"And now I'm happy, joyous, and free, and my life is such a blessing"
March 18, 2022 1:10 PM   Subscribe

Previously Thoraya Maronesy continues to ask strangers questions. This March 10th addition, What's something I wouldn't believe about you?, might provide a moment's respite from the heavy times. Hope you have a good weekend.
posted by elkevelvet (9 comments total) 12 users marked this as a favorite
 
The first two are a retired Physicians Assistant talking about her struggle with depression and the second is an ex-soldier tell about the horrible things the army taught him, like how to hate women. I turned it off after that, it wasn't much of respite from heavy times.
posted by Grumpy old geek at 1:38 PM on March 18, 2022 [1 favorite]


"I'm happy, joyous, and free"

I saw that and I knew what that was going to be. I have been in the program long enough to recognize these signs in regular conversations. It is amazing how stuff you hear and read in the rooms creeps into your regular life.

One thing I used say when people in the rooms ask how I am doing was ,"Alive, Sober and Employed"; as a mini gratitude list. Now I say, "Healthy, Sober and Employed", but the reason is the same. The number of times I had to stop myself from saying this outside the rooms is too many to count. Combine that with the fact that I STILL have to refrain from saying, "Hi, I'm Victor and I am an Alcoholic", when doing introductions in a group setting ....
posted by indianbadger1 at 1:46 PM on March 18, 2022 [4 favorites]


sorry you feel that way, it's not saccharine sweetness but the pervasive thread of hope and positive change in a person's life is what I took from the assembled clips. peace out
posted by elkevelvet at 1:47 PM on March 18, 2022 [2 favorites]


just to add, Nurse Practitioners might object to being referred to as "physicians' assistants"

I know my mom (RN in Canada, not quite the same thing) did not retire and look back on her career as an assistant to doctors.
posted by elkevelvet at 1:55 PM on March 18, 2022 [1 favorite]


Terrific vid. Thanks!
posted by dobbs at 2:02 PM on March 18, 2022


Contrary take: People strong enough to talk about their struggles, and able to see good things ahead, are actually a respite when so much else is dark. Worked for me.
posted by Hardcore Poser at 2:32 PM on March 18, 2022 [2 favorites]


This was fun for me, I suppose because for me it's always a little bit exciting to see the humanity of people I don't know, and likely never would. I admire these people for their willingness to be so open.

"I'm happy, joyous, and free"

I saw that and I knew what that was going to be.


Funny that you mention that, I hadn't realized that I sort of smiled and nodded when she said that. It's been 31 years as of last week, and sometimes I still catch myself starting to introduce myself to a meeting group.
posted by BigHeartedGuy at 3:33 PM on March 18, 2022 [3 favorites]


just to add, Nurse Practitioners might object to being referred to as "physicians' assistants"

In the US, a physician's assistant is a specific job title and position, similar to a nurse practicioner. If you go to an urgent care clinic or are seeking primary care at a medical practice, you may very well be seen by a PA, who will have their own set of patients.
posted by NoxAeternum at 4:20 PM on March 18, 2022 [4 favorites]


The first three were great, lovely messages of change and optimism. The subsequent shorter ones didn't reach as far, at least for me. Nice FPP!
posted by anadem at 10:23 PM on March 18, 2022


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