Having a rough night... any words of encouragement/support?

Question

Hello, all:

Thanks for taking time to read this question.

I have treatment-resistant depression, and tonight the black dogs are biting particularly hard. I feel like everything is coming apart, emotionally speaking. At the same time, I have to work all night on a comic art project that's due tomorrow morning.

Any form of encouragement -- some words of support, a calming thought, an interesting link, a prayer, or a joke -- would be very much appreciated. Do you have some to offer?

I'll be checking back periodically over the course of the night. Again, thanks for taking time to read, and my heartfelt thanks to all who respond.

Stanbo -- yep, got 'em! :-) I especially liked the "Gladly the Cross I'd Bear" one... hee!

Thanks to everyone who sent hugs... (((((all of you))))!

Thank you for all the kind thoughts sent my way -- they are more than returned.

Lókasennã™ -- thanks, it's appreciated. :-)

Toopregnant, thank you for the sympathy that comes from someone who knows what it's like to be where I am. A cup of tea sounds just lovely. :-)

Abi -- I am not Christian, but I appreciate you extending the words of comfort to me in my time of trouble.

Blaise Pascal -- thank you for reaching back.

Kayla -- another excellent quotation. (((Kayla)))

magpie -- visualizations are hard for me when I'm down this deep, but I will give that a try.

maxsteel -- I know you're trying to help, but telling a depressed person to "suck it up" is just likely to send them deeper. Next time you might want to try compassion instead of a beatdown.

Monica K -- that was one CRAZY video! :-)

Medusa -- what a lovely spell/prayer... thank you.

Rembrandt -- unfortunately my depression has nothing to do with the circumstances of my life. I know I am blessed to have the job I have... but that doesn't stop the black dogs from giving chase.

Tirya -- Brightest blessing to you also, sister.

Kari -- and thank you for the lovely prayer.

Jamie -- I'll have to try that Yerba Mate tea sometime, thanks for the tip. :-)

wolfeblayde -- what a great quotation! I love it!

freshbliss -- I'd never heard of fish oil for depression before... I'll have to look into that.

CRAVE -- I'll take any prayers I can get. :-) And thank you for the blessings.

Sam -- thank you for the poem. Beautiful!

Mel -- and thank you for the great suggestions.

swindled -- thank you for pulling for me when I'm having a hard time pulling for myself.

Raven's Voice, my friend -- HAHAHAHAHAH! Lucky kitty! :-D Know that you are loved also.

Answer 1

Take your fish oil Darlin' - I put too many hours of research into it not to endorse it for just this reason- not to mention that its currently in Phase II trials for treatment resistant depression.

http://archpsyc.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/59/10/913

Best of Luck - and try not to take the dogs seriously. They might chase you, but they cant catch you.

Answer 2

First, know that you aren't alone, and that their are many other people who are feeling just as you are, at this time, all over the globe.

I would give you an interesting link, but my version of interesting may not be yours so I'll skip it. Prayer is what you make of it, but my thoughts are with you and I lend some of my strenght to you this night to help you. If you're looking for jokes, or a distraction even, www.jokaroo.com is hilarious. If you're into taking weird wacky tests, try www. tickle.com--it's what I do if I"m feeling extra down or even when I'm really bored and suffering from insomnia (like now). If I'm not at a computer I'll pop in one of my young kids' cds I made them and listen to stupid kid's songs, like from when I was a kid. It always seems to make me laugh (maybe because I feel like a dufus when I'm singing along.) It lightens my spirit, and that's always a plus!

Life is full of ups a downs....unfortunately, we can't really determine when either will show up. The best thing to do is know that now you are down are sooner or later you'll be up again.

Answer 3

Where ever you are, Goddess is....and where ever Goddess is all is well. A candle has been lit for you my sister. A word of encouragment is riding the wind to you now. A shimmer of grace peers out of the moonlit clouds. A glorious hope awaits you in the silence of your soul. Remember, you are Divine...even in moments of despair.

Your heart is open
Your thoughts can heal
Divine Emotion
Is what you feel
You hear the beating
Of the sacred drum
Pulsing, repeating
Your will be done
You live with wonder
On this planet earth
The spell your under
Is the Universe
You trust the union
Of heart and mind
Holy communion
In space and time.

Bright Blessings to you always, beloved daughter of Earth.

Answer 4

Sometimes I find it easier to focus on things I enjoy when the difficult times are at hand, it doesn't mean they will go away, and it is not even avoiding them- though sometimes that is exactly what it means. What i was thinking was that work has a way of clearing the head, and gives the mind something to occupy itself, a necessary distraction if you will.

Also, PRAY.

I have been through a few tough times in my life, who hasn't, and looking back some of the work I did was the best I've done(not that that is a good reason), but it can be rather cathartic. Anyways, my comments were based on the above, as well as the fact that you actually had a project due as you stated- which I hope you finished, and did well.

