[Ultra Darkness]

So I was reading a book about a cat. Late in the book, the cat got sick and nearly died. I already knew she would live (don't they always?) but when the cat finally woke up, I just suddenly felt really sad. That was a happy moment, and there I was, feeling miserable and trying not to cry. Even with our mixed up emotions that seems weird.

There is such a thing as crying for happiness or relief. Maybe your reaction was correct and it just didn't seem so to you.

[BrokenNBeautiful]

I think I understand. Sometimes we can cry with relief. Sometimes we cry cause it's just delayed reaction. I think I would have felt the same way though---like "OMG---she's okay---sob sob..."

Carol

[Ultra Darkness]

I think it was a legitimate trigger, although it didn't occur to me earlier. About a year ago, my family lost a cat. He had to go to the vet and never came back. I never even thought about him while reading, but is it possible to have that kind of triggered response? The kind where you don't have to remember the triggering event to react to it?

Originally Posted by Ultra Darkness

I think it was a legitimate trigger, although it didn't occur to me earlier. About a year ago, my family lost a cat. He had to go to the vet and never came back. I never even thought about him while reading, but is it possible to have that kind of triggered response? The kind where you don't have to remember the triggering event to react to it?

I think that's possible. An unconscious trigger.

Although what Mara said and what broken agreed with, is entirely possible too.

[IowaFarmGal]

I think it would be hard to read that happy ending and not have reality intrude saying it's not a true thing. That would be a sad feeling. I've had to take pet cats to the vet and find nothing could be done or at least nothing I could afford to try which is even worse. If it was relief at the happy ending I don't think it would feel sad.

Sometimes I cry when I'm not sad, like when I'm angry or frustrated. Or when I'm really happy or excited. Or when something is incredibly beautiful to me. I think it's just the steam valve my brain uses to release some of the intensity of borderline emotions that I feel. Maybe this is true for you too, I don't know, but this is what I tend to experience. I don't think you're weird at all.

[ECHOES]

What else happened when the cat woke up?

I'm wondering if the cat was cheered and it's owner was happy, showed a lot of tenderness toward the cat, and the cat knew it was cherished and loved.
Just guessing, but that would be my trigger, and I would feel the sadness of having not been cherished and treated tenderly.

[Ultra Darkness]

Originally Posted by ECHOES

What else happened when the cat woke up?

I'm wondering if the cat was cheered and it's owner was happy, showed a lot of tenderness toward the cat, and the cat knew it was cherished and loved.
Just guessing, but that would be my trigger, and I would feel the sadness of having not been cherished and treated tenderly.

As a matter of fact, that's exactly how it did happen.

[youwillrise]

i had a moment sort of like that yesterday. got some mail from the college i work for/attend and it was some invitation to some 'academic recognition dinner' - instead of looking at it and thinking "wow, that's nice. yay me" my reaction was "wtf is this?!" and i rolled my eyes and tossed the letter on the table.

but for me, it's because the last semester was really difficult for me. i basically stopped going to my classes (with the exception of one, which i did really well in) i just QUIT going...did not officially withdraw from them or anything...i was actually doing pretty well in one of the classes i stopped going to, but i started to get stressed about projects, presentations and when that happens, i tend to run...so hard to stop that mess.

the previous 2 semesters were really good. i did really well and i was in a good place...but last (fall 2012) semester was not so great at all, so in my mind i dont deserve the invitation and that is why i had the reaction i did to the invitation.