Take the "U" out of Blue

          You wake up still tired from work, after several depressing dreams. You scan a past that you are less than happy with, contemplate a present that isn't going so well, and imagine a future that seems bleak at best. Now, you know that this is all just a matter of brain chemistry, barometric pressure, and that swarm of tiny demon wasps relentlessly stinging your brain. You might just as well have awakened rested and joyful after a series of delightful, euphoric dreams, though that would be a first. You could just as well, with identical outward circumstances, be feeling terrific and optimistic; whatever that is. But no, you're feeling like you've been dropped naked and badly sunburned into a cactus patch full of fire ants. You'd be suicidal if you had the energy to devise a workable plan. You can look neither on the bright side of life nor the bright side of death, despite Monty Python's musical admonition to do both.
             So, you force yourself to write a little, just to see if the mere act of writing will give you a lift, though lifting you has never been easy, and the lights are very low in your benumbed brain. You recall that, when you were feeling down, your wonderful mother used to say, "Count your blessings . . . you worthless little shit!" and then pour herself another drink. Okay, okay, just maybe she was right. So, you do, you count your blessings!
     Blessing #1. You are not a quadriplegic (but if you were you might be a cheerful quadriplegic, grateful be alive, with a working tongue to control your computer and, like Stephen Hawkings, with time to work out the mysteries of the universe, but noooo . . .)
     Blessing # 2. You have a number of people who know you and really love your company (your company being Trader Joe's).
     Blessing # 3. You have a beautiful partner who tends to your every need or request (and you have become a dependant, demanding, petulant infant . . . and you're starting to wet the bed.)
     Blessing # 4. You have a wonderful, supportive family (all of whom are really tired of supporting you.)    
     Blessing #5. You once made a killing in the stock market (then fell asleep while others ran off with the corpse.)
     Blessing # 6. You live in Santa Fe, a beautiful, temperate, small city full of kind, talented, brilliant and interesting people (at least you think so. You've never actually spoken to anyone.)
     Blessing # 7. Some day you will die, and all this pain will end (and the eternal pains of hell will begin).
     Blessing #8. You are surrounded by beautiful art (and depressed, crazy, addicted, alcoholic artists.)
     Blessing # 9. You sleep well and deeply, usually nine hours a night (then you're awake for fifteen.)
     Blessing # 10. You've lost a good twenty pounds in the past two months (thanks, cancer.)
     Blessing # 11. Your loving partner, upon whom you depend utterly, has just brought your bottle of whisky, fitted with a nipple.

          You could go on, but you're beginning to feel much better.