When did it become such a bad thing to FEEL bad?

I have a semi-serious little rant to get to, but first, this is the start of my countdown. In 9 days, Zomblog: Snoe releases to the masses! I am really anxious, and just a tad nervous. This is something that will go in a different direction from what you might consider "typical" zombie fare. To that end, if you have a blog, and have a spare day in the next couple of weeks, I have a little promo package prepared and would happily send it to you if you are interested. So, shoot me an email at twbrown.maydecpub@gmail.com and I will send what I have. Of course, I am also available for interviews...whatever.

Now, on to my rant. But first, see the smiling puppy? Isn't she cute?

I have no idea when it happened. Somewhere along the line, having anything resembling a sad or negative feeling became some sort of taboo. Take a pill and make it go away. (And is it just me, but is it a little discomforting when the commercial for the anti-depressant medication warns that "increased thoughts of suicide may occur"?)  Now I'm no shrink, but if you can't feel down, then how the hell do you know when you are up?

Now a days, we have "conditions" for everything and five pills to combat it. For crying out loud, people, it's okay to have a crappy day. It is normal to get up sometimes and just feel like the world dumped in your coffee. Is it pleasant? No! THAT'S WHY THEY CALL IT FEELING SAD!!! Take a walk! Go outside and breathe some fresh air. Take a moment and gather your crap...don't just jump to the pills.

What brought this on? Well, I am reading a memoir right now titled Stripping Down. It is an interesting read, but like so many of today's "younger" generation, (If you didn't watch Happy Days, Welcome Back Kotter, or Mork and Mindy in prime time, then you fall into that demo), there is a lot of whining. It is like the whole "Emo" music thing. Honestly, I don't get it. 

What happened to dealing with your problems? Why do so many people hide behind a diagnosis and then alter themselves with laboratory created mood altering drugs? Now, before you fire off that hate mail about how "I don't get it...blah, blah, blah..." You should know that I already KNOW that! This is the point behind my rant. I am not saying that chemical imbalances don't exist. But am I the only person out there that thinks we have gone too far? 

This probably seems insensitive. I already know. And yes, so does my wife. She disagrees with me a great deal on this subject...and guess what? THAT'S OKAY. We are allowed to have differing opinions. We are married, that doesn't mean we now must share the "hive mind" and be on the same page on every subject.

Look...I'm not denying the Holocaust or saying that PMS is a figment of the imagination. I believe in BOTH of those things. I also believe in the moon landing and think it is possible that extraterrestrial life exists. All I am saying is that we are human. By nature, we feel. Embrace the beauty. Otherwise, you may not just be putting dampers on the negative stuff...but you might not fully appreciate the good.