Depressed Anonymous works for people who believe in God!
Depressed Anonymous works for people who are unsure of God!
Depressed Anonymous works for people who do not believe in God!
Depressed Anonymous works for people who think they are God!
Category Archives: Depressed Anonymous
MOTIVATION FOLLOWS ACTION! MOVE THE BODY AND THE MIND WILL FOLLOW.
Yes, motivation follows action. I have discovered that by pressing on with an activity even while feeling sad and hopeless pays off in big dividends. I am speaking in terms of my own personal experience. When it became impossible to move my body out of bed in the morning I forced myself to get up –drive to a place where I could walk –and started walking. I truly felt like a Forrest Gump(see movie) as I have continued this “moving the body” program these past 30 years or so. I gradually ended up with a lightness of spirit and I started to deal with the guilt, shame and other stuff that I continually ruminated about. This ruminating, in a short time completely immobilized me physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Sue shares her personal story in Depressed Anonymous (pages 144-145) telling us that “Action does precede motivation” and I began working at a local zoo. It is a beautiful place (and safe from muggers too). I began talking with people and learned about classes there to become a docent (volunteer teacher). I enrolled and graduated. This gave me a new purpose in life. I get great joy from working there doing outreaches to schools, nursing homes and hospitals. I have made friends with both animals and humans. There isn’t a day that I go to talk that I don’t get thanks by someone, a visitor, or employee (or sometimes an animal)
My family hasn’t changed (although my Mother commented on the change in my face), but I have. In this, the Serenity Prayer really helps. I know that I can’t change them, but I have new friends and a real support system so that doesn’t matter so much to me now.
Whoever you are, you who are reading this: Believe! The first Three Steps are the most important. Walking or other exercise is important. Staying with it is also important. Going to meetings and participating is important, but above all else, faith is important. Faith will truly move mountains.”
–by SUE
A VICTIM IN MY OWN MIND
-A personal story of a Depressed Anonymous member
“Depression was something that I grew up with. I really had no idea that I had it until my senior year in college. It started with my parents divorce and ended with me totally losing control over everything in my life. I couldn’t decide what career I wanted, but hated every job I could think of. I couldn’t decide what city or state to live in, so I kept moving, hoping that the next place I lived in would make me happy. Eventually, I couldn’t decide whether I wanted to die or live. I cried at the drop of a hat, but still found enough rage inside to push the people I loved as far away from me as possible.
I knew that I needed help. I have been to counselors on three other times in my life, but nothing seemed to work or last. This time, I have been in counseling about two months. I was sick and tired of being like this. I wanted a life and I wanted to be happy. Every week, someone would notice a change in me, but I still felt the same. Then one day while watching TV (thinking thoughts at 100 mph), it occurred to me that I was making myself miserable.
I had always known that I was hard on myself. I reamed my self every time something bad happened. “Why can’t I find someone to love me? “Why isn’t God looking out after me?” But for some reason, when I realized that I was doing this to myself, it made me realize that maybe all I would have to so is stop doing it! All of a sudden it made sense.
If I tell myself negative thoughts, I feel negative. If I tell myself nothing, I feel nothing. So if I tell myself positive thoughts, eventually I have to feel positive.
Of course. I ‘m still testing it out, but I feel better and for the first time in 14 years, I have hope. So I remind myself of something positive every day. and that’s what I’m going to do until I don’t have to remind myself anymore because I’ll know.
I’m slowly finding out that my life is not as horrible as I’ve made it out to be. I used to tell myself that since it happened before, it will happen again–and that simply is not true. Yes, my past was horrible and it’s no wonder I ended up with depression. I want out of it and the only person to get me out is me. There is no magic wand to transport you to the life you want. Everyone knows what they wish their life could be — so do it! Make the changes you have to make, trust in God and always remember that good things come to those who wait. I’ve waited over half my life. I don’t have to be a victim of my past or of my mind anymore. I’m more than ready for the good things! With love and hope. ”
SOURCE : (Copyright) Depressed Anonymous, 3rd Edition.(2011) Depressed Anonymous Publications. Louisville Pages 120-121/Personal Stories # 9.
PAYING IT FORWARD
The motion picture (1999) , PAYING IT FORWARD is about the recipient of a good deed who pays it forward to some other than the original benefactor. Our very own program of recovery, Depressed Anonymous makes the same commitment to those who are depressed. I have found it to be a truth that the more I offer others what I have experienced in my own recovery the more I strengthen my serenity and peace.
When I shared with a local Depressed Anonymous group how my own recovery from depression has been a gift from my Higher Power — members of the fellowship just about fell off their seats. Sounds crazy doesn’t it? A gift? Well, yes, it certainly has turned out to be that way. Ever since the first group was founded in 1985 I have been sharing with those others still suffering from depression. I share that by practicing the Steps in my own life I have found serenity and hope. I am no longer alone. I have the tools to stay in recovery and to be in contact with others just like myself who are making or have made their way out of the prison of their own depression. It is by paying it forward to others which has made it possible for me to keep focused on my own recovery and to practice what I preach.
