When I was little, my dad said: "I'm GLAD I can commit suicide if I want to. I like to entertain the possibility. It means I'm always choosing to be alive." I've always wondered about this enigmatic comment. Do you think this was good or bad advice?

That's not really advice, just a comment that is probably very confusing or sad/scary for a child. I think its a nice little statement though, depending on the underlying feelings!

Daniel:
that wasn't "advice" it was a statement endorsing his personal freedom; and, a reminder that we each have the freedom to choose. Depending on your maturity and comprehension at the time he first made the statement it was a good philosophy to teach you. On the other hand, if you were too young, misinterpreting the statement might have frightened you.

it doesn't sound like advice, it sounds like a scary comment. It makes sense, but the fact he was thinking about it, makes me wonder why..

It's a fact and to live or die is his choice. There's no reason to hide the facts of life from kids. This way they know what their options are too if life gets to be more than they want to deal with.

That isn't good advice .. it sounds like he's advocating "copping out". Better advice would be to tell kids that it's better to try to deal with life and its problems than to escape them.

Sorry to hear that Daniel, that is not something you tell to a kid. Maybe a 19 or 20 yr old who may have some capacity to see that statement for what it is. Kids need to feel secure in the why they are alive and special and not as some choice *they* have to be here. Hell you dad made that choice for you when he decided to have a kid and to then burden you with that responsibility at a young age is just plain wrong.

I have never thought of it like that. Actually makes sense. I'm choosing to be alive.

I would not take it as advice, do not see from what you wrote that he was asking others to accept it as their own. I have no idea of why he thought there was a need to share this you or how old you were at the time but first guess is he was telling you he values life, that it is common for people to think of suicide, and that he wanted to impress you with his wit. As a final guess I would say it may of been age inappropiate. Understand that we have very little information to go on and these impressions of mine are sorely lacking in knowledge. +5

Hmmmm, whilst the message is actually a positive one I think it could easily be missed by a youngster.

I like it. Sounds like he meant no matter how crappy his life gets, he doesn't have to deal with it. He's not forced to cope, he's choosing to cope. He can take the easy way out, but he's making the choice to stick it out, remain alive, and stay in charge of his life. Seems like when trouble comes his way, reminding himself he can walk off a cliff is a way of putting things in perspective. Makes whatever your dealing with seem less serious. Sounds like your dad's a funny guy.

We have the choice to live or die, if we choose to live then that's a good thing