So I've written a bit about depression recently and I wanted to share with you a few things I had to re-discover.
One thing I had to re-learn about myself is that for me to be happy I MUST write on a nearly daily basis. It doesn't have to be about politics or any set subject, I just have to write. I have found that if I get a bit of writing done as soon as I wake up it lifts a weight off of my shoulders, it gives me a sense of accomplishment that allows me to be even more productive, because instead of dragging ass and feeling bad that I haven't even written today I can instead check that off my list and move on to other things I need to do that day. Perhaps others can opine about their own experiences, and please do as I value your input, but for myself I identify myself as a writer and that rings hollow when I haven't written anything in a while.
In my times of darkest depression I have gone over a year without writing anything. I used to write a lot of fiction before I became politically active on Daily Kos. I remember having a job I hated that took up 60+ hours a week between work and commuting, during that time I wrote nothing, and I was unhappy. That unhappiness was the by-product of several external forces, frustration over a relationship or lack thereof, stressing out over money or the lack thereof, family problems, work, or the lack thereof, a number of things have to happen at the same time to feel depressed, or not, sometimes it is a chemical thing within ourselves. Some of us are just naturally inclined towards being depressed. I don't think I am one of those people, but I have never gotten therapy or anything like that and I am not on any real medication aside from the occasional beer or joint. For myself I find that I have ups and downs, but I imagine for many others it isn't that easy.
I got a ton of great advice recently, about getting more exercise and eating a healthier diet, a plethora of good advice in fact, and I welcome more of it, but out of all that advice the best thing I can do for myself is to write, it's what inspires me, it is where my passion lies, even if it is nothing more than the simple self-reflective kind of writing that this article represents. For that, I thank you, dear reader, silent companion through my self-imposed wilderness, for you have been blinded like me, and in this effort of writing I hope we can both empower ourselves to achieve far greater things.
We stress over money, over love, over fear and pain and anger, we stress and we wind ourselves up into a ball; it's human behavior. You are SUPPOSED to get angry when you've been wronged, you are SUPPOSED to feel pain when you have been hurt, but for many of us the hard part is not finding the strength to go on but in believing in yourself enough to put your first foot forward. I often forget that, as do many of us, I suspect. It is good to remind yourself of what makes you happy. Do that. Do the positive things that make you happy, positive things that don't harm you or others, whatever that may be, whether it is exercise or listening to music you enjoy or touching base with a friend or loved one, or writing, or whatever. That is your sledgehammer. That is your weapon and your shield.
Slightly more below the fold . . .
Okay, now that I've gotten that off my chest, here is my PayPal link that many of you have asked for. I'm not going to tell people there is a minimum since I am grateful for anything I receive, nor shall I ask anyone to commit to anything long term, whatever works for you is fine with me, I am pretty liberal about stuff like that. If PayPal doesn't work for you and you'd rather send a letter to a P.O. Box or something like that you can email me or DM me here on DailyKos and I will give you an address you can send stuff to. I get some pretty crazy hatemail so I am sure you can understand my reluctance to post my home address online. With that said I hereby state my promise to post at least once a week, if not more often, and if there is a particular topic you'd like me to take a look into feel free to ask, I love suggestions. Eventually I think a yearly ask like what Bill in Portland Maine does would be best so I don't have to post links all the time, but for now this will work out fine. Please share any thoughts you have. I am glad to consider all option.
So, here is the link . . .
Paypal link for Jesse LaGreca
All right, I am going to take a quick walk and go run a few errands. I will be back in about an hour or so to respond to comments. Peace and love to all, and if I can help in any way, just let me know.
Cheers