For many, this season of Good Tidings and Great Joy is the most depressing time of the year.
In the northern hemisphere the sun is slumbering more each day. Families and friends are out of reach. The cost of having a good time is sky high. It’s often cooler, and seldom a bright sunny day. Where I live, it’s cooler, damper, and gloom ladened clouds persist.
Ahha! Just right for some, and totally wrong for others!
It’s labeled depression. A stigma. We label it to understand it. Seasonal Affective Disorder. One may describe it simply “…A mood disorder characterized by depression that occurs at the same time every year.” Websites galore describe what it is, and how to undo it’s damage, or even prevent it’s shadow from appearing. Light Therapy seems to be in order!
I woke up extra early this morning. Trying to get back in the groove, and caring about the day that needs to flow just right and help us all enjoy the reason for this season. Outside of this immediate moment, life goes on. Struggles happen. Challenges are faced with footsteps that cannot get up the speed to hurdle the moment. All it takes is a few minutes of headlines to see how much better you possibly have it over others, and that only makes the day seem more unreal.
How do we overcome this disorder? It’s probably unique to each personality. On one hand I have a deep understanding of how I respond, but then, on the other hand, I’m not so sure I have it grasped as tight as it needs to be!
Fight The Negative
Take a pill, says this person who has a cabinet full of pills they take for everything that ails. Get off to a corner says another who loves living out of the light of others and totally enjoys moody corners. Turn on the light! (Light Therapy) Get happy! (Drunk) Surround yourselves with others! (Parties) Put on happy music! (It’s playing 24 hours a day and after awhile you get so tired of reindeers!)
Yet none of this deals with the real problem. What is it? It’s you.
You are often your own worst enemy, and best friend. This being said, you probably understand exactly what you need to do to fight the negativity of yourself. Only, you have not put it into words, nor action.
I’ve learned with myself that it’s simply this. I must fight negativity. “Put ‘em up! Put ‘em up!” says the Cowardly Lion, and then his tail whips around, smacks him in the head and his false bravado crumbles.
That’s not fighting negativity. What I’ve had to do is identify the “blues making” syndrome and toss it into the dump! This is “me” handling “me”!
If its a season affective disorder, then here’s the key. Seasons come and go, but this disorder probably shows up at the same time. Every year. Like clockwork! So, plan for it’s arrival! Crowd it out of the picture. Don’t let it speak. Keep a bucket of frigid water to douse it down!
Stay Positive
Staying positively looking forward doesn’t mean you are never dealing with your momentary issues. Rather, it’s looking for that light at the end of the tunnel! It’s in your hands to not be negative! Do not let yourself slip into the morass.
I love this melody by the Eagles, No More Cloudy Days. It’s dealing with the hurt of lost love, but it seems so appropriate for this moment.
Being positive starts with you defining what it will take. For you. Remember. You’re not the only one facing these seasonal bouts, so don’t stress others with your recovery, nor drag them down to your level. Jesus describes some as being blind, trying to lead the blind, and they both end up in a ditch! (Matthew 15:14)
It was Paul telling King Agrippa, “I think myself happy!” (Acts 26:2) Read between the lines, and it all begins with the mind! And, being in charge of how your mind works about the situation you find yourself facing!
Take Charge
So. Take charge. Be in control of self, and surroundings. When negativity knocks, don’t answer! Someone told me recently, “Watch old people. They have to answer the phone!” Well, I’m changing that mantra. “Don’t answer unless I’m ready to talk!”
That’s being in charge and taking control.
Learning how to Take Charge and Being In Control helps you face the daunting world. Do not let this Season drive you to depression. Handle yourself to handle this season! Click To TweetWhen I’m in a crowd, and I feel the quietness of a mood creeping in, I have to be the one to simply say, “No!” I open myself to others.
- “It’s Friday, right?”
- “Where are you from originally?”
These are my standard conversation opening buttons. I used them about 10 times yesterday. Great openings to push out the mood, and experience the life of someone else! Push one. You’ll find out about others and it will change your mind about yourself!