Druben,

For me, definitely yes. A reflective / introspective / melancholic temperament is enjoyable to me -- they add value to my life, and when the clouds are hiding the sun, or the rain falls, or the thunder claps (esp. when the thunder claps <smile>), i'm usually just fine with it :-) Depression, otoh, subtracts value from my life -- nothing is enjoyable when i'm depressed, save escaping said depression.

Regards,

John

Falling You - exploring the beauty of voice and sound
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my depression is a flatline. melancholia, a blooming vapor.

For myself, the answer is yes, definately yes. Melancholia is, again for myself, an empathic emotion. It puts me in touch with myself and the world around me. Depression, is a self centered ego trip, spiralling straight down into a narcissistic hell. Kahlil Gibran said; "Your joy is your sorrow unmasked. And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears. And how else can it be? The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain. Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter's oven? And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives? When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy. When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. Some of you say, "Joy is greater than sorrow," and others say, "Nay, sorrow is the greater. But I say unto you, they are inseparable. Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed. Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy. Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced. When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your sorrow rise or fall."