Halloween ( the word Halloween is from an earlier period of time and means hallowed eve. In the Christian Church all Saints were honored the day before–thus, the ” eve” part.) Nowadays, this night is filled with children (and adults) dressed up as various personages, animals and everything in between. All of them had their little baskets and hoping to get them filled with candy, cookies and assorted sweet treats. Judging from all who came to our door last night I would say the evening turned out to be a treat. No tricks!
When I was trying to navigate through the fog of my depression a number of years ago, there were no treats –no special happy moments–nada! The whole landscape of my life was filled with “emotional landmines” and the mind with its delusions and illusions tried to trick me into thinking I would always live in this pit of darkness. But as soon as I began to take responsibility for my feelings and my life, I found answers to my unending trapped feelings. The answers were not of the treat variety, but they gradually removed the bricks/tricks that formed the prison of my depression. No more was I forced to wear the false face of the smiling, happy-go lucky person. No more was I the people pleaser, subservient to all who were part of my daily struggle. No, I now filled my futile days with practical ways which I learned how to leave the sadness behind. I found the way out through the Twelve Steps of Depressed Anonymous, and my newly discovered support group. No more tricks. No more days begun in a fog and ending in a fog. I Came to believe that a Power greater than myself could restore me to sanity. I Made a decision to turn my will and my life over to the care of God, as I understood God to be.
Everyday I treat myself to doing God’s will and believing that something good will happen for me this day What’s it going to be for you today? Trick or treat?
Source: (C) Believing is seeing: 15 ways to leave the prison of depression. (2014) Depressed Anonymous Publications. Louisville.
(c) Depressed Anonymous, 3rd edition. (2011) Depressed Anonymous Publications. Louisville.