"You are given the gift of the gods; you create your reality according to your beliefs; yours is the creative energy that makes your world; there are no limitations to the self except those you believe in." - JANE ROBERTS - SETH
Chronic sadness, or grief, if not understood and dealt with may lead to depression and eventually to thoughts of suicide. I've been there. I know what it feels like and how hard it is to pull yourself back from that awful dark place.
I've experienced feelings of hopelessness in varying degrees from despondence, to despair and if I look back I can see the downward spiral of events that took me into the pit of depression.
Darkness is defined as the "absence of light". Surely then the way to combat the darkness is to "turn on the light".
The light could take the form of an idea or goal, a person, a book, a piece of music, an inspiring movie, or holistic healing of some kind.
When I was experiencing chronic depression, I didn't understand what was happening at first. I was experiencing all sorts of physical symptoms as well as depressing, dark thoughts.
I couldn't sleep, I lost my appetite, and I jumped for the slightest reason and had panic attacks when my heart would race. I cried for the slightest reason, I lost my train of thought in the middle of sentences, my concentration levels in general dropped, I felt tired all the time and my eyes were red, sunken and black ringed.
My skin colour became pasty. My hair was lifeless with no shine. I dragged myself out of bed and through my days. Basically, I hated my life and the person I had become. I could see no way forward out of the dark space I was in and that just made everything so much worse. I felt dreadfully alone. I didn't think anyone cared, or understood how awful I was feeling.
The harder I tried to do everything right and keep everyone happy, the more exhausted I felt and the worse the downward spiral became.
I eventually went to my local library in desperation and found various books on stress and depression, and that was where I began to recognise the symptoms I was experiencing. I realised I needed help, but I was so glad to find that I was not losing my mind after all!
Then a good friend suggested I might try a session of hypnotherapy, to help me relax. Hypno what? I had never tried anything like that before and felt a bit silly having to explain to a stranger why I was sitting in his therapy room. But as we talked I began to release the pent up emotions of frustration and anger, hopelessness and despair. Gradually, the cleansing tears began to flow and the healing process began.
I went for three sessions of hypnotherapy and they really did save my life. It helped me to relax initially, then to go into a deeper relaxed space where I could let go of some of the stress and finally into a very deep state where I found absolute peace.
It helped me to see things more objectively and to realise that I had been putting all the pressure on myself. The choices were all down to me. I didn't need to be the perfect wife, mother, daughter, sister, secretary and all the rest...
I immediately requested a transfer at work to a less pressured position, shortened my work hours a bit, stopped being so fussy and servile at home and learned to take one day at a time. I discovered homeopathic Rescue Remedy drops for those moments when I could feel myself becoming tense and over-emotional. I learned the value of deep breathing when panic attacks threatened to overwhelm me.
I began taking the dogs for walks on the beach and getting out more. I started painting and doing creative hobbies, which I found relaxing. I began writing in my journals again, which was such a therapeutic way for me to safely express what I was feeling, knowing that only I would read it.
Then I discovered the benefits of meditation. I could feel I was on my way back to a more balanced, happier, relaxed outlook. It took a long while, a lot of patience and inner-work, but I eventually began to like my life again - bit by bit.
The following words describe the downward and subsequent upward spiral that I experienced while going through depression and then finding my way back to the light.
Downwards:
• Fear
• Frustration
• Anger
• Overwhelmed / controlled
• Blame
• Hate
• Trapped
• Despondency
• Hopelessness
• Loneliness
• Despair
• Suicide
Upwards:
• Acceptance
• Surrender
• Face the fears
• Take responsibility
• Seek help moving forward - mental, emotional and physical
• Understand
• Express - creatively
• Release beliefs / people
• Forgiveness
• Learn to love / respect yourself
• Set new personal boundaries
• Surround yourself with positive people / community
• Plan
• List of achievable goals
• Take action - co-create your life one small step at a time
• Fun and Joy!
If you are experiencing thoughts of such hopelessness that you would rather cease living, you need to talk to someone right away! Don't wait. Find someone, anyone, to talk to. It often happens that a problem shared and worked through with someone else's loving, non-judgmental input can help you to find clarity and a way forward.
Overcoming thoughts of suicide is possible! Suicide is not the answer.
I wish you blessings of light.
Linney
Linney Elder is the author of "Infinitely Possible - A Cancer Odyssey", a freelance researcher and writer, Reiki Master Teacher, intuitive healer and perennial student of life. Join her on this magical journey of self-discovery - read more insights and related subjects on her website: http://www.infinitely-possible.com/ This article was originally published on my website. © Copyright 2011 - Linney Elder. All Rights reserved.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linney_Elder
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For more information, you might enjoy reading my book, More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife. Purchase paperback on Amazon.com. It's also on Amazon as an e-book for those who have Kindle or Sony Readers. The audio book is now available!
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