Inspiration or Repulsion?
I spent a lot of time this past week talking to friends, associates, therapists and spiritual counselors about the mission of Giggle On. In true Christa style, I also asked a lot of questions.
Does my site inspire or repel people? Is bringing awareness about depression and suicide on a site whose primary focus is to laugh in the face of life’s trials and stresses too polarizing? Is this whole concept too confusing?
Am I making people incredibly uncomfortable?
I knew this Giggle On! project would be challenging. References, direct or indirect, to depression or worse, the cultural taboo called suicide, would likely bring up fear, anxiety and emotional pain in my readers and in me. I am three months into this project and it is safe to say, I brought these issues to the surface. Mission Accomplished.
I also knew opening myself up, telling my story and hopefully, making people smile would act as a Bridge to Hope for those who may have lost their way. Based on some of the public and private comments from my readers, I think I’m on track. Thanks for the feedback!
Suicide and depression are the polar opposites of hope and laughter. Oil and vinegar are also opposites but when mixed together in the right combinations, and with a few key ingredients, one is able to create a delicious salad dressing.
Life is filled with opposites. It is our task as humans is to find equanimity in world where we often create imbalance and agitation within our own minds.
The comic and the tragic lie inseparable close, like light and shadow. – Socrates
WARNING – This site MAY make you uncomfortable
Some people who visit this site may stop by for 5 seconds, see the word “suicide” and then quickly hit the back button or close their browser entirely. This is understandable. Who wants to be uncomfortable? Avoiding pain is what we do.
Perhaps I should add a statement to the home page that reads: WARNING – This site might make you uncomfortable. Or WARNING – Christa might call you out on your own BS or your own pattern of denial.
But, if we don’t think about death, suicide, AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis, post-partum depression, bi-polar disorder, Alzheimer’s , etc., do we make them disappear?
Can we click our red heels like Dorothy did in the Wizard of Oz and transport ourselves to magical land of 100% happiness? *If you can do that, call me, we need to talk*
Distractions and Mind Numbing Substances
Will putting our fingers in our ears while making the *la la la la la* noise and *I can’t hear you* gesture stop the darker part of life from happening? How about putting your head in the sand like an ostrich? Or, how about trying to numb the pain and the emotional mess with drugs, alcohol or food?
The simple answer to these questions is “NO!” I tried all the methods listed above for MANY YEARS and they don’t work. The master plan of avoidance and denial, or being in a state of “unawareness” will not bring you any further down the path to true healing. Sorry to burst your bubble on that one folks, but it’s true. Personal growth requires you to be aware.
Put down the 6 pack of beer, the 5th of Jack Daniels, the bong and the candy bars. Step away from the distractions and the mind numbing substances. End the detour.
When we step out of our comfort zone, we grow. When we take our head out of the sand, we enter the zone called, Willingness to be Aware. I invite you to think about the “bad” stuff, put it in context, talk about it, resolve it and move on to the brighter side of life which is hope and laughter.
I don’t plan on dwelling in the pit of eternal despair and darkness here at Giggle On but the Giggle On message is also my story. I cannot hide from my past. Depression, desperation and suicidal tendencies are feelings I experienced and those feelings helped shape who I am today.
The past is gone (thankfully). I choose to focus on the positive, bring awareness to issues that need to be addressed and to encourage others to change their overall perspective from dark to light.
Who wants to join me on the positive train of hope? *I might even let you bring a small bag of Butterfingers, but only if you share*
- the foundation for full blown fits of belly-aching laughter; laughter in an uncontrolled, silly or giddy way; to laugh repeatedly with short spasmodic sounds in a light manner.
9 responses so far ↓
1
susan
// Nov 6, 2008 at 2:47 pm
I am new to your site, but I do like it very very much Christa, and admire your work you do with suicide awareness.
Bless you.
susans last blog post..RIP Michael Crichton
2
lg marge
// Nov 7, 2008 at 9:49 am
I still love M+M peanuts and need to have an occasional binge! But you’re right about facing your problems, accepting them and dealing with them. Big hugs to you Christa!!!
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Lauren
// Nov 7, 2008 at 3:48 pm
I love your website. It always makes me laugh and often makes me think.
I totally agree with this post. Bringing things to light often enables healing. We can more easily lie to ourselves when we’re dealing with something all alone. As soon as it is shared, others can speak truth about the situation or just help to shoulder the burden.
