[mistiis]

Learning to survive, and find happiness, is part of the journey we each make in this world. All of us face trials, and difficulties, of one kind or another. Be it mental illness, or physical illness, or both, or loss (something we will all face) grief and pain are something to be dealt with. That is part of what our forum is about. Trying to help and support each other as we face the storms of life, is what this forum family does.

There are many survivors here, some have walked the road longer than others, and have their wisdom to share with those who are starting down the path.

I have dealt with depression and suicidal ideation and attempts for 40+ years. (Boy, did I give my age away, or what?) I am still here. And, yes, I still fight. It was only a week, or less, ago, that, once again, I fought the suicidal thoughts as I held a bottle of pills in my hand. I put them down, knowing that the pain would pass and joy would find its way again.

I have had many periods of joy along with the grief and the pain. Life is about that. But, I am not trying to tell my life story here, just lay a foundation to say, "Hey, I have been there, and know what pain, lonliness, and depression feel like, at the depth. I know many others here do as well. I hope to give hope to those who are looking down the road at a life where they must deal with depression, mental illness, and suicidal ideation. It will NOT always be dark. There will be periods of light, and joy. Those periods will more than make up for the periods of darkness.

Learning coping skills is as important for someone with mental illness as it is for someone with diabetes, and high blood pressure, etc. It takes personal effort, motivation, and desire. It is a learning process, a journey of discovery for what will work for you at any given point in your life. It will change, you will change, that is the nature of life.

I learned at a very young age that the people around me were NOT going to make me happy. As long as I gave them the power to make me happy or unhappy, chances were, I would be unhappy. Because, lets face it, people are not always going to behave the way I want them too (thank goodness)! I don't know if this will make sense. It kind of takes having an AHA moment. One where you realize that you are responsible for how you feel, and act, not the people around you. Realizing this will give you the power to act and feel from within yourself, not be in a state of constant reaction. I hope this makes some sense.

Maybe this should go in the depression forum, but, so many here fight to survive. I think we can help each other by sharing the ways that we do survive, and the things we have had to learn to survive. If I don't make sense here, well, just smack me one!!

"One of the greatest tragedies of our culture is that we give our power away daily. We believe that there are forces in the outer world that control our fate, while the abiding truth of our life is that we create our own destiny."
Out of "Dare To Be Yourself," by Alan Cohen

You could argue that you did not choose the tragedies or illness that occur in your life, but, you do choose how to react and act. Mental illness is a little more tricky to deal with. But, the principle is the same. Am I going to be a victim? It is my choice. Therein lies my power. Will I beat myself up if I fall, or fail? I might, but, I will try to learn not to. After all, learning is a skill, and a process. It takes TIME......

[Idealist]

Me like... Everyone has their own secret ingredient!

[BlueMajo]

Thanks for that hon.

I enjoyed reading it and it made me reflexing....

Lots of love.

[DMACK]

Beautifully writen Mistiis

David

[MandaC]

I want to have my AHA moment. I'm trying to be patient. I think I'm close to it after this horrible weekend. I don't want to continue feeling this way and interacting this way with people around me. I want to be responsible for my own feelings.

Thank you for the post.

[mistiis]

You already are dear Manda, all you have to do is realize it, that's the beauty of it. The depth of the learning continues for life once the realization is made. But, even from the beginning, it is freeing.