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Posted 5/27/2012 3:14 PM (GMT 0)
I just don't know how people can stay strong in dire situations. How do people who have a terminal illness or a permanent debilitating illness manage to go on and keep trying and live to the fullest? I am realizing that I'm very weak. I am in good physical health but the depression I have just makes me want to give up. If I didn't think I'd be getting better - I just hate to think what I might do.

Somehow, I guess people are able to overlook major problems and see every day as a blessing in spite of it all. I can't seem to do that, but if you are able to, I'm really glad for you, and want to be more like you. Maybe it takes time to get there, but somehow people seem to find a way.

Unfortunately I think of my life as a thing that can get ruined - like some object you own that has been damaged and can't be fixed, so you want to throw it away. I know, in this case there's no way to replace it. I just wish I could see it differently.

Posted 5/27/2012 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Exproud,

I think it takes experience and time to learn to look at the bright side of life. But I know you will get there because you want to. I have found that living in the moment helps and taking life one day at a time. When I got fibromyalgia, it taught me this. I never knew if I would even get out of the bed the next day so I learned to enjoy each day to the fullest. Look at life's struggles as challenges. My grandmother use to always say, it isn't the problem, but how you face it. And taking one thing at a time helps. Go with the flow of the day. Relax... It can be done with practice. Do you meditate by any chance? It helps you to stay in the now. Maybe get a book about it...

I hope that you have a good day. You will get there, just never give up...

Hugs, Karen
Posted 5/27/2012 8:07 PM (GMT 0)
Dear Exproud,

Karen is right in that it takes time to accept.  I still have not excepted my illness and MDD.  However, my faith has become stronger.  That is not to say it doesn't waiver at times.  We all struggle. We have skills and tools to put us back on track.

If you have not tried it already research "Mindfulness" it is a wonderful skill to add to your life when depression is part of it.

People with depression need daily safety nets of skills.

Tich Nach Nahn is a monk that worked Mindfulness. He wrote many books on the subjects.  He is a good place to start. Not religious, just basic spiritual information to contemplate.

 

Posted 5/27/2012 10:58 PM (GMT 0)
You guys are awesome, it's so nice to get responses when I'm feeling low. I actually am reading "Mindful way though Depression". I've been trying to use the meditation off and on, but I know it takes practice, I need to push myself to be consistent about it, I guess deep down I'm still a little skeptical about it, seems too good to be true. But what have I got to loose right?

Thanks for being here and God bless you!
Posted 5/27/2012 11:42 PM (GMT 0)
You have got that right. Did you know when you practice meditation, you are actually doing it? It is all within the power of the mind. It gives me a peaceful feeling. I really like it. I am so aware of my surroundings. It also helps me go to sleep at night. And if I wake up, it helps me go back to sleep. If I am in a situation where I have to be attentive, it helps me with that. Focussing and on and on...

I am so glad you are reading that book. I am sure that it is really helping you. It sounds like a good book that I would like to read. Keep up the good work...

Hugs, Karen
Posted 5/28/2012 2:02 PM (GMT 0)
Great Start Exproud! Just want to put out there that meditation can be 1 minute or 100 minutes. As long as it calms you. Practicing is the key.  Guided CD's help in the beginning when you are really struggling with concentration.  Most libraries have them now, so you do not have to pay for them.

Example:  Washing your hands: soap up, lather and concentrate on the lather, imagine soft, fluffy clouds... the action of the hands rubbing against each other is naturally calming.  The lather is soft and comforting.  Just 60 seconds of this can restore some peace to a person.

Have a calm and safe day!

cool
Posted 5/28/2012 4:02 PM (GMT 0)
I wonder if that has to do with this. A few years back my doctor told me if you rub your arms it releases a natural valium that we have in our systems. I just remember her telling me that I needed to rub my forearms when I felt nervous. Or at anytime that I wanted to relax.

Meditation can become a part of your life. It is about focussing on your breathing and everything around you. Staying in the moment. Being totally aware. I use to have to do that when I did my dishes, I would find my mind wandering, so I would focus on every dish I washed, what I was doing and everything. That keeps our minds from wandering and the worry that we can sometimes get.

Have a great day all...

Hugs, Karen
Posted 5/28/2012 7:10 PM (GMT 0)
Karen and Exproud,

It is your palm area on your hands.  It is referred to in some circles as the "sea of anxiety".  this is why we naturally wring our hands when nervous.

rubbing the palms on somethings smooth, like your forearm, will calm you down.  Smooth stones work for me. I like that they get warm, then I let the air to it and they cool off.

Happy meditating everyone!

Posted 5/28/2012 7:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for sharing that. I think it is neat that you know that. Share more as you would like.

It is hot here, I got to go...

Hugs, Karen
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