LittleWren,

My experience is that I cannot help those who don’t want my help.  Each person has their own personal journey to take and nobody can do it for them.

You can offer what has worked for you, i.e. taking a break and travelling but it is up to him to figure it out.  I believe that part of the journey is being confused,  discouraged and yes being depressed as well.  It is like grief, you cannot shortcut the process.

What you can do is live your life and support him by being present.  It is also like helping someone grieve.  You cannot fix him.  You can only be a loving presence.

Sometimes out of desperation, loneliness, or even boredom will be the impetus to get someone to take the next step.  It is a step-by-step process.  For most, you cannot leapfrog into a life’s purpose.  It is taking a tiny step then the next tiny step then the next.  It is about doing what feels right or good or fun or satisfying or creative.  And then see where that takes you ..

Mark

Hi LittleWren,

It’s a shame you own a house with him, because now you are “stuck”. It’s actually easier to support a depressed person if you have your own place to regroup and recharge.

Spirituality might be the thing for him. Whether it’s church or a meditation group, it will let him at least temporarily give him relief from his own mind. Your Purpose is simply what you decide. Some people have no mission in life and are totally happy.

As for the non-life threatening disease, what finer purpose than for him to support others with the same condition? When people reach out to him for help on a blog or forum (that he possibly creates himself), he will be galvanized!

Best,

Inky