Life is what you make it

The problem with depression is that it makes it hard to do as you say ' reach out '. In fact it turns out so bad sometimes I remember that i just felt completely like a zombie and would just ' go through the motions ' as just to seem normal. If I would have gone on much longer like this I do not know if I'd be here now but, thankfully I am great now. I would agree that this is a necessity however. If you do not reach out then no one is going to know you are this depressed, as I was. So even if they're feeling that low then they need to find that one burst of energy to get some help, and do it without hesitation. For myself it took a long time to get to this point I am now. But I could not have done it at all without my relationship with God. Others may not feel th same of how they can get out of this horrible situation but this is the only way I keep going and do not fall back into that sort of thing.

I totally agree that no focusing on your own troubles will help reduce depression. By reaching out, as you said, you give from your heart and you receive so much more. I used to really enjoy working in a food ministry. We met at a church in town and there was a little devotional and then we handed out the food to each person. I'm not able to do that anymore due to transportation problems and now physical problems but I do enjoy talking to people and helping them if I can.

Yes you are right, however, some people get so depressed they really don't care anymore. Medication does help to regulate the moods and then as you say you most actively try to make your moods better.

I think most everyone gets depressed, some worse than others. I think if we all would look around we can find alot of people alot worse off than we are. We all need to count our blessings every day. I'm a good listener if u ever need to talk about anything. That goes for all m,y friends. Happy weekend to u.

I agree with you Celticeagle.. I am bipolar, depression, panic attacks... and some other things.. anyhow.. I feel so much better when I can come on here and possibly make the world a little brighter for someone else.. With some of the discussion on here it reminds me that no matter how bad I may have it someone else out there has it worst.. Which makes me thankful for what I do have, and not to worry as much about the rest...

hi dear celticeagle, I admire you for reaching out to others like you do inspite of the fact you have depression and panic attacks. But there is not an easy yes or no to your question. It may well be that doing something for others will help one snap out of depression casue then the person sees he or she has a positive influence on others situation and feels needed. BUT there also is another side to the coin. You know that I spent almost 1,5 years of my life being forced to do something which didnt agree with me at all. No time for myself any more, no time to even properly care about my own health and of course running on low to no battery for too long. I was more angry than depressed about the whole thing but I learned one thing, you can only help others when you also take care of yourself, recharge your batteries and dont always dance to the unwanted tunes of others.

This is one of the reasons that I like My Lot so much as you can learn lots of things from others here. I have noticed lots of discussions about negativity and doom and gloom and sometimes they get me down as I have felt depressed and isolated in the past. Things have changed for me now and I am more positive as a person overall. For example, I am relaxing as I am logged into My Lot and earlier I went out for my early morning bike ride and this made me feel so good inside. The Sun was shining and is continuing to shine and there isn't a cloud to be seen. This is one day where it's good to hold a positive frame of mind or mindset. I'm trying to improve my own life in my own little way and there have been small achievements as well as things that I would rather didn't take place at all. Life goes on and I wouldn't say that I am the happiest person alive but all the same, I get on with things and take things as they come. Andrew

exactly you have stated it to be perfect and how well we shape it also matters a lot and ideally i prefer to stay the way it is and want to shape it with positive vibes

I agree with you on this one. I feel that when a person becomes too sad he or she shouldn't dwell much on it and try to at least look for some brighter or lighter things. Sometimes when we let sadness and negativity overwhelm us, we attract bad luck. I believe trying to see things positively might actually help you attract better things in life. That is the rule of attraction and I strongly believe in it.

Reaching out can be difficult for some people, especially since some people (at least a lot that I know) see depression as some kind of weakness - you know, pull up your bootstraps and keep on going, is what they'd say. There's a certain stigma that comes with having depression, I guess is what I want to say. It's also very hard to come out of that inner thought process and focus on anything else outside of that little bubble of depression, and it takes a lot of energy and willpower to reach out. Helping others and showing generosity may bring some light into the situation, but the stories of the people helped can also drag someone back down quickly, and it's a tiring effort to help others when you yourself are so down in the dumps. I guess each person just has their own method of coping.

When you're having problems and it seems to be painful to bear, please have an outlet. you can maybe talk it over with your family or friends. Or you can write i down in a journal. Having a hobby that will relax you will also help. For me, music and food is my stress reliever. You deserve to have a break once in a while and that is what you should do, too.

While there are bad things that happen in life, we need to take the initiative to try to make the best of the bad situation. For me, I could continue pitying myself when bad things happen or move on and forget about the bad event. I try not to dwell on bad things that happen because there's so many things I can do with my time that's more productive. Everyone has a different lifespan, which means we do not know when we are going to die. Each day you awake to should be considered a blessing because other people might not be as fortunate with living as long as you. The world might not be a perfect place; however, if you try hanging out with those who care about you and having an open mind, you will be amazed to see how your outlook on life will transition from bad to good.

Yeah, I think most people have felt depressed in some time on their life. In case of me, I do feel mild depression which I suffered because I don't really fit in with my new boss at workplace, I have tried to stand her from January, well......that's pretty hard not to depressed since 40% times I spent were in my office. But I guess focus in positive does help me. So it's basically reduce my depression and as well as doing my hobby, it helps me so much. Basically doing what your passion tells you to avert your depression helps too.

life is not what you make it..there are things that we can not control

I have never suffered from severe depression. I do sometimes get a good case of the blues, though. One of the charms of coming to MyLot is that it gives me a chance to give of myself to others. I was in one of those blue periods when I started at MyLot, and the fact that I could talk to people and help them out and could see what was going on in other person's lives really made me cheer up. I love this place still, for just that reason. I have told some people exactly what you are saying. If you feel worthless, do something worthwhile it sure can help.

Hi celticeagle, I think that you have the right idea. When we are depressed we need to stop thinking about ourselves and reach out to help others. I know that this has worked for me. It gives us a sense of purpose. Blessings.

sometimes that helps but if you do it to long or to much, you kind of buy into others depression and start feeling a bit depressed yourself. I, myself am guilty of doing to many depressing discussions at times i think and often have to try and think of something better to discuss. sometimes thats a little hard when we really need empathy. or is it sympathy? not sure which word is the right one. maybe just need ranting sometimes? lol

I agree with you. God gives us blessings and we are to make our own happiness. If the person is severely depressed then quite honestly, they are not able to focus on anyone else but in cases of mild depression then helping others is very beneficial. The reason being os that it takes their mind off themself and the actual act of kindness to another person makes them feel better. Many years ago, I suffered a terrible depression and the worse thing anyone could say to me was to 'pull myself together'. I would have if I could have. Have also suffered moderate depression from recent bypass surgery.I just clung to the fact that I was assured that it would eventually pass and it is now not so severe at all

I agree with you. We should not allow ourselves to sink into depression. We have to do things that can make us forget the depression. I personally often feel depressed but not for long because I did not let it. I motivate myself to go ahead and do a lot of things that make my life more meaningful. happy mylotting

you know,recently I feel very depressed because I lost myself in life.I just graduated from university,I have worked for several months,but I have changed several jobs for that I don't like those jobs,I don't know what I should do,everyday I feel painful in my heart,every day I think the significance of life,at last I find that happy is the most important,you should find the right way to make your life happy,you have to find what you are good at,what facors can make you happy.now I feel much better,I find the way of my life,and I will be on the way!