I am WAS depressed. For the last few days I have felt myself spiraling down into the depths of depression. I have no idea what sets it off. It doesn’t seem to happen for any particular reason or occur at regular intervals. I begin to question the endlessness of it all. I ask myself what I have really contributed. And through it all I wrestle with the idea that my life has had little value. I have left a successful career to write a book but sometimes when I read what I have written it seems like so much drivel and I wonder if I am kidding myself; who on earth will care what I have to say?

Fortunately, I have learned that I have tools to combat this depression and I never hesitate to employ them. AA taught me that when we share what is going on, we take away its power, so today I called two good friends and “told on myself.” I one case my friend, Patti, talked me through the reality of my situation. Another friend, Sue, offered to help me do some research, despite the fact that her daughter-in-law is fighting a life-threatening disease. I called yet another friend, Michelle, who is a professional writer, and she has agreed to read my manuscript and provide me with a brutally honest assessment of its worth.

Today I received an email with a link to a short movie about Joe Damon, who was working and living in Italy when he was involved in a very bad car accident on January 31, 2006. Because of the Traumatic Brain Injury he suffered as a result of the accident, his life has changed completely. The movie is poignant and thought provoking and certainly put me back in touch with my gratitude. I hope you will find it as uplifting as I did (watch video below). Suffice it to say I am no longer depressed. This is just another rough patch I must tread, but I have faith that everything will be just fine. In the meantime, I am eternally grateful that I have such good and loving friends.

You might also like: