Behavior

My behaviors are linked, with each other and with my attitudes.  Changing just one behavior for the better can influence other behaviors and my attitudes.  The effect can snowball, leading to still further improvements.  By starting small, I may bring about large, beneficial changes in my life.

Steps

In my depression, every task seemed hard, often too difficult to tackle, and so I stifled my ambition and lived in a sea of neglect.  But nothing worthwhile comes easily.  It takes many small steps, day by day.  I can take a larger task and break it down into small, doable actions and celebrate each little success.  By this method, I can keep moving forward.

Dreams

Our fantasies, our dreams are important to our lives.  They help us set the goals toward which we live.  But as depressed persons we may often have such fears of failure that we are afraid to begin the march toward those goals.  Building plans that call for small, measured steps can help us take the actions that will help us reach our dreams.  I will begin today to create realistic plans that lead in the direction of my dreams.

Attitudes

Our attitudes govern our lives.  While we can’t control events, we can control our attitudes and our reactions to circumstances.  Holding positive expectations about what we plan and what happens spontaneously will influence the flow of each day.  Today, I will be of good cheer.  I am in charge of my attitudes and I will be positive in all that I do.

Character

Each of us is endowed with principles that reside deep inside.  But often we fail to live our principles.  Perhaps we are frightened to act in accord with them, to be our true selves.  I recognize that my behavior does not always match my self-concept.  When I see that I am acting out of integrity, I can make my words consistent with my deeds.  When I do, I will display the character I want to show the world.

Present

Looking to the future and all the things we need to do, all the decisions we’ll need to make, can be daunting.  We who are depressed can be easily overwhelmed when we try to think about them all.  Fortunately, we live in the present, not the future.  And we need only think about those things that the present requires of us.  The others will take care of themselves in their own time.

Responsibility

In my depression, I drifted through life, taking things just as they came to me.  Rather than assume responsibility for my own life, I let others and events determine my path.  I hid in my depressed state and wallowed in my feelings.  But when I decided to take responsibility for who I am, my life became exciting, better than I have ever known, and my recovery accelerated.  I will continue to be responsible.  As I do, I will grow stronger.

Authenticity

Those of us with depression do not often feel special, worthy or authentic in the contributions we make to the world. Usually, we feel distinct from others in a negative way. But it is spiritually uplifting to realize the truth of our authenticity. No one else can make the contributions we can. I will appreciate my gifts today and be thankful for them.

Self-pity

Pity may be the worst feeling we can have.  To move forward, we must do so with confidence that we will have the strength we need.  But pity–from others or from ourselves–fosters inaction and invites spiritual death.  Instead, we can appreciate ourselves and others, knowing that as we celebrate our challenges and successes, we are promoting our own growth.  I will not pity myself for my depression but will acknowledge what is good about my life.

Change

For those of us with depression, the recovery process is a time for change–change in our habits, attitudes, actions.  While change is not easy, to recover we must face changes.  We will only be trapped in our old patterns if we so choose.  I choose to change.  I want to unlearn old, bad attitudes and behaviors and substitute healthier ones.  I know that by living one day at a time, I can succeed.