Life just makes me so sad ...

[Jessica]

Not my life, but the lives of many around me. I’m sad for the people in public service jobs who get no respect and no genuine appreciation, like the man who just emptied the garbage in our office - and my co-workers gave him only quick glances and uncomfortable, forced smiles. I’m sad for the little old man who I see walking his scruffy old dog everyday. I’m sad for the woman I see everyday waiting on the bus with her little girl, who usually has on the same clothes. I’m sad for the man who stands outside the drug store waiting on someone to either give him money or drop some so he can by a bottle. And I’m sad for the old man reading the morning paper in the barber shop - which has a handwritten sign on the door and a row of empty chairs - that I pass on my walk to work. I’ve never seen any customers.

I don’t know the stories behind any of these people ... they may be happier than most. I’m just sad today ... and want to do something more.

Sorry for being Debbie Downer. I just needed an outlet.

[MissMillie]

1. Volunteering may give you a different outlook

If you can find some time to donate to some cause or other, you may feel empowered--like you can make a difference.

Seek out joy, it usually doesn't just find you.

[Jessica]

7. Exactly ...

Sitting around crying about it doesn't make a difference. I have to do that myself. I have started mowing my neighbor's yard ... she's probably over 80 years old & lives by herself. I need to do more stuff like this.

[_TJ_]

2. I know just how you feel

It's hard to be a person with a high quota of empathy and
compassion. I really think that is what makes us liberals though.

[Jessica]

9. I believe ...

that's precisely what makes us liberals. And I wouldn't want to be any other way. :)

[KurtNYC]

3. I think you need

:hug: a hug.

[Jessica]

5. Thank you ... you're right.

:)

[ET Awful]

4. Keep your chin up!

:hug: I know it all just gets overwhelming at times. I know exactly how you feel. The worst one I remember was in the middle of January in Boston one time seeing a poor woman begging for change, shivering with only a thin coat and sweater. I didn't know what to do, but it was right near the Marshalls in downtown Boston, while I was there, I bought her another heavier sweater (it was all I could afford at the time, and it was on sale for $10) and gave it to her on the way out. I've never seen anyone so stunned.

Here, here's a kitten to make you smile:



(Quinn can make almost anybody smile).

[kick-ass-bob]

6. Did you blow dry that cat? lol!

:7

[ET Awful]

14. Nope, that's how he looked when I got him home :)

He still looks that fuzzy some days, especially his tail. It looks like a feather duster :).

[Jessica]

10. Thank you.

He does make me smile ... I think because it looks like he's smiling. :hi:

[ET Awful]

11. Exactly and you're very welcome :)

Everybody smiles when they see that picture :)

[redqueen]

8. Tell me about it...

on another board a woman has just been shocked to the core because she received spam in her e-mail that shows a man molesting a baby... a baby. She had no idea that kind of torture even happened, wanted to believe it was fake.

*sigh*


It gets so hard to keep fighting, sometimes.

[Jessica]

12. She got that in an e-mail??

I try so hard to believe that most people are genuinely good ...

[redqueen]

16. Yes.

I'm trying to find the silver lining...

several more people know we need stronger laws against it, what to do when/if they get it...

I believe most people are genuinely good, deep down. But this culture has pushed 'individuality' (read - 'selfishness') for so long... and I'm sure that inherent goodness loses out to the groupthink far more often than not.

on edit: Sorry ... I'm not helping to cheer you up. I'll shut up now.

[ret5hd]

15. jeebus krist!...i get my share of spam, but...

i've never gotten anything like THAT!

i don't generally like the police, but a lot of cities now have special units to track that shit down...i'd consider giving them a call.

[redqueen]

18. I've already told her to contact the FBI.

I've dealt with slime like that before. Luckily not with pics, only links.

[NJCher]

13. I'm an over-empathizer; some thoughts

Here's some advice a shrink passed on to me. She said that if I cried over all the world's sorrows, I'd be crying all the time. But what really helped is that she pointed out that over-empathizing (I am not saying that is what you are doing) renders me ineffective. She said to be effective in the world, we need a bit of distance.

Some belief systems hold that we spec out our own lives when we incarnate into this world. When I get disturbed (like what you describe above), I sometimes try on this thought: "That person is learning a lesson of some type or another; wonder what it could be."


Cher

[_TJ_]

17. I don't like that type of belief system

People who think that way also sometimes think that disabled
people etc are paying for crimes in their previous life. I
find that insensitive and offensive :(

[Jessica]

19. I go through phases of this ...

And phases when I care only about myself. I need to put myself somewhere in the middle. Thanks for sharing. :hi:

[Skittles]

20. we interact a lot with our janitor Louis at work

he doesn't speak a word of English but we treat him daily to our gourmet coffee, got him in cahoots with us to unlock someone's office (we work late at night) so we could decorate it with balloons for a birthday. I've never understood why people ignore ANYONE, especially the people who empty their trash!

I do agree with you, there is so much sadness in this world. I do what I can but it never feels like enough and I wish more people cared.

[Jessica]

23. I guess ...

For some, ignoring people is easier than simply being kind. People don't want hand-outs ... they just want genuine interaction.

I wish more people cared, too. :(

[sui generis]

21. you know what those people want?

The government workers want you to say "thanks - that was great. Have a great day!"

and say hi to the old man and his scruffy dog - say "I see you every day but I've never stopped to talk. My name is . . ., how's your old fella doing? Can I give him a treat tomorrow?"

And say hi to the woman and her little girl too, or maybe just make eye contact and smile; some conversations don't need words.

The drugstore is not a toll road - don't encourage panhandling unless the guy is in extremis and giving him money ONCE will keep him from starving. The next time he asks for a handout, give him a phone number to United Way Community Counsel and tell him to call it.

Some day when you have a few minutes, walk into the barbershop and tell him you walk by every day and you were just curious how long he'd been in business there. If you have a kid who needs material for a creative writing assignment, talking to an old barber about his most memorable stories or customers is sure to please everyone. Ask him his name, tell him it's cool to still have real barber shops and not just McHaircuts at SuperCuts by kids right out of highschool.

You have to reach out to the world. A lot of people just get wrapped up in their own bubble and then they get depressed that nobody notices they are even alive. Be nice. Say hi. Interact - nothing big or nosy, just normal humanness. You will make the government worker's day. The old guy might think you're a bit weird, but if you tell him you miss your old doggie you might connect. Mom and kid might not want to talk, but acknowledging somebody with eye contact is important if you see them every day, and some day you might be nice and lend her your umbrella when it's raining.

You're not responsible for anyone's happiness, but if you are uncomfortable with silence, then break it. If they really don't want to talk, they'll let you know, but I doubt it.

[Jessica]

22. I think you ...

have it right. Thank you so much for your thoughtful response.

[kick-ass-bob]

24. I do that.

It's amazing the response you get from the recipient.

Other people around you also look in wonder at you - on the bus, I talked to some guy who probably has some sort of slight mental problems or something - he told me his name, I told him mine and I shook his hand. No biggie, right?

The woman next to me said "wow - you are an amazing person. you'll talk to anyone."

Kinda sad that this makes you an amazing person. All I did was say hi.

sui's got it right. break the silence.

[redqueen]

25. OK I gotta say it...

I love sui generis & kick-ass-bob!

:loveya:

:yourock:

THANK YOU!

:hug: