[doggiedo]

I checked mail today and found a hand written/copied letter from someone looking for work as a housekeeper. I was immediately saddened by her letter. It said something like, "Repsonsible Polish woman looking for job as housekeeper. Experienced in cleaning, honest (spelled without the H). Please contact me for an estimate."

It makes me feel lucky to have a job, but also makes me reflect on how tough this woman must have it to make copies of a handwritten letter, and put them in neighborhoods around me, in the pouring rain today.

My parents are hard workers, and who knows...with the economy the aay it is, I mean, this could be them! It's a stretch but still! My parents found out today they needed a new furnace. If it's not one thing, it's another!

Now I'm sitting here thinking about this poor woman and literally crying thinking how sad it is. I'm so lucky. I know I get all emotional like this when I have PMSING, but I hate it. I hate being so sensitive about things that should not bother me. I'm not sure how to handle all these feelings of sadness.

Originally Posted by doggiedo

I checked mail today and found a hand written/copied letter from someone looking for work as a housekeeper. I was immediately saddened by her letter. It said something like, "Repsonsible Polish woman looking for job as housekeeper. Experienced in cleaning, honest (spelled without the H). Please contact me for an estimate."

It makes me feel lucky to have a job, but also makes me reflect on how tough this woman must have it to make copies of a handwritten letter, and put them in neighborhoods around me, in the pouring rain today.

My parents are hard workers, and who knows...with the economy the aay it is, I mean, this could be them! It's a stretch but still! My parents found out today they needed a new furnace. If it's not one thing, it's another!

Now I'm sitting here thinking about this poor woman and literally crying thinking how sad it is. I'm so lucky. I know I get all emotional like this when I have PMSING, but I hate it. I hate being so sensitive about things that should not bother me. I'm not sure how to handle all these feelings of sadness.

Hello doggiedo: Yes, these types of situations make those of us who have more secure lives realize how difficult life can be. Sadly, every day the news is full of stories about people who have met with one tragedy or another. Occasionally they triumph. But sometimes the don't as well.

The thing we have to keep in mind, though, is that mental health problems are illnesses. We did not ask for them. We did not cause them. So there is no need to feel guilty about having one or to feel guilty about what has resulted from having one (unemployment, loss of educational opportunities, dependence on family, etc.)

Perhaps one way to handle these feelings of sadness would be to do something kind for someone. You may not be able to help the person whose situation has made you feel sad. But perhaps you can be of help to someone else who needs it. Just a thought...