Depression Has Many Triggers

I think it's about time for another blog. Don't you? Well, here goes anyway. I'm going to elaborate on some news I just received. My youngest daughter, Jennifer, who didn't get to come to Tennessee for our Thanksgiving/Christmas celebration, even though she had already bought a plane ticket, had to cancel her plans to come because her doctor told her that she could not come since her baby, the one inside of her womb right now, was too far along for her to safely do so. She is so sad because her little Daisy, a white, mixed breed part snouzer and part terrier, just got down so sick with arthritis and other complications that the doctor had to put her to sleep, like permanantly, about 8:00pm tonight. She held Daisy, who she has had for more than ten years, in her arms while the doctor administered the drug.

Jennifer has another little four-footer, about four years old of just about the same mixture, only it is, as it's name, Brownie, indicates, brown. Furthermore, she will soon, about January 6th., have another little bundle of joy to occupy her time. So, she should not be too unhappy, but you know, we are human and humans are made like that. We get sad and we cry. First, we get attached to something or someone and that attachment can be very tight, then we fall in love with that something or someone. We will love the thing or person to various degrees based on so many different factors and it's kinda like 'it' or 'they' become a part of us. When we lose a part of ourselves, we feel the pain, whether it be light or heavy. When several light pain producing elements combine together into one ball of sadness, it can be very depressing. For some it is unbearable. Others snap right out of it and go on. We must have something to lock in to and rely on in order to remain stable. Otherwise, we would be like blind men walking a tight rope - no one knowing for certain if our next step will be successful or disasterous.

- A note to my daughter Jennifer - You have someone to hold on to and to rely on and you know who that is. You will get through this shortly. We are sad with you, but let this be something that will help you to be strong in spite of disappointments. We are looking forward to seeing you when the baby, Gabe, arrives.

- An additional note to anyone who may be interested - Why wouldn't my wife let me put the following sentence in this blog? I had to rewrite it as you read it, but I so wanted to make a very long complicated sentence, and she just was not pleased with it. Are all English teachers that way or is it just my wife, Janis? Here's the way I would have done it. "My youngest daughter, Jennifer, who didn't get to come to Tennessee for our Thanksgiving/Christmas celebration, eventhough she had already bought plane tickets, but had to cancel because her doctor told her that she could not come since her baby, the one inside of her womb right now, was too far along for her to safely do so, is so sad because her little Daisy, a white, mixed breed part snouzer and part terrier, which she has had for more than ten years, just got down so sick with autheritus and other complication that the doctor had to put her to sleep, like permanantly, about 8:00pm tonight." :)

Depression

Some of you didn't know that I have just gone through a short time (about 3 weeks) of depression, and that's allright. Even I didn't know how to classify it other than just "sad & half mad" - maybe "down in the dumps" but none of those descriptions can rightly identify the feeling. I am even now aware of the factors that got me down and if I meditated on them I'm afraid I'd get right back in the dumps and carry with me some anger. I did my own psychoanalyzing and decided that the feelings I had were not just sadness and anger at myself for my stupid doings, but were signs of depression. This brief experience gives me the idea that it could take over ones mind and cause him or her to do things that he or she would not ordinarily do. I guess I didn't go into deep depression where that would probably happen because I was able to keep my mind (for what it's worth). I was listening to the radio yesterday and found myself listening to a program where issues concerning depression were being discussed. This really made me aware of the seriousness of the matter. I had never given a lot of thought to it, but recognizing some of the symptoms and then taking a test on line that proved to be helpful, I have decided to post this blog. I may still be struggling with a few issues in the corners of my mind, but I'm gonna be alright. The point I want to make is this: Do not take anyones depressed mood lightly. Be there to lend support if needed and to encourage when appropriate. Do not be pushy or overbearing but watch for the opportunity to give helpful input. Look! I'm not a psycholigist nor a counselor, so 'what do I know', but 'for what it's worth' there it is!

Do You Think It's True?

Just Wondering! Does anyone remember that Premier Nikita Kruschev made the bold statement “We will bury you without firing a shot"?

VOTE!

I did vote early, but I will be watching the election today with as much fervency and devotion as many watch the world series. This election will perhaps have more effect on my life than any before. No matter who wins, I expect to wake up in the morning and continue to breath and eat as usual. Later on however, I'm not so sure. I truely hope that I will continue to have the freedom that God has blessed us with for so many years: Freedom to worship God as my heart dictates to me; Freedom to preach the Holy Bible as I believe it; Freedom to work (if, as a retired person I decide to do so) to play and to live in peace. My prayer is that my candidate will win but it is important that I end my prayer with these words, "Not my will but thine be done."

You may ask, "Could it be God's will for an evil (meaning 'bad') ruler to reign?" (Please note that I am not calling either candidate evil, but we seem to think that one is good and one is bad.) Well, just read the Bible. Sometimes God puts those in power that we think are bad. Have you read the prophets? Do you believe them? Have you read the book of Revelation? Do you not see that some evil times are prophesied to come? I know that some people do not even believe the Bible, but I do. Therefore, I pray for what I desire and concede to the will of God for my life. So far, it has worked. I believe it will continue to work - even in troubled times!!

Let me tell you something else. No matter what! One day I am going to die, either via sickness, accident or old age. Does that mean that God will fail me when that happens. No, no, no! Not on your life! That will be for my good. How? Then, you see, I will be in the first stage of transformation, and I will be changed into the likeness of Christ. Won't that be amazing? I will then no longer be the blunder failure that I sometimes feel like I am, but I will then be perfect. I hope you are planning on being a part of that redeemed body of Christ. Until then, may God's will be done, and my we, His people, give Him praise.