Lessons for Depression from my Grandchildren: Part 1, 'How Hard Can it Be?'
Depression is limiting.
I know that full well.
I will call her 'Limitless'.
She was born in 2005 but at the time this winning photo was taken she was 7 years old and winning her first contest ever for her speech. Look how proud she is. She had never won anything before this.
She has inherited a family trait we call the 'how hard can it be?' trait. There is nothing she won't try and she gives absolutely no thought to whether or not she has the natural talent. She just jumps in expecting positive results. She is actually quite surprised if she is not that good at something. But if she is not good at it right away, she won't quit. She will practice over and over until she succeeds. It took her three years to master a cartwheel that her friends did in their first try. She is surprised when she doesn't win a contest. She is not presumptuous, simply optimistic and brave and oh so adventurous.
I know what you are thinking:
OPTIMISTIC,
BRAVE,
and ADVENTUROUS
are hardly terms we would use to describe ourselves when we are depressed. But there are lessons for us in this.
1. She enters contests and sometimes wins.
The Lesson?
Try that new medication. You never know, this one could be a winner.
2. She tries new sports and even though she has never excelled at any of them, she has had fun and meets new friends.
The Lesson?
Go to that group therapy your doctor recommended. It may help and you might make a new friend.
3. She welcomes new experiences of every kind.
The Lesson?
Be willing to try something to help your depression that you have never tried before. It could be a nice change for you and may even have some benefits.
Children are amazing aren't they? It is humbling to learn from ones so much younger than ourselves.
And let's face it. With mental illness, with any kind of illness, we can use all the help we can find.
WHAT ABOUT YOU? How are you feeling today? Do you have children that could teach you a few lessons?
Don't give up! There is hope for depression.
