[Sparks]

Ok, Ok. I know it's like asking someone if he feels lucky for being born without limbs. BUT. Hear me out. I know a common wish among this forum's member is to be "normal" and to be "like everyone else". And I admit I sometimes wish for that too (though less often than before).
However, sometimes when I'm sitting in a group meeting of colleagues at the university, and listen to them discuss such banal things as the latest Big Brother episode, or where it's cheapest to do your weekly shopping etc, I feel glad that I don't fit into this conversation. That I'm interested in totally different things.
Anyone else here feels SA has made them special, but in a good way?

 

[Catching Fire]

Yeah I know what you mean lol. I guess in the end I'm glad I don't have the ability to conform to something as empty as that.

 

[MissMay1977]

I prefer average instead of normal but yes I do feel blessed. I have been through enough trials and tribulations that as a result I am very humble and wise. I feel blessed that I understand what the important things in life are.

 

[belfort]

honestly i dont feel blessed at all, id much rather be a normal human being and talk about boring, empty topics than be in the place i am now...

 

[livinginfear]

In the moment, I often feel it's a curse, but I believe it's made me a better person so it's kind of a backdoor blessing to me.

 

[Sillouhette]

Yes, many times I have felt blessed. Eventhough God's time is hard to wait for. Many things I have gone through and wondered if life is worth it. Just one problem after another and very few rewards. But I have learned to appreciate the easier times and the sweet, little things that bring me a bit of joy. Not many of them but I do appreciate them. Like right now, the sound of a songbird and a warm breeze coming though an open window. The sun on my skin and something to eat. My basic needs are met most of the time and I have learned not to want too much so I am on an evener keel. It's wanting things you can never have that stress and strain your mind. I just appreciate what I have eventhough it's not all that much. There are people who have everything and still aren't happy. I have very little and am grateful for what I do have so yes, I feel blessed that I have come to terms with my meager existence.

 

[SoloSage]

Not really. I'd love to be able to enjoy mundane discussions about big brother — sadly, I can't. I'm always striving to find joy in the small things in life.

 

[Annyka]

I feel like that sometimes. I also feel sometimes myself even better than most of other people because i understand some things that they don't. But most of the time i just wish i could be like anyone else.

 

[Sillouhette]

I have learned it's all about NOW. Live in the moment. Forget about the past and don't worry, this one I have trouble with, tomorrow. :no I know it's easier said than done to NOT be constantly revisiting bad things that have happened in the PAST but you have to work on that constantly. When you catch yourself doing it TRY really hard to think about something in the NOW or get busy doing something else you enjoy to take your mind off of it. Music is always good for me, or a movie, or baking. :boogie Or playing with my pets. :clap They bring me the greatest of joys. :yes I feel so blessed when I have an animal to care for and love. :clap Especially when they look at you with adoring eyes and give you a lick.

 

[KumagoroBeam]

Hm, no, not really.
Sure, SA made me develop interests different from other people's, mostly because I spend all my time alone. And I think being humble and reflective (w?) are good qualities in a person.
But SA keeps me from getting to know people who might share my interests and it makes me feel bad about myself most of the time, so I don't feel "blessed".
I feel blessed for not being an "average" person (who is one?), but I don't feel special because I have SA.

 

[LostPancake]

Yes, many times I have felt blessed. Eventhough God's time is hard to wait for. Many things I have gone through and wondered if life is worth it. Just one problem after another and very few rewards. But I have learned to appreciate the easier times and the sweet, little things that bring me a bit of joy. Not many of them but I do appreciate them. Like right now, the sound of a songbird and a warm breeze coming though an open window. The sun on my skin and something to eat. My basic needs are met most of the time and I have learned not to want too much so I am on an evener keel. It's wanting things you can never have that stress and strain your mind. I just appreciate what I have eventhough it's not all that much. There are people who have everything and still aren't happy. I have very little and am grateful for what I do have so yes, I feel blessed that I have come to terms with my meager existence.

I agree with this a lot. It's definitely a struggle, but I've at least gotten to where I can enjoy a few little things in life along the way. Being grateful for what you have is definitely a good way to bring a little light into your life.

 

[Madison_Rose]

If my anxiety problems were cured tomorrow, I still wouldn't discuss celebrity non-news. I'd go out, socialise, laugh with friends, have a good time. SA sucks, there's nothing good about it.

 

[shyvr6]

I would rather be able to have a small talk discussion even if it's about trivial things to bond with my peers rather than saying nothing at all and feeling more like an outcast of the group.

 

[sanspants08]

Well, I would say that it has probably given me more empathy. That's the only blessing I can count.

 

[kev]

You make a good point.

Social anxiety makes us more sensitive, often times more caring people.

 

[Meee]

Regarding having more empathy - has SA given us that? Maybe we're just naturally that way. Maybe the type of personality that's more likely to be caring and sensitive is also more prone to developing social anxiety. Plus, there have been plenty of not so nice people on certain SA forums, so it's not as if we're all like that.

And tbh, i'd be fine with being 'average'. My interests are often different to the majority but i've no illusions of that making me superior to others in any way. Just different (and very very flawed, really).

Although if i ever start enjoying conversations about reality television you all have my permission to come shoot me.

 

[Biscuit]

I understand what you mean. I've been so socailly isolated for most of my development that I kind of learned to occupy myself and don't really care about pop culture, etc. This is of course gasoline added to the SA fire, this sense of isolation and feeling "different", but there have been many times, actually most of the tiome, that I feel like maybe this is partly good too, maybe this will help me in the long run.

But I also wonder if this keeps me from getting help. It's like how, upon finishing the catcher in the rye, i felt disappointed in Holden for "giving in" and becoming normal. I wonder if I will change once I'm "fixed". I've had arguments with myself about which one I would rather be, happy and ignorant, or miserable but aware. But I think maybe we don't have to choose, we can be aware and happy.

 

[Wirt]

SA is ruining all the good things i have in my life. my great grandparents, grandparents, and parents layed all the ground work to live a good life and im wasting it by...basically being me

 

[neurotic1]

superficial conversations do make me feel the same way. I feel that something that sa does is make you more careful with other peoples feelings. I get easily misunderstood though and can hurt people unintentionally. So it really levels out.

 

[windmill]

People with mild to moderate SA will have a different opinion on this than people with severe SA. They are not the same.