Dark Moments

It’s not realistic to think we will never have moments when we feel discouraged. Everyone does. The key is to know how we will handle them when we do.

At one point, someone dear to me was depressed to the point of feeling suicidal. When she was past the worst of it, one of the things I asked her to do was to make a list. What was everything she could think of that she could focus on if she got that depressed again? Some of the things I suggested she list were:

1) Who could she call/talk to who would be supportive?
2) What could she do to be physically active? (Walk? Swim? Run? Dance?)
3) What made her smile?
4) What made her laugh out loud?
5) What foods made her feel good? (NOT what did she reach for automatically when she was depressed but what actually made her feel GOOD?)
6) Every reason to find a way to go on. Every reason to find a way to cope.
7) What made her feel good about herself?

Another list I suggested she make was every success she had ever had in her life. Every time she had overcome a challenge. Every time she had done something others said she couldn’t do.

No, I’m not going through a dark spell. Things are good in my life right now. But I often talk with people who are going through a tough time and it just seemed right to mention these lists again now.

The other thing that can make a difference is having a sense of purpose. Do YOU have a sense of purpose? Remind yourself of that purpose often. I believe that part of my purpose is to help others believe in themselves and achieve their dreams. Another part is to touch hearts with what I write and help them see things in a new way.

What is YOUR sense of purpose? It truly will make a difference once you know.

Sending safe and gentle (((((((hugs))))))),
April_optimist