Find something or someone inspiring. If you look outside, they are all around. I suffer from stinkin' thinkin' too. Waking at 3 AM today ( the last LW's terror affected me ) thinking about all the sh**heads I've known or crossed paths with and how it sucks they exist. People who do things to other lives that are so evil and damaging. Then, realizing they are just there to inspire in a different way, I slipped into workout clothing and going to beat a heavy bag until I feel lighter.

Fight like hell LW, never ever give up. Ground yourself in a pool of sweat and feel the burn. Your feet are on the ground, your breath is jagged, your muscles are sore and you can't think anymore. Then write one sentence.

That's one of a million ways you can go.

You've gotta love the absolute truth in what Cary wrote too. Some days, some weeks, it's OK to just be and not do anything extraordinary. We are all in progress, in process and it's good just to have this chance to inhabit this body and be here, now.

I've got Same Old Blues by Freddie King replaying in mind while I read your letter. Better yet, check out some gospel music... or maybe something like Gene Harris's version of Stevie Wonder, called "As". If that doesn't make you feel good, just for 5 minutes, I don't know what to say. I am putting that one on RIGHT now. Chills I tell ya, chills. He must be one of the muses. Gene!

It's OK to be blue, but maybe not so much if a part of you is outside your own body. I know people who never seem blue, in fact I think they might be pod people. Many of my closest friends have at one time been through this terrifying darkness and come out better. I am telling you, it's the people who don't get low who are scary.

President Pammy, free breast augmentation for all!

Borak would really lose his mind then.

I look forward to every one of your posts. Never am I able to guess what words you may put together. A fun game, a delight! Lightens up the intellectual banter-pants ready to spar around here.

Refreshing. Thanks.

"And let's not forget Hillary, the governor's wife, pulling out a book and rudely reading in the bleachers during University of Arkansas football games back in Little Rock."- CP

Camille Paglia, a fan of cheerleaders and that cheesy "I know I am on camera" smile?

Very interesting. I'd rather see someone reading a book.

... of that line "It's hard out there for a pimp"

Nice work Mr. O'Hehir

I am so moved by what you wrote before you answered the letter. I printed it out and need to spend some time with it so that I can fully digest all these ravishing words. I felt just now staring into a computer screen, many miles away, that a stranger was speaking directly to me. That I was no longer the person sitting down at that screen. Alchemy.

That is some damn good writing when that happens.

Whoa.

Grateful e.m.

I am really crying.

If you think you are anonymous, you don't know how these systems work. Salon probably has to monitor the threads, just like other sites do and they know who you are. Do you really believe your information is anonymous to everyone?

Dear deeply unhappy "Anonymous", you with your clever and cruel responses, not only do they have your isp and personal info, they also know you are a jerk.

There are always a couple of mean-spirited bullies to spoil things for those who are enjoying something. Maybe it's a law of the universe along the lines of misery loves company. If we were all in a room together, which would be sort of funny, you would be recognizable. Here, it's just cowardly to post in an attempt to bring someone down.

Presumably you are in the burbs because it is best for your children at this point. If that is so, then you have found some kind of success already. If your career is leaving you flat, and you shift your thinking and start looking for other things then maybe something will change. It may not be a big change.

You seem to be saying that you feel stuck and that things are meaningless. What would infuse your daily experience with passion and excitement? You need some adrenaline to work with here. There are some adventures that can be good clean fun and you know the world is bigger than driving to work and home and dishes! Cary and others have offered the simple advice of taking care of yourself, so find out what that means and begin now.

I wish you the best and want to repeat the chorus of 'your feelings are normal'. If you didn't experience these thoughts at certain points in your life, then you'd have a problem. Enjoy this new day. Dance in your kitchen, dance on the lawn, dance on the hood of your neighbor's car...haha! (He's probably the anonymous who just told everyone they suck.)

If every person just gave a little to help, we could make sweeping changes. Thank you cgreen. I am headed to that site now.

Recently Cary wrote about how we just fall into routines. It's actually a gift to feel the way you do, because now you have the opportunity to shake things up.

Shake it!

Hey, I don't think that Clinton was slamming King at all. Is it possible you misinterpreted it? I agree btw, that Dr. King had influence in very personal ways, for people of all colors.

Hallelujah!