words can say, and yet I'm powerless. I am sick of worrying and feeling discarded too, but you've got to push on. Keep hope that eventually something nice will come along...

[Duppers]

53. you need a hug too.

and someone to talk to.

:hug:

[Blue_Tires]

51. +1

i know what you mean...except instead of going to sleep and not waking up, i like to think of being dropped off on some desert island in the pacific and being left alone...

[malaise]

52. I have days like that

Take a day off and go lie down on a beach or a river bank and watch nature. Stay until the moon rises in the sky. :grouphug:

[Upton]

54. I get like that from time to time..

do what I do...kick back an burn one...it'll put things into perspective.