Being mindful and being present in the moment is a real discipline that is hard to acquire. Most times we are thinking about yesterday or we are thinking about tomorrow. It is very difficult to stay in the present and to be aware and mindful of our environment, our feelings and what is right in front of us.
That is why saying the Serenity Prayer is so important for each of us in recovery. We are to be mindful of the possibilities and the potential of how we can change. At one time we felt this was an impossible task.
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.”
I think with the reality of depression engulfing and imprisoning our thoughts day after day, we believed that there was no way out. That is why I have always maintained that to leave the prison of depression takes time, work and I might add, discipline. I would also like to add another point, that in the midst of all of this, we definitely need to choose to be positive, as much is this is possible, and to find ways to overcome the debilitating experience of depression.
What I’m talking about here is how we need to take responsibility for our present situation and get busy looking at the various avenues that may provide us healing.
Many times people depressed because of the intolerable pain that accompanies the sadness look for the easier and more comfortable way to escape. I think we all know what those ways end up being. Most of the time, at least in the beginning of my depression experience, I tried to think my way out the box that I was in. Of course, this is like the dog chasing its tail. I always ended up at the same place at where I started.
For me, knowing that it was either do or die, stay depressed or get better. So, I made a decision to get better. And after a year and a half of taking responsibility for my physical and mental health, I gradually walked out of the fog which made my life miserable, and that coupled with the false belief that I would never get better.
By being mindful of the continued possibility that I just might get better, I found this to be validated by people that I came to know as members of the Depressed Anonymous fellowship. It was at every meeting where I heard positive, constructive, and hopeful stories from folks who had gradually worked themselves out of the prison of depression. Granted, sometimes, we heard stories from those who are new to our program, who had been shamed by family members, friends who told them that it was all in their head – namely, blaming them for not being able to quote “snap out of” the mental paralysis that had them by the throat. It’s like people were telling them that all they had to do was to think positive thoughts, or say a prayer, and presto! the debilitating pain would disappear. Instead of saying things to support the depressed person, the depressed person was stigmatized for being depressed. It was almost like they were saying we like being depressed. It was like saying we were lazy and that’s why we were depressed. Most people never have a clue what we go through–or go through when depressed.
Finally, that is why a group such as Depressed Anonymous is such a viable fellowship where folks can come and learn how to use the tools for escaping the life-threatening reality called depression. Actually, Depressed Anonymous, is a peer to peer group of people who all share in the pain of depression as well as use the tools to work themselves out of the problem. We are no longer alone. We are given the pathways on how to find serenity, hope and fellowship. We all know how isolating ourselves from others turns out to be one of the major causes of deepening the pain of depression and for some to take their own lives.
If you are looking for a solution for your life and a way of out of depression you need to take a look at what we have to offer. We offer hope and a step by step program of recovery. ..plus what is most need, a fellowship where folks like you and me no longer are alone.
Depressed Anonymous has produced a book where our recovery program is outlined step by step for climbing out of the prison of depression. Please Visit the Store here at our site for information about literature offered. One can order online.
SOURCE: Depressed Anonymous, 3rd edition (2011) Depressed Anonymous Publications.