I realize Christmas is coming and coming soon. I've always heard
that Christmas time is one the most depressing times in the whole year! I have
no numbers or articles to back this statement, but I think we can agree that
depression can run really high during this time of the year. As everyone else,
I've always heard about it and I thought I understood it, but I think in some
way I really didn't. I could recall on several occasions as a teacher when I
felt 'down' and disheartened, but I wouldn't call being it being depressed.
Before I even knew that I had Asperger's, I probably assumed I was in a chronic
state of being depressed, but I can honestly say that was never the case. There
were many times when I was highly stressed, but not depressed. At this point it
would be a good idea to see how the Webster Dictionary defines ‘depression’: a serious medical condition in which a person
feels very sad, hopeless, and unimportant and often is unable to live in a
normal way. I really believe the key words in the definition
are "live in a normal way". In my small thinking with a person with
Asperger's, I really didn't understand what a normal way was.
Since I have
been diagnosed and have a much more self-awareness of everything
around me, which established normal way has been much more defined for me
personally. One of the newest phases that I have been doing through lately is
depression. For a while, I wasn't willing to admit it and I know that my wife
has been fighting it for quite a while because hers is a very severe case right
now, but I know she'll get through it. The only reason why I came to the same
conclusion about myself is because things that I had no problem doing before, I
can't seem to do them now.
I realize not doing work
sounds like a pitiful excuse for just not doing it, but it goes much further
than that. The best as way I can describe it was when Douglas MacArthur had
addressed Congress about the Korean War and basically going over President
Truman's head; he said in his speech "that old soldiers never die, they
just fade away". The idea being that whatever we are talented in life,
like for me writing, depression is like we want to do what we love, but undertaking
it becomes a struggle. Right now, I'm having a hard time really writing
anything. It's been a tussle just to write this blog. This lack of motivation
really befuddles me because I generally love to write, yet I
can't.
I really think I'm going
to be the fight of my life. I've always had to deal with difficulties of all
kinds but, I never would have thought I would have to face off
against mediocrity. As a Christian, it's one of the devil's favorite
things because if I don't make an effort to go out and spread the good news
then I've lost that moment Satan has won another day. Satan never wants anyone
to know the truth and especially during the Christmas year. I know I can get
past this, but I really believe I'll need the Lord's help. If you are in the
same boat as I am, please just remember that it's not the end of the world and
you can get better, but it has to start with the first step...changing your
outlook. I realize that is an easier said than done, but the depressive outlook
had to start somewhere, now we just need to readjust that perspective to one of
promise and a better way of life. I've said this lots of times but, you still
only have one life and that's it. Would you like to think that you can make the
most of it? You're just going to have to do the hardest thing of all...try.
Song of Inspiration
[Check it out on iTunes or Android!]:
Song: "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"
Artist: Jaci Velasquez
Album: {Christ}mas
Here's the music to the selected song...sorry, there wasn't a true video.
Don't let depression kill your Christmas.
Here's the music to the selected song...sorry, there wasn't a true video.
Don't let depression kill your Christmas.
