You Can Overcome Depression

Depression is not necessarily the result of one incident or circumstance, although it could be. More often it is the result of how we handle information, situations, and circumstances.  To the degree that we have resistance to the reality of what is, we may have suffering. 

Resistance = Suffering

Over time and a series of loses, followed by resistance rather than acceptance or forgiveness, an individual may accumulate an overload and can understandably succumb to suffering; if they do not have a mechanism that helps them to purge and spring back. 
MayoClinic.org defines depression as the following:
Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems.
According to my observations, however, depression itself does not cause sadness or any other emotion for that matter.  Instead, depression results from one or more negative emotion generated by the thinking and perspective of the individual. It is fueled by resistance: an individual’s inability to accept or process the reality of a particular situation, condition, or event.  Also, it is the inability to control, forgive or accept what is: wanting something to be other than what it is. 
To the degree that we have resistance to the reality of what is; we may have suffering. 

Resistance= Suffering

Emotions such as guilt, grief, loss, dissatisfaction, and more are caused by making judgments about a particular situation. The excessive mind chatter that follows creates physical responses in the body.  The end result could be mild or it could lead to a total shutdown and physical ailments. 

Notice in the chart below that Anger = 150, Shame = 20, and Guilt =30. 
From a consciousness standpoint, it is better to be an angry than it is to be depressed. At least when a person is angry they still have fight in them.  When there is no fight, a person is probably in a bout of depression. Any consciousness below that of anger is considered as being in a state of depression. Anyone, even if they have a high level of consciousness, can dip to a level of depression under certain circumstances, such as loss or grief.  The key is to bounce back.

 

Level	Consciousness
Love	500
Courage	200
Anger	150
Grief	75
Apathy	50
Guilt	30
Shame	20

Power verses Force by John Hawkins

The mind is constantly trying to figure out how to fix the situation or how to diffuse the pain, guilt, shame, etc. In fact, the thinking can be so heavy that the person has to slow down or lay down because the energy to function is not there (been there, done that!) The mind cannot figure out how to fix the situation and eventually the survival potential of the person is impacted. 
Depression: 
Situation è Judgment/perspective è Emotions è Resistance è Excessive Thinking/Imbalance è Suffering


Others may view a depressed person as being lazy or slothful.  The truth is, their attention units are stuck in the past leaving less energy for them to function on in the present.  They may see life in terms of black and white with no shades of gray, and certainly no color, in between.  Their condition may seem hopeless in their eyes. 

Don’t judge them, rather, encourage them to give themselves a break. Plant the seeds that they should consider being more flexible in their thinking.  Flexible thinking means they have the opportunity to open up to other choices or to view the situation from a different perspective. 
 

If you are the one experiencing depression:

1. Give yourself a break!   Allow yourself to be okay in being different or in thinking differently. Who is worthy to judge you and why do you care about their opinion anyway? Learn to be okay with yourself and improve what you feel needs improving bit-by-bit.
2. Accept the reality of your situation. No matter how painful it is, make up your mind to move on.  The longer you put it off, the longer you will suffer (not might suffer, you will suffer)!  It is your choice to suffer one week, 20 years, or anytime in between. How do you get over it?  Decide that you want to heal or move on and continue to the next step (3).
3. Become neutral in your emotions.  Excess emotions can be debilitating. LEAN IN to your worse fears or greatest negative emotions one by one and allow the negative energy to drain away. Imagine and feel the painful energy being pushed out of your body by Divine bright light.  Don’t stop until all negative sensations are gone.
4. Figure out how to pull away from people or circumstances that leave you feeling bad.  Bit by bit find more uplifting activities and people.  Joining a Meetup group is a good way to meet new people.
5. Finally, have gratitude for all the good things you have experienced in life. It is easy to say, but hard to do at times.  Even if you don’t feel it yet, repeat or think over and over, “I am so grateful, thank you God.”  [I am telling you… it really works.]
   In summary, to overcome depression, learn to be more non-judgmental and more flexible in your thinking.  Most of all give yourself a break!  Perfection is not required to live on earth.  Stay connected to heaven in the best way that works for you and continue to renew your heart.

