Four Religions, Four Points of view
I'm going to tell a story. It's a short story.
Yesterday, I walked 2 miles to escape my family. That is not the story. The story starts when I wake up this morning, and I take my pills (As reminded to by parents). Only, there's no food on my stomach. So I throw up. Eventually, I get food on my stomach, and take a smaller dose. An argument about how I want money I didn't earn (Them) vs I want money I was promised (Me) erupts. On MOTHERS DAY. Both my parents have recently had surgery, yet were screaming at me just fine yesterday. (Still not the story). Eventually, an agreement is made. 4 or 5 small tasks outside for $20. I agree.
A full days work on legs that are still sore later, I get $10, of which I am allowed to spend 5. I spend 10 on what I had planned, a few small items, and hot dog buns from Wal-Mart. This is a new argument because I was supposed to get them at the expensive food store, not Wally World.
Dinner is served to the comments that "You spoiled Mother's Day dinner", and "Get in here and eat."
I spend the rest of the day suicidally depressed.
The Catholic Family Member
Obviously, the fact that my parents have to work at all is MY fault. I'm 30 years younger than them, so it's only fair that I have the time and energy to do all of their work as well as mine for nothing. I should be glad I'm allowed to come over and eat, it's only fair that I clean their house every day.
The only reason that I want the money is because I'm a greedy little moneygrubber who refuses to work.
It's easy to overcome anything, just put some effort into it. Mental illness is just an excuse, and I am lazy.
The Buddhist Therapist
You didn't have a bad day at all. There is nothing inherently bad about any day. Just things did not go the way that you wanted them to. Wal-Mart food is fine, and my parents should be glad to have any at all. So many people are starving.
If I sit and wallow, things will not get any better. I need to focus on doing the best each day (because each day is IN FACT a new day).
There is no good, there is no bad. Everything is subjective. It all depends on the point of view.
Start fresh tomorrow and try to see if you can start a new pattern of service for other and enlightenment.
The Transcendentalist Friend
(generalization)
"What's wrong?"
*explain*
"OH WHAT DID YOU DO NOW? YOU KNOW I GIVE UP ON YOU. I TRY AND TRY AND YOU NEVER LEARN."
What else happened?"
*hesitant explaining*
"SWEET LORD OF MERCY WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU. YOU REFUSE TO EVEN ATTEMPT TO WORK, OR THINK THAT YOU CAN, AND YOU DIDN'T EARN THAT MONEY ANYWAY. GET A DAMN JOB. I HAVE TO GO." *CLICK*
The Pagan Self
ihatemylifeihatemylifeihatemylifeihatemylifeihatemylifeihatemylifeihatemylifeihatemylifeihatemylifeihatemylife...
You know the scary part? The Transcendentalist is my (supposed) best friend.
I'm thinking of making the Buddhist my best friend, but that can't happen officially as long as he is my therapist. It that ever changes though...
Yesterday, I walked 2 miles to escape my family. That is not the story. The story starts when I wake up this morning, and I take my pills (As reminded to by parents). Only, there's no food on my stomach. So I throw up. Eventually, I get food on my stomach, and take a smaller dose. An argument about how I want money I didn't earn (Them) vs I want money I was promised (Me) erupts. On MOTHERS DAY. Both my parents have recently had surgery, yet were screaming at me just fine yesterday. (Still not the story). Eventually, an agreement is made. 4 or 5 small tasks outside for $20. I agree.
A full days work on legs that are still sore later, I get $10, of which I am allowed to spend 5. I spend 10 on what I had planned, a few small items, and hot dog buns from Wal-Mart. This is a new argument because I was supposed to get them at the expensive food store, not Wally World.
Dinner is served to the comments that "You spoiled Mother's Day dinner", and "Get in here and eat."
I spend the rest of the day suicidally depressed.
The Catholic Family Member
Obviously, the fact that my parents have to work at all is MY fault. I'm 30 years younger than them, so it's only fair that I have the time and energy to do all of their work as well as mine for nothing. I should be glad I'm allowed to come over and eat, it's only fair that I clean their house every day.
The only reason that I want the money is because I'm a greedy little moneygrubber who refuses to work.
It's easy to overcome anything, just put some effort into it. Mental illness is just an excuse, and I am lazy.
The Buddhist Therapist
You didn't have a bad day at all. There is nothing inherently bad about any day. Just things did not go the way that you wanted them to. Wal-Mart food is fine, and my parents should be glad to have any at all. So many people are starving.
If I sit and wallow, things will not get any better. I need to focus on doing the best each day (because each day is IN FACT a new day).
There is no good, there is no bad. Everything is subjective. It all depends on the point of view.
Start fresh tomorrow and try to see if you can start a new pattern of service for other and enlightenment.
The Transcendentalist Friend
(generalization)
"What's wrong?"
*explain*
"OH WHAT DID YOU DO NOW? YOU KNOW I GIVE UP ON YOU. I TRY AND TRY AND YOU NEVER LEARN."
What else happened?"
*hesitant explaining*
"SWEET LORD OF MERCY WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU. YOU REFUSE TO EVEN ATTEMPT TO WORK, OR THINK THAT YOU CAN, AND YOU DIDN'T EARN THAT MONEY ANYWAY. GET A DAMN JOB. I HAVE TO GO." *CLICK*
The Pagan Self
ihatemylifeihatemylifeihatemylifeihatemylifeihatemylifeihatemylifeihatemylifeihatemylifeihatemylifeihatemylife...
You know the scary part? The Transcendentalist is my (supposed) best friend.
I'm thinking of making the Buddhist my best friend, but that can't happen officially as long as he is my therapist. It that ever changes though...