Paradoxically it has been my own brokenness, anxiety and fear, which led me to a power greater than myself. I think that God, our Higher Power, inspires us to go and set free, the key, to help others know and believe that there is a way out of their depression. And when the depressed “get it” they too want to begin to pay It forward to others who still suffer. So, pass it on. It is possibly one of the best gifts you can give to another!
The Twelfth Step of Depressed Anonymous states that: “Having had a spiritual experience as a result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to the depressed, and to practice these principles in all of our affairs.”
Source: Depressed Anonymous (2011) 3rd Edition. Depressed Anonymous Publications. Pages 104-109.
Spoon Feeeding Is No Use To You. You Have To Feed Yourself
Dorothy Rowe sums it up splendidly in her work, The Way out of your prison, where she states how we have to learn to take care of ourselves. It takes time and work. And this applies to learning ways to work our selves out of the pit, the prison of depression. She promotes the solution that joining a self-help group like Depressed Anonymous is a way to do this. This of course entails work and a persistence in keeping one’s hand to the plow and focused on our own recovery.
She states that ” …joining a self-help group will be one of the most valuable things you can do. You will meet a group of people who knows what it is to be depressed. You don’t have to explain it to them, or apologize, or pretend that you are happy when you are not. In a self-help group, you give and receive friendship, and in sharing the responsibility for the group, you build up your confidence and self-respect.
….you can get help, provided you are prepared to go out and find it and to work with what you are offered.
Spoon feeding is no use to you. You have to feed yourself.”
Comment: To work on any aspect of one’s own life it does take work as Dr. Rowe suggests. In our own recovery program of Depressed Anonymous we are provided a “toolbox” where we can step by step learn and use the various tools of the fellowship to overcome our isolation and pain. All this can be accomplished in the context of the group as well as in the literature provided by the group. By our working the Twelve Step program of recovery, designed specifically for those of us depressed, we can and do leave the prison of our depression. One can read the many personal stories of those who have used the Steps and are free of the bondage of sadness in Depressed Anonymous, 3rd edition.
We Admitted That We Were Powerless Over Depression And That Our Lives Had Become Unmanageable
To admit that there is a problem is the first step which can move us into recovery. The First Step of the Twelve Steps begins with the word WE. This is a WE program–a program about us as a group of hurting people. Since we have tried to tackle our problems alone and in the confines of our own mind we soon discovered that for most of us this was not enough. We still were saddled with a life destroying and unmanageable situation. There must be a solution we thought. Yes, there is a solution. For many of us who have traveled this path of recovery, living out the spiritual principles of the Twelve Steps and being part of the fellowship of Depressed Anonymous we have found peace and a new way of living,
A Most Effective Strategy
AFFIRMATION
I will be a better person today than the person I was yesterday.
“The first step to change is to see it is as possible in our scheme of things. The next step is to accept and cope with the anger and frustration that change bring ..coping with anxiety involves accepting it into awareness and permitting its full expression. This may not lead to a comfortable stare in the short run, but in the long turn it is a most effective strategy.(6)
CLARIFICATION OF THOUGHT
I believe that all growth is gradual and that each day I have only twenty-four hours in which to live out my life. In these twenty four hours I can get a lot accomplished in my efforts to surrender my need to be dependent upon my depression. My depression will no longer be an excuse that keeps me from starting my recovery program.
I know from personal experience that my life is very different from the way that it was before I turned my life over to my Higher Power. (Step 2 of Depressed Anonymous) Now I can live with the belief that this power is going to walk with me. I can now be assured that life is going to get better for me. It is better already. Since this program of Depressed Anonymous is spiritual, I know that my healing of my depression is accomplished by my desire to let God, as I understand him, direct my life. (Step 3 of Depressed Anonymous).
The program of the Twelve Steps has no pat answers and it will not allow you to be comfortable where you are–in fact it will cause you to want to move out of the prison of your depression and into the light of daily efforts to change.
MEDITATION
God, we are aware that this day and this day alone we are going to trust in you and we will commit ourselves to you so that we might commit ourselves to a positive change in our attitudes.
SOURCE: Copyright: HIGHER THOUGHTS FOR DOWN DAYS. Depressed Anonymous Publications Louisville Page 90. May 3rd.
My Inner Most Thoughts Are Stepping Stones
A HIGHER THOUGHT FOR TODAY
AFFIRMATION
I am going to think of my inner most thoughts as stepping stones to a better and more positive way to live my life.
“In the ancient secret Gnostic Gospels Jesus is reported as saying, ‘If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is in you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you.'”(6)
CLARIFICATION OF THOUGHT
My sad thoughts which I continually run around in my mind keep me enslaved to inaction and a feeling of being trapped. I want to let these thoughts out so that I will be able to look at them and see them for what they are — the empty fears that have no power when placed out in the light of day. I believe that the more I express my fears to another, the less powerful they are and the less control they have over my life.
I am going to accept the fact that I have every right to be part of this universe and I am going to do everything in my power to achieve a sense of security and happiness for myself. The first step where “We admitted that we were powerless over depression and that our lives had become unmanageable” is what will free me in time from the prison of my depression.
When we get in touch with what we fear, we can get in touch with ourselves. By doing this, we find a way out of the cold and lifeless sadness that we call depression.
MEDITATION
God, please come to us and dwell within us that you might create in us the strength that we need to bring us forth what is within us. This means both those pleasant and unpleasant thoughts.”
SOURCE: Copyright(c) Higher Thoughts for Down Days: 365 Daily Thoughts and Meditations for 12 Step Fellowship Groups. (1993, 1999) Depressed Anonymous Publications. Louisville. Page 89. May 1.
LIVE TODAY AS IF IT IS THE FIRST DAY OF YOUR LIFE!
A HIGHER THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
I can do most anything to feel better and more alive. All I need to do is believe that I can do it. I want to believe.
” Through this Twelve Step program, I have been on a journey of transformation from the familiar life of drudgery, gloom and desperation to discovering a new freedom and a new happiness -something I didn’t know existed.” (8)
CLARIFICATION OF THOUGHT
This is the real world -The Twelve Steps program for healing and a gradual abstinence from hiding the pressure that builds from inside and pushes me to want to withdraw. I am more sure today than I was yesterday that the more I work my Twelve Step program, I know that like others who work this program, I will begin to feel better. I also believe that the more I begin to take charge of some areas of my life, like exercising, getting a hobby and moving about, the speedier will be my recovery.
From childhood, I had a sparse amount of love and nurturing. I know that I can find the freedom to live and feel differently than I did in the past. Today presents me with a clean slate, a new beginning, if you will. Granted my yesterdays are always there but my today is what really counts. This is the exciting part of living with hope. Life is a challenge and I need to forgive myself for all my yesterdays and live right now as if it is the first day of my life.
MEDITATION
God, make peace and serenity the by-word of our lives and efforts. We know that you are here — closer to us than the light that is in our eyes. We again trust you to live this unpredictable life with your hope and trust in us now.
___________
SOURCE: Copyright(c) Higher Thoughts for Down days. Pages 87-88.
HAVING A NEAR-LIFE EXPERIENCE
THE NEAR-LIFE EXPERIENCE
I was in the middle of working my way out of the fog of my melancholia(depression) when suddenly I felt a lift in my spirit. It felt so strange, this feeling of deliverance. It was the way I was before my disabling sadness imprisoned me. I was always a cheerful and upbeat sort of guy and in the blink of an eye, I was thinking the pain was over. Not so quick I thought–“this won’t last”. Right on. It didn’t. So, I continued my 5 mile walk through the mall and wondered about this near-life experience that I just had. It was back to that deadly hollow feeling in my gut with thoughts that traveled through my brain like cold molasses.
Because I didn’t have a clue what was happening to me physically, mentally and even spiritually, I knew something, whatever that something was had almost completely disabled me. It was torture to even force myself out of bed. I resented folks who were laughing and having a good time. And this intolerable hollow feeling inside of me continued eating away at me until I thought I would die. I knew I had to keep my job and keep on keeping on. My face became a mask. Inside I was dying. On the outside my persona continued as the nice guy, the upbeat and positive guy. My face turned me into a liar.
Gradually though, my very brief brush with a light feeling, a near-life feeling, became a life once known as a very welcome old friend. The hollowness disappeared. My inside feelings were the same that was on my face.
People talk about having a near- death experience. You know, the light at the end of the tunnel –being in another dimension and then suddenly coming back to the fact that you are not dead–and that you are alive. Most times this experience–this out of body experience makes you appreciate the time that you do have left to live and love others. You now have a full life.
Basically, this is what happened to me when I was so depressed I thought I was losing my mind, everything. I was living life but not on all six cylinders. Now, after coming out of my prison of depression and using the spiritual principles of the Twelve Steps for my own recovery my life is no longer just a near-life experience-it is a full life filled with fellowship friends and hope.
Are you wishing for a full life, filled with hope and serenity? You can have it. As it says in the PROMISES OF DEPRESSED ANONYMOUS, #7 “We now have less concern about self and gain interest in others.”
Read about the full life that is available for you @ DEPRESSED ANONYMOUS, 3RD EDITION (2013) .DEPRESSED ANONYMOUS PUBLICATIONS. LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.