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!