THE PROMISES OF DEPRESSED ANONYMOUS.
PROMISE #1. We believe that once we have diligently and with rigorous personal honesty managed to complete the first nine steps of our program – good things can begin to happen in our life. It is after we have made amends to those whom we had harmed, swept the porch in front of our own house, and go to step ten and complete the remainder of the steps, we will be amazed at the peace that is become a part of our life.
The pain that we experience now – and working our program step-by-step is indeed slight – compared to the pain that may continue if we don’t bite the bullet and look at the issues that have trapped us these many years.
Working the 12 steps is like the person who heads toward the light at the end of the tunnel. The closer one gets to the light – the more one discovers a way out. The light in this case is symbolized by the fellowship of Depressed Anonymous. The expression of light, health and recovery of its members helps each of us to stay focused on recovery. Work is to be done if we are to find not only the light – but a life free from the symptoms of depression.
Change is painful. The first step is for the beginning of the end of our pain. By admitting that we are in pain is that which paradoxically begins a release of our pain. This is the paradox of letting go and holding on as we learn from step three. What we hold onto holds on to us. What we seek – seeks us.
It is difficult for any of us to admit that our lives are out of control.
People sometimes speak of their depression as a comfort. I can identify with that, because if they were to change for anything else, they might end up with something far worse than what they have now. They feel that they might end up the hole in the doughnut. This pain of depression begins to dissolve as a result of doing something we’ve never done before – or rather doing something about our lives that we have not done before. It happens to be true that the more we get in touch with and remove our resentments, fear, guilt, and self-pity from our lives, the lighter we feel emotionally. The less need we have to rely on defense mechanisms which shielded our fragile egos from pain, hurt or remorse, the freer we become.
I do believe that the pain of our depression originates from inside ourselves. We construct present-day reality based on past life experiences. The past is a predictor of the future. As it says in Depressed Anonymous, many of us held the absolute belief that “since bad things have happened to us in the past, bad things will happen to us in the future. In other words – we have made up her mind – nothing will ever change. And of course this belief is what promotes and keeps our depression alive.”
The opposite of depression is spontaneity and vitality. When we are depressed we move about as in a fog. we are stuck. Since we desire everything to remain the same, that is, predictable, we in no way believe that life can be different. If we intend to stay suck, we make the decision, choose to stay in the rut of being lifeless, hapless and helpless.
As we change old beliefs into new ones we believe that things can change as things begin to change. We will begin to experience light, hope and joy. ”
In every Depressed Anonymous story (See Depressed Anonymous, 3rd edition) one’s personal story of recovery illustrates how pain has been the admission price for the beginning of a new life without depression and isolation.
.”The God that we know speaks to us through members of the Depressed Anonymous group. The Higher Power will put a new sense of purpose into your life once you know how to turn to it and surrender your pain. The Depressed Anonymous group will lead you safely and gently. The miracle is in the group.”
“The starting point is the admission that so far everything we have tried has not worked…” Depressed Anonymous, 3rd edition. DAP. Louisville. DA/P.39.
“… Life doesn’t have to be lived alone in agony or misery.” DA/.41.
