If I Was Depressed

Twenty years ago I was a depressed mess. Seriously.

That depression has not returned, but what would I do if it did? Here's what:

1. I would ask God to show me what was wrong, for there is something wrong somewhere. God certainly did not create us to be sad, depressed beings. Uh, no.

2. I'd immediately begin taking Vitamin D3, at least 4,000 units in divided doses. I'd force myself to take walks and sit outside in the sunshine. I'd begin faithfully taking Vitamin B, also.

3. I would ask others to pray for me.

4. I would change my diet over to healthy foods and extremely few processed ones. I'd give my body a couple weeks to get over the shock of such a change before I expected myself to actually feel better. I'd study good health from all sources: the Internet, books, tv, etc.

I'd force myself to do all these things, including exercising indoors and out, for I remember the great pull of not feeling like doing anything. 

5. I'd learn all I could about serotonin levels and how anger, especially, affects them. 

6. I would spend extra quiet time alone with God basking in His presence and the Bible. In His presence is fullness of joy and I would so desire that fullness of joy presence and do whatever it takes to live in that joy again. And not give-up until it was mine.

7. I would find a Bible teacher who lives the kind of joyful life I want, myself, and listen to her/his tapes/cd's/dvd's over and over for hours. (I have been incredibly helped by Joyce Meyer. Daily her program can be watched at her site.) 

8. I would help the people God leads me to. I'd give, show love, even in small ways, even inside the depression. I would go out into the real world and live what I'm learning. I'd grow and stay far away from the stagnation which comes from thinking I've already learned it all.

9. I'd not blame circumstances, other people, nor God. I would not believe a depression lifestyle was His perfect will or incurable for even one second.

10. I would give myself time to heal, yet wait expectantly for God to heal me at any moment. I would notice and praise Him for every tiny improvement along the way. 

11. If, after doing all these things for at least one month, there was no improvement, I would visit a doctor, a holistic type, to discover if there was something physically wrong. I would take the doctor's advice if I had peace with God about it. But prayerfully.

And that's what I would do if I were ever to feel depressed again.





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"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." ... John 15:9-11



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Did you know ...

... certain foods, even healthy ones, may affect your own mood negatively, but not affect your friends/family in the same way?

... certain chemicals in foods and skin care products may affect you negatively, too? (Shampoo, cream rinse, lotion, cologne, etc.) Also, chemicals in candles, insect repellent, fabric refreshers, surface cleaners, detergents, etc. All can be extremely toxic.

... exercise releases endorphins which elevate your mood?

... pent-up anger and disappointment affect your serotonin levels?

... a lack of sleep affects your memory and your general well-being?

... too much or incorrectly-handled stress also affects your memory and mood and health negatively?



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What You Need to Know If Your Life Has Become Dry


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Remember how I said I don't get as upset when a wild animal dies as when a pet does?

Well, I think I lied.

Two robins built a nest in our open carport in the same corner where I keep my gardening tools just under the eaves, more on the outside. Well, every time I reach for my garden tools (like a ton of times daily), the mother robin flies away from the nest and I'd see her three babies all with their mouths stretching upward, wide open, silent.

Of course, making me feel guilty for disturbing the family.

Well, today the nest was no longer overflowing with birds. No, I think there in the shade, I can just see one. And it looks dead.

Gah.

So I worried about the other two for an hour (which is ridiculous, I know. We're talking about wild creatures here, things I can do nothing about.) But later I saw a robin in our Bunny Pasture with two tiny birds who looked positively giddy to be alive there in the sunshine and grass.

Oh well, I guess two out of three baby robins isn't bad. But still.

Sometimes I believe I am so strong and then death happens on our four acres and spoils my day--and my personal illusions.

Tom sure handles it better, though. I'll come in from outside and he'll be reading the newspaper. I'll tell him, "There's a dead baby robin in the nest," and he'll say, "It's the Circle of Life."

Or I'll say, "I found a dead bird inside the barn today." And he replies, "The Circle of Life."

"I accidentally ran over a snake with the lawnmower."

"Circle of Life."

"A frog died in the garage today, I think when I opened up the door on his head."

"Circle of Life."

(The above stories are true. No names were changed to protect the innocent because no one was innocent.) :)

Sigh. Sometimes you just have to buck up and realize some things just are the way they are. They've always been that way and they'll continue to be so long after you are gone. It's called acceptance.

And basically? Most people are just the way they are, too, and it's foolish to stay mad at them for that. Or to spend whole hours offended. But we can pray and--when nudged by God--add correction. But mostly pray and wait in grace, believing.

At least, that is what I've learned. That is what has helped me find an incredible amount of daily happiness.

Well, in between all those animals dying around our farm.

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If you know who you are in Christ, you won't need to hear who you are from other people. At least, not so often.


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Update: I asked Tom to peek inside the nest and he said it's empty! I was just seeing a sort of optical illusion. Whew.


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Become What You Miss

I think you'll love Sara's post. I certainly did. In fact, you might want to read it before you read mine (I'll wait for you. I promise.)

Sara spoke of missing certain things from her childhood, especially the old-fashioned patriotism many folks proudly spoke of and displayed. Then in her comment box a couple friends of hers wrote what they missed.

And while reading those comments this came to me: Become what you miss.

Do you miss a kind grandmother? Become a kind grandmother to a child. Make her childhood memory-filled. Do you miss Sunday drives in the countryside? Take those drives, yourself, and bring someone with you. Do you miss old-fashioned gardens or picking berries? Grow your own garden or help a friend tend hers. Plant berry bushes in your yard or consult your phone book for local farms which will allow you to pick from theirs. Take a friend or a child berry-picking with you.

We can stretch-out the Past, extend its delights by being or creating what we miss.

Yes, we can, too!

But I think we choose easy routes, instead. You know, we drive along Complaining Way. We take Good Old Days Are Gone Forever Street. We make a wrong turn onto Bitterness Blvd. or Whining Lane or Can't Go Back Court.

Today start being what you miss.

Buy a flag and anchor it to the front of your house. Take your kids or grandkids on an old-fashioned picnic to a place you went as a child or a place resembling it. (Don't have any kids or grandkids? Borrow some.) Find an outdoor drive-in restaurant and go for ice cream (don't tell me they don't exist. We still have many around Buffalo.) Plan a family reunion. Visit a mom and pop cafe and help them remain in business. Visit your ailing neighbor. Smile at everyone you pass by.

Don't feel safe today? Ask God to show you how He protects you. Don't feel the love you felt as a child? God still loves you like that--and once you know that love you can go around sharing it. Don't feel as creative as you once did? Begin a creativity quest. You can get it back, I promise. But you have to want it enough--and not give-up the quest too early.

Need I go on?

Now go read Sara's post if you haven't already and the comments, too. You'll understand my own post better. Then go out and enjoy an old-fashioned day. Do that daily and you'll create an old-fashioned life.


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Sometimes we miss the old-fashioned things still thriving all around us because we stopped searching when we believed they no longer existed.


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We are not helpless to create the life we dream of (or a perfectly delightful version of it)!

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A tiny bit more since sometimes I don't know when to shut-up:

Do you miss seeing old cars from the 1940's 50's and 60's? Find out where classic car shows are held in your area.

Miss 1950's and 60's decor in homes? Decorate your own home like that. Can't afford it? Sell the modern stuff you already have and use the money for old things found at yard sales, Ebay, etc. Ask for retro things for your birthday and Christmas.

Miss parades? Attend the next local one. Miss ice cream socials? Suggest one at your church or attend a community one or hold your own, maybe even ask your friends to dress in old-time clothing. Make it fun!