The shortest way to fall into depression is idealization of the past. As soon as we begin to present ourselves and others our childhood, adolescence or youth as a chain for continuous fun and enjoyment, of which, alas, you have to give up at this mature age, at given moment “grieving” is one to one. “Earlier, I was strong, rich, healthy, and careless; earlier, women (men) loved me more” and so on. This directly is followed by the following sighs, “Oh, what I was dreaming about some 20 (30, 40) years ago, and, oh, how my dreams wrecked.”
Apparently, in a certain part of the life for each person, there are moments when he falls into such depressive thoughts. It seems to be more accepted with Armenians than with any other nations. In fact, not only now, not just in the last 25 years, but always, as long as I remember me. In 1980, 50-60 years old people were also saying that “during their times” life was richer, products were cheaper, and people were happier and kind.
This, I would say, human weakness is exploited by politicians. In 25 years, majority of politicians available in the arena have managed to be both opposition and government. The general theme of former government officials is “oh, how good it was during our time.” And people, contrary to logic, think that will drink some magic elixir and get the good feelings that they have had (or thought they had) some 10, 20 or 30 years ago.
Some people over 70 hope that if the Communists come to power in Armenia and/or the Soviet Union is restored (both assumptions are from fantastic genre), then the Leninakan sausage will cost 4 rubles and 50 kopecks, and the minimum wage will be 120 rubles. Most importantly, they will become 30-40 years old, with the age-typical health and cheerfulness.
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Those who have been enriched during Robert Kocharyan’s tenure claim that “the country was developing at that period.” Apparently, the minimum salary was 1,000 dollars, or the price of bread cost 10 drams. Or, there was no migration. Or, the democracy was thriving. And now, if Kocharyan returns, they will become 10 years younger and rich with a new strength. True, the second president, probably, does not share this illusion; his grandson was born in the United States, therefore, automatically had become a U.S. citizen. Does it mean that Kocharyan does not connect his future with Armenia?
All of this, definitely, does not mean that during the period of the Communists or the three presidents of independent Armenia, nothing good has happened. Simply, we should not idealize the past; both positive and negative phenomena can be found in the past. Thinking the opposite is depression in itself.
ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
