You are what you think!

In many cases, depression actually is the result of habitual negative  thoughts.  When bad things happen, we begin chastising ourselves with thoughts such as:  I'm no good, Nothing ever goes my way, I'm a failure...  Our feelings follow what we are thinking, and negative thoughts like these can send us spiraling down into depression.
This concept is the guiding principle behind cognitive therapy.  If we think something often enough, we begin to believe it's true and our feelings match what we are thinking about ourselves.  To conquer depression we must stop these automatic negative thoughts (ants) and replace them with more positive truthful ones
There are 10 faulty thought patterns that send us into depression.  You may recognize yourself in some of these that I will discuss over the next few days.
The first is All or Nothing Thinking.  An example of this might be is you apply for a promotion in your job.  It ends up being given to someone else.  You now tell yourself you are a total failure.  You beat yourself up.  You are having "ants".  Automatic Negative Thoughts!  You need to replace these thoughts with more positive, truthful ones.
Check your thinking lately...  What negative tapes are playing through your head?

Movie Review

Those of us who went to see Joyful Noise last night gave it a "thumbs up."  It was an upbeat chick flick and a great way to spend an extremely gray and gloomy day in January.  I have gotten email from a few of you wanting to get together for lunch sometime.  Our next meeting isn't until Feb 26 so it would be nice to have lunch and catch up.
Speaking of movies,  has anyone seen any of the films that are being nominated for awards?  Any recommendations?
Please keep everyone on the email list in your prayers...  It DOES make a difference!

Nurture a Spiritual Life

Your emotional well being can be affected by your spiritual life ( or lack of.)  It's helpful to read the Bible, pray, meditate, journal, join a Bibles study or worship with other believers.  There are many good daily devotionals that can guide your time with God.  I picked up one the other day in the bookstore titled, "40 Days with Jesus," by Sarah Young.  It was only 2.69 and is filled with encouragement.  The first day reminds us that Jesus knows our anxious thoughts and that when we draw near we experience His peace.
What are you doing to nurture your spiritual life?

Happy People are not Lazy about Happiness...

Sharing more on the book by Dr. Henry Cloud;
Happy people invest their time:
     *building relationships and community: they belong to support groups, Bible studies and get together       with friends or family
     *see a coach or counselor
     *pursue goals: physical, leisure,vocational...
     *nurture a spiritual life
     *serve others
     * have a healthy lifestyle
     *stretch themselves
     *are thankful
     *resolve pain and conflict:
It's important to move and keep moving.
The first step may be to join a support group, a class or get an accountability partner.  You have to overcome the lack of movement that has dominated you!

Joyful Noise

I asked my movie expert what time we should meet on Sunday for the movie and she suggests that since the movie is at 3:30 at Stoneridge, we should meet in the lobby at 3:15.  This will give people time to get their popcorn.  At 3:25 we will go into the theatre and sit in the back 2 rows.  This way is you are late you will know where we are sitting.  If you hate the back, you are welcome to sit wherever you want.  Let me know if you plan on coming so we can look for you!

Teens with Depression and Bipolar

I just received an email about some teens in our church who are struggling with depression and bipolar.  They are part of a high school group that meets every week.  Their adult leader asked me if i could talk with this group and also if we would be open to people as young as 15 coming to our meetings.  I say "yes."  What do you say?

Happy people are grateful....

I am writing this post while my coffee is brewing...  Anyone  who knows me will tell you you I can't think straight until I have consumed a large quantity of the lovely brown liquid.
So, if I ramble it is due to the fact that the coffee machine has not beeped yet.
If you are stable on your meds and not feeling depressed but yet not particularly happy you need to try being grateful.  I have kept a thankfulness journal.  Every day you write 10 things you are thankful for.  Every day has to have 10 entirely new things... no repeating.  It challenges you and you begin to realize just how blessed you are and you begin to have a better outlook on life.
The machine has beeped!  Today I am thankful for coffee :)

The Law of Happiness

I read this book last year called the Law of Happiness by the psychologist Dr. Henry Cloud.  It really made an impression on me because I go around thinking, "If I was ____or______ I would be happier."  His research shows that Only 10% of your happiness is due to your personal circumstances.  Another 50% comes from your internal makeup and the other 40% is DIRECTLY under your control.  The things under your direct control are your behaviors, thoughts and intentional practices in your life.  I want to explore some of the ideas he talks about in his book in the coming days.  He says that Happy People are
givers, not lazy about happiness, don't wait for "someday," pursue goals, fully engage, connect, don't compare themselves, think well, are grateful, have boundaries, forgive, have a calling, and have faith.  Which of these can you relate to?  I find I am happier when I am a giver.  I don't  give money but I try to give time and love. It isn't easy for me.  I prefer to be a hermit and am by nature insecure and shy.  Just writing this blog is a daily challenge for me but I feel happier in the end when I can say, "I hope I helped someone today."

Fresh Start

Thanks to all of you for your kind and encouraging words!  Today will be a fresh start for me as I do a new post and give you the opportunity to respond.
Some of you are experiencing depression right now and I will pray for you.  I would highly recommend light therapy.  The one I have is by Sphere and I have truly felt better this January than is many past Januaries. I turn it on while I am doing email in the morning and have it sitting on an end table next to where I sit on the sofa.  Of course, we have had several great days of natural light and I know that improves my mood as well.  This time last year I was in such despair that I felt suicidal.  We had a time of anointing with oil and being prayed over by an elder of the church and I went forward to prayer to be healed of my despair....  I have done this in the past without any change but this time I had felt the nudging of the Spirit to go forward and the next day I felt as though a dark cloud had lifted.  I haven't felt that heavy depression since that day.  I have mood swings and weeks of great lethargy but not the crushing depression that I have had many times in the past.  God does His part but I must also do my part: take my meds, get plenty of sleep, eat healthy and get regular exercise.  Right now my foot has a strained arch which is making it impossible to walk the treadmill which is my go to.  I could ride our stationery bike but for some reason that would feel like punishment to me :)  I hate that bike.
What are the rest of you doing to stay on an even keel?  One of our ladies is interested in looking for a Zumba class.  Does anyone know where we can find one close by?  I know the clip looks like it is for people under the age of 21 since it is so energetic but we could see if we could get a class : Zumba for Dummies and those over the age of 40.  We have a few younger people in our group who could do the regular class but I might need a chiropractor after that one!
We are looking to get together and go see Joyful Noise together.  When does it come out,  I forget?  A few of you are looking for a new psychiatrist and having trouble since it seems that everyone is "Not taking new patients..."  If you know of anyone who is accepting new patients let us know.
I am interested in getting an e reader some day.  I mentioned this in an old post but that was back when we were literally all on a "different page" :0  If you have any suggestions for one let me know. I could google it but it is so much better to talk to people directly!
I hope today is a really good day for all of you....

Working out the bugs

I'm testing to make sure I am making posts and not just commenting on old posts. Thank you for your patience with me as I learn how to use a blog.

ZUMBA® Fitness!!!