I Don't Like To Think About Depression. It's So . . . So . . .

Thinking about depression is . . . Well, it's . . . It's depressing.

If I wanted to think about love, I'd have a much better thought pattern than if I thought about depression. If I thought about the weather, I'd normally have a better thought pattern than if I thought about depression.

If I thought about love, my eyes would get dreamy, my face would have a smile on it, my body would sigh longingly. Then of course, if I thought about depression, whap! Bang! My mouth would droop, my shoulders would sag, my breathing would be boring, my lips would occasionally be firming up as I tried to keep a firm upper lip.

Hm. Can you think of a purple elephant? Your body language might still be the same, huh? OK, how about if you thought about an ice cream sundae? That would depend on if you were on a diet, wouldn't it? How about if you thought about a Yankee's game? Hm. That definitely got somebody's attention. If I said *water* to a drowning man and *water* to a thirsty man, I'd get two different responses, wouldn't I? It's the same way with a lot of words.

Well, the trick is, what turns you on? Whatever it is, will it keep your attention for a while? If it doesn't, then it doesn't qualify for this little experiment.

OK. Here's what you do. *Pretend* you can put whatever is depressing you in your right hand. There it is in your hand. Depressing you. Go through the whole scenario and get depressed.

Now, put whatever it is that turns you on in your left hand. Figuratively speaking, of course.

Now, think about what depresses you. Quick, think about what turns you on.

Now, think about what depresses you. Quick, think about what turns you on.

Now, think about what depresses you. Quick, think about what turns you on.

You get the idea. Do it 10 times in a row.

Now, clap your hands, hold them together, and count to fifteen.

Now, think about what USED to depress you instantly. It takes a while for it to come up, doesn't it?

Stop trying to bring it up, and just go about your business. If you find yourself depressed again, redo the process. Some people make a history out of depression -- not the clinical kind, just the give-me-some-attention kind. Maybe because they haven't figured out how to get out of it, once they got so deeply into it.

What a concept. Some people are depressed because they don't know how NOT to be. You can help them. Pass it on.

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Copyright 2001, Jan Tincher, All Rights Reserved Worldwide