So I've been having a rough time lately...

[MLF1981]

I lost my job today because I have some physical conditions that make it hard for me to work like I could when I was 20 years younger, most of my family members are dead, the few friends that I have all live hundreds of miles away, and have their own shit to worry about. I've really been down in the dumps because of all of this. I've been asking myself, "What's the fucking point of all of this? Live another 30 or 40 years in poverty and misery? Why not just end it all now?"

But then today, the Youtube algorithm actually did me a huge favor... It showed me this video (warning, very graphic depiction of a man who was horribly burned):

And I said to myself, "If this man, who has a way worse lot in life than I do, can find the hope and fortitude to keep going, what excuse do you have?"

Sometimes, God, the universe itself, whatever you may believe gives you exactly what you need at exactly the right moment. I just hope that anyone else who reads this and is in the depths of despair can learn something important. I still don't know what the hell I'm going to do to make my rent and bills next month, but I have faith that things will work out in the end. And even if they don't, I realize that I'm very fortunate for my health, precarious as it is, and what I have in my life.

[WhiteTara]

1. that is true wisdom

to know that you are blessed even with troubles and to think of those whose lives are truly difficult.

[MLF1981]

4. I don't know if I'd call it wisdom per se...

But I do know that there are people who are a lot worse off than me, and if they can find the strength to move forward, so can I.

[Paula Sims]

2. Thank you -- I needed your post

I am so very sorry. All the platitudes boil down to this -- it sucks.

I'm going through horrible anxiety due to abuse on the job and from my family. I'm in therapy but each day is a challenge. I am having a hard time at work because I can't multitask as fast as those 30 years younger. I am the sole support for my family.

Your post has uplifted me, even if for now.

I was told today that Spirit has perfect timing. Guess it does.

Hold on. Thanks to you, I can hold on for tonight and tomorrow.

THANK YOU

[MLF1981]

3. Getting old is terrible...

I wish I was 21 again, and could work all day without rest and then go have a couple of beers with my friends, but those days are long gone.

But I'm really glad that my post did you some good.

[NJCher]

5. I had something like that happen to me

I was sent a schedule of classes by my university to decide which ones I wanted to teach. I was going over the times of the classes when I heard a voice (I know, sounds nuts, doesn't it?) say, "You're not going to be doing that anymore. Something else is coming your way."

That was on a Friday and by Monday I was being offered another job in the same field, with classes more to my liking and geograpically closer. Only slightly better pay but better expense remuneration. Same union, so I got to keep all my friends from decades of work.

That can happen to you, too! Think positive is the big thing.

What kind of work do you want to do?

[mucholderthandirt]

6. Sorry to hear about this. It's tough to be alone, but you have friends here, never forget.

I know when I've had really bad times, throughout my life, I tried to get through it because I knew there were truly others who had it worse than I did. My kids were healthy, I managed to keep them in decent clothes, food and medical/dental care. I did without, and I'm paying for it now, but I didn't want them to be ashamed like I was as a kid. They didn't have a lot, but they had enough.

Crappy marriage, crappy relationship after that, jobless, homeless, and more than once. Seemed like everyday something worse had to happen. It's a wonder people make it through the things they do, but we must, because to give up means giving up hope, eliminating any chance things will get better.

Good luck to you, and my biggest hope that it's not as dire as it seems and you will find your way.

[justaprogressive]

7. A good friend played this for me when

my wife left me...((now returned) it helped.