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Weekly Reflection
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The past.  It's out there.  Does it help?  Sure it does.  Does it hurt.  Sure it does.  We all have painful memories that can get in our way.  Unfortunately, painful memories gather more of our attention when times are difficult then the good stuff.  It's just so darn easy to forget about the good stuff or give it the credit it deserves.  

We are like a sticky magnet that is really made up of mostly positive things.  Most of us have either good health, good looks, lots of faith - friends - family, but rarely realize those things because they become expected, relied upon.  When one thing goes downhill, like a divorce, job loss or ..balding foot-in-mouthwe start to doubt we have anything good going for us.  So, there we are, positive energy just latching on to all the negative and repelling all the positive...like it's a science or something!

Depression

Really though, truth be told, we all usually reach a point when we start to shed our negative energy.  Maybe it's then we start buying up all the positive.  When we get depressed, it's like something inside us doesn't know how to stop grabbing up the negative stuff and pretty soon we feel like the little "roly poly" guy on that Zoloft commercial, bloated and engorged with nothing but negative.  Our energy is so zapped we feel trapped by lethargy and sadness. How does a person get out of that?

People will tell you to just start seeing all of the positive in your life, but that's not always easy.  By the time depression sets in, you can't see yourself out of it by seeing anything positive.  That's because even the positive stuff looks grey and lifeless.  Your up to your eyeballs in depression and perspective is completely skewed.

At this time, you may need professional therapy or medication.  You can't expect results overnight.  It takes time to slowly shed all those grey clouds that were once outside your window, now part of every fabric of your being.  You have to take, one step at a time.  

Step one

Call a friend.  Get your mind off your sadness by being with someone you like.  Laugh, talk or just be with someone.

Step two

Get into a group therapy.  Sometimes it's easier to talk about your problems when you hear other people talk about theirs.  

Step three

Talk with a counselor who has experience in situations like your own.  He/she can provide guidance that will help get you out of these difficult times.

Step four

Talk with your family doctor or a psychiatrist.  Let your doctor know what's going on to determine if prescription medication would be beneficial or if he/she thinks there could be another underlying cause to how you are feeling.

Step five

Get outside, enjoy nature.  Walk, hike, ride or jog.  It can be a very effective way to improve mood.

Step six

Challenge yourself with an attainable but challenging goal.  Take a class, learn to dance, get a certification.  Make some observable improvements.

The only thing you shouldn't do is nothing.  Ya.  Sure.  You may not be a bundle of energy, but don't let your negative stuff hold you down, keep you back or stop you from what you really want.  This is your life.  Live it like you care.  If you don't, nobody else will care about it either.  

When you start to feel the drag on your positive human spirit, your faith or your life, fight back.  Shed the negative stuff that doesn't motivate you and take in some positive energy.  You can do this!  Believe it and then prove it by being happy no matter what life throws at you.