I kinda thought that too for many years. Then my father died and my mother was diagnosed with clinical depression and I watched as she continued on a downward spiral and nothing we tried seemed to help. I don't believe it was a spiritual problem; she was about as evangelical as anyone could be. She was part of a lay revival team and participated in at least 30 of those over the years and led many people to Christ. She never even tried alcohol once in her life. She was kind to everyone she met and she couldn't have been a better mother to me.

And then one night she went outside and took a handgun and killed herself.

Experiencing that gave me a different perspective on depression.

Wow. We all have our opinions and thoughts but no one knows the issue like someone who has lived it.

sorry to hear that Steve.

I believe a man should do what he sais he's gona do. I don't care if it costs you a dollar or things just didn't turn out the way you thought it would. A mans word is all he's got and if that ain't no good, he ain't no good. This is definitely not popular opinion these days.

A couple other contrarian thoughts.

I quit worrying nearly as much about a person's politics when I started caring more about their eternal salvation. I figure if the latter gets taken care of the former will come along, soon enough.

I haven't watched more than an hour total of news, haven't listened to any political talk radio (except the occasional Coast to Coast AM with George Noory because, really, how are we gonna know anything Yahoo's ( thanks PCP) and the aliens running our government. I need that in my life. ) and I don't browse news sites online. I don't feel uninformed because Social media has plenty of pertinent info that keeps me up to date. I don't really need anyone to tell me a Republican did something and Democrats didn't like it or vice versa. I'm not sticking my head in the sand, I'm just choosing not to stick it in a nest of buzzing hornets that want to make you just as angry as they are and know just how to push the right buttons. Take a 2 week break from that nonsense and see if you aren't happier with less stress.

Amen! I don't watch ANY news either, and avoid political talk shows like the plague. I'm already argumentative, but when I get agitated by all that talk I would probably be impossible.

I have a friend who thinks non-swimmers and swimmers shouldn't mix.

And also that there is nothing wrong with chicken fighting.

And equal opportunity is blatant racism and nobody cares or will do anything about it

I'm very sorry to hear that and I hope I didn't offend you. But I guess this whole topic is about going against the status quo so obviously most people aren't going to feel the same way.

Whew. That's a potent story there PCP. I have heard far too many stories of married couples passing away within days or weeks of each other for me to believe depression isn't real. My wife works as a therapist with the geriatric population so she's hears a bunch of these stories.

Queers creep me out!
When you think about what they do to each other, it's sickening!
Some people think they're awesome and defend their lifestyle but I consider it a mental illness!

Ikill you need a hobby. Have you considered trying fishing? Maybe a string and a can of worms would mellow you out!

Yep and have the t-shirt too. I am so grateful my heavenly father changed my heart and opened my eyes.

I believe Jesus will come back before Tiger Woods does.

I'm sorry I kinda took the fun out of the thread. It's been 16 years now, but that is a wound that doesn't scab over and heal. It just keeps bleeding every day for the rest of your life. It's not something I talk about and I will probably never mention it here again.

But maybe someone is reading this and going thru depression yourself. I am convinced that my mother could have no more cured herself of depression than she could have cured herself of cancer. She had a disease that completely robbed her of all rational thought.

Several ladies told me after it happened that she had literally saved their lives by being there for them in times of desperation. When her own time like that came, nobody was able to help her. And you can be sure that I have played the "what if" game every day since it happened. There were clues there about what she was thinking, but we were all certain she was incapable of doing such a thing. In her right mind, she wasn't. But she was not in her right mind and managed to hide it from all.

If you or someone you know is showing symptoms of depression, seek help.

I hate the liberal agenda that is pushed on a lot of TV shows.

I hate when sorryness is celebrated.

I hate that it takes 30+ plus years before you realize how fast life is going.

A good dog is great stress relief.

People who keep grudges over simple things..let it go.

Barbeque sauce ain't bad with fries or onion rings.

When i have time for breakfast i will have a combination of A1 sauce,ketchup,and grape jelly on my plate at some point.

You have a world of wisdom to share and I always enjoy your post although this one makes my heart hurt. It's a reality that needs addressing.

"Social norm" is an oxy-moron.
And apparently I am now the weirdo, judging by the actions and behavior of most of society nowadays.

I think science is an extension of the Bible. God didn't tell us EXACTLY how he created everything in the Bible. He gave us the "Creation For Dummy's" in the Bible. The Bible never mentioned atoms, but ask Japan if they exist.

I just go with the flow. That's how I roll.