Nobody's Perfect - Tiny Buddha

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This topic has 7 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 11 years ago by Carrie.

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April 3, 2013 at 7:13 pm #30411

Amy Eng
Participant

I’ve been having series of “bad spells” where everything feels entirely hopeless and empty. Just last night I fought the negativity within me and reassured myself that the darkness inside will disappear as soon as the sun comes up. I tried to prevent the unexpected surge of water from pouring out from my eyes.

As I opened my swollen eyes to the break of a new day, I still felt the heavy darkness inside. My spirit felt utterly weak and languid. As I walked lifelessly to school, I wondered when the tears from last night’s battle will ambush me during class.

I could feel the change in my spirit: last week, I felt great being surrounded by the goodness of being with people; this week, all I see are selfish people who wear masks to hide their real identity. The reason for the change, I think, is a webpage that I stumbled on several weeks ago. It’s a group page that anonymous people use make malicious and heinous remarks about other people. The things that were written made me wonder what type of people are out there.

There are bad people in this world–people who won’t help a person who has fallen, or defend someone that is being wronged. And there are people who–when given the opportunity to speak without being revealed–would write about things that doesn’t help humanity to become better and instead make it worse.

However, there are people who want to be a positive force by trying to give more than take. They find ways to encourage others to be the best version of themselves by acknowledging that no one is perfect. Our flaws remind us that there is always room for improvement, and I think that as long as we believe there is room to grow upon we will be okay.

April 3, 2013 at 8:37 pm #30429
Lori Deschene
Keymaster
I know what you mean Amy. It can be really disheartening to see the things people say and write, particularly when the anonymity of the web provides an easy outlet for bitterness.

I read somewhere once that “hurt people, hurt people,” and I think there’s truth to that. I have to imagine that someone who sits around writing horrible things about other people has to be in a very low place. It doesn’t condone it, but it provides some type of explanation for where that type of maliciousness comes from.

I love what you wrote at the end. It’s true! There will always be people out there who devote more energy to being hurtful than helpful; but on the flip side, there will always be others who care and show it–as you’re doing right now.

I’m glad we’re connected, and I’m sending good thoughts your way. 🙂
- This reply was modified 11 years ago by Lori Deschene.
April 4, 2013 at 5:31 am #30477

Katherine Mayfield
Participant

Hi, Amy,

I can totally relate to your feelings of grief and negativity — I have been there before! I think it’s really important to express feelings as they come up, and not deny them. It’s not easy, but it’s part of the process of growth and becoming more mentally healthy.

Here’s a suggestion which is off the emotional topic, but which I have found very helpful. I discovered a few years ago that when I eat most kinds of corn-containing foods (especially corn syrup, and a lot of foods contain high-fructose corn syrup), I get very depressed the next day. It may be a sensitivity or allergy, I don’t know, but the effects of corn on my system are very depressive.

This isn’t to say that we don’t also have difficult emotions, but you might investigate food allergies — you can Google “elimination diet” to find out more.

Wishing you peace….

April 4, 2013 at 9:16 am #30492
Andrea Lewis
Participant
Hi Amy,

I can identify with your spiraling negative thoughts that seem to be uncontrollable. I spent countless years feeling emotionally depleted. After some trial and error, the following effectively helped me cope:
1. Acknowledge feelings by journalling thoughts without judgement.
2. Eliminate ALL sugars, namely high-fructose foods. They only contribute to racing thoughts and depressive episodes.
3. Exercise such as walks in nature and yoga.
4. Meditation to calm the mind.
Sending you positive vibes your way.

Take care
April 4, 2013 at 10:18 am #30561

Lauren Ashley
Participant

Hi Amy,

My savior is yoga. Unfortunately, no matter how much you make an effort to surround yourself with good people, you will inevitably end up having to be around bad people. Whether at work, school, the store – there is no avoiding it. The important thing is to know that YOU are not that negative person and to know who you are in your heart – regardless of others. The negative people certainly “get” to you, and that is why I mention yoga. It is a time to get away from it all, focus on yourself, and learn some important life skills in dealing with the negativity you will encounter in this world. Positive thoughts to you!

April 4, 2013 at 10:18 am #30562

Lauren Ashley
Participant

Hi Amy,

My savior is yoga. Unfortunately, no matter how much you make an effort to surround yourself with good people, you will inevitably end up having to be around bad people. Whether at work, school, the store – there is no avoiding it. The important thing is to know that YOU are not that negative person and to know who you are in your heart – regardless of others. The negative people certainly “get” to you, and that is why I mention yoga. It is a time to get away from it all, focus on yourself, and learn some important life skills in dealing with the negativity you will encounter in this world. Positive thoughts to you!

April 4, 2013 at 6:00 pm #30608

Amy Eng
Participant

Thank you all for your support and help. It feels better having things out in the open and knowing that people can help.

April 16, 2013 at 11:17 am #33891

Carrie
Participant

Ah you know I never thought of not having high fructose foods, I can’t have those anyway because of my diabetes, but I can see how it can increase depressive thinking and racing thoughts. Thank you Andrea for reminding me. 🙂
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