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I have a few too many friends who battle depression. Some seek help professionally others don't. To them I offer my friendship, love and council as best I can. I believe in depression, I believe in it's power and clinical nature. I don't believe it's a choice. However, I believe there are many disconnected factors that feed it.
My eyes could bleed right now from all of the books I have been reading on related and not so related topics, yet they all seem to melt together into a common puddle. Our culture with all of it's greatness can play tricks on those of us living in it. I am coming to realize that so much of what we "have" is so much at the root of personal struggle. I could go on and on the topic and probably will in the weeks to come. For now I want to do another exercise.
I don't suffer from depression. I am also fully aware that many people are hard-wired for depression and posses an innate negative view of life. I have been blessed with the opposite state of mind. I can't begin to understand why I am lucky enough to be wired this way, but I know its benefit. I see its power, strength and health. It fuels happiness, contentment and peace.
Last night I read a book to my boys that we checked out of the library. After a day of counseling a friend who is in the midst of a dark struggle, it struck a cord. It shed light for me and I want to share it with her and others. I do not intend to negate the seriousness of a clinical condition but rather to impress similar words I actually spoke to her yesterday: Our brains are not powerful enough to think of more than one thing at a time, make yourself think of something else, do something else. Be powerful, take action and fight it. You have so much for which to be grateful. Can we be stronger than that which aflicts us?
The book is called "The Secret of Saying Thanks" I don't think it's any great book, the boys thought it was weird, but the last pages made the point.
The heart that gives thanks is a happy one, for we cannot feel thankful and unhappy at the same time.
The more we say thanks, the more we find to be thankful for.
And the more we find to be thankful for, the happier we become.
We don't give thanks because we're happy.
We are happy because we give thanks.
Let's all make a list, shall we? Let's add to it daily. Something everyday that is worthy of thanks and find the peace that comes with it.
Today my list includes:
I am thankful a robin has nested in the honeysuckle bush outside my kitchen window
I am thankful for Pandora
I am thankful that our town kindergarten started four full days this week.
I am thankful that I have a steady stream of electricity fueling my home.
all, all that feels good.
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