Project Leggo my Eggo

Depression is a jerk and a liar.

But depression is also the reason why I have the quiet confidence in the now…how I choose to spend my time on the good days and being OK in the stillness of the bad ones.

Depression is the reason that I have quiet confidence in the what…what I do with my limited emotional and physical stamina. My depression is like a sieve that allows me to really hone into what is important.

Depression is the reason I have quiet confidence in the who… I am fiercely loved and I love fiercely. My God is faithful.

Is it scandalous for me to say that I am grateful for this struggle?

Project Peek A Boo

Just because depression is part of my journey doesn’t mean that I need to be encased in bubble wrap. Although, now that I think about it, bubble wrap pants sounds like an excellent idea…. I may have to pursue that…

I want to tell you a little secret…….. I can still be me, be ok, do stuff, AND have depression. Don’t be afraid to ask the people in your life who also struggle with depression to do stuff and things. It makes us feel love and value.

Project ‘Glad Game’

I would like to introduce you to someone I am all too familiar with; Madame Poopoo. Madame Poopoo has several aliases: Negative Nelly/Nancy/Nathan, Debbie Downer and more.

Madame Poopoo offers criticism over encouragement. She squashes dreams. She squelches creativity. Madame Poopoo wallows in negativity. She feels it is her duty to give people reality checks. Madame Poopoo dwells in all of us at one time or another. Male or female, young or old, Madame Poopoo reigns supreme.

Let’s all be a Pollyanna instead. What are you grateful for today? Who can you encourage today?

Project Sister Act Deux – Back in the Habit of People-ing

When we got our Bozley neutered, we made the mistake of removing his cone of shame too early. He licked himself raw.

There is a tendency when we are going through stuff to allow our pain to become all consuming through isolation.

Proverbs 17:17 says; “A friend loves at all times, but a brother/sister (friend) is born for a time of adversity.”

Nobody has to do life alone. Let your friends see behind the curtain.

Project Sister Act

How can you tell the difference between a friend and a sister/friend (not sister wife)?

You share knowing looks
You share private jokes and mischievous plans
You have seen one another in your skivvies
You text one another almost exclusively in emojis and have designated ringtones
You have cried together…. often… sometimes laugh cries, sometimes ugly cries
You have laughed until you almost (or did) pee your pants
You talk about bra sizes and loving pillows (yes that was a private joke..)
When something happens, whether good, bad, or ugly you think to text them immediately
You are always planning what you will do together next (water aerobics anyone??)
You do life together…. REAL life together. You LOVE one another wholly and delight in the imperfections

Friendship is a huge part of the surviving depression equation. Please allow others into your journey. You won’t regret it. Vulnerability is beautiful. Friendship is beautiful.