Blue Christmas

     Over the past few weeks I have encountered a few people who no longer celebrate the winter holiday known as Christmas.  Some, because of a loss of faith and others because of the sadness it brings because of loneliness due to the loss of a loved one.  Then there are people like myself who carry the burden of depression.
      The holiday season can be overwhelming for many.  For one thing, it starts too early.  I saw my first Christmas themed TV commercial a week before Halloween this year.  Yikes!  Really ... do we need to have it shoved down our throats that early.  Of course these ads are really about the shopping.  I get that.  As my wife will tell you I like to give gifts.  I especially like to give things that mean something.  Still, the assault on our senses during this time of year can be overwhelming to many of us.  It is very easy to lose ourselves and slip into the dark place.
     A year ago, just before I created this blog, I was driving home from work.  It was a few weeks before Christmas and I was in no mood for it at all.  Those that get Christmas cards from my family are very familiar with my annual Holiday Letter.  I usually have that written and the cards sent out by the beginning of December.  Not last year.  Not until the memory of my Dad and the joy he felt and gave at Christmas rushed into my head on that drive home.  I was so overwhelmed that I pulled over.  The flood of emotion jolted me out of my funk.  Once I home, I created one of the most satisfying Holiday letters I had ever written. 
      I have found that the key to overcoming a bout of depression, or melancholy is good memories.  Flash forward to today and I feel much different.  While I may experience a momentary dark period I am excited about the holiday.  Not the rushing around or the shopping, but the times with family and friends.  I know that there are those of you out there that want to just go to bed and avoid this whole season.  I am asking you to resist that.  If you have lost someone in the past or something has happened to cause this wonderful time of year to be less appealing, I say remember the good memories with family and friends.  Go visiting and enjoy their company.  We all want to be happy and it is within reach.  Ask for help if you need to.  Help will be given.  Hang in there.
     Know that I am thinking about you and wish you all the best.
     

Dog Tired

     Sometimes the title of this Blog is very appropriate.  There are days that you just wait for the next crappy thing to happen.  When it does you just want to go back to bed and throw the covers over your head.  Why does it seem that these things just pile on?  From the little things like picking the wrong line at the grocery store for check out to the bigger things like a leak in the basement that just won't go away and that will cost who knows how much to fix!
     That's the thing about depression.  It does a very good job of showcasing the bad in your life and nothing to let the good shine in.  It makes you forgetful and ungrateful.  It tells you that only the bad can happen and that you deserve it!  But if you close your eyes for a moment, take a breath and let your mind quiet,  you can begin to see the good.  The spouse who stands next to you while the bad things happen, the kids who hug and hold on tight to tell you how much love there is in the world and the friends who are there for you come rain or shine.
     Now please don't get me wrong.  Many of the "bad" in my life is minor and cosmetic.  It can be and will be over come.  It could be worse.  I know it can.  There are people out there that have had that "awful" thing appear in their lives recently.  Things that completely change their lives and of those closest to them.  But there is good news ... just look around at your family and friends.  They hold the key.  Close your eyes and take that big breath.  It's a bumpy road but we are all working on smoothing out the ride.
     Bless you all and thank you.