Some show up at my office because they're "depressed." They think that something is wrong with them. And often they think the solution is to take a pill to change their mood.
But they often don't like my suggestion that it's okay to feel bad once in a while. It's as natural to feel sad as it is to be happy. Look at the children in our lives. They go through a range of emotions during a day. And of course we don't want them to be in pain or to cry. Because it can be irritating. Or we worry that something's wrong with them. But then the next moment we'll see them laughing and playing. It's an all day cycle with many. Usually though, they're okay.
We should pay attention to our emotions, because they're sending us a message. If we're afraid, is it because we're in danger? Or is it our anxiety about what's next?
After all, our primitive ancestors had to be afraid a lot - otherwise they might get eaten by a predator. They couldn't go down to Walgreen's and pick up a prescription to keep them calm. And if they could of it would have been a deadly mistake. Fear was nature's way of protecting them.
I find that when I'm depressed or in an emotional state it's because I'm thinking too much about myself. And my solution is to get busy helping someone else.
We can change our mood by looking at those around us who have real issues that would crush most of us.
We can always see those who face physical, financial, or emotional challenges. We can be grateful for how good our own lives are. And maybe do something to help those who face challenges.
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