Why are people so sad?

My mother and me
@GreatMartin (23677)
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
December 4, 2015 9:32am CST
I have been reading a few discussions I am following and there are really many people who are sad, mad, unhappy, etc. On the one hand I would like to bottle up my optimism and send it to them with a hug but, on the other hand, there are some I just want to shake and say,"Stop feeling sorry for yourself--stop collecting injustices--stop living in the past--stop moaning and groaning about the same thing all the time and DO something about it. There is a world of help out there but YOU have to take the first step. I was brought up by a very unhappy woman and it took me a long time to realize that the unhappier she was, the more she could say, "Woe is me!", the more she could complain about what other people have done to her, THE HAPPIER SHE WAS! And that is sad. I know when you are unhappy/mad/angry--whatever negative feelings you have--you CAN change the situation! Take responsibility for your feelings, your reactions--change your environment if you have to. I've walked away from a million dollar business/job--I left what I thought would be a lifetime partner--I dropped negative people from my life--and I made many wrong decisions, including one that left me 1 day away from being homeless, but today, because I decided to make changes, I am a very happy, contented old man, poor financially but rich in thoughts. WOW! I don't know what got me on that rant but it may have been reading a writer that is basically saying the same thing in every blog and none of it is good--think I will unsubscribe from that person's discussion! :o)
32 people like this
32 responses
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
4 Dec 15
I came to the conclusion that it's as hard for optimists to understand pessimists and the other way round. And mostly we're wasting our time (and theirs) trying to cheer up the glums.
5 people like this
• Valdosta, Georgia
4 Dec 15
Sadness is all around but for different reasons. Some people have lost loved ones which make the holidays really tough, some people are about to be homeless, some people cannot provide gifts for their children due to finances, etc. There is a lot of bad in this world and sometimes there is no way out of certain situations. However, we should remember our lives could always be worse. There is always someone out there who has it worse than we do and they are wishing for our lives! We should be grateful for every small Blessing we have.
3 people like this
@skysnap (20154)
5 Dec 15
Some are sad with lack of money. some are sad because of lack of family. some are because they want something. some are sad because they have everything but still empty inside.
2 people like this
@GreatMartin (23677)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
11 Nov 16
I am poor by all definitions of taht word--my brother and I haven't spoken in over 30 years--there is nothing in life I want (well some things I NEED) and in way way am I sad--all have to do is wake up every day! Sorry I have no tolerance who won't find happiness in just being alive!
@jaboUK (64361)
• United Kingdom
4 Dec 15
Well I know that writer you are referring to isn't me, because I am an optimist like you. But we should perhaps remember that writing about their unhappiness does help some people, so we should give them some leeway.
2 people like this
@GreatMartin (23677)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
11 Nov 16
I have no time for unhappy people--sorry but I know/have known people dying and they still have joy in their life. I learned a very important lesson 50 years ago (OMG!) and that was to eliminate all negative people in my life and the results have been amazing ever since! :O)
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (73408)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
4 Dec 15
@GreatMartin I agree with you. I may not have much but my hubby and I have our health and I can even include the cat in this. We have a home and food and well with Christmas coming I just think it is better to count my blessings because saying woe is me will not solve anything and I want the holidays to be happy. Hope you holidays will be cheery.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Dec 15
You don't often have to look far to find someone worse off than you are. I'm glad you're happy with your life now.
1 person likes this
@marlina (154166)
• Canada
6 Dec 15
Some people don't even understand that being healthy is the best gift that one can get. They want more and more money to buy more and more things.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Dec 15
@marlina And really they will never be happy while they have this mindset.
• Preston, England
7 Dec 15
sometimes I can be thoroughly miserable - it is natural though some people do it so much that it brings others down round them too
• Greece
6 Dec 15
It is true that it is not so much our circumstances that cause us to be unhappy but the way that we deal with them. You are an example of someone who decided that his life would be one of his choosing. this post is a good share which I hope that writer you refer to has found, it might cheer them up.
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
4 Dec 15
You will never convince these people to leave their woe is me behind, they thrive on it and the attention it garners them. I usually stop reading these kinds of posts, it gets old really fast. It takes no more energy to be happy and see the bright side of things than it does to be a negative Nellie!!
1 person likes this
@marlina (154166)
• Canada
4 Dec 15
I love your attitude. Yes, too many whiners shuffling their life around. Happiness is earned, it is not a guarantee for anyone. One has to work at it.
1 person likes this
@Dragonairy1 (1722)
• Newcastle Upon Tyne, England
8 Dec 15
Well said, although I am now wondering how miserable I've been of late
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
7 Nov 16
Such people also get on my nerves. When I read that someone is, oh, so lonely and bored, I advise them to go out and find a shelter where they can find the really sad and desperate cases and help them.
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23677)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
11 Nov 16
I just tell them to look outside and see what Mother Nature has provided them with!!
7 Dec 15
I may be the writer you are writing about. I'm not sure. I've been down this week. And I've written about it at least twice. Sometimes when we are down, a place like this is a good outlet. I often write out my feelings so that I don't take them out on the world at large. Sometimes i write them here. Sometimes i write them elsewhere. It helps to just put it out there sometimes. I try to be positive as much as I can, but there are definitely glum days. This makes me feel like I better not share those thoughts aloud anymore though.
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
8 Dec 15
I loved your rant and agree with you 100%. I like looking on the good side of life but at times even me, the optimist has a down day - but it never lasts long.
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
5 Dec 15
People are sad because they choose to be sad. No matter how good or bad our situation is, it does not make us happy or sad. The only person who can control our emotion is ourselves. Until those negative people start to change their attitude, there is nothing much you can do about it.
• China
5 Dec 15
"It is no use crying over spilt milk",so it is better to get up from where you fall down and advance bravely .I admire you for the way you always look on the bright side of things .
@kyrararen (601)
• Indonesia
5 Dec 15
nice spirit. I hope I can be as positive as you. the rich part at least.
@Teep11 (7674)
• United States
5 Dec 15
There will be trials in life and some take longer ti get over them than others. Happiness can be accomplished if we change our mindsets. There's positivity out there. We have to find it.
@simone10 (54189)
• Louisville, Kentucky
5 Dec 15
Some people are just ranting on here as a form of release and then move on but there are those who are down and out all the time. Like you, I wish they would take a step towards getting the help they need.
• United States
5 Dec 15
Life has given all of us a blow at one time or another but, it is how you handle it that makes all the difference. Many like to stay in the land of woe is me. As long as they do they will be always missing out on the blessing they have right in front of them. Change is never easy! But I'm glad that you took the first step. I agree I would read any more of that persons post.