Kipsy's Return

This lens is not complete without mentioning the darker side of depression, and how facing it in community makes all the difference.

Isolation and denial are harmful habits for the person who finds themselves depressed. Know the signs, ask for help and know that everyone gets depressed sometime. It is when you no longer are you and it just won't go away that the game has got to be changed for the better.

I went through a time in my life I could not even get dressed, felt like "I just can't do this anymore" and had not desire to be a mom, wife or anything. I was not myself and was irritable and angry and cried a lot, which just reinforced the self loathing thinking of " I am no good for anyone" Two things I heard around this time that I feel helped me, was a neighbor sharing how her mother had committed suicide when she was a kid, and how someone who does that is committing one of the most selfish acts possible, even if they are stuck "feeling sorry" for them selves. I was able to call a helpline through my husbands employer that got me into a talk counselor. That was the break I needed to stop the downward cycle of self destruction. It has not been an easy journey, but always eventful and forgiving and so much better than the broke down on the side of the road mess I had made of myself back then, mostly from trying to run about 100 miles per hour on very little rest, relaxation or self care.

These links show typical symptoms and strategies and solutions known to be effective battling major depression. It is usually more than a trip to the beauty shop or pulling oneself up by the boot straps.

Relationships, nerves and confidence can take years to recover and rebuild. But what a worthy challenge!

You don't have to be rich to combat depression. If insurance is not available, it is worth finding resources in our local community to help with this common and treatable, and deadly condition.

I remember someone telling me that a person who commits suicide is doing an extremely selfish thing with their pain. Not an easy nugget to face up to.

People who are depressed often cannot see beyond the agony or apathy they are in, and one good nights sleep is not just going to fix everything if there are chronic issues at hand. Responding to them in a callous or feel sorry for them manner is not usually going to help for the longer haul (in my opinion)

Mercy in grace is more than moving on or giving in.

Giving up is for the dying, living is something a human can do as long as they have a heartbeat.

Live well in times of plenty and in times of toil. No one does it alone. And no one rides the wave all their days either.

Press on and embrace hope, especially when enjoyment of anything has escaped you. Life does resume with help, depression is treatable and it takes tenacity to tread the road toward health. (in mind, body and/or soul)

Will you sign the petition to help legislation geared to end child obesity? Starts at home, does it not?

Directly here below is link to sign the petition (on its way to one million)
http://www.jamieoliver.com/us/foundation/jamies-food-revolution/sign-petition