A Powerful Lesson from a 16 Year Old

When my daughter Ra’anaa had just finished 10^th grade at age 16 (she has a late November birthdate) she came to me and said she’d had a very rough school year.  I asked why.  She told me, “I had to let go of ten friends.”  TEN FRIENDS, I thought!  “Why did you let go of your friends.”  She told me that it was because they were being unproductive and doing bad things.  Wow, I thought, that is kind of drastic and harsh. After all, she had known these friends since middle school, and even since elementary school in a couple of cases.  In addition, Ra’anaa is one of the most caring and helpful people I know.   [I had better not let her know that I’d been taking extra-long lunches with my co-worker and friend on Fridays, I thought.]

I asked her, “don’t you think you are being a little judgmental?”  She replied, “No mom. I gave them a chance.  I had a talk with each one."  For example, Shauna (not her real name), who came from the same middle school used to be a straight “A” student.  She is a very pretty and very smart girl. She started getting very bad grades and hanging out with the students who smoke weed. 

She reminded Shauna of how smart she is and told Shauna that she should pull herself together and find a better group of friends.  Shauna said she would, but in no time she went right back to the same group of people, doing the same old thing.  Also, some of Ra’anaa’s other former friends, she stated, “were just not nice people anymore.” They say or do mean things to others.

“Ra’anaa, what about having compassion, especially with Shauna, she may be going through something?” She said, “Mom, I’m a student.  My classes are tough and I have my own issues. Do you want me to work on their problems or my own?”  

WELL, ALRIGHT-TY THEN.   That was the end of that conversation! 

Wow, I wish I had that level of insight and wisdom when I was 16 …or 26 …or 36.

My take away: 
Sometimes you must stay focused on your own mission and be willing to allow others to go through their own learning process.  Oft times we, especially women, learn how to fix ourselves (or NOT), by distracting and preoccupying ourselves with the problems of others.

Let’s make 2016 a BIG year of self-awareness, self-analysis, self-correction, and self-elevation.  Start by shedding a few distracting, unproductive, unprogressive, or unkind “friends”. 
You know who they are.

The Three C’s: Comparing, Criticizing, Complaining

Comparing, criticizing, and complaining are known as the “Three C’s.”  Can you identify the three C’s in the scripts below?

Script One:  Typical Conversation

Girl, you know that program was totally messed up.  I don’t know why they picked Janice to do it anyway, she has never gotten a single thing right and it’s way out of her league.  You know Mary should have been chosen to do that program. That’s what she does.  I don’t know what was on their minds. We may need to request a meeting to discuss this.

Script two:  Spiritual Conversation


You know, I really appreciated the program today and I am so grateful for the message.  I must admit, it was different from last year.  Mary did such a thorough job in the past and I think she set the bar really high. Janice is really talented baker and seamstress.  I know our leadership is following Divine guidance in their decision making. We’ll just have to adjust. Thank God for the blessing.

Engaging in 3C's conversations can stunt one's personal development and undermine the growth and sustainability of organizations

Comparing is making a distinction between or associating two things in a way that shows the advantages or disadvantages of one thing relative to the other. To compare is a neutral concept that may be helpful when executing at task or doing work.  It is not useful to compare or question some things. For example, to compare if someone is more beautiful or wealthier than you is a waste of energy and it demonstrates low consciousness. .  You are probably upset or dissatisfied with God if you feel you got a bum deal.

Criticizing is to be disapproving or condemning of someone or something.  If you are a master at criticizing then you are a person who focuses on the glass being half-empty rather than the glass being half-full. What a waste of time.  Again, you are may be upset with God because you feel you got a bum deal in some aspect of your life, perhaps you are generally dissatisfied, or you may feel that you deserve more.

Complaining, closely associated with criticizing, is whining, grumbling, or protesting against someone or something.  When people, including this author, find time for complaining as it relates to people and things, it means you are not living life BIG ENOUGH. You have too much idle time on your hands.  Get busy bringing happiness and joy into the world rather than continuing to try to figure out why you do not have it.

