Fighting Winter Depression

mrmustang · #1 (**permalink**) 12-17-2004, 06:09 AM

So as I sit here in my office watching the walls close in, pissed off that the deal I had been working on for 10 (TEN) months has fallen through. Watching my bank account drain from where it should be, to where it should have never gone. The backyard and garage are empty, having sold off 95% of the toys to fund the new business and pay the bills while waiting for the deal to close I feel that there is not much left for me to do. I've been scanning the classifieds, made some calls within my old network of business clients, things are just dead all over. I've provided as much as I can for my family to date, but feel that with the loss of this deal I am now a failure. With little to no real income now coming in, the seasonal depression is most definitely upon me. So, with that said and out of the way, anyone have some really good, inexpensive ideas for fighting this funk I'm in????

Bill S.

trs900 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-17-2004, 06:36 AM

Your not a failure...things happen that you cant control in life, believe me I have been there... I have been so depressed that it looked like the end...then after awhile things turned around....just hang in there, you will see... just dont dwell on the bad things... get out of the house..take a ride...

klayfish · #3 (**permalink**) 12-17-2004, 07:35 AM

Bill,
As I said, as simplistic as it may be (hell, I'm too dumb to think otherwise, I work for an insurance company

), I think you've got to take a step back and look at what you DO have rather than what you don't.
Yes, times are tough right now. But you know if you needed to, you could find SOME job to help put food on the table. When things look really tough for me, I just remember that I'm lucky to have Kara and Joshua and a nice roof over our heads. We're relatively healthy. When I get to spend a nice weekend with them, everything else I'm concerned over seems to fade away. There are so many who would kill to have the things that we do. The "toys" are just that....toys. In the grand scheme, they don't mean much. You are NOT a failure. You're an honest (well, until the Club Cranky campfire....), hard working guy who's just hit a rough spot.
Plan a family outing. Take a long hard look at them and your surroundings and hopefully it'll change your perspective.

Steve

trs900 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-17-2004, 07:46 AM

Bill a failure in my opionion is some one who never tried, at least you tried.. sometimes it takes a couple of times before it comes togeather... I have a friend who lost 3 businesses to bankrupcy.. the last one did good... where I live there are people who have everything and yet they are still miserable... you will look back on this some day and chuckle.. just a bump in the road to success..

mj_duell · #5 (**permalink**) 12-17-2004, 07:50 AM

Bill,
As klayfish has said "You are NOT a failure". Times are tough. I stand to lose my job and maybe my toys as well, but after a recent family tragity, I realise that the only things that matter are my little girl and her mother. I can always get a job good enough to feed them. Now do what I do this time of year when I'm feeling down:

1. Drink a beer.

2. After drinking beer head out into the snow and make a snow angel (Ask family members to do same).

3. Realize, that none of this grown up stuff really mattered when you were ten, so it shouldn't matter now.

Peace, Happy Holidays, Good Luck!

--Mike

tryce · #6 (**permalink**) 12-17-2004, 08:15 AM

What I tell myself when things get bad is "With struggle builds Strength".

The most positive man I know, My mentor and self made millionaire in the early 90s Is now 52 years old crippled and blined in both eyes and broke living in a hotel in philedelpha.

When I get down, I to this day can call him and he gets me motivated. He has had 10 years of the worst luck and he still to this day is the most positive guy I know with the least going for him.

Email me and i can give you his #. I Promise you will feel like your on top of the world or at least ready to climb to it after the call. He has a ture gift and is willing to share it.
pete.

Ford of France · #7 (**permalink**) 12-17-2004, 08:17 AM

Bill:

Take up ice racing. Cheap fun and it will get your mind back on track. A little diversion in our climate does wonders for one's mental health. Give it a try.

Tommy · #8 (**permalink**) 12-17-2004, 08:25 AM

Bill -
This being the season of giving, I suggest you volunteer to help some needy people in your community. Being around truly disadvantaged people can give you a better perspective on your own situation while doing good for your community. I find that helping others always makes me feel better about myself. ... I hope things are better very soon.

