Hurt people, hurt people.
Healed people, heal people.
I knew I needed to heal so that I could rid the darkness in my mind, thoughts, and heart and not be prickly like a porcupine to others.
I prayed this day would come and honestly wasn’t sure it would. In the midst of pain, I couldn’t imagine ever being able to say that I was grateful for the pain. I knew I needed to heal but felt helpless in doing anything about my condition. I lived in a jungle, mostly isolated from others except from my family, and distant from modern healthcare systems that so many depend on these days for these issues.
I use to want to go back in history and change the events that hurt me but now I wouldn’t change it for anything. I like the new me. It stripped me bare of my ugly hidden side like a diamond polished by a jeweler. I discovered who I was, the good and the bad. But most importantly, I have gained wisdom that comes from perseverance. I want to share this wisdom with you today.
What I learned through depression and anxiety and encouragement for those still in their dark tunnel.
- I won’t allow my feelings to bluff me anymore. They are just feelings, harmless, and they come and go.
- Nothing is more important on earth than people and spending time with others is never a waste of time.
- I’ve developed patience by enduring circumstances out of my control.
- All people are interesting and I ache to know all people better.
- My faith is growing.
- I tend to expect too much of myself and need to remind myself of that often.
- I am an extrovert who has learned to love being alone.
- Female hormones affect my feelings but I can be aware of this and choose to not use it as an excuse.
- Wisdom comes from going through fire. Knowledge comes from school. They are different.
- I have a more keen awareness of my complicated self in that I am spiritual, emotional, and physical and all three are balanced to keep me sane.
- Pain creates greater empathy for a greater number of people.
- I can accept that in this life there will be people who don’t like me.
- I do not have to work at making people like me.
- It’s okay to cry in public.
- Cold cucumbers help puffy eyes from crying all night.
- Nature, food, loving people, music, flowers, and all other things that please our senses were given to us to heal us.
- I need more sleep in life.
- My husband will love me in the good and bad.
- Animals remind me of the complexity of our creator and creation.
- All people have an aura, a soul, that attracts and draws others to themselves.
- There are people who know how to love and there are people who do not.
- I can love all people. I know I can.
- I need more quiet in life and will always have to fight to find it.
- Life should be slower and less busy so that we have more time for others.
- I will live God’s purpose out in my life whether I feel happy or sad.
- I don’t have to be happy.
- It’s okay to feel sad even if it’s for months or years.
- I can accept anything that comes my way whether I like it or not.
- Rejection is evil and no-one should go through it.
- Social media is not good or bad in itself. It depends on the user. I used it for good and have made numerous good friends!
- Forgiveness is facing the anger and bitterness is running away.
- Being victorious in depression is a choice but the fruit of that choice may not be seen for months or years.
- I’m forgiven by Jesus. I will forgive others.
- Sometimes being brave means doing nothing.
- Feeling the full range of emotions means I’m alive!
- Helping others heals me.
- I believe in God even when I don’t feel Him.
- I am no longer naive. I take longer to bring others into my inner circle but that’s okay.
- During times of depression, it is hard to empathize and love others though not impossible.
- Obsessive minds can accomplish lots in this life when the obsessed mind learns to aim and calm it.
- I am full throttle ahead and not good at going slow.
- What doesn’t kill you will make you stronger. It’s a good song.
- I don’t have to agree with others on everything to enjoy being with them.
- I worship God when I meet new people. I love peeling back the layers.
- I can be friendly to all people even when I know they don’t like me.
- My depression made me a better mother.
- My depression made my children better people and did not damage them.
- I couldn’t have done any of this without prayer, faith, and confidence in who I am as a created loved being. That is why I know how valuable you are too!