Something to think about…

I have mixed feelings about this quote. I know Paul Walker meant well when he said this, but I think saying you should never be depressed under any circumstances whatsoever is too ansolute of an absolute. If you're incapable of feeling sad at any time for any reason, at best you're a robot, at worst you're a psychopath.

If Paul Walker said this to Jacqueline Kennedy on November 22, 1963, only hours after she had to watch her husband's brains get splattered all over her, Jacqueline Kennedy probably would have slapped Paul Walker in the face, and everyone who saw it happen would understand why. If Jacqueline Kennedy was miraculously able to "count her blessings and shake it off", she would have pleased Paul Walker and displeased everyone else, because everyone else would believe that Jacqueline Kennedy had no concern about, interest in, or respect for her husband or her marriage.

I agree and have personally suffered greatly from such remarks. Where does he get off acting like if you're not in the hospital you being depressed is some kind of sin? So those being held in human trafficking, persecuted brethren around the world, those having night terrors and trauma from sexual, ritual abuse or other things and those with clinical depression WHICH EXISTS despite ghoulish pastors who claim otherwise should just suck it up? True life can be worse and true we should fight and recall God's blessings but this is insensitive towards others in terrible circumstances and maybe he meant well or maybe he's as cold towards suffering brethren as many so called pastors are especially these 5 point reformed Calvinist bullies. It's good advice to spoiled brats or people who call sin mental illness but self righteous mumbo jumbo and the "I'm holier than you because I can be a plastic stoic Pharisee better than you" attitude in churchianity today. Churches either coddle sin wallowing or condemn everyone you can't win.

The whole point of this quote is for people who are complaining when there is nothing to complain about. It’s meant for the people who feel bogged down with their humdrum lives and aren’t being grateful or content with what they have.
With the case of Jackie Kennedy, she would be the person in the “hospital bed”, while Paul Walker would be addressing the person complaining about whatever and telling them to be grateful for their family, health, and personal well-being.

Imagine for a moment that we cure the thing the person in the hospital has. Now they no longer crave my opportunity; they have it. In a sense we are all better off. But wait a tic… suddenly this quote loses its power. Nobody is jealous of me to justify my suffering.

I charge that this attitude shows no empathy to those who are suffering from depression and ghoulishly uses those who are suffering from physical ailments. It’s straight up toxic positivity. Gratitude doesn’t involve comparing oneself to others

"I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet." ~ Helen Keller
"Why are thou cast down, O my soul? And why are thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." Psalm 42:11
Like King David, the man described as "after God's own heart", each of us will experience moments that leaves us depressed, saddened, downcast. When I focus on my issues: health, job, finances, etc., I am easily overwhelmed by the enormity of the obstacles to my happiness and contentment. This is why we are often directed to put the needs of others in front of our own. Ultimate peace and joy can only come from the author of them that came to serve others in His first appearance. We will all experience sadness, anger, depression --- emotional distress in this world. Try focusing always on trusting God and remembering that "it came to pass", not "to stay".