Sometimes when I know I'm going to face a tough night, for me it means sometimes just getting through it! For my health I focus on other things, especially when I have other things pressing in.

Answer 5

Smile, Jesus loves you and so do I!!!

God bless,
Stanbo

Some days you're the pigeon ...
Some days you're the statue!

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow,
Success is failure turned inside out--
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit."
~ Unknown


"I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind.
Some come from ahead and some come from behind.
But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see.
Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!"
~ Dr. Seuss


"Happiness is a journey, not a destination.
For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life. This perspective has helped me to see there is no way to happiness.
Happiness is the way.
So treasure every moment you have and remember that time waits for no one."
~ Souza


Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows.
Helen Keller


Okay enough with the quotes. How about some jokes? I thought this first one was really cute.


A child came home from Sunday School and told his mother that he had learned a new song about a cross-eyed bear named Gladly. It took his mother a while before she realized that the hymn was really "Gladly The Cross I'd Bear,"

______________________________________

The Pope had just finished a tour of the East Coast and was taking a limousine to the airport. Having never driven a limo, he asked the chauffeur if he could drive for awhile.

Well, the chauffeur didn't have much of a choice, so the chauffeur climbs in the back of the limo and the Pope takes the wheel. The Pope proceeds to hop on Route 95 and starts accelerating to see what the limo could do. He gets to about 90 miles per hour and, WHAM, there are the blue lights of our friendly State Police in his mirror.

He pulls over and the trooper comes to his window. Seeing who it was the trooper says "just a moment please I need to call in."

The trooper radio's in and asks for the chief. He tells the chief "I've got a REALLY important person pulled over and I need to know what to do."
The chief replies "Who is it, not Ted again ?"
The trooper says,"No, even more important."
The chief replies, "It's the Governor, is it?"
The trooper replies "No, even more important."
"It's isn't the President is it?"
"No, more important", replies the trooper.
"Well WHO the HECK is it!", screams the chief.
"I don't know" says the trooper. "But he's got the Pope as a chauffeur!"

_________________________________________

The new priest is nervous about hearing confessions, so he asks an older priest to sit in on his sessions.

The new priest hears several confessions, then the old priest asks him to step out of the confessional for a few suggestions.

The old priest suggests, "Cross your arms over your chest and rub your chin with one hand."

The new priest tries this.

The old priest then suggests, "Try saying things like, 'I see, yes, go on, and I understand, how did you feel about that?"

The new priest says those things, trying them out.

The old priest concludes, "Now, don't you think that's a little better than slapping your knee and saying, 'No way! What happened next?'"

______________________________

Are you getting these? Are you feeling any better? Hope so. One more then I have to say good night.

___________________________________

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Man Minus Ear Waives Hearing
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Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors
Publicize Your Business Absolutely Free! Just send $6.00.

I hope you enjoyed these. Good luck with your art project. I'll say a prayer for you. Good night and remember that you are loved.

God bless,
Stanbo

Answer 6

Big hug!

Have you ever heard this joke?

Two catterpillars were munching away on the stem of some green growing plant that could support the weight of two chubby green catterpillars...
chatting away passing the time they saw a great big butter fly!
The one catterpillar said to the other after a wide mouthed pase"...you'll never get me up in one of those things!"

Hmmmmm!

Peace and don't go falling asleep with your head on your work! Hug! LOL!

When you have this dione, try some Yerbe Mate tea. So good for you!

Medussa ...that was beautiful...ahhh. Hmmm.

Answer 7

In the words of the famous Zen laxative slogan: "All things must pass".

*************

One day, a cat died of natural causes and went to Shinning Isle, where she met the Goddess, Mother of all things.

The Lady said to the cat, "Daughter of Bast, if there is any way I can make your stay in Summerlands more pleasant, please let me know."

The cat thought for a moment and said, "Gracious Lady, I have had good life, the humans I lived with were loving to me, but they were a poor family, and I had to sleep on a hard wooden floor."

The Queen of the Shinning Isle smiled, and a soft, fully pillow appeared in snuggly catbox.

A few days later, six mice were killed in a tragic farming accident, and all of them went to the afterlife. Again, the Gracious Goddess who gives joy was there to greet the little mice. She asked them if there was any thing they wished. The mice answered all at once, squeeking, Skates! Skates! We want rollerskates! We've been chased and terrorized by dogs, owls, women with brooms, cats, farm equipment! Running, running, running; we're tired of running. We want skates!"

Somewhat amused, the Goddess answered, "If you wish." Each mouse was fitted instantly with beautiful new roller skates.

About a week later, it pleased the Goddess to walk among the trees of the orchard on the Shinning Isle. She passed by the snuggly cat box and found the tabby snoozing on the pillow.

The Lady gently wakes the cat and asks her, "How are things since you got here?"

The cat stretched and yawned, then replied, "It is wonderful here." Purring happily, she continued, "Better than I could have ever expected. And those 'Meals On Wheels' you've been sending by are the best!"

************

http://www.turoks.net/Cabana/FaithBasedChemistry.htm

http://www.turoks.net/Cabana/RealPurposeOfStonehenge.htm

http://www.turoks.net/Cabana/ReligiousTruths.htm

********

and on a cheerful and accepting note:

http://www.turoks.net/Cabana/TheChristiansAndThePagans.htm


Be well, sister. Know you are loved.

Answer 8

JOKE:

Q: What did the Floor say to the Christmas Tree?

PL: Stop Pinning over me!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Seascapes"
By Dean Walley


The seashore welcomes each visitor
with the promise of sunlit discovery,
and those who come to the sea to be refreshed and renewed can share the blessings of serenity and return home again, inspired and restored by the spirit of the sea.

Here we find the difference
between being alone...and loneliness.

Those who walk alone are never lonely...
...when they hear the voices of the sea
whispering along with the wind...
...and see the face of the sea
smiling back at the day
and dreaming in the moonlight...
...when they feel the hand of the sea
reaching out cool fingers
to comfort and caress.

The sea asks only that we lay down our burdens on the smooth sand.
It wants nothing that we can bring to it.

All our treasures seem faded
beside it emerald majesty...
...and when all that encumbers us is cast into the sea,
we receive a greater treasure... peace of mind.

This outward simplification of life...
...the freedom from possessions...
is only a beginning,
the first leg on a voyage into ourselves.

And as time ebbs away
curling moments into the fluid treasury of the sea...
we begin to give up our invisible burdens
of confusion...
boredom...
despair...
clearing a place within us
into which the ocean's peace and tranquility can flow.

In the bleached and weathered beauty of driftwood...
...worn smooth by the waves and purified by the sun...
we see how time and hardships
can work to fashion all things in grace and dignity...
even our own hearts.


The rocky coast reminds us of the unyielding strength
of the human spirit...standing firm and proud
against the problems of life...
even as the rocks resist the onslaught
of the churning surf.

The ebb and flow of the sea is like the ebb and flow of
friendship...love... and life.

Like the sea, all our relationships...
...our very existence...
wax and wane
depleting our levels of faith and hope,
then filling us again with a surge of joy...
...that lets us believe once more
in everything we love...
...and in ourselves.

The ocean is a place of many patterns...
...gulls swirling overhead,
making white spirals on the blue sky...
...the white-edged filigree of the waves,
extending their pattern
to the limits of the horizon...
...and beyond...
...with schools of fish
coursing, wheeling, turning
through jade green depths.

Each gull...
each wave...
each fish is alone...
as we are alone...
yet they are one with their kind,
moving in a pattern they cannot see
or, perhaps, even understand...
...and the patterns of the sea
give us a new insight
into the patterns of all life...
...leaving us content...
...at peace...and fulfilled.

The sea has cast up so many treasure for us.
The beach is dotted with shells of every description...
...furled and latticed by nature's artistry...
sculptured and turned bleached to a dazzling white
or shimmering with a pearly sheen.

At first we want them all...
we run to catch each one...
,,,but soon we realize
that these are only shells...
empty houses left by the creatures of the sea...
...and we lay all but the most beautiful aside
and carry one or two away with us.

Just as one cannot collect all the beautiful shells on the beach,
so one cannot collect all the moments of wonder...
...all the songs of joy...
...all the times of triumph that are a part of life.

But we can clasp the ones that come to us...
...close to our hearts...
where they will remain forever.

In listening to the sea...
in peering into its vastness...
we learn many lessons...
...the patience that reduces mountains
to tiny grains of sand...
...the faith that allows the tides to flow away...
...freeing them from the bonds of earth...
knowing they will return again and again...
...and we learn of the simplicity of nature
that strips away the complexity of civilization
and helps us...
...through solitude...
to grow close to the Power of Creation.

And when we leave the sea
...as it cradles the sun with its arms...
we will walk to the steps to home
...with a perfect peace...
...with a quiet joy...
...with a full heart.

Answer 9

I have been in your shoes recently(not literally that would be stalking) but I too have been dealing with depression. Take a look at my questions and see. All I can say is that you're not alone in this.I can't really fully understand what you are feeling because I am not you, but I can offer my compassion and sympathy. Do you want a hug?


(((you))).

"Keep kicking against the darkness until it bleeds daylight." - Bruce Cockburn

Answer 10

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, To change the things I can, And the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time, Accepting hardship as the pathway to Peace. Taking as he did, this sinful world as it is not as I wold have it. Trusting that he will make all things right if I surrender to his will. That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with him forever in the next.
AMEN