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People are stressed, depressed, suicidal, PTSD, medicated, crazed and angry. Modern times take a heavy toll. Sooner or later we all run into people who are on the raggedy edge How do you deal with them?
I came of age in the crazy 70s, so I have a strategy from back then that works pretty well. Treat these people like they are on a bad acid trip. They are under the influence of powerful forces that just have to run their course. All you can do is keep them from hurting themselves or other people. Assure them that what they are experiences isn't reality. The crisis will pass. All they have to do is ride it out. Things will get better. Don't do anything drastic.
Of course, you yourself could be on the raggedy edge. Same treatment. The acute crisis will pass. Later you'll be in a better state of mind to deal with things. Don't like craziness run away with you. Stay safe. Stay away from sharp pointy things. Your mind is out of balance, but its temporary. Don't do anything permanent while under the influence of modern life.
Yep, life is sometimes like a bad acid trip. I've never done acid, but life has taken me on some bad trips. Don't panic. This too shall pass.
Peace and Balance.
-Sixbears
Boxing These Down, Here
24 minutes ago
Very good point! As an old hippie, I have done my share of being "ground control" as a point of reference either for a friend or for myself at time. This modern life is like no trip I could have imagined back in the day, but we keep on keeping on, doing the best we can. I do appreciate your calm and thoughtful writing, though I rarely comment here...
ReplyDeleteThanks Alison. What a long strange trip this has been.
Deleteindeed
DeleteI usually just slip away very quietly.
ReplyDeleteWhen it's people you care about it's a different story.
DeleteThe only constant thing in life is change...
ReplyDeleteAt least it's interesting.
DeleteOne does wonder what's in the air these days. Or is it in the food?
ReplyDeleteOr strange energies from space? Who knows? It is a time of high weirdness.
DeleteCommon sense no longer seems to be very common.
DeleteComing into work this morning, talk radio station I listen to had a story about suicide being the 4th leading cause of death in this country of ages 18 - 65. Wow - I had no idea.
ReplyDeleteI do know I've heard a lot more stories of people living hand to mouth (no savings) and employment becoming much more unstable. People get crazy thoughts running through their brain at times like this.
But I don't get how a person can decide to do themselves in if they are in no physical pain. Things change constantly. Sure, they can go down and out, but that doesn't mean you check out.
perhaps they just get tired
DeleteIt can be tough to go on, especially when there seems to be no way out. Avoid permanet solutions to temporary problems.
DeleteSometimes it seems that what most folks could use more than anything is someone to vent to, ya know?
ReplyDeleteI try and keep a level head, but it's getting harder and harder lately.
Let's all be kind, and we can start with ourselves.
Delete