[DamienJasper]

Well then I'm not sure what you do mean. Sorry.

(Does anyone else think like I do? Or am I going insane?)

[drew]

Ask God for help, guidance, what ever you want to call it.

Many, many years ago, when I was young, maybe younger than you, I was in a heap of trouble emotionally, physically, and spiritually ( more than you can possibly know). I asked God personally for intervention, and it worked.

End of story.

PS I don't go to church, dont pray, am not a christian, buddist etc...yet I believe in a higher power of some form or other, call it God if you will.

Drew

[DamienJasper]

Look, I hate to margianalize (SP?) what you went through. I've been through it too. But this is something all together different. I cannot stress that enough. This doesn't have to do with just me. It's me, you and everyone on this planet.

[SeasonOfPain]

Damien, I think I understand what you're going through, as I'm still going through it myself, to a large degree. Since I learned about Peak Oil about 8 months ago, I've been in a more or less constant state of what could probably be classified as clinical depression. Out of everyone I know, including my wife and family, I've found one friend who is willing to discuss and accept what's coming. He is literally the only one I can talk to about this, and he lives in New Mexico (I'm in Wisconsin). I have no "faith" to fall back on (at one time I could probably have been considered a secular humanist, but over the last few years I've stopped believing that there's really anything innately redeeming or good about humanity).

I often have people chiding me for "being negative all the time." I'll readily admit that I'm a pessimist. For me, trying to adopt a false veneer of "positive thinking" would not work; it would be living a lie, a false life. It may work great if you've been optimistic your whole life, or if you are amenable to consciously changing your entire personality. Otherwise it's NOT going to work.

I've come to terms with what's coming, and am quietly trying to prepare myself mentally for the coming changes. It is entirely possible that my life might end as a result of events beyond my control. I've come to accept that. I'm NOT suicidal, but due more to a sense of duty than anything else. I guess instead of "faith" I have honor. I want to be there for those I care about, and help if I can when times get tough. Taking my own life or denying my feelings would not be honorable; it would be cowardly.

Sorry for the long post, but I did want Damien to know that he is not alone in his feelings, and that there ways to react without denying the seriousness of what's coming. My decision is to not run from the approaching crisis, but to face it as a challenge, a storm to be weathered. It's a cliche, but in the end, will you look back on your life with pride or regret?

[DamienJasper]

Well thanks for pointing out what I've been trying to say. "Just be happy" is the crux of some arguments. But there will be nothing to be happy about. I mean, seriously, what's so happy about starving to death en-masse? Recommending me a book about a single survivor of the Gulag where 70% of the people does nothing for me. If anything, it makes me think my chances are even slimmer.

[AmericanEmpire]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '(')Does anyone else think like I do? Or am I going insane?)

[DamienJasper]

Thanks for the input.

But in an apocalyptic scenario, I don't think being with your folks would count as a burden to them. They may consider having you around a blessing. That's the way I see my family anyway.

[LadyRuby]

I've been feeling kind of depressed lately too. The future just looks so bleak sometimes. If it's not PO, it will be a related or unrelated financial collapse. What we're doing to the environment, I wonder if someday we'll all be walking around wearing facemasks all day long. So sad to think that's what we've done to ourselves. I see my kids future as being harder than mine was, and I wonder what I'll have to look forward to.

But this has been a bad week, and maybe it's partially because of the season (days getting shorter, darker, etc.). Although it feels uncomfortable, I'm trying to let these emotions in as guests in my house. Let them visit me and spend some time with me, and welcome them as I'd welcome in other emotions. I'm trying not to be afraid of these feelings and worries. They may visit for a while, then decide they are ready to leave. I may not solve any underlying problems, and yet these emotions may decide to leave anyway. Taking walks outside, just spending some time even outside, even if it's raining, seems to help.

[aldente]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('LadyRuby', 'I')'ve been feeling kind of depressed lately too. The future just looks so bleak sometimes.

[DamienJasper]

Uhm, Peak Oil is real life.

[aldente]

Yes, Peal Oil just became your reality. There a one hundered thousand others to choose from. What in all of your good senses did make you decide to end up in this bar?

[Guest]

What in the hell are you talking about?

[Guest]

No need for further explanations, Albente has been banned from this forum meanwhile..