This week we bring you a slightly tongue-in-cheek news story that’s based on real life events…
George Farthing, a British man living in America, was stuck in a rut. He had that sense that something was missing in his life. He was feeling a bit… meh… it felt as if every day was Monday.
Farthing visited his American doctor several times but before they tanked him up on anti-depressants or offered controversial shock therapy, he had to see a therapist.
Apparently, it only took one session. The therapist reported back to the doctor, and I quote:
“Mr Farthing spoke of growing up in England, in a grey little town where it rained every day. He described treeless streets lined with identical houses, and of passionately backing a football team that never won. It’s worth noting that he has a curious pre-occupation with the weather; too hot, too cold, too windy, too rainy, etc. I can see how his characteristic pessimism and gloomy perspective might be interpreted as serious clinical depression, but it is my conclusion that Mr Farthing isn’t depressed at all, he is just British.”
Identifying Farthing as British changed the diagnosis from ‘clinical depression’ to ‘rather quaint and charming’. Apparently, he was immediately discharged from the hospital with a selection of brightly coloured leaflets and an ‘I ♥ New York’ T-shirt.
Like I say, tongue-in-cheek. Before anyone starts pressing the ‘is he having a go at depression?’ alarm bell, of course I’m not. Depression is awful. Professional help saves lives.
I’m talking about mediocrity. That Monday morning feeling. That sense of living life in black and white instead of full colour. That sense of something missing.
Often, the blunt truth is this: if there’s something missing in your life, it’s probably YOU.
If you, your team or your entire organisation wants to raise the bar from mental health to mental WEALTH, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.