Depression Therapy

People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Be good anyway.

Honesty and frankness will make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

People need help, but may attack you if you try to help them.
Help them anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.

This beautiful quote speaks to the rich truth that our behavior should be unconditional and independent, not conditional and dependent upon responses or external praise.  This speaks to the core of what the golden rule really is “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”  Unfortunately most people today don’t follow the golden rule, they follow the bronze rule “treat others how you are being treated.”  Do you see the difference?  What does it take to build this kind of emotional and psychological strength?  Faith, Commitment, and action.  Now go quit being a parrot of others moods and tantrums, and decide to be your very own person, choosing whom you will be today!

Happy Day!

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved.

— Hellen Keller

There are many who are keenly aware and have been through tremendous trials.  Few have written about it and given us the opportunity to see that in the midst of terrible adversity there are jewels… pearls of great price that can be obtained if we are aware that they are there.  Depression is one of the conditions that can not only reveal some of our character, but more importantly, help us to build it.  Hurray for Hellen Keller, her story of triumph and perseverance has stood the test of time, and now lives as a testament of one’s ability to transcend challenges.  Also of significant importance is her instructor/teacher who patiently withstood Hellen’s struggles.

“Everything can be taken from a man or a woman but one thing: the last of human freedoms to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”

–Viktor E. Frankl

If you have not had the opportunity of reading “Man’s search for meaning” you are missing out on a book that can literally alter your perception and influence the rest of your life.  For that mater, “The hiding place” is equally powerful and meaningful.  This specific quote was written at a time when Viktor found himself in a most abusive, denigrating, position, and came to the realization that even though his liberty had been taken, his freedom to act, to choose his response could not… neither can yours!

Happy Day,

“That which we persist in doing becomes easy to do; not that the nature of the thing has changed, but that the power to do has increased.”

–Heber J. Grant

This is a phenomenal quote, think of the implications.  The problem doesn’t change, you change.  You become more powerful, more knowledgeable, better able to endure and overcome.  Blam!  right in depression’s mouth!

“Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate,
but that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.
It is not just in some; it is in everyone.

And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give
other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.”

–Nelson Mandela

Okay, be completely honest, is there a quote that is more inspiring, and that speaks to the heart of depression more than this one.  Think of the second verse and ponder it.  This quote does reflect a spiritual element to it, which is why it is so significant, and at the core it addresses our very nature and potential.  Like my friend says “God only makes porsche 911′s.”  So take a minute to think and reflect upon what you are reflecting out to the world.  It’s got nothing to do with the Secret, It’s got everything to do with what you are.  Remember this!  We are always inviting something… always! More often than not, people reflect back what we invite.

Happy Day,