Depression Support Group
Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.
Last night I was at a work shop to develop a Wellness Recovery Action Plan. One of the key concepts being discussed was hope.
The gentleman next to me was asked about hope and he had wondered whether when he lost his, but then he was asked when he first found it.
During that discussion I started to think about hope. I wondered if I even had any. I know I had felt hopeful, but I have also felt hopeless since finding it.
So I thought about when I had found hope and then it dawned on me. It was him.
You see, due to my struggles I have an extremely difficult time making friends. When I do make them I tend to withdraw out of fear.
But then I met a dear, dear, person. It was almost as if he was an angel sent from God as I met him during my darkest hour.
We developed a close bond and a mutually supportive friendship. That was how I found hope. I went from being someone who thought I was not good enough for anyone to learning that someone could care for me despite my issues. I also learned other things such as how to love.
Unfortunately, things did not work out. I think it can be tough for two highly sensitive people with thin skin to navigate through issues that may crop up.
That is when the hopelessness came back. I do not mean it is anyone's fault. That is within me. It's just difficult when someone means so much to you and all you want to do is love them and care about them and somehow things don't work out in the end.
That's when I start to go back to thinking I am not good enough for others. That I am too messed up for friends.
But I realized despite it all, I still have a mustard grain seed of hope due to this man. I still have struggles I am working on, but this friendship changed me.
I cannot ever be appreciative enough for it. I think one of my deepest regrets in life will be that we could not work it out. But I will never regret the experience.
So what is hope to you? How did you find it?
The gentleman next to me was asked about hope and he had wondered whether when he lost his, but then he was asked when he first found it.
During that discussion I started to think about hope. I wondered if I even had any. I know I had felt hopeful, but I have also felt hopeless since finding it.
So I thought about when I had found hope and then it dawned on me. It was him.
You see, due to my struggles I have an extremely difficult time making friends. When I do make them I tend to withdraw out of fear.
But then I met a dear, dear, person. It was almost as if he was an angel sent from God as I met him during my darkest hour.
We developed a close bond and a mutually supportive friendship. That was how I found hope. I went from being someone who thought I was not good enough for anyone to learning that someone could care for me despite my issues. I also learned other things such as how to love.
Unfortunately, things did not work out. I think it can be tough for two highly sensitive people with thin skin to navigate through issues that may crop up.
That is when the hopelessness came back. I do not mean it is anyone's fault. That is within me. It's just difficult when someone means so much to you and all you want to do is love them and care about them and somehow things don't work out in the end.
That's when I start to go back to thinking I am not good enough for others. That I am too messed up for friends.
But I realized despite it all, I still have a mustard grain seed of hope due to this man. I still have struggles I am working on, but this friendship changed me.
I cannot ever be appreciative enough for it. I think one of my deepest regrets in life will be that we could not work it out. But I will never regret the experience.
So what is hope to you? How did you find it?
that they'll love you back.
Don't expect love in return;
Just wait for it to grow in your heart.
But if it doesn't, be content that it grew in yours.
I wish governments would make these cost effective part of peoples recovery
Hope - is great but I can understand why people lose it - I think its normal to not feel hope all the time but it is nice to try to find it again when we lose it
George Orwell
'We are all in the gutter but some of us are looking at the stars'