Focus on your “stars” and not your “scars”.

# 11  of 15 Ways to leave the prison of depression.

ELEVEN

“I make a daily inventory of all my positive strengths. I tended to magnify the worst in everything in my life and make mountains for  molehills. I will focus on my stars and not my scars.” Believing is Seeing. pgs. 57-59.

As therapist, and with a new counselee beginning  therapy, I always asked them one question,  simply  put, was to have them list their  strengths. I  suggested  for them  to  list no more  than five.  With  a pencil and paper in their hands I waited to see what they had listed as strengths. I waited. And I waited some more. ( I might add that this was my format for anyone who made an appointment to talk about their experiences  with depression.)

After a bit, I them asked if they could share with me the strengths that they had put down on paper. Sheepishly, they told me that they were unable to mention any “stars” or personal strengths. “None came to mind” was their answer. But over time, when the fog of pain disappeared, their list  of strengths were gradually  unearthed and these strengths began to lengthen with each new meeting.

One of the realities that stands out in our lives when depressed is that we see everything  in dark colors. Nothing looks hopeful. There does not appear to be a light at the end of the tunnel  –  we do not have a friend in  the world. We feel we will never feel good again. The list goes on and on.

“By the fact that you are reading this, (Believing is Seeing) takes the strength to want to feel good and continue to maintain a positive recovery.  Begin now and reflect on your strengths. Believe that you have the strength to   maintain them  each  day. Your personal strengths maintain  a personal persistence and a desire to continue with gratitude this new feeling of hope.” pg. 59.

For an added resource  one can also use the Depressed Anonymous Workbook  as an excellent resource in  discovering our  ” stars” that are /or have been part of our lives before we became frozen in the fear and hurt of our depression.

 

SOURCE:  Copyright(c) Believing is Seeing: 15 ways to leave the Prison of Depression. (2016) Depressed Anonymous Publications. Louisville. Pages 57-59.

Copyright (c)   The Depressed Anonymous Workbook. (2002) Depressed Anonymous Publications. Louisville.

VISIT OUR STORE where you have the opportunity to order our literature online. You’ll be glad that you did!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.