My Lion King Forum

Yep... I'll try to make my signature work.

This is to all people who think they have it so bad. Yes, because when you have a roof over your head, clothes on your back, and food in your stomach, I understand you're so miserable compared to... Uh, I don't know, perhaps starving, homeless children?

Please, people, you know who you are. Don't be ungrateful for what you have. Be grateful for what you do have.

And this is something many people seems to forget:
If you think you have it bad, there is always someone who has it worse than you do.

Pictures belong to Disney, not me.

EDIT: All I changed was the resolution size. The text is the same.

I showed this to my friend and she just went silent. She then said "Whoever that person is, they are right, I shouldn't think like that".

Sorry if this offended you or anyone else.
But this is just how I think.

Of course I'm not offended and neither is my friend.
It's the same like me, I think like that sometimes, other times I clear of thoughts.

I mean, I'm not trying to say "Don't ever feel sad" because that'd be ridiculous. People get sad.
But I'm just referring to people who can't recognize the good things they have in life.

Everyone fells sadness sometimes, but of course, you shouldn't be sad all the time and fell very, very, bad for yourself.
You are right about some people only seems to see the bad things, I had a old friend who was like that and we always fought. After some talks I made her think about the good things.

Exactly.

Well, I came across this last night, before the site went down. And frankly I don't quite think you understand the implications of what you've posted or how it comes across. I know that you mean well and I understand the quote, but what you've said and how you've interpreted it seems absolutely insensitive to people who truly are suffering.

Yes. There are people who have it pretty well and complain idly. And yes, they're annoying. But there are plenty of people who suffer and are afraid to open up about their problems for this exact reason, because people always have something cutting to say along these exact lines. "Eh, you don't have it that bad, just cheer up". That might work for someone who's a little down, but for someone with serious depression...

I seriously hope that you never say this to someone who's depressed.

And when I say 'depression', I don't mean 'mild sadness'. I don't mean the sort that just comes for a day and goes away, like if it rains or your favorite show was canceled or you got a B+ on your report card. There is a serious, tangible pain. And it follows you. For days, weeks, even months. You can't just 'buck up'. It's a serious psychological condition and it causes a lot of problems.

Look at Robin Williams, for example. Does he qualify as "homeless" or "starving"? Absolutely not. And given his success and his outward disposition, I do not think he at all qualifies as someone who "wallowed in self-pity", as you put it. But look what happened to him. Why do you think that is?

It's because of this exact reaction. "Oh, but you're Robin Williams! The whole country loves you! You ain't suffered nothing, so shut up!"

Thing is, people have their reasons. And they're not really anybody's business. I know all this because I went through the same thing. It is not a path you want to go down. And I would never wish it upon anybody else.

And before you ask, no, I am not homeless. But we've been pretty damn close, not to mention that I've gone through plenty of other sh-t as well (I'm 16 and have already witnessed/had firsthand experience in a major way of death, divorce, mental illness, mental disability, loneliness, isolation, being poor... the list goes on).

Depressed people need understanding and they need to know that they're worth something. Tell them that they're strong enough to get through it, relate your story and tell them how you overcame it. Help them find their way. Don't minimize their problems. That sends absolutely the wrong message. I honestly hope that you never approach someone who's suicidal and say something like this. I know it might sound 'fine' or 'inspirational' to you but again, this does not come across as empathetic.

In short, if people are suffering, don't presume to know what they are going through. They might seem like they're 'fine' or are just pitying themselves but you don't know the sort of hell that might be going on behind the scenes. People hide those things for a reason. So either leave them be or try to ease their burden. Don't add on to it.

^^^ This is so accurate. After being bullied for years and not having a father in my life I can totally relate to how hopeless life felt. Its not as simple as "turn that frown upside down" when it seems like your whole future is completely useless and meaningless. Also, I'm also tired of people using this "its worse somewhere else so you can't be depressed" argument. Just because someone has jumped in a volcano before doesn't make third degree burns any less painful. Those are just my thoughts though (BTW Im happy now, but I was depressed for years. And it isn't just a "self-pity" thing, we didn't chose to feel worthless. I wouldn't wish that pain on my worst enemy.)

Deep.