I must say that the digital TV switchover has come at a great time. We tried to make the switchover, but somehow we now have less channels than we did before. We already had no cable or satellite, but could still get a few clear channels. Now, however, we have almost nothing. Which means we are watching very little TV. The reason this works well into my depression recovery journey is that one of the recommendations is to avoid TV. Well, entertainment TV, that is. To the frontal lobe, there is a big difference between entertainment TV and educational or documentary-type TV. The screen switches rapidly with entertainment TV and the brain soon gets sluggish and unable to function with focus. I'm noticing that I don't feel tired as early in the evening, and I do notice more focus. So, whether or not we get the TV fixed, I'll be limiting my viewing and expanding my frontal lobe.

Well, it's 5 a.m. and, as usual, I have been awakened by the heavy and low cloud of depression. A few years ago, I had what doctors call severe depression and what I call "The Great Depression." Since that time, I have had various "recessions." If I stay busy and active, I do well most of the time now. But I do still have episodes, especially first thing in the morning. I'm very weary of it, but God has brought to my mind these words from the Bible in James 5:11
Behold, we count them happy who endure.

Now, as for a couple of things I'm doing from the Nedley plan.....
Classical music. It is highly recommended as a tool in repairing and reviving the frontal lobe of the brain where depression is rearing its ugly head. I have to say that classical music has never drawn me. But I now have my car radio set to it and I am hoping to develop a taste for it. And if I don't develop an actual appetite for it, I will still consider it "medicine" which I'm very grateful for. So, go Bach!!!
I'm also doing more mental exercise, which is recommended. Scrabble is my favorite! Mark, who is not a game person, is kind enough to play with me....and even to beat me once in a while. :-)

Day Two

Well, it's late and as the famous football coach Vince Lombardi said, "Fatigue makes cowards of us all." I'm not especially feeling cowardly, but I'm not as enthusiastic about blogging my day as I was earlier today. Several times, I thought of points I wanted to mention, but I was nowhere near a computer at the time. Thus, I'm stuck with mere remnants of wisdom. ;-)

For right now, I just want to say that I feel my new part time job at the greenhouse is a Godsend. The fresh air, sunshine (Vitamin D is crucial to healing depression), and soil up to my elbows are the perfect partners for this journey. There is an unspoken presence of the Creator, which can only be helpful.

Well, I just typed a couple of paragraphs and then deleted them. That is a pattern I have. I will say something and then edit it. This is not just because I am a writer. It's because I fear and doubt my own words and second guess myself. I'm not sure how I got that way, but it's true.

Depression Recovery: Day One

Actually, there have been many Days One. Many attempts at willing myself well. Snapping out of it. Putting mind over matter. And all of those attempts were genuine and fueled by a belief in the power of positive thinking, which does exist and should be exercised, and in fact, did help. For a while. The problem is that for the depressed person, all the will in the world can't make a sick brain well. Wow, I said it! And I said it in front of....the whole world?? It's okay, though, because I realize now that a sick brain doesn't make a person any more crazy than a sick stomach. It does, however, mean that it needs fixed. And while I know that my own will is key in my success, I acknowledge that it is only the starting point and not the finish line. My will is not the cure, but my permission to be cured.

I have just completed reading Dr. Neil Nedley's book called Depression: The Way Out. Dr. Nedley claims (with documented success) that depression can be cured, not just treated. He does prescribe medications for his patients when needed, but the ultimate goal is to be free of depression, anxiety, and medicine. I'm there! Well, at the starting point, that is. The approach involves nutrition, lifestyle, spirituality, exercise, and other very "real" approaches. So, I've established this blog in order to stick with the program and be accountable to someone "out there" even if it is only myself reading my own posts. I do welcome, however, anyone's comments.