For those of us with depression, the recovery process is a time for change–change in our habits, attitudes, actions. While change is not easy, to recover we must face changes. We will only be trapped in our old patterns if we so choose. I choose to change. I want to unlearn old, bad attitudes and behaviors and substitute healthier ones. I know that by living one day at a time, I can succeed.
Archive for March, 2008
Change
Posted in depression, recovery with tags change, depression, recovery on March 31, 2008 by Norman ReidAdventure
Posted in depression, recovery with tags adventure, daring, depression, isolation, life, recovery, relationships on March 29, 2008 by Norman ReidAs Helen Keller once said, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” Yet as a depressed person, I have watched life pass me by. I isolated and hid from relationships. And I withdrew from activities that could have involved me in life. But I know now that creating and taking part in adventures is what makes life worth living. Today I can be alive to all the experiences I have and take in the excitement. I resolve not to withdraw from life but to be fully part of it.
Specialness
Posted in depression, recovery with tags burdens, depression, recovery, specialness, worthwhile on March 28, 2008 by Norman ReidAs a depressed person, I tend to believe that I am not worthwhile. But the truth is, I am special. This is something I can learn to believe. I will ponder this today and remind myself that it is true. I need not believe all the negative things that have burdened me all my life. I can rise above them and become a whole person.
Now
Posted in depression, recovery with tags depression, mindfulness, past, recovery, shame on March 25, 2008 by Norman ReidAs depressed persons, we tend to live in the past, focused on our pain and our shame. But we can emerge from this fixation on past problems by living in the present. That is one of the Buddhist messages–that to live in the present with all our attention to the now is to live fully. This is the spirit of mindfulness. It is a powerful philosophy and one that can help us learn to live with love for ourselves and others. I will be mindful of the present moment.
Change
Posted in depression, recovery with tags change, depression, learning, lessons, recovery on March 23, 2008 by Norman ReidChange is a constant in our lives. We are always growing, always learning. Each experience adds to our self-understanding and adds richness to our lives. Each learning adds to our wisdom and aids our recovery. But we must accept the lessons and build trust in them if they are to take hold. I will look for the lessons in each change that happens in my life. I will welcome changes, knowing that they are helping me become the person I want to be.
Self-understanding
Posted in depression, recovery with tags depression, journey, knowledge, recovery, self-understanding, understanding on March 22, 2008 by Norman ReidUnderstanding ourselves is the hardest knowledge of all to gain. But we who are on a journey to recover from depression must seek this knowledge of ourselves. We learn by listening to what others say to us, reading between the lines and probing our own minds and behaviors honestly and carefully. It is no easy task we’ve set for ourselves. And it is often hard to love and accept the person we discover. But avoidance and denial must be put behind us. I pledge to listen to myself and to learn from my past behaviors. I promise to do so without judging myself harshly, accepting all of me with love.
Challenges
Posted in depression, recovery with tags challenges, creativity, depression, problems, recovery on March 21, 2008 by Norman ReidEvery day brings fresh challenges. Often they seem like insurmountable problems we’d rather not face. But each challenge, each problem, is an opportunity for growth, for creativity. I will listen to my soul and face each new challenge as it comes, knowing that it is a chance to exercise my mind and to move closer to my destiny.
Today
Posted in depression, recovery with tags depression, expectations, insight, inspiration, possibilities, recovery on March 20, 2008 by Norman ReidAlways and forever, we will find ourselves in new circumstances, with new people. Even in familiar places, each situation is fresh. And each moment can bring inspriration, if only we recognize how unique it is. We have only to be alive to each new circumstance to reach new heights. Our narrow expectations do not need to limit us. I will endeavor to live in the moment and allow its specialness to bring me new insights and possibilities.
Vision
Posted in depression, recovery with tags challenges, depression, growth, perspective, recovery, vision on March 19, 2008 by Norman ReidAs depressed persons, we are well aware of the many challenges that confront us daily. They can easily overwhelm us and get us down on our lives and ourselves. We will never be free from difficulties. But we have the power to lessen their control over us. When we use our vision to see them in broader perspective, we can regard them as opportunities for growth. I am larger than the problems in my life and I have the vision and the strength to rise above them. I will keep small things small by using my capacity for vision.
Ego
Posted in depression, recovery with tags companionship, depression, ego, insecurity, love, recovery on March 17, 2008 by Norman ReidWe need the benefit of others in our lives, for new ideas, companionship and love. But too often our egos get in the way of true communication. Our egos act out of insecurity, of judgments that others are either inferior or superior to us. When we do, the gifts we have for each other are lost. I pledge to know my ego’s insecurities and live so that they do not separate me from others.
Out of Darkness 