Change gears

Some days are really hard when I begin to feel the sad, discouraging and overwhelming feelings and thoughts start to creep into my being. I really try not to entertain the thoughts that want to come, because the more I do, the worse they get....and the worse I get. I need to change gears and quickly try and force myself to think of happy things, different things....anything that will divert the onslaught of another depression episode. Even hurriedly changing the activity I am engaged in at the time and doing something totally different, really works.

A unique book

This book, “The Secret”, (by Rhonda Byrne), is a very unique book, indeed. Inside this book, learn what The Secret can do to bring you joy and transform your life.

What is the Secret?...it is the law of attraction! The following paragraphs are taken from the book:

“Everything that’s coming into your life you are attracting into your life. And it’s attracted to you by virtue of the images you’re holding in your mind. It’s what you’re thinking. Whatever is going on in your mind you are attracting to you” (page 4).

“What you are thinking now is creating your future life. You create your life with your thoughts. Because you are always thinking, you are always creating. What you think about the most or focus on the most, is what will appear as your life” (page 16-17).

“The law (of attraction) is simply reflecting and giving back to you exactly what you are focusing on with your thoughts. With this powerful knowledge, you can completely change every circumstance and event in your entire life, by changing the way you think” (page 17).

Click the following link to take you to The Secret website:

http://thesecret.tv/index.html

Retreating to our mental closet

I have a friend who says he goes in his (mental) closet when he has a really bad day with depression. He seeks a quiet place in his home where he can be alone and where he does not have to interact with others for awhile. Here in his “closet”, he can do some reading, or his writings, or just sit and think and analyze and try to work out some solutions to what is bothering him, so that he can come to accept his thoughts and emotions. He says that time seems to be the real cure and then he can go forward again.

My "mental closet"

A friend and I share with each other our ups and downs of depression. We compare notes and analyze; we try to help lift each other; and we certainly try to be there for each other and be supportive and encouraging.

We have both come to the conclusion that when we have our down depression times that we apparently go off to our own mind place for awhile to work things out. We get mentally away from what is troubling us and causing our depression at the time. We even, upon necessity, get away (sort of) from people for a short while, also. After a while we are able to realize that things are not as bad as they seem at the time. At that point we can handle our self and those troublesome problems.

We have lovingly called this mental away place....our “mental closet”. Here in our mental closet we take the time necessary to sort out and work out the things that have sent us into our depression. It could be family problems, it could be high expectations we place on our self, it could be disappointments, fears, frustrations, and overwhelmed about something.

Our mental closet is a time-out place (a room in our home, a nice quiet park, a drive in our car, etc) where we can digest and comprehend and learn about and express our self. It is a place to fully get a hold of our emotions, and a time to gather our self and define our thoughts.

I am NOT talking about deserting our families. But with their love, compassion, understanding and support, they will allow us the short time we need to work through our difficult times and then come back refreshed, being our old selves, and feeling like we can handle things again.

My Depression...and does anyone care, anyway

I am grateful for our much needed moisture...it has been constantly raining and cloudy for a couple of days...but for a person that has seasonal depression (SAD),lack of sunshine makes a very great difference in how they are feeling. Maybe today because it is such a down day for me, that I have these feelings. After all, when you are depressed, you are only feeling sorry for yourself....right?

But where are some of my so-called friends? I need a true friend….someone who cares about ME. Is it that when others are around people that have depression, that it is not a fun place to be…they would rather be with FUN people?

Where is the TRUE charity? Does it only lie with helping those who have just had surgeries, or are dying from cancer, or have just had a baby? Depression is an illness, too. And for me….just simply finding something that will take my mind off of the sad thoughts for awhile, IS GREAT THERAPY.

Aren’t we, who suffer from depression, just as much in need of help, compassion, and contact from others, as those listed above?

I feel that it would be extremely therapeutic just to receive a phone call often, from a friend, wondering how I am doing. Better yet, it would be great for someone to say to me… “how about getting out and going to the store with me”, or “how about going to a movie”, or “let’s go out for lunch”. NOW THOSE ARE THE TRUE FRIENDS. And God bless them!

Hanging out in la-la land....aka the internet!

In actuality my depression is always a part of me...but in the fall and winter season it manifests itself more and even within this season I have my good and bad days. So I do various things to help that, as stated in these previous blog posts.

I have discovered that it helps me to go to la-la land for awhile when I am very down. I try to talk myself out of my sad feelings but sometimes I just need to go somewhere with my mind for awhile. For me, getting away or diverting my thoughts to something else usually helps a great deal.

Not everything works for me. When I am sad and melancholy, I have a hard time getting interested in books, organizing my surroundings, doing household tasks, working on projects, and the such.

I have a new found ability, or talent if you want to call it that. I love to write. That helps me. I love to watch movies. I love to get on the internet. We are all different and so we all have to find what helps and works for us.

Hanging out in la-la-land...aka the internet, is not all that bad. Some more healthy people will think it a big waste of time and that it will bring evil spirits. But the internet is chock full of helpful, interesting, fun, educational, and healthy information. It is a great learning place...and I am thinking only of the good, clean uplifting stuff. Educationally...the internet is unending in it’s resources. Whatever you want to know and learn about can be found in this form of la-la land...a temporary vacation spot for the sad, melancholy mind.

A Mind Retreat...taking your mind somewhere else for awhile so it can relax and heal.

Try to take little mind retreats as often as you need them and for as long (time wise) as you can. This is so good for when you feel overwhelmed with life and even at depressions doorstep. Even more so, when you are rooming in depressions house. Find something you enjoy doing and that will hold your attention without having to think much....even if it is a big time waster. AND DON'T YOU DARE FEEL GUILTY ABOUT IT!

The idea is to bring your mind temporarily to a place where it does not have to tax itself by thinking too much. In this way, your mind gets a chance to truly relax, so it can begin to heal a little. But don't forget to come back into the world again!!! You will then be refreshed and strengthened in mind and body, have a better outlook, and be ready to make any necessary eliminations of things to your time schedule, if that is what needs to be done.

My favorite mind retreat is to watch movies. I am truly a MOVIE LOVER. Sometimes I watch one movie right after another and I have been known to do this for a couple of days at a time. But it REALLY works for me. If I don't do this for myself, then my mind keeps dwelling on the problem and I stress myself out more and more and I go deeper and deeper into despair.

Rest and Heal Your Mind and Soul

When those times come when I have dark, overwhelmingly sad days or seasons...I find comfort, relaxation, and a sort of therapy by doing certain things and activities that will take my mind off of what is bothering me and take it to a different place for a short while....so that I can heal.

Some of those places are.....watching good movies, doing my personal writings, working on my websites, calling or visiting a good friend, siting quietly and meditating on sacred things, going outdoors for a nice leisurely walk, reading the scriptures, deep breathing exercises, sitting out in the yard to get sunlight and fresh air, laying on the couch or bed with my legs elevated and with a cool cloth over my eyes and listening to some soft music, and many more things.