To the cynics, madness will always be a personal failing.

Well, cynicism is a way of coping for some of us. Many of mad geniuses resorted to cynicism.

Shell shocked soldiers were accused of being malingerers.

Today they are told the suffer some sort of "disorder".

The "get out of life free pass" is a prelude to just get over it. I have been told more than once, "We do not think you are lazy." My journey to wellness has been fraught with misadventures, sisyphian I suppose.

Well, as in everything in life you have to get over it... of course you have choice to give up... but of some of us (however cynical we are) we do not want to give up and stop living.

I guess I can pre-emptively react to "would you tell person to get over cancer" comment that may follow... even with physical illness, when you give up... the latest modern scientific treatment will not save you.


Coelho was blessed by the visit of the junior doctor. The visit fostered his resolve. I have been blessed by those who treated me. I have not lost my resolve, despite the critics who remind me I could do more if I really wanted to. Then again, I know the strength of my will; and whether I merit the label of malingerer.

Coelho was saved by somebody who did not enable him in critical moment.

I am not saying this would work for everybody. Perhaps some can't be saved. Perhaps some don't want to be saved, because living in their world of madness is much more comfortable than living in the real world.... which is also kinda mad.