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Showing posts from August 26, 2018

Fight Lies with Truth: Let's be Honest about Depression

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Smart husband! He did not answer that question with the truth. How much honesty do we need when we are struggling with depression? A lot! We need a lot of truth. Why? Because the illness itself is built on lies that are based on thoughts and feelings. They are just thoughts. They are just feelings. They are not facts.

Three Positive Prayers for Depression

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We were talking about positive thinking for the last little while. Well I have something even better and way more powerful than that - PRAYER! I personally believe that God hears prayer and God answers prayer . I believe that prayer is the most powerful thing you can do for yourself or for others. I believe prayer changes things . What about you? What do you believe?

Positive Thinking Pioneers create Depression Getaways

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'Positive thinking' however unreachable it seems to be, is one of our great hopes for depression. Depression Getaway is designed to encourage and inform. Last time we talked about how positive thinking, although valuable, is on the one hand not the definitive answer for depression, but on the other hand, shouldn't be tossed out the window as pointless. I promised to share with you some of the pioneers of 'positive thinking' . Norman Vincent Peale coined this phrase with his best selling book 'The Power of Positive Thinking' . The poster above is one of his memorable sayings. He had a strong faith in God and was one of the first ministers to combine that Christian faith with popular psychology. He became a dynamic speaker and the author of over 40 books.

Is Positive Thinking even an option for Depression?

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Positive thinking can seem impossible when you are depressed. Positive thinking and Depression, oh that it would work! But maybe it can? Now I know that one positive thought cannot turn around this serious mental illness. And certainly grasping onto a positive quote may not miraculously turn around a depressive episode.

Hope for Depression from the Womb: Part 6 of Lessons for Depression from my Grandchildren

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There is HOPE FOR DEPRESSION! Let me say it again: 'THERE IS HOPE FOR DEPRESSION'! It has been a bit of fun gleaning some new lessons for depression from various personality traits of my six grandchildren . You probably assume, since I seem so familiar with their unique characteristics, that I spend a lot of time with them. But that is not the case. The word 'grandmother' probably conjures up all sorts of cozy scenes of homemade cookies, sleepovers and babysitting. But that is not the case with this Grandma.

Lessons from the High Chair Authorities: Part 5 of Lessons for Depression from my Grandchildren

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Here they are!  #5 and #6 are twin grandbabies! And boy can they communicate. They are eleven months old. I will call them 'Pounder' and 'Shrieker' . An example of their skills is shown here. They are in position. Mommy is giving them cheerios which they love. And when they are done and want more, one of them simply pounds on his tray until more appear, the other one shrieks at the top of her lungs. And guess what? It works!

Embrace Good Emotions: Part 4 of Lessons for Depression from my Grandchildren

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Depression is an emotional illness but sometimes we're too numb or weak to even engage in emotion. Grandchild #4 is two years old in this picture. She is still able to find a lot of joy in every little thing. She emotes easily, especially happy emotions. I will call her 'Emoticon'. In this picture she didn't even understand the victory that was being won on the TV but everyone else in the room was happy and so she was happy too!

Snuggle up for Depression: Part 3 of Lessons for Depression from my Grandchildren

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Depression is difficult. Depression recovery is challenging. But we could soften the pain and increase changes of recovery with a little snuggling.

Let 'Reticence' be you Depression Conscience: Part 2 of Lessons for depressionfrom my Grandchildren

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Does depression really have a conscience? Meet #2 grandchild who I will call 'Reticence' , almost sounds like a real name doesn't it? Such a pensive little girl in this picture. She was born in 2007. Last week I suggested that we could all take a lesson from a granddaughter who refuses to consider herself 'limited'. Good idea and sometimes we need a little inspiration like that.

Lessons for Depression from my Grandchildren: Part 1, 'How Hard Can it Be?'

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Depression is limiting. I know that full well. As I begin the series 'Lessons for Depression from the Grandchildren' , let me introduce you to #1 grandchild. 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.

'Cumulative Stress' and Depression: 3 Tips

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Would you say that these athletes are experiencing 'cumulative stress'? How long does stress have to occur to call it 'cumulative'? I am referring to the difference between a stressful situation that starts and finishes in a short time, and a stressful situation that goes on and on and on.... I am pretty sure these athletes were not just running the 100 yard dash, but more likely a marathon of some kind? I had never even heard of the expression 'cumulative stress' until I came across  'The Theory of Cumulative Stress'  by James Clear. But oops! I forgot the best part of that title, the tagline 'How to Recover when Stress Builds Up' . It's a simple theory really. He talks about an 'energy bucket'. Well, you really must read it for yourself!'

I Don't Feel Like a Victorious Sufferer Today

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Today is not a good day. I have them more than I like to admit. I just hate saying those words...again...'I am depressed'. I usually stay home during those days if possible. About three days of rest and doing the quiet things I enjoy the most like writing, sewing, reading, and colouring or drawing are usually enough to refuel me for a bit more of 'regular living' . The test to whether I am feeling well again is to get out there and socialize, or shop, or visit. Anything that involves people, a lot of stimulation, driving or travelling usually depletes my limited resources.

