The Delight of Meaningful Conversation

One of the saddest misconceptions that is held of persons living with mental illness is that they spend all day and all night gloomy, sad and in darkness. Yes, there are periods of these days, weeks and months when the illness is untreated or there is a relapse. Many family members and friends, meaning well, try not to engage persons with a diagnosed mental illness in meaningful conversation. One of the saddest and erroneous views is that meaningful conversation can't be engaged in or will be burdensome. The truth is that in many cases avoiding deep engaging conversation is not only not helpful but it furthers isolates the person and defines them AS the disease and not as a person living with an illness. It is an insult as well to their human dignity.

It is my belief that most of us want to live full wholesome lives and for those who are not doing so for the most part is not because we choose to indulge in self-loathing or self-pity but simply have not yet figured out the “how” to climb up out of the darkness. Some of been knock down so often that it takes more and more energy to get back up each time. Others are dealing with relapse after relapse. I try to live each day with the reminder that until I have lived another person’s story from beginning to where they are at presently, walked in their shoes and lived in their exact contexts I need to not further burden them with my limited understanding.. I am all for encouraging, affirming and holding the hand of another when they are fighters in this life and are fatigued by what has been thrown at them. No one wants to feel sorry for themselves and no one delights in self-pity. It is a waste of time and energy when that energy may be spent doing things that are fulfilling.

Yesterday, I had a casual conversation that was filled with meaning. Notice I said a "casual" so as to make clear that meaningful does not always have to be intellectual or of a heavy subject. Meaningful is defined as engaging in conversation that stirs the mind, heart and soul and is uplifting and of benefit to all engaging in it. I kept smiling and laughing through the conversation so delightful it was. I wanted to share this today as a reminder to myself and to those living with a mental illness of the significance of stimulating conversation. Perhaps, today you will have a chat with a friend, engage in a brief chat with a stranger who draws your attention for a positive and happy reason; a person walking a dog or you're walking by a house where the owner is gardening or whilst out shopping. Our brains long to be stimulated as our hearts do and I wish that for you today and many days.