Big-Foot · #9 (**permalink**) 12-17-2004, 11:24 AM

Whether you believe it or not (and I hope you do)

GOD has a plan for you my friend...

Having gone through the same thing that you are going through now, I can honestly say I have walked a thousand miles in your shoes.

---------------
A little story that is relevent in a special way;
---------------

A man of faith was in his home when the flood waters were rising.
The sheriif came by and told him that he needed to evacuate.
He said - I have faith that God will save me should anything happen.

A while later as the water was lapping at his doorway a man with a boat appeared and said - get in! I'll bring you to safety.
The man said - I have faith that God will save me.

A few more hours have passed now and the levy gave in. The man was now sitting on his roof.
Another man with a boat appeared and said - get in! I'll bring you to safety.
The man said - I have faith that God will save me.

It's around dinner time now and the man is now perched upon his chimney to stay dry.

A man with a helicopter appeared with a rope and said - Grab onto the rope! I'll bring you to safety.
The man said - I have faith that God will save me.

The man's next concious recollection was standing before God.
He said - God, I had faith in you, but you didn't save me from the flood. What happened?

God replied - I sent one cop, two boats and a helicopter for you. You did not accept my help. You perished, but now are safe with me.

Moral of the story - Have faith - Keep your eyes and ears open.

God has a plan for you.

mrmustang · #10 (**permalink**) 12-17-2004, 12:04 PM

Thanks guys,

Bill S.

Russ Dickey · #11 (**permalink**) 12-17-2004, 12:31 PM

Bill:
You could always burn a little time this winter building one of these component Cobras (even cheaper than an FFR!)

Russ

mrmustang · #12 (**permalink**) 12-17-2004, 12:34 PM

Russ,

What makes you think I haven't done so already.....

PatBuckley · #13 (**permalink**) 12-17-2004, 01:25 PM

Cheer up Bill!

Keep trying...it's only when you give up that you have truly lost.

Besides, Spring is just around the corner.

BlueRooster · #14 (**permalink**) 12-17-2004, 01:41 PM

If ya want, we can throw a few down at Arthurs Steak House in Morris Plains (home of the beer that could choke a mule) anytime Pal.

Dane

Ill even take you for an ear muff /winter coat ride in the cobra if you want.

Clois Harlan · #15 (**permalink**) 12-17-2004, 02:02 PM

Bill,

I wish there were some magic words of inspiration I could lay down that would help. Unfortunately these are the things that challenges our mettle. Good luck and hang in there. Just think about Jimmy Stewart in "It's a Wonderful Life".

Clois

bmalone · #16 (**permalink**) 12-17-2004, 02:19 PM

Bill, a couple of thoughts: you could move to sunny, SoCal and eliminate that NoEastern funk that comes each year. Remember, I speak from experience on that one. And two, right around this time of year I always start thinking about the winter solstice. In only a few more days, the days start getting longer, which is surely a sign that spring is on the way. Another good thing: jump in the ocean on New Year's day.

computerworks · #17 (**permalink**) 12-17-2004, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Clois Harlan

...Good luck and hang in there. Just think about Jimmy Stewart in "It's a Wonderful Life".

I can see it now.... heavy snow, Mr. Mustang on the bridge over Route 46...... Cranky the Cab Driver... Johnny the Cop....

...Bill reaches into his pocket..... and pulls out ZuZu's spark plugs.

Excaliber · #18 (**permalink**) 12-17-2004, 02:34 PM

One of my favorite quotes:

"Men of power are men who have been baffled, thwarted and confused".

I see you have a bright and powerful future just around the corner!

ERA649 · #19 (**permalink**) 12-17-2004, 03:30 PM

Bill,
I have had my own business for twenty years and I have never made the same amount of money two years in a row. Some years when you think you know what your doing you eat the bear, then the next year comes and you find out you don't know everything and the bear bits you right in the a$$. Take it easy you'll bounce back in two weeks (next year).

Mike

hey,littlecobra · #20 (**permalink**) 12-17-2004, 03:34 PM

Your "Cobra" family is wishing you well, and giving you a big hug!
Kristen