Meet Victorious Blogger Valerie Grace Hallinan

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"If you believe books can help us survive adversity, heal, live more fully, and change in ways we never thought we could - or if you simply can't live without books - this blog is for you" says Valerie Grace Hallinan of  'Books Can Save a Life'. Valerie's blog appealed to the reader in me but when I realized she had written some insightful posts about mental health, I had to include her in my interviews with 'Victorious Sufferers'.

Meet Victorious Blogger Douglas Cootey

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This woman is accepting a present. She looks pretty happy. Now accepting precedes opening. Acceptance is the first step. I remember when I was in my twenties I had chronic back pain, it was severe, discouraging, inconvenient. I tried everything, X-rays which showed 'there was nothing wrong', cortisone shots, chiropractic, changing some of the ways that I lifted things and how I sat. Very little made any difference. I ran into an old friend who asked how my back was. I said 'It's the same. I've given up going to doctors though.' "Good"  she said "you've accepted it." "Yes, I guess I have" I replied. But just because I accepted it didn't mean I quit searching for solutions and making changes that I hoped would help. Just because I accepted it didn't mean I was giving up. What would the opposite of acceptance be? Maybe denial? Or resistance? or rebellion? Those emotions require a lot of energy and are counter

Meet Victorious Blogger Jeanette Levellie

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How is it possible for someone who writes books titled  ' Two Scoops of Grace with Chuckles on Top: Sweet, Funny Reminders of God’s Heart for You'    or  'The Heart of Humor '  to be battling depression? With Jeanette Levellie it is totally possible. Check out her dynamic blog 'Hope Splashes'  and see for yourself. She is one of many 'victorious sufferers'.

Meet Victorious Blogger John Folk-Williams

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"A Storied Mind: Recover Life from Depression" is a timeless blog by John Folk-Williams. The keyword in this title is 'RECOVER'. 'Recovery' is what John Folk-Williams is all about. Every title points to recovery from depression, every idea shared assumes recovery is possible. If you haven't accessed his website yet, you really must. Do any of these titles tweak your interest? "If Your Partner's Depression Returns" "The Healing Garden" "How Couples Stay Together"

Victorious Blogging - Positive Trumps Negative

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Another deep dark depression. Another sleepless night. As hopeless as it all seems (again!) I get out of bed and turn on my computer thinking 'maybe there is more I can learn to help me cope with this awful depression' . As painful, difficult and discouraging as those times have been, the resulting discovery process has never left me empty. I always learn a little something new. Or I may find a blogger who writes about depression in a way that makes me feel less crazy and less alone and gives me hope to go on....

Dressing for Depression

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"Dressing for Depression"? What could I possibly be referring to? Are there really clothes that will make a difference? Well no, although I do recommend always dressing comfortably and in colours that cheer you (just sayin...) In my Christian world, I cling to a bible verse (Ephesians 6:10-18) which advises me to 'put on the full armour of God so you can take your stand against the devil's schemes'.

What do Bullying and Depression have in Common?

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"Well that's obvious" you might say. "I mean anyone who was bullied is bound to get depressed." True, that is probably true. Both BULLYING and DEPRESSION have gotten a lot of media attention over the last few years. Famous people are coming forward and saying that they have been he victim of bullying and/or have suffered from depression.

Warning! Depression 'Cures' may be Co$tly

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There is some controversy these days about the effectiveness of antidepressants. That controversy has opened the door to alternative treatments for depression. But please be warned, these might be schemes, which although well researched and valid to some extent, may cost you more that the result, if any, is worth.

One Stop Shopping for Depression

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'One Stop Shopping' is a fairly new phenomenon. In the 50's when I was growing up in Toronto, the closest thing to 'one stop shopping' was 'Simpson's' and 'Eaton's' and you had to go downtown to shop there. Out in the suburbs where I lived there were grocery stores, hardware stores, drugstores, bakeries, florists etc. but no big department stores. Then along came 'Canadian Tire' . This was and still is a big deal in Canada. At first they sold everything you needed for your car, then they expanded into other kinds of hardware for the home, the cottage etc. Now they even sell decorative things for the home and the list goes on. I remember when 'Shoppers Drug Mart' first opened. To have such a big store to buy your medications and other drugstore kinds of stuff was quite the novelty in Canada at first. And they even sold other things, stationary, magazines, etc. You get the idea. And what about the grocery stores? Do th

"Victorious Suffering"

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My favourite part of the phrase 'victorious suffering' is VICTORIOUS, not suffering! 'Victorious suffering' - have I captured your interest or turned you off? Last time I suggested that there were benefits for sharing your mental health story, benefits for you and for those you tell your story to. I have used the phrase 'victorious suffering' to describe mine. Recently I shared parts of my mental health story with a group of ladies in a Christian Coffee Hour. Since I enjoy both writing and speaking this was not a chore for me, it was a fun project. And from the comments of those who came up to speak to me afterwards, a lot of what I had to say was helpful, useful, informative and encouraging. For some it was the first time they had ever heard of depression spoken about so candidly and by one who understood it firsthand. Make yourself a cup of your favourite drink and have a read: I am a Victorious Sufferer! I am a Victorious Sufferer! Good