Elevated Consciousness

The antidote for being plagued with the 3 C’s is to elevate your consciousness.  When you notice that you are engaging in three C dialog, internally ask for forgiveness then change the subject or thought to something more productive.

Unconditional Universal Service

Also, service is another antidote for the three C’s.  Take on massive projects that will improve your life and the lives of others in a big way.  Even if you feel doubt in yourself and in your skills, move forward anyway and your good intentions and elevated consciousness will attract exactly what you need.  If you do not have a big project of your own, offer your service on projects in collaborations with others.   

If you are serving and are still plagued by the three C’s then you are not serving in the capacity that is right for you. In fact, you could be losing virtue by continuing to do so.  Get off that project immediately and go and find a way to serve that brings joy to your heart and to the hearts of others.

Work on earth but keep your thoughts and intentions connected in heaven!

Why Do Healers Get Sick?

 

Why Do Healers Get Sick?

If you are like me, at some point in your life, you have had a friend who was always unhappy and who always had problems that they needed to talk about.  They were insecure, often negative in their point of view, they repeatedly made bad decisions, and more.  They rarely ever took your advice; they only needed a sounding board.  Well, what the heck!  It never failed, by the end of the conversation, you ended up feeling drained and they ended up feeling much better. After a while you started noticing the pattern, but it was hard to break the routine, because you felt bad about not helping out a friend in need or you became addicted to being the confidant: the counselor. Eventually though, you started avoiding their phone calls.  They were too needy and you knew you are going feel bad or drained by the end of the conversation. We refer to those type of needy persons as an energy vampires.  In the same way a vampire would drain your body of blood, they take your energy. Well, a similar phenomenon happens with healers.   

My definition of a healer:

First, I will give my definition of a healer.  A healer is someone who has deep caring and compassion, who seeks to heal or alleviate the suffering of others either directly or by their creative work.  For example, Ministers, Pastors, Soul Healers, Energy Healers, Social Workers, Psychologists, Physiatrists, Therapists, Life Coaches, artists of various disciplines, teachers, and even very sensitive persons, albeit unknowingly.  

When healers provide service, we sometimes unknowing get entangled in the conditions of others. In trying to help, if we are not careful, we can open up a channel of energy exchange.  No matter how “protected” we think we are, once we tap into our own heart felt emotions and desire to help, the channel is established and energy flows from one to the other.   

The chest area, also called the heart chakra, houses our emotions.  When we open up with compassion to empathize with others, we may actually feel their grief, sadness, anxiety, etc. In doing so, even if only for a few seconds, we unknowingly drop to a point of low resistance and we become perfect conduits of energy transfer.  It is very interesting that a number of healers themselves from suffer depression, anxiety, and even heart attacks. Several famous ones have suffered from or died of heart attacks (or strokes). It is almost impossible for a caring compassionate person to listen to someone’s story and not be touched.  It is not uncommon for healers to have various energetic aspects or conditions picked up from different people affecting their bodies physically, mentally, or emotionally at any given time; depending on how much healing work they do.  Have you been feeling a little scattered, anxious, or sick for no reason lately? 

How can we prevent this from happening? 

We can prevent this from happening by being neutral in our emotions, especially when providing a service. Do your best to listen objectively and to have no attachment to the outcome.  You provide the service, but you cannot control of the out.

In addition, follow this one minute cleansing process:

• Before starting your work with the client clear yourself and them of all mind chatter and all emotions.

Close your eyes and imagine Divine Source light coming into your crowns (the top of the head), flushing all emotions and mental activity down through your body and out of your fingertips; and down through the bottom of your feet.  Removing all excess chaotic energy, toxins, and mind chatter down, down, down, and out… into mother earth.  Notice feeling more grounded. Do this several times if necessary.  Give thanks and gratitude to God.

• Repeat this process after the session has ended.

Try this and you will be glad you did. You will definitely notice a difference right away.