Category Archives: DA Literature

PEACE OF MIND?

July 11, 2019 Hugh Smith Leave a comment

I am committed to replacing every negative thought about myself with a positive and recreating thought.

CLARIFICATION OF THOUGHT

I always wondered how can I possibly bring peace to others when I feel so low and down in the mouth? It is my wish to help others who are still suffering and living without the hope for ever feeling better. It is by doing what I have to do everyday plus living today for all it’s worth, that I will be able to stay in the now and try to change my moods as they start their usual spiraling downward I believe that ‘Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of the Steps we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all of our affairs. Thus, I can help others.

Happiness is a side product of my letting go of myself and thinking of some larger effort or goal in my life. It is in setting a goal to work on myself just for today so that I can get in contact with my Higher Power, or the God of my understanding.

We ask God to point out to us where our areas of self-will lie so that we can start to work on these areas. They can and do block us from using all of our talents in the furthering of our goal to reach out to those others still suffering from depression.

Today is my day to live out what I believe and to continue to use my daily Higher Thoughts for Down Days to not only recreate hope in myself but in the lives of others.
(C) Higher Thoughts for down days

Fellowship, Higher Thoughts for Down Days, The 12 Steps

I can get out of this mess!

June 26, 2019 Hugh Smith Leave a comment

AFFIRMATION

I am not going to let my mind drift out of where I want it to go.

CLARIFICATION OF THOUGHT

I know from the way that I live out my life, the way I think, act, and believe, my life is far from simple. I have created this monster called depression because of my fears, anger and general feelings of disgust about myself. I do know that it is by admitting that my life has been very complicated, my thinking centered on my unworthiness, that I became depressed. I want to learn how to keep my life simple. I plan to do that by, first of all, admitting that I am powerless over my depression and that my life is unmanageable. I also believe that I can get out of this mess by focusing on respected and workable solutions rather than keeping focused on my ever present difficulties.”

COPYRIGHT (C) Higher Thoughts for Down Days:365 daily thoughts and meditations for member of 12 Step fellowship groups. Louisville, KY. June 26th. Page128.

Depressed Anonymous

That Vital Spiritual experience helps us become conscious of God’s light within each of us

June 15, 2019 Hugh Smith Leave a comment

“If we have worked the Twelve Steps on a daily basis, I do believe we now realize the value of surrender and the power that releases in us. Just by making a decision at Step Three “to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understand God” is the beginning of reconnection with life and with our selves. Now, we are conscious how our own isolation paradoxically isolated family, friends, loved ones from us. The more our friends tried to help us the more we went deeper into the darkness. Our darkness and their inability to comfort us in turn pushed them deeper into their own feelings of helplessness and isolation. Many times the desire to help the depressed pushes the helper deeper into the isolation of the depressed –mirroring the reality of the depressed person.”

(c) Depressed Anonymous, 3rd edition. (2011) Depressed Anonymous Publications. Louisville, KY. (Appendix B: The Vital Spiritual experience.).

(c) The Dep-Anon Family Guide (2000). Depressed Anonymous Publications. Louisville.KY. ( This important work will soon be reprinted and published at the end of 2019.)

Depressed Anonymous, Depressed Anonymous Workbook

Running out of gas?

June 8, 2019 Hugh Smith Leave a comment

MY LIFE BEFORE

Running out of gas is a scary proposition, especially when you know the nearest town and gas station is fifty miles away. Your mind starts cranking up some o f the most dire scenarios one can imagine . Running out of gas has not been a problem for me in recent years. I have learned that it’s best to keep an eye on one’s gas gauge. That usually takes care of any problems of being stranded on the highway.

For me, being depressed is like running out of gas. Even though I was going about my life as usual, I began noticing my energy level (physical gauge) was reading close to empty. This didn’t cause much concern at first and I kept plodding along. I didn’t give the thoughts too much attention.

Suddenly, yes, it was suddenly like some huge hand reached into my head, turned the mental ignition switch off, with my life spiraling down into a bottomless pit. I was out of gas, emotionally, spiritually and motivationally paralyzed. My battery was dead and my tank was empty. What to do?

MY LIFE NOW

“The important thing to remember about depression is that you are not a victim. You have bought into the belief that you can’t change how you feel. You need to believe that once you change the way you think then that in itself can begin to produce a change in the way you feel.”

It’s been more than 30 years since I spiraled into the bottomless pit. I continue to live, one day at a time, with the strength that daily replenishes me with hope and confidence. That strength I call my Higher Power, or my God as I understand God. (Step Two).