My personal anestesia to life is food-thankfully I am now aware of that and can try to find healthier ways of dealing with emotions while enjoying food for what it is.
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Natural
// Nov 7, 2008 at 9:57 pm
That’s so true, sometimes we are afraid to take our head out of the sand & face reality. Been there. No matter what we try to cover up with stuff, the problem/symptoms will never go away until we deal with it.
5
YogaforCynics
// Nov 7, 2008 at 10:58 pm
Gotta admit, I felt really, really uncomfortable the first time I read this blog. Then, later, I realized it was because I’d been wearing the same underwear for over a month, so, by that point, I was pretty uncomfortable in general.
Actually, I’m a bit uncomfortable right now, as well, though I think that’s probably because it’s really cold in this apartment and I’m barefoot. So, I’m gonna go put on some socks. Yes–you heard right. I’m so uncomfortable, I’m walking away…..
But, first, feeling a need to say something at least halfway sincere and intelligent in response to your very thoughtful post, I’ll share this quote from Kafka (which, truth be told, I got from an episode of “The Wire”) (and it’s probably gonna be in my next blog post):
You can hold back from the suffering of the world, you have free permission to do so, and it is in accordance with your nature. But perhaps the holding back is the one suffering you could have avoided.
On that note, I’m gonna go avoid the suffering of cold appendages….
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Julia Loo
// Nov 8, 2008 at 10:33 am
As i sit here with my elephant beside me trying not to think about the cookies i have downstairs it is difficult not to get a little weepy and a little giggly. Sometimes i like to hide and posts like this bring me out of that place.
thanks Christa
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Christa
// Nov 8, 2008 at 12:27 pm
@ Susan – Thank you for your support. It means a lot to me that you take the time to stop by. Hugs to you on a rainy east coast Saturday.
@ lg marge – The occasional binge is a must. Life is meant to be savored an enjoyed. We start suffering when we indulge in excess. Been there, done that. Glad you mentioned peanut M&M’s as they are one of my favorites too. Throwing M&M’s at the Moon anyone? http://www.giggleon.com/throwing-mms-moon/
Oh, and Marge, your prize is en route to your house. Marge won the Smelly Yoga contest!
http://www.giggleon.com/smelly-yoga/
@ Lauren – First off, glad to make you laugh. I hope they’ll be plenty more of that. It is so easy to kid ourselves but when we open up and share our burdens with others we DO lighten our load and move forward on a path of healing. Great comment!
@ Natural aka Valerie – I am honored you stopped by my blog! Reality can really stink sometimes but hiding from the situation won’t make it better, as you know. Let’s deal with the monsters in the back of the closet and the monkeys of the mind and move on to brighter and funnier pastures. BTW – I hope your finger is ok!
@ Jay at YogaforCynics – GO COMMANDO my friend then you never have to worry about the discomfort one month old drawers chafing your bum. On a serious note, thanks for sharing the Kafka quote. One of my yoga teachers likes to say “suffering is optional” and I think that’s valid. We often swim in suffering because it’s comfortable. I say swim THROUGH suffering and come out on the other side of the pool clean, refreshed and recharged. As for you, perhaps swimming WITH underwear may solve your earlier problem. Just a thought.
@ Julia Loo – ah, Julia, my insightful wise belly dancing friend. You fill me with support and love (and envy about your fab body). Thanks for coming out of hiding to share your light with us. And, a few cookies are ok – just be careful about eating the whole box (save me some). Shimmy shimmy, shake shake!
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Suzanne Bird-Harris | vAssistant Services
// Nov 13, 2008 at 12:01 pm
When the student is ready, he/she will land here and stick around. Until then, not much you can do.
I personally think there are a LOT of people ready to let go of depression and unawareness – even as scary as that is sometimes.
Hanging out here is a way to ease into awareness with someone who’s ‘been there, done that’.
Shine your light, girl. By doing so, you give others permission to do the same!
Suzanne Bird-Harris | vAssistant Servicess last blog post..DIY SEO: Step 6 – Commenting
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Tracy
// Nov 14, 2008 at 12:18 pm
I love your site! You make me giggle on! As someone who has suffered with depression on and off for years, I can relate and gain insight from the things you write about. I would love to join you on the ride to positive hope! I will bring the bubble gum.
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