jenepherre: (Me - bday forty fucking years)
jenepherre ([personal profile] jenepherre) wrote2007-05-17 07:26 am

I'm the filling in the Birthday Sandwich of Lurrve


Happy Birthday to [livejournal.com profile] paddies today!


Pity Party for Me Tomorrow
Unfortunately there's no alcohol, so don't bother coming. Heh.


Happy Birthday to [livejournal.com profile] armandlegg on Saturday!



FYI - I don't read my flist at all anymore. But I will see comments on this post. In case it matters to anyone.

I suppose this is where I should point out that life really sucks right now, mainly because we just changed my antidepressant and haven't got the dose right on the new one yet. Great timing, huh? WTF was I thinking? ::shaking head::

[identity profile] paddies.livejournal.com 2007-05-17 04:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you so much, darlingest!!! :x:x:x

And happy birthday (a bit early) to you, too!!! ♥ Come on, 40 is not THAT bad... ;))

*loves*

HAPPY BIRTHDAY A DAY EARLY!!!!

[identity profile] positive-pat.livejournal.com 2007-05-17 06:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Hi Jen

OK now let me just say that 40 is not old. It is the new 30 you know. You so need to embrace this time of your life. I know from the post in the Rambler's group that you are having a bad time now. I know you have switched the meds and need to figure it all out. BUT I know this will all get right as soon as you get your body adjusted to what ever you are on.

Now on to the POSITIVE which is what I do best as I am Positive Pat. You need to sit back and enjoy your life. Is life always great or fair? Hell no but you can only control yourself and how you react to what is thrown at you good or bad. So sit back, take a deep breath and think positive about everything that happens in your life. If it is good things, keep the positive thinking up and be thankful for what you have and get. If at the time it is not good things in your life, keep the positive thoughts and look for the little piece of good in the bad situation. It is there. It may be a start of a new and better change in your life or a lesson to be learned. But the seed of good is there I promise.

People that say to me so why be so positive, I tell them it takes just as much energy to think negative thoughts as it does positive thoughts. The negative thoughts will always make you feel bad and keep your mind stuck on problems. The positive thoughts will always make you feel good and make your mind think about solutions to the problems.

SO GO WITH THE POSITIVE ALWAYS JEN!!!!!!

Happy Early Birthday!!!!
Hugs
Pat

Re: HAPPY BIRTHDAY A DAY EARLY!!!!

[identity profile] drkcherry.livejournal.com 2007-05-18 01:53 am (UTC)(link)
Wow. I know you are trying to be helpful and upbeat, but that actually came across, to me, as condescending and preachy. Kind of a suck it up and get over it thing.

If you've never experienced depression you have no idea what she and millions of others are going through. Its not something they can just turn off with a positive thought.

People that say to me so why be so positive, I tell them it takes just as much energy to think negative thoughts as it does positive thoughts.

But that's your personal opinion. And if it works for you, great. But honestly, its not that easy when you are caught in a downwards spiral.

Personally I don't think your 'think happy thoughts' is realistic. No one can be that positive all the time without the help of some really strong drugs.

Re: HAPPY BIRTHDAY A DAY EARLY!!!!

[identity profile] positive-pat.livejournal.com 2007-05-18 02:26 am (UTC)(link)
Sorry you took my comments that way. No I do not take depression, sadness or tragedy lightly. As a person with a Psychology Degree who works daily with people struggling with life problems and a person who has had big tragedy in their life. I really mean Big tragedy, I am well aware that life is not always good to you. But you have to make it through your life and be thankful that you are alive. If you have to have medication to help you then great. I am all for medication if needed to help you get where you need to be. But having a positive attitude absolutely hurts nothing and can only make you feel better.

Re: HAPPY BIRTHDAY A DAY EARLY!!!!

[identity profile] vagablonde.livejournal.com 2007-05-18 03:53 am (UTC)(link)
Sometimes, the worst possible thing you can do is just keep telling someone how great everything really is if only they'd see it that way. That's part of the problem with depression, you can't see it that way - and I'm sorry, I don't believe that it's all in how you choose to react. Depression is real and can't just be wished away.

You sound like a great person, someone it'd be nice to hang around with, but in this case I think you might be offereing the wrong advice. Sometimes what we all need is positive vibes and reinforcement, sometimes we need empathy, and sometimes we just need someone to cry with and saying it'll all be all right or how all ya gotta do is think happy thoughts can be hurtful and damaging. Sort like you are glossing over the problem. I know and love Jen and I know how hard she's worked to have the things she wants (peace, satisfaction, self-generated feelings of worth) and to say that all she needs to do is 'paint on a smile and tell yourself it's all shiny' is rather trivializing. But that is just my opinion. I suffer from depression, too, it's more mild but when it hits, it hits hard and when folks tell me to cheer up and tell myself how good everything is, I feel like they don't understand me, or care for me, or realize how bad I'm hurting and that makes it worse.

