In Support Of Melancholy

I think the thing that most appeals to me be about the web is the randomness. As I peruse my favorite web sites and blogs, you never know what you might come across. My mind often makes strange connections which show up in my reading, music, or conversations (or even my photographs). So when I came across this particular link, which was reported on the Yahoo home page, it was definitely serendipity. The link was to an NPR book review entitled, "Arguing the Upside of Being Down". Eric G. Wilson, the author of "Against Happiness" tells us that we should embrace our inner melancholy. Since I haven't read the book, I can't say if his argument holds any water (or even if it's well written). However, I think I can partially identify where his thesis comes from. There are times when you don't want to be cheered up and you want to wallow (if thats the correct term) in unhappiness. (Notice that I am attempting to avoid the word depression. Why that is, I'm not sure.)

I know that my melancholy (I like that word) does influence everything that I do, especially my creative side. It makes me who I am. I admit that I do attempt to hide it from most people, who I think would not understand where I am coming from.