Triumphrat

mistermellow001

I support and fully agree with the last few posts. Attitude is everything. But those who suffer from depression due to a chemical imbalance cannot just snap out of it. They can tap the happy as much as they can to try and stop the spiral, but with brain chemistry being what it is (or isn't), no amount of will and determination can stop it sometimes.

Depression can be hidden for the benefit of those around you. I suffered for years with it, and have had it under control for many years since. But I do recall the few people to whom I'd revealed it saying how they never would have guessed. That was my version of snapping out of it, but it was a lie. Depression is similar to chronic back pain, or migraines, or arthritis in that it is invisible, and those who have never experienced it sometimes cannot grasp the concept that you can't just will it to stop. This includes doctors.

Sorry for the off-topic, but the phrase "snap out of it" has a double meaning for me. I both fully agree with it, and also think it is the most useless piece of advice that can be given, depending on the circumstances. That comment was not meant to impugn anyone's character or wisdom. Please trust me on that.

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Guy

mikeg15

I'm 64, and after a break of 15 years I'm taking up sports car racing again. Passed the medical yesterday and tomorrow I do the track test.
I've no pension so I'll be working until doomsday, however I'm off in a week to Venice and Florence with my terrific girlfriend for a week of culture and Italian food. Most of the time I just chill to a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and a Pratchett from the library. Ain't life hell as you age.
Only regrets are that I have absolutely no musical talent at all, doesn't stop me listening tho'

Old Scratcher

He then went onto tell me a little story about three men at the bottom of a quarry cutting rock. A passer-by called down to them, "What are your doing down there?" One of the men yelled back in a scornful voice, "It is none of your business." The second man called out, I am cutting rock - it is a hard and horrible job but I have to do it to support myself and my family." The third man answered simply saying, "I am building a new cathedral."[/quote]

I used the same technique in real life, when I used to work for a winery in SA.
The worst job there was the winter pruning of the vines.
It was hard work, long hours, in the foulest weather (frost, sleet & snow) & lasted for months.
By late winter it was incredibly hard to get motivated to get out of bed at 5.30AM, & head out into the driving rain.
So I used to remind myself that we were laying down the foundations for next years vintage, & the vines I pruned today, could produce a gold medal winning wine in a few years time.
Sounds corny. I know. But when you have pride in the products you are producing. It works.
Worked for me anyway.
Though I'm really happy that I no longer prune grapes

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"They told me I was goin to have to work for my living, & all I wanna do is ride." Jackson Browne (the Road & The Sky)

sagaris

Being a young kid of 25, I have nothing of substance to add to this thread. Many thanks though to WS and others who have posted. And while there is no finite way to connect these thoughts with the fact we're all Triumph enthusiasts, I'd like to think in some intangible way simply having these thoughts link us all together.

miker

Sagaris, a nice thought from such a Whippersnapper!

Something that comes to mind (it's a slow day here, so why not re-read all the posts) is that we all seem to be looking forward to something. "I can't wait to get to Bennington!" or "I can't wait until Spring so I can ride again." Every statement you make that says, "I can't wait" means you are looking forward to something, and that occupies a lot of energy and thought. It takes away from the "here and now". Ever said, "I can't wait to go on vacation."? Then suddenly, before you know it, it's all over and your back at work? I think we all have.

I've changed slightly and whilst I do "look forward" to certain events, I always tell myself that there is a lot to do between now and then and I should concentrate on what's next, not what's on in a month's time. It seems to work, for me at least.

Mick

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My Album

"We may not be able to change the direction or strength of the wind, but we can always trim our sails"

Qweevox

I stumbled on this thread looking for information on a broken mirror, instead I found a lot of wisdom. Go figure. Life has a funny way of twisting and turning on you. I’m glad I found it. It’s seems fitting that I resurrect this thread. I’m 15,424 and still immortal.

…no, I’m not some freak I just choose to measure the span of my life in days, rather then years. Besides it’s the DAYS that really matter isn’t it? It’s also a lot cooler telling your age in days, people look at you funny…try it. It really puts things in perspective.

Time is strange. I read an article in a scientific magazine that said time doesn’t exist at all, it’s simple an illusion. The article went on to say that we are all living in a single brief moment, that no time has passed at all since the “illusion” of the beginning of time and that no time at all will pass from now until the end of time. Somehow I find that strangely comforting.

Today was a good day. I broke a mirror and found the wisdom of warrior poets…

Have a good DAY!

