Healing Thots Archive Vol #2, 2009 - Journaling

For the most part, it is my nature to think positively. I like to believe with some faith and patience the details of a perceived problem will work itself out and all will be better for it -- even though it might not seem like it while in the midst of working through the details of a situation. It is also my nature, while in the working through the details part, to question the very thing or idea I've set out to manifest. The distance between where I am in the moment and where I feel I should be, creates a contradiction in my perceived reality causing a troubling, stressful situation which can be felt on all levels of the body, the mind, and the spirit - often labelled as depression.

I'm no stranger to this interesting, challenging, and creative place. Because of my frequest visits, I've learned to appreciate this darker aspect of my nature and know it is all part of my personal process of manifesting and resolution of whatever situation I'm working on. We have been programmed to think depression is a bad thing, something to avoid. We may be embarrassed by it and hesitate to mention it to others. In my life, those times of darkness have come to be amazingly transformation. I don't want to trivialize depression in any way -- believe me I know how powerful and life altering it can be.

Depression is a difficult place, but it is also a place where you can learn so much about yourself and your journey. This is when I turn to my journaling. I have found no better place to sort out spinning thoughts and negative emotions than sitting at my computer and typing it all out. Whether you chose to type or handwrite, the therapy is in physically getting the spinning thoughts out of your head. Once you get those spinning, surface thoughts out of the way, you can begin to discover the real feelings contributing to your state of mind. Some synonyms for "being depressed" are: blue, bummed, crestfallen, dejected, despondent, destitute, dispirited, down, downcast, downhearted, gloomy, glum, in a funk, in the dumps, low, melancholy, sad, somber, spiritless, under a cloud, and hopeless. I would also like to add: angry, afraid, feeling victimized and loss of control.

We've all had these moments, some passing in a day or two, some lasting way too long, Try journaling through these moods -- at the keyboard, on a tablet or in a special journal. Whatever works, whatever is available. I promise, dedicated journalig can be a safe, inexpensive, and mood altering experience with no medication required.

Blessings,

Priscilla