My battery is charged by those others in the Fellowship of Depressed Anonymous who as my companions on this broad highway of recovery, who speak the language of hope. Each time that I read and reflect on the thoughts in the big book of Depressed Anonymous (Depressed Anonymous, 3rd edition) and stay in touch with a weekly meeting and my sponsor, I find my strength and resolve renewed.

If you are visiting this website for the first time or the hundredth time, know and believe that you too CAN rise up and resist all those hopeless and helpless thoughts trying to crowd out these new feelings of hope and resolve.

RESOURCES

For more information about ordering material online please click onto VISIT THE STORE at THE DEPRESSED ANONYMOUS PUBLICATIONS BOOKSTORE.

12 Step Meeting, DA Literature, Fellowship, Spirituality

Depressed or unhappy?

May 23, 2019 Hugh Smith Leave a comment

Depressed Anonymous bases its healing and recovery on the premise that once depressed persons admit they are out of control, even to the extent of attempting suicide, they come to believe that a power greater than themselves can restore them to sanity, while at the same time, making a decision to turn their minds and wills over to the care of God, as they understand God,

The God, as we under stand God, is what appeals to more and more persons as we admit our helplessness over our compulsive, depressive thoughts, actions, or behaviors. We feel we have lost all control over everything including our thinking. The depressed person is aware that their unpleasant thinking is a cyclical and spiraling process where there is never a respite. This obsession, driven by one’s one feelings of guilt, shame and worthlessness is the fuel that that continues our own isolation. This experience is not so much a psychopathology as it is a way for the human spirit to comfort itself. The depression is more of a disease of isolation and being disconnected than a biological disorder.

The Twelve Step program helps people to become God conscious. It is in working the program while making no excuses for the spiritual nature of our recovery. We can begin to attribute our new found sense of hope and peace to the Higher Power. For the active member of Depressed Anonymous, there begins to glimmer in the distance the bright light of hope.

By recognizing how it feels to be depressed, more people will have the help and guidance that will get them through their depression. Lives will be saved as well. Besides reading the Twelve Steps at each meeting, the group learns on a firsthand basis about the “miracle of the group.” It is in the sharing and getting connected with the other members of the group where one’s recovery begins.

RESOURCES:

Please click onto The Depressed Anonymous Publications Bookstore for more information on Depression, spirituality and recovery.

Depressed Anonymous

DEPRESSIVOS ANONIMOS (Spanish edition) PUBLISHED TODAY(MAY 1).

May 1, 2019 Hugh Smith Leave a comment

Today, Depressed Anonymous Publications has published the First Spanish Edition of DEPRESSIVOS ANONIMOS. (This Spanish edition is the English edition of Depressed Anonymous, 3rd edition).

This Spanish edition provides the 12 Step fellowship with a Step by Step program of recovery.

See our website at www.Depressedanon.com for information on ordering online.

DEPRESSIVOS ANONIMOS can be ordered from Amazon.com and/ or from the Depressed Anonymous website at www. depressedanon.com.

For more information email at depanon@netpenny.net.

12 Step Meeting, Belief, DA Literature, Fellowship

I’m on a personal journey of transformation! Today!

April 30, 2019 Hugh Smith Leave a comment

I can do almost anything to feel better and more alive. All I need to do is believe that I can do it. I want to believe.

“Through the Twelve Step program of recovery, I have been on a journey of transformation from the familiar life of drudgery, gloom and desperation, to discovering a new freedom and a new happiness – something I didn’t know existed.

CLARIFICATION OF THOUGHT

This is the real world, the 12 Step program for healing and gradual abstinence from hiding the pressure that builds from inside and pushes me to want to withdraw and isolate myself. I am more sure today than I was yesterday. The more I work my 12 Step program I feel better. I also believe that the more I begin to take charge of areas of my life, like exercising, getting a hobby, and moving about, the speedier will be my recovery.

From childhood, I had a scarce amount of love and nurturing. I know that I can find the freedom to live and feel differently than I did in the past. Today presents me with a clean slate –a new beginning, if you will. Granted my yesterdays are always there, but my today is what really counts. This is the exciting part of living with hope. Life is a challenge and I need to forgive myself for all my yesterdays and live right now as if it is the first day of my life.

MEDITATION

God, make peace and serenity the by-word of our lives and efforts this day. We know that you are here – closer to us than the light in our eyes. We again trust you so that we can live this unpredictable life with hope and trust in you. (Personal comments).

(c) Higher Thoughts for Down Days:365 Daily Thoughts and Meditations for all members of 12 Step fellowship groups. Depressed Anonymous Publications. Louisville. KY.

Higher Thoughts for Down Days

We do not have to ask anyone’s permission to exist

April 23, 2019 Hugh Smith Leave a comment

CLARIFICATION OF THOUGHT

Like it says in the Desiderata, I have every right to be in this universe. I have a right to be here. I need not shrink or fear anyone or anything. The times that I have felt so guilty for being alive, I now know it is my sense of not being worthwhile or acceptable to myself and to others that keeps me down.

I no longer need other people’s approval, just my own. Everyday I keep my mind and my heart focused on the solutions, while the problems seem less oppressive and frightening. Today, when I want t o hide, avoid others, or just climb into the security of the comfort of my depression, I cease to exist. I know that I am breaking free from my sadness by working the twelve steps and listening to the voice inside of me that promotes my self-respect.

I now have the permission to give myself a real boost by discovering that I can free myself from my sadness and my desire to sad myself. I give myself permission to risk living life to the fullest.

MEDITATION

I believe that my Higher Power has put me here in this universe to serve it’s purpose. I do know this, that I am here for the creator’s purpose and that when I leave this place, my human community, I want to leave this green earth in better shape than when I first came from my mother’s womb.

(c) Higher Thoughts for Down Days:365 daily thoughts and meditations and for members of 12 Step fellowship groups. Depressed Anonymous Publications. Louisville. KY.

I'll Do It When I Feel Better

Share your story-save your life!

April 9, 2019 Hugh Smith Leave a comment

“It is my belief, after participating in hundreds of DA meetings over these past 25 years that the compulsion to repeat these self-destructive thoughts and images can be broken by attendance at our group meetings. It is at the meetings where these unpleasant feelings, swallowed these many years, can eventually be brought safely out into the light and accepted by the fellowship. No one puts me down for saying I am depressed. We never hear a “snap out of it” at our meetings. If we could just “snap out of it” then there would not be a need for our group meetings.”

So, the logjam of all these unpleasant feelings, all balled up into one, gradually get untangled. The group fellowship accepts us for what and who we are. Gradually, as we are able to tell our story – tell who we are and trust ourselves and our story with this DA group – we begin to feel again. We free ourselves of the deadness, which has not only isolated us but has kept us disconnected from family, friends and those who love us. As the Yiddish saying states “share your story – save your life.” I have witnessed this miracle many, many times at our face to face Depressed Anonymous meetings. Now that I am learning how to choose a different way of thinking and feeling which results in breaking up the cycle of my addictive thinking and behaving. I now lead a normal life where my depression addiction experiences, are helping others get connected to those of us who are now living in hope, one day at a time.”

SOURCES: (C) I’ll do it when I feel better. Hugh Smith (2017) Depressed Anonymous Publications. Louisville, KY. Pages 54-55.

NOTE: Examine helpful literature for depression at The Depressed Anonymous Publications Bookstore. Online ordering is available.

12 Step Meeting, DA Literature, Hope

I am beginning to taste what a new life can be like. Hope is close at hand. I want my wings!

April 2, 2019 Hugh Smith Leave a comment

AFFIRMATION

I deserve to be free of my sadness.

“Now that small voice, that little part of you that wants to have light and some hope, is getting up the courage to seek more for itself.”

CLARIFICATION OF THOUGHT

I can no longer turn back and live in my old self. I am like the butterfly gradually becoming winged and ready to fly as soon as it throws off its old body, the body of the caterpillar. My metamorphosis is in process and nothing is going to turn me back to the way my life had been. I want now for my life to continue to get better as I notice the more I work on myself and trust in my Higher Power, the more I am ready to live with courage and hope. I am beginning to like the taste of living life and look forward to each new day as it comes. I want my wings!

Courage is to have heart and to believe that all things can work out if I just put my belief into gear and work as if it depended on myself and pray as if it all depended on God.

MEDITATION

God, we hear you speaking to us to grow and to trust. We all count the ways that you have cleared the obstacles from our path so that our down days are less than before and we have now more good days than before.

(Write your personal comments here).

SOURCES: (c) Higher Thoughts for Down Days: 365 daily thoughts and meditations for members of 12 step fellowship groups. Depressed Anonymous Publications. Louisville. KY. April 2. Page 55.

(c)Depressed Anonymous, 3rd edition. (2011) Depressed Anonymous Publications. Louisville. KY.

(c) Believing is Seeing: 15 ways to leave the prison of depression. (2015) Depressed Anonymous Publications. Louisville. KY.

*****

For more information about depression and the twelve spiritual principles of Depressed Anonymous click onto the Depressed Anonymous Publications Bookstore. Please know that one can order online. Our ebooks are also available.

Notice

Depresivos Anonimos is soon ready for publication. Those who wish to have our Big Book in Spanish will be able to order this new version.

Hope is just a few steps away!