Tbirdnz

....sadly all the old guys that posted on this thread way back in January have since gone to a better place, rest their souls !


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Ride on !


...I mean to the pub

Wombat

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Bob

Click to see My Photo Album

Age is of no importance, unless you are a cheese.

alii1959

Wow, I just stumbled on this thread too. After leaving the Air Force I went into teaching. I teach "at-risk" students and we constantly have conversations about the future. My thoughts to them:

1. My best days are always ahead of me. Regardless of current circumstances I expect to have greater adventures in the future.

2. I ain't dead yet. I have been told a few times, especially when i was very young, that I wouldn't live. I have constantly been told I was "too small". Funny thing is: I am still here.

I have started new endeavors, new exercise routines, adjust constantly to the rigors of aging, and the adventure continues. I tell them too that the people who think that life was best when they were teens have it all wrong....I am now old enough to do what ever I please, which is my wife on a very regular basis (hehehehehe), and I look forward to the challenges the future will bring.

I tell people too that they have a choice they can have a disaster or an adventure. The difference between the two is merely the attitude of the individual experiencing the event. I have seen biologist voluntarily go into places that people were leaving because the bugs, snakes, smells, etc. were so bad. The people leaving were having a disaster the biologists were having an adventure.

I often think of mountaineers, what horrible conditions they experience....yet love every minute of it. The locals hate the place, quite often. Adventure versus disaster.

Me, and my wife, are having an adventure. Won't you join us?

plowboyzzt

I, too, didn't know about this post til it popped to the top of the list a few hours ago. I've been amazed at the depth of thought and feeling that has been expressed.

I'm 55 and lucky enough to be retired (by the grace of my wife, who was my only serious college girlfriend....we got back together 5 years ago and I had to relocate...as ungainfully self-employed...so she could finish her last 5 years of teaching...23 days left!!). Had she not come along, my plan 6 years ago was to spend 2 years getting finances in order and then walk from Minnesota to visit my brother in Seattle. I rode my bicycle out in the country for miles as a kid, took off on hitchhiking adventures early in college, did the same on my first 3 bikes, and then helped screw up a marriage, underperformed $-wise throughout my life, and just felt that taking off on a walk would probably be the only thing that could make me feel truly alive again. When we re-connected, I found she was a rabid traveller every summer, and that if I could be patient for the summertime, I'd probably get all I could handle.
So far, it's working beautifully. As I'm a bit undermotivated, I don't think I get as much done daily as I could, but neither am I depressed. I mostly goof around on reading these posts, or doing only as much as I like as far as odd jobs. Our travels in 5 years have been a month in Jamaica, 9 weeks in Africa (including hiking up Mt. Kilamanjaro), 8 weeks in Russia and Uzbekistan, 5 weeks in Greece followed by a ride to Yellowstone, cross country and back on the Rocket, Reno and San Fran on spring break bike rides,.....and the upcoming fall will bring S. America for 5-7 weeks, followed by an attempt at the Appalachian Trail next srping, followed by 1-2 years of teaching English in China, and then back to Africa for a year.
I don't mean this at all as bragging and hope it doesn't sound like it. I feel incredibly fortunate for the opportunity to live the dreams I've always had. Some people's dreams are to retire and relax and watch the grandkids. I've got 3 so far, love them dearly, and miss them a lot...but it's so much fun to share the world with someone you love.

I started this response mostly to address a short, I hope, reply to WhisperinSmith's post of ...
" To those who find solice in religious answers, I'm envious."

I used to say the same thing. Raised going to Sunday school, running into so many Christians at college who seemed so sure....and never able to make the leap of faith into really believing it. My first revelation was in attending a Pentecostal church in my late 20s and seeing how an unscrupulous (in my eyes) preacher intimidated, frightened, and browbeat a church full of broken and crying people. Suddenly I felt I didn't have to take that particular form of religion seriously. It's been only recently that I've come fully to the realization (belief, opinion...whatever you choose to call it) that it's only a matter of degree. ALL Christian and Muslim religious variations place more value on belief and obedience than on how you actually live your life and how your actions affect yours and future generations. The scientist in me and even my own self styled morality expect more of me in relation to reality than religion does....or generally seems to. I've come to see religion as an invention of primitive man than has endured because of its strong emotional and societal aspects. It is much nicer for me now that I no longer agonize over the inability to believe in a god who is increasingly difficult to explain into existence.

Living every day like this is the only life I'm gonna have.