I had something similar, but my depression hit me very rapidly and to this day I am surprised about it.
After it happened, I did lots of research and I learned a lot about what triggered. For me it was the lost of hope.
Through my research, I created my own approach to keep me mentally healthy.
I have learned to remove the things that are not healthy for me, and bring more of the things that make me happy.
Sometimes I get sidetracked, but I come back to two methods that keep me grounded.
I use a method that I call the “Thank you method.” I practice it often and it helps me appreciate the simple things in life that are truly the most important.
I practice by saying “Thank you for a beautiful house”, “thank you for my health...”and so on. Saying thank you changes something inside of us that makes us appreciate more life in itself.
For negative thoughts, I also say thank you and I let them go.
I also use the “I am” method” to create what I want. “I am healthy”, “I am relaxed... “ it is simple and powerful.
Thank you for being brave and sharing your experience. It helped me do the same.
First, I'm sorry to learn about your depression. That's a difficult experience to know. That said, these two approaches toward happiness are truly inspired, apparently from that experience. I have a similar one that I wrote about in my book, The Magic Mala. In that story, I had the character Tru teach it to the main character, but in my life I created it while working with my mala beads.
Mala beads are similar to rosary beads, except a mala has 108 beads. It's a tool I use to repeat a mantra or prayer for every bead. I began experimenting with the mala using Sanskrit mantras, and I did it while walking my dog. About two years into this, I felt compelled to create my own mantra to feel gratitude and focus on the blessings in my life--just like you. So my new mantra became, "Thank you for the blessings." Every time I repeated it--for a total of 108 times--I thought of something in my life for which I felt grateful.
Thank you for the blessings...Melissa. Thank you for the blessings...my health. Thank you for the blessings...my dog. Thank you for the blessings, my home. And so it would go for 108 things that made me feel blessed in life.
I LOVE the idea that while you are/were doing your "Thank You Method," I am/was doing my "Thank You for the Blessings" mantra at the same moment. And then, years later, we have crossed paths to discover this wonderful serendipity.
What I haven't done is taken this practice to the next level when negative thoughts come to mind. What a fantastic idea to say "thank you" to those thoughts while letting them go. What a simple and direct way of practicing mindfulness, which I know intellectually but only began practicing more recently.
I must say that I really like the "I am" method as well, because it covers concepts, emotions, and outlooks that don't necessarily fit into the Thank You practice. Please allow me to thank YOU for sharing it with me.
I'll tell my story of depression in an article one day. It's an inspiring story after a great deal of suffering, and it ends with me being depression free for, well, it will be 29 years on September 17th, which I celebrate every year. That experience is also the catalyst for me becoming a writer because I wanted to share my story of hope, so I have that to be grateful for too.
I appreciate you sharing your story with me as well, Gonzalo, which I believe will help others who read this. May you, too, continue to enjoy a healthy and grateful mind.
Thank you Bob for this article on the masks we wear when depressed.
The article is very insightful indeed. Blessings 💜
You're very welcome, Joan. You're kind to comment. Thank you. 💙
Dear Bob,
Thank you for sharing your experience.
I had something similar, but my depression hit me very rapidly and to this day I am surprised about it.
After it happened, I did lots of research and I learned a lot about what triggered. For me it was the lost of hope.
Through my research, I created my own approach to keep me mentally healthy.
I have learned to remove the things that are not healthy for me, and bring more of the things that make me happy.
Sometimes I get sidetracked, but I come back to two methods that keep me grounded.
I use a method that I call the “Thank you method.” I practice it often and it helps me appreciate the simple things in life that are truly the most important.
I practice by saying “Thank you for a beautiful house”, “thank you for my health...”and so on. Saying thank you changes something inside of us that makes us appreciate more life in itself.
For negative thoughts, I also say thank you and I let them go.
I also use the “I am” method” to create what I want. “I am healthy”, “I am relaxed... “ it is simple and powerful.
Thank you for being brave and sharing your experience. It helped me do the same.
I wish you a healthy mind.
Hello Gonzalo,
First, I'm sorry to learn about your depression. That's a difficult experience to know. That said, these two approaches toward happiness are truly inspired, apparently from that experience. I have a similar one that I wrote about in my book, The Magic