3/20/2007

"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will." - Mahatma Gandhi

Konnichiwa, welcome everyone, back to another exciting edition of Fatal3clipse’s web blog. Today there was a great sum of contemplation surrounding the above quote. It has become extremely apparent to me that most psychological discoveries I have come to epiphanize simply by learning through the medium of inexplicable depth and multitude of life’s struggles have been encapsulated and articulated prior to my inception.

I suppose that is ok, I’m in no way bitter about this since our species has been around long enough to make all these issues an oblivious daily occurrence. I feel somehow compelled nevertheless to voice my opinion on the highlighted quote so that others may garnish some insight had they not gleaned it from another source.

After hearing a lot of stories described to me in regards to depression by individuals who at some point in their life were depressed. (Names omitted for the sake of anonymity) I always questioned the logic behind the depressive state as a neurological inhibitor of some sort. Apparently depression is considered somewhat of a disease in which there quite possibly may be a chemical imbalance within the brain’s natural function.

However, I challenge that notion. I too happened to have been deeply depressed at one particular point in my life. To further elaborate, I had a friend tear my ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament). I remember nights were I would be so uncomfortable with my ability to walk, I went to bed at 6:30 pm after getting off work at 5 pm. I laid in bed under my sheet for 4 hours unable to feel relief from the slight tinge of pain and inevitable sleep I patiently waited for in solace. This of course was not a one time occurrence; I spent several nights doing this fearful of my future and happiness. The only real thing that got me through my negativity and depression was good old fashioned Will-Power. It may sound silly but its nature’s medicine. (Oh and occasionally calling my mother asking her why she deemed it necessary not to have me burned at the stake for being a genetic abomination)

So my challenge is simply whether or not this “affliction” is merely a state of being. Isn’t being sad, happy, indifferent, tired, content, and “full” all some form of emotional state? Of course we have these former referenced emotions pass quite frequently. So we can overcome them easier. I began to believe that the depressive mind was merely an inability to “equate” or “come to terms” with the current predicament one is subjected to endure. Now that might sound rather simple but there is an underlying emphasis on this predicament that can exponentially affect the depressive state of being. This principle is black and white. Can you alter this predicament or are you inherently subject to its change on a constant basis? It seems that a lot of depression from my experience can be both, but are particularly defined by ones ability to overcome the odds, dictated by the Will-Power a person has to expend exhaustingly to see the issue through to a resolution. Without that Will-Power, we give up; we take for granted our mental state of being and subsequently give in to the imposition we currently face.

So I ask that those experiencing this emotion rise up and look deep inside themselves to find the root of this cause. “Why am I unhappy, what would make me happy?” It could be as simple as not taking the time to file your taxes, or account for expenses in your bank, or as grandeur as an ACL tear. Either way, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, there is triumph in defeat. It’s not the end result but the journey to relief that defines us. For whatever does not kill us makes us stronger. When you feel like giving in, refer to Gandhi for guidance.

-Troy W.