We have to acknowledge humbly that I am the one who is having the harsh and negative thoughts about myself and that I alone must take responsibility for the feelings that I have about myself. I can’t continue to blame others for my depression and still think that I will feel better. Dorothy Rowe says that instead of blaming someone else or making someone else the scapegoat of our problems, we need to put aside blame and guilt and think in terms of responsibilities and connections. What she means here is that when she has dealt with depressed people, they seem as if they are carrying the weight of the world and feel responsible for everyone and everything except themselves. She says that when it comes to themselves they see themselves as totally powerless. We need to look at what is happening in the here and now and take responsibility for our lives, without living in the fear of tomorrow and the hurts of yesterday. Humbly ask God to help you live in the now, even if that means living with the temporary horrible pain of depression.”
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SOURCES: Copyright (c)Depressed Anonymous, 3rd edition. (2011) Depressed Anonymous Publications. Louisville. Pages 73-74.
Copyright (c) The Depressed Anonymous Workbook (2002) Depressed Anonymous Publications. Louisville.
Copyright (c) I’ll do it when I feel better (2013) Depressed Anonymous Publications. Louisville.
Copyright (c) Believing is seeing: 15 ways to leave the prison of depression.(2014) Louisville.
Copyright (c) Depressed Once – Not twice: The spiritual autobiography of a journey out of depression. (2000) Depressed Anonymous Publications. Louisville.
Copyright (c) Higher Thoughts for down days:365 daily thoughts and meditations for members of 12 Step fellowship groups. (1999) Depressed Anonymous Publications. Louisville.
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