19 January 2012

No Problems, Just Resistance

I struggle with depression. While it's not the soul-sucking vortex of self-loathing and shame that it was a long time ago, it still presents itself. A grey cloud that follows me around, giving me a headache. You know? Well, I figured out quite some time ago that depression is good for exactly nothing. When you're still becoming a real person, in your teens and twenties, you think there might be something of value in the pit of suffering. After all, lots of cool people seem depressed. Artist-types. But no. It's just not like that. Depression's a killer, and not just of bodies.

So. Now when I feel depressed, I try to find the express train outta Mopesville. Cuz there is absolutely nothing to be gained there. Nada damn thing. I haven't completely lost track of my point...Right, so the other night I was feeling unhappy, so I meditated. Something occurred to me that had NEVER occurred to me before: I actually have no problems. Seriously. I do not have a single problem. All I have are things to do, and Resistance to doing them. Now, thanks to Steven Pressfield's phenomenal book The War of Art, Check it out.I am aware that Resistance is a fact of life and that anyone who wants to accomplish anything of value must learn to overcome it. Every damned day. That is not a problem. That is a job.

Wish me luck.

4 comments:

  1. Wait, it's a JOB? Now I'm depressed.

    Can I have a problem instead?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oops.

    Yes, Sam, you can have ALL the problems you want. I understand you can find them lying around anywhere. And they're free!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I should find it inspiring when a lawyer views a job as distinct from a problem; that is a good thing. I'm lucky to have the job I have - yet, still view job as a four letter word.

    Overcoming resistance is probably the hardest thing we all do: I try to sneak up on it from behind, and distract it. When I get busy doing something else, I sometimes forget its there.

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  4. Bless Thy Wee Heart, child.
    Ever heard of Jesus??
    Lemme-X-plane sumtin2yoo.
    When I feel down, not depressed -
    that has passed ages ago, I call
    out to my Trinity (sHe's TOTALLY
    YOURS, too) and think, 'dude! this
    lifetime's feeble, façade-like-planet
    ruled by the 33-who-sit-atop-their-
    throne-soon-to-fall. Get over it!'
    *laugh*
    This helps U.S. to follow where
    everythn is copesetic for eternity:
    ● NOPEcantELOPE.blogspot.com ●
    Cya soon, girly-withe-curly...

    ReplyDelete