Winston Churchill described his depression as 'The Black Dog' a constant but unwelcome companion.
My Black Dog has fire eyes these days. Suppressed rage. It's hard when you're smart enough to know that letting this black dog loose on the world would be a destructive thing.
This dog you can only exercise on your own. Shouting at inanimate objects when no one's around because they frustrate you beyond all proportion. Spitting the most foul of obscenities at them through clenched teeth.
It doesn't make you feel better. If anything you feel worse. Wishing you could really unload on the real object of your anger but knowing that you wouldn't achieve anything if you did.
Managing a black dog is a difficult thing. Managing an angry black dog is harder still. The Black Dog with fire eyes.
My Black Dog has fire eyes these days. Suppressed rage. It's hard when you're smart enough to know that letting this black dog loose on the world would be a destructive thing.
This dog you can only exercise on your own. Shouting at inanimate objects when no one's around because they frustrate you beyond all proportion. Spitting the most foul of obscenities at them through clenched teeth.
It doesn't make you feel better. If anything you feel worse. Wishing you could really unload on the real object of your anger but knowing that you wouldn't achieve anything if you did.
Managing a black dog is a difficult thing. Managing an angry black dog is harder still. The Black Dog with fire eyes.
Hi Tet,
ReplyDeleteNext time that black dog comes along capture him and destroy him by painting him.
Cheers...John.
Already painted him a couple of times at least...maybe more. This time I chose to write about him.
ReplyDeleteBut thanks for the thought John.
Hi Tet - have you ever heard the story of "Feeding the White Dog?" Don't remember the origins, but a Google search should turn it up easily enough.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lovely newsletter from your shop - I'm off to browse there now.
Best, Neasa
PS - my commiserations on moving house. Ughhh.
I hadn't heard of the White Dog Neasa but I've looked it up and it makes for some interesting ideas. Could be a theme for some art...(there's a reason to paint dogs after having painted so many cats LOL).
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and giving me something else to think about :)
It's said it is better not to have anger at all - a very hard thing to do for most of us! Surpressed anger is not very healthy, but I've read that when you feel angry or depressed, you should direct your thoughts elsewhere, such as thinking about something happy. To stave off depression, a good thing to do is go and do something, such as go for a walk if possible or ring a friend or talk about it with your partner if you have one.
ReplyDeleteI don't have one being on my own for the last 15yrs or so, but if I feel a bout of 'the blues' coming on, which I know isn't the same as real depression such as the 'manic' kind which is a real illness, well it doesn't usually last for long. I think about something else, as I said, and do something positive, and it does help.
Also, it's good to count your blessings and think about other people who might be alot worse off then you - people in third-world countries for instance. Another way to beat depression is to go and visit someone or go and help someone, just do a small kindness somewhere. These things do help.
There is an old song that introduced one of the old radio comedies with Al Read in the UK which had the words: 'Such is life, life is what you make it, such is life. Show that you can take it with a grin, on the chin, when Mr Blue comes around - don't let him in! Life's that way..........I can't remember the rest, but it basically means that Life really is what you make it, so if you don't like it - Change it - hopefully for the better! You are in charge!
Cheerio!
Good advice I'm sure, Mum. Depression can be a good thing too. In that it can be a source of inspiration for creativity. I think the trick is to not let it get the better of you by doing some of those positive things to help.
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