Re: HAPPY BIRTHDAY A DAY EARLY!!!!

[identity profile] mlleelizabeth.livejournal.com 2007-05-18 04:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Hi, Pat

I’m a friend of Jen’s who has suffered from clinic depression for many years. I know you mean well, but if you are considering practicing psychology, you should know that advice to “think positive” when you are physically incapable of doing so due to a chemical imbalance can be extremely frustrating. It can actually make the depressed person feel even more worthless and incapable and distressed that they are unable to live up to the other person’s expectation that they maintain a positive attitude.

Different people process experiences in different ways, whether they are grieving, coping with challenges or celebrating. I find it more positive in the long run to support them in whatever works for them than to force my own way of handling the situation on them. If thinking positive works for you, that is wonderful. It sometimes works for me, as well. But there isn’t one true way to cope with life and the hardballs it sometimes tosses us.

[identity profile] theiax.livejournal.com 2007-05-17 09:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Happy 40th Birthday for tomorrow, Jen!

Very sorry to hear that you are in the grip of depression again due to your meds. :( You're right, what an awful time for that to happen, but then no time is right to feel so shitty. Nevertheless, I hope you have a wonderful, albeit sober, celebration tomorrow and sincerely wish you health and happiness in abundance for the coming year. :)

[identity profile] bksbracelet.livejournal.com 2007-05-17 11:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Dear Jen, Look at my icon and know that we are your sanctuary. Sherrie said you were fighting the dark battle again, so just know that we are here. You are so valuable to us especially on Rramblers as one of the list mums, your IT talent astounds many.

I am not clever with all the graphic shit but know I send heart felt birthday wishes to you, I know eating chocolate and drinking on antidepressant meds is not recommended but try and do something to make your heart sing on your birthday hugs Chris

Your present ...

[identity profile] sdrichey.livejournal.com 2007-05-17 11:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Will probably not arrive until Monday but it will be worth the wait. Love ya, honey. Hugs, Sherrie

And happy birthday to Em and Gio too!

[identity profile] shape5.livejournal.com 2007-05-18 12:09 am (UTC)(link)
I'm very sorry you feel bad. I will share with the amusement that from my friends page, your location (pit of despair) is clickable, and takes you here.

Have a relatively calm and soothing birthday, and feel free to whine if it turns out not to be that way. I promise to try and make an idiot of myself if it will make you smile.

[identity profile] weirdqafan.livejournal.com 2007-05-18 02:08 am (UTC)(link)


Remember, age is just a number. Hope you have a great day!

[identity profile] dreambee.livejournal.com 2007-05-18 12:21 pm (UTC)(link)
It matters. I'm so sorry things are so tough, I really am. Will keep you in my thoughts.

*very Happy Birthday wishes*




[identity profile] qafaddiction.livejournal.com 2007-05-18 02:25 pm (UTC)(link)
There once was a lady named Jen
Who'd post every now and again
When others asked why
She'd simply reply,
It's better than counting to ten!

A cake that is lit up with candles
And wishes from all of the "rrambles"
While enjoying a flask
Jen piped up to ask,
"Why doesn't this thing come with handles?!"


Okay sorry, Jen, those were pretty lame, but my brain has already started the long weekend (it's Victoria Day here in Canada).

Sorry things are rough right now, but if I can do anything for you, please let me know.

Heather :)

[identity profile] http://users.livejournal.com/_alicesprings/ 2007-05-18 02:35 pm (UTC)(link)
I wished you a happy birthday at my journal anyway, but I'll say it here too. Happy day, I hope it's a good one :)

[identity profile] paddies.livejournal.com 2007-05-18 02:39 pm (UTC)(link)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JEN! ♥ ♥ ♥

And remember, you'll always be young, and you're always be beautiful....you're Jen, for fuck sake! :D:D:D

*LOVES*

*clears throat*

[identity profile] darksylvia.livejournal.com 2007-05-18 09:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Happy Birthday to yooou,
Happy Birthday to yoooooou,
Happy birthday dear [livejournal.com profile] jenephere...
HAAAAPPY BIIIRTHDAY TOOOOO YOOOOU.

[identity profile] peteisacreep.livejournal.com 2007-10-17 06:26 am (UTC)(link)
hi there, i just noticed that you added this journal. i'm only adding people that i know, sorry.