Battling Depression

I hate being depressed, viewing the world around me with apprehension, waking up with a feeling of dread for no apparent reason, finding no joy in what I do or think. Depression is definitely a handicap when it steals energy, emotions and happiness from us, but it can be treated, I discovered years ago, and I plus millions of others can thank the Lord for that.

It's a chemical imbalance, you know, not something we did to bring it on. It isn't our fault we're depressed; it is our fault, though, if we don't get help for it since doctors are recognizing it now as a valid, treatable disorder and there are myriads of help to at least get it under control. For me, a combination of excellent therapy from a qualified and caring psychologist decades ago, antidepressants, and shouting to the Lord have worked to take the sting out of depression.

That's not to say I'm never depressed anymore. No way. I have bouts of depression that can last for hours, sometimes days, but the good news is I don't get as rock-bottom low as I used to and I can do some things to get myself into a better mood. My doctor told me that the antidepressants don't obliterate the depression; they do, however, take the bite out of it - still depression but not as gut-wrenching as it used to be.

Besides taking meds I try to talk to someone close who knows what it's like such as my sister, my husband or a good friend, people who aren't going to shy away but will make an effort to get me back on track. At the same time I try not to bring them down with me. Depression can be contagious in that way.

Our dogs and cats can pull me out of the doldrums quicker than I ever imagined. They're not judgmental unless, of course, I forget to give them a treat, and their perkiness is catching - I can't be depressed for long with a wiggly, little dachshund scurrying around my feet eager to begin the day. Even just touching their soft and silky fur can make me feel better which brings up the point that if I can stimulate my senses, sometimes the depression will slink back into its dark hole. Listening to birds sing (some people like to listen to music), watching leaves swirl in the wind, eating good food (chocolate works wonders), sniffing a rose and getting comfortable all help.

The Lord does wonders for depression; He understands it and knows how to kick it. Reciting or reading encouraging verses, praying to Him for help, counting His many blessings - actually gazing at His creation and listing off the many things He's given us can help bring me out of the abyss and into a brighter, more realistic state of mind. 

Why Call Me Now?

I don't understand why people call someone they haven't seen nor heard from for over 4 decades. What! Are they wanting to make amends, catch up on nearly half a century, apologize for some wrong, compare notes on the latest election? The list could go on and on, I'm thinking.

Recently I received a message from a guy whom I dated in college 43 years ago - that's right, 43 years ago (Hey! We old people dated back then!). He said he wanted me to call him so we could "catch up...it'll be fun." When I heard his name, my mind did one of those rollback-over-the-last-half-century leaps and locked onto his true identity. In short we had dated for a few months; then one morning I saw him with another gal. I remember turning to a friend next to me and asking, "Is he seeing her now?"

No remorse, no tears, I just accepted the breakup as something that happens to people and moved on with my college life. The next thing I knew about him was he and the aforementioned girl had to get married because, ya know, she did something with him that I didn't want to do.

My question is: why now, why call a woman he dumped thousands of years ago? I know, I know; I could call him back and ask him, but then why should I. I'm happily married, have a nice life for the most part, and have no desire to bring back a past that wasn't so desirable in the first place. I asked my husband what he would do if a girlfriend from his past called him; he wasted no time in saying he wouldn't call back. Once dumped, always dumped. No going back.

I agree with my hublet, but still... I keep wondering why call me now.

End of the World

All the recent talk about the end of the world brings to mind Jesus' words to His disciples about the future. He gets quite specific in the 13th chapter of Mark with details about earthquakes, nations rising against nations, people against people and He cautions against those who will tell us that He is here or He is there. He said we shouldn't believe people who say they know when He will return and when the end of the world will occur. Even He didn't know; only God knows according to verse 32.

So, I'm thinking we should keep our money in our pockets and give some to the poor like Jesus wants us to rather than donating to someone who claims he can predict the end and appears to be making quite a profit from it all.

Get Rid of the Sparkly White!

My brain is fatigued. I know, it could be my age (bite your tongue!); maybe my infatuation with online games; maybe just life itself but my brain is exhausted, and I think it's because I'm getting real sick and tired of white teeth. I see them everywhere: the grocery store, TV ads, the dentist office, even when I'm driving down the road they flash at me from a passing vehicle. Sparkly white teeth glaring at me from a gaping mouth stretched into a hideous smile. It's enough to blind me.

What happened to the faintly yellow pearly whites? The teeth that calmly greeted you without bashing your eyes in with their intensity. I mean a real pearl isn't flashy white; it's muted delicately so that the observer doesn't get eye strain looking at it. So, teeth should be the same way, I believe. Muted, blending in with the other facial features.

Anymore right before a camera snaps a photo, the words, "Say cheese!" invoke a flash of smiles that overpowers the flash of the camera. I say do away with the whitening strips, the bleach, the endless commercials promoting white teeth. Let's bring yellow teeth back!

There oughta be a law!

10 Most Feared Messages on Facebook Games

They're enough to send a streak of panic through your stomach; they can mess up your entire day; they can even cause a sleepless night or two. They're the messages a player periodically receives when deeply engrossed in his/her favorite Facebook game.

1. Oops! Something went wrong in the kitchen!
2. A bear ate your gift!
3. A simple exclamation point on a totally white screen (what the heck does that thing mean?!)
4. You need to update Flash Player!
5. We are aware of the problems today and are working hard on them. Don't worry we're keeping your food fresh. (Right)
6. Don't worry we've shut withering off. (Do they really mean that or when we're finally able to go back into the game, is everything dead? Like I said: enough to cause a sleepless night or two.)
7. This game has been enhanced. Refresh your screen. (And then, of course, you can't get back in.)
8. Whoa there partner! You've already accepted this reward.
9. Sorry! Looks like all the prizes have been claimed. (And this is only 2 seconds after the prize was listed.)
10. This request has expired. (Again, this is only 2 seconds after the request was listed.)

Sigh.

So, What the heck is a CC?!

Medical lingo can really get a person into trouble if all parties aren't on full alert. Take for example, my sister who is going in for sinus surgery and requires liquid painkillers after the surgery because she will have trouble swallowing the horse pills pharmaceutical companies love to produce. This morning we looked at the instructions for taking the liquid contained in a nice-looking, tall bottle and read, "Take 15 cc's every 4 to 6 hours as needed for pain." Simple enough. Just one problem. What the heck is a cc???

After intense inspection of the bottle and a futile search online, we decided the best thing to do was call the pharmacist. Of course prior to that decision we did entertain the concept of taking a good long swig until the pain disappears, but we figured they didn't mean that and besides, if she did survive that method, the painkiller might run out before the pain did and there were no refills. Of course.

Anyway, the pharmacist explained that there are 5 cc's in a teaspoon and therefore 15 in a tablespoon. So, why not just put, "Take one tablespoon every 4....?"

Sigh.

The NFL Solution

I have a solution to the NFL bickering that's currently going on between owners and players. In light of the recent tragedy in Japan, the civil unrest in Libya, Egypt and countless other countires as well as the suffering so many people are having to endure, I believe the best way to solve the money issue in the NFL is to give all the money they're cranking about to the Red Cross and other organizations on the frontlines of catastrophies helping victims survive. I mean really, guys, put it all into perspective and the only conclusion you can come to is your squabble is miniscule in the overall scheme of things.

So, give up the money for those in need! It'll do your souls good.