“I have a gift to give today to someone : my experience of how I have overcome the powerful grip of my sad thoughts and depression.” Hugh S., founder of Depressed Anonymous.
Bill W., co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous has to say about his own struggles with depression.
“I have something to contribute to humanity, since I am peculiarly qualified, as a fellow sufferer, to give aid and comfort to those who have stumbled and fallen over this business of meeting life. I get my greatest thrill of accomplishment from the knowledge that I have played a part in the new happiness achieved by countless others like myself.”
CLARIFICATION OF THOUGHT
I am also grateful. I have the gratitude attitude that my life has been completely turned around . I admitted that I have had a problem, that my life was unmanageable and that I intended to do something about it. This is the first time that I ever believed that I could do something about my depression. I am taking my message of hope to other fellow sufferer’s. It is heartening to me to know that even though I might have been depressed for as long as I can remember, that today is the first day of my life. Yes, there is a way out of this sadness. I am grateful for my new way of thinking and living my life.
It is one of my major accomplishments in this life to know that I have been a better and happier person by my continual efforts to be grateful for everything that God gives me. I thank my God, as I understand him, for the ability to do better at living, one day art a time.
MEDITATION
God, please give me the ability to know you and love you and increase in me the attitude that I will and can trust you more with each new day.
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SOURCE: Depressed Once-Not Twice: The spiritual autobiography of the journey out of depression. Hugh S., Depressed Anonymous Publications. 2002. Louisville.
Alcoholics Anonymous: The story of how men and women have recovered from Alcoholism. Alcoholics Anonymous, World Services, Inc. NY. 1955.
Depressed Anonymous, 3rd edition. (2011) Depressed Anonymous Publications. Louisville.