Depression

I was so down in the dumps the other evening.  They reckon “depression” is one of the signs of a stroke.  I have not had a problem with it, but I do know that every now and then I get unreasonable melancholy.
It took me totally by surprise.  A few things triggered it off including that I could not find paperwork I needed, and I put the wrong date for an event on an email.  Such a first world problem I know.  Although I imagine losing stuff and wrong times is an any world problem.  Still it snuck up on me.  I tried to keep a stiff upper lip and reckon I fooled most of the people most of the time, but I know I did not fool all the people all the time.
We found the paper-work the next day and I corrected the date but the feeling lingered.  To others I have no doubt I would have appeared to be my usual self, but I knew I had to do something if I was not to let this thing get the better of me.
So I did what I know to do.  I encouraged myself.  I knew things were not as bad as my feelings were telling me they were.  I knew also that if I let this thing linger, I would not be function as I should.
Previous experience has shown me that that sort of thing spirals down.  What initially is a feeling bad thing ends up being a lifestyle thing.  I find I withdraw more and more.  People I associated with and things I did become a memory rather than a lived current experience.
It was time for me to put into practice what I talk about.  Replacement.  Filling myself with good so there is no room for bad.  As is my custom I ask for God’s help with such things but have found the first step is always mine to make.  He always comes through, but my step proves how much I want it.
I have done a number of my usual things.  One of the best bits of advice I reckon I have heard over the years was “never make a decision when you are down.”  Feeling bad was not the time for me to make decisions contrary to decisions I had made.
It amazes me how things I have let go can seem so attractive.  They may or may not have been bad in themselves, but I have left them behind as they are incompatible with my current lifestyle.  When I am down it is like there are lights flashing above them and carnival music is playing.  I can be like a fly to the flame or like “hang on a minute, what sort of dodgy operation is this?”
One thing I have always found with emotions is they are transient.  Sometimes it is just a matter of hanging in there.  As sure as night follows day they will pass.  Sometimes I am happy.  Sometimes sad.  Sometimes angry.  Sometimes over the moon.  One thing is for sure though, emotions are not a reliable building material.
It was sung “I get by with a little help from my friends.”  In this case it was “I get by with a little help from my friend.”  The storm clouds have past (I am not a storm chaser) as they do, and I am bathed in sunshine again.  It may have only been a little win, but many little wins go to make up a big win.