In my humble opinion...

It has been a long time since I have been on the forum. I am 51 and have been dealing with depression in one way or another all of my adult life. In am happy because of a few things that I figured out along the way:

1. This is a disease just like Diabetes, just like Parkinson's, and just like those diseases there is no cure. Because there is no cure it will not help me to wish that there was a cure. I got over that and moved on.
2. This is not a mental disorder. This is a physical disease that has mental and emotional effects. This disease does not make me weak, helpless or less of a deserving person than anyone else in the world.
3. Yes, this is hard but who promised me life would be easy?
4. No one has an easy life, if you think someone has it easy, look again, outside appearances are not always reality. We all have stuff that gets in the way, it is how we respond to that stuff that determines how "successful" or happy our lives are.
5. Because there is no cure, and because how I respond to the challenges will shape my future, I figured out what worked for me and then I did it. No guilt, no blame, no crap that weighs me down.
6. I and I alone am responsible for how I handle my disease, how my future is shaped and how satisfying my life is.
7. A sense of humor about my issues goes a long way toward a happy day. I once went through an interview for life insurance. They asked what medications I take and why. I told them that I take Lexapro for Perimenopausal Weirdness (yes, things did change when I got to that point in life). We both had a good laugh and got on with it.
8. I acknowledge that my dreams are possible and that only I will make them come true. Then I go out and do it, because I am in charge of my life and my disease.
9. My disease does not run my life.
10. I make no excuses when I have a bad day. Everyone has bad days occasionally, that makes me as normal as anyone on the planet.
11. I do not owe an explanation to anyone.
12. Every time I start to feel like I have trials in my life I remind myself that no Tsunamis are hitting my house today. I am warm, safe and fed. Life could be so much worse.
13. Collect inspiration, it is all around us.
Laura Ingalls Wilder published her first novel in the Little House series in her 60′s.
At the age of 89, Doris Haddock walked 3,200 miles from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C
Colonel Sanders was 62 when he founded KFC
At the age of 52, despite battles with diabetes, arthritis, and having his thyroid gland removed Ray Kroc started the McDonald’s brand.
In her 90′s Irene Wells Pennington took over her husband’s oil business after he went senile, turning it into a fortune worth $600 million.
14. Each day is a new opportunity and it is never too late to begin something new.
15. Every single day reach behind you and pull someone else up. It is good for everyone.

Just sharing my thoughts.

I am so happy that you posted this. It gives us all hope for the future.

Thank you.

Hugs, Karen

with thx, jamie.

Dearstronglady4me:wow, you really hit  the nail on the head with that wonderful advice and knowledge. I'm new to the forum but just in the last few weeks i have read more constructive, informative, compassionate and understanding from complete strangers. I too am a mother, daughter, sister and grandmother. I have 2 older brothers. one who can just about tolerate her and the other can not and will not be in her presence.

    Well kiddo, like you I've stood my ground, with both of them, said she's your mom just like mine, you want to do something for your mother go for it because i am doing my own thing with her tomorrow. I know it hurt my oldest bro, because he relys on me to be the buffer between everyone i'm tired of playing that role only to get played out myself.After reading

your post it really made even stronger for stand on my own feet make a decision stick to it and do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Have a beautiful mothers day hope the sun is shinning and your feeling your best. I know when my children are around me especially my little grandson  my heart is over flowing with gratitude, love and peace of mind. I feel no pains or aches or sorrows. It's amazing what love can do??????  well take cared thanks again for sharing.susan (mozel tov)                                    

Hi Iiyoiiyop,

I am so sorry that you are bullied because of your nose. Don't change it. That is unique to you. There are many famous people who have had bigger noses. Though at the moment, I can't think of the names. I guess because the fame overcame the nose. If in the future you don't like it, then change it if you want. But for now, stay the way that you are. We are all unique in our own ways. Everybody is different.

I would think that when you get to college that people wouldn't tease and bully. Is there somebody you could talk to about it? Even if it is a counselor, they would help you to cope with the situation and learn to ignore what others say. The only reason that they tease and bully is because they aren't happy inside themselves. So wait and see if it stops, and do talk to somebody to help you regain your confidence.

Keep posting here and we will help you the best that we can.

Hang on my friend.

Hugs, Karen