“Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.”
Think I’ll step outside my comfort zone and share something I really shouldn’t.
I don’t want to. You don’t want to hear it. And yet……………..
My head is about to explode. For me, the subject demands examination or at least some air.
I once read that emotional problems are the most difficult of all human travails to understand and cope with. That confusion and pain is only multiplied when the afflicted is a family member.
The recent death of Robin Williams almost pushed a very delicate situation over the cliff. It may still. We are that close to the edge.
To witness the suffering of a loved one is very hard. To realize that there is absolutely nothing you can do or say to alleviate that suffering just sucks the life out of you. It is, without question, the most excruciating pain I’ve ever experienced. It leaves you confused, scared to death, and seriously questioning all of your beliefs.
As have all of us, I’ve experienced my share of pain. Some of it self-inflicted. But I’ve always been able to move through that long, dark tunnel and emerge whole and wiser on the other side. Most of us, as we move through life, have done that. We are blessed with that ability to cope.
It took me a long time to accept it, but there are people who lack that ability. They simply cannot cope. I don’t really understand why but I do know their condition is very real. They need help. Sometimes it is not available. At times, what is available is not enough.
If you know someone with an emotional problem such as being bi polar believe me, they can’t help themselves. They need help. You’ll need help as well but good luck with that.
“Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.”
Texas Heat 
Very good post, Bob. You show a lot of courage in posting this and some great points made. Excellent follow-up comments, too. Well done.
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Thanks Lynn. You are a true friend.
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I think we’re all on the same page here. Robin Williams touched us all because he made us laugh and forget problems. What he produced in all of us was healthy laughter, which in turn, is good for our soul and our health. He was a friend and, as friends, we feel helpless. I know several people who are going through stress filled lives but manage to hide it. Is that healthy? No. It’s a vicious circle. So, Bob…I’ll leave it to you to fill the void of providing laughter to us…even when it hurts. Sad week for us all. And, let’s not forget Lauren Bacall. There’s the end to another era.
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When a family member suffers, the pain is terrible.
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If you can’t see the illness. many dismiss it. PTSD. BIPOLAR, ALCOHOLISM, etc. People say “they need to have will power ,get grateful, think of others. The would not say that to a cancer patient. Before any one responses with those things are self inflicted, so is lung cancer or any thing related to smoking. The overwhelming felling of isolation and despair that these people fell is devastating. The families feel helpless, hopeless and frustrated, and above all else scared. So I ask all to think BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD THERE GO I.
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Well said Harry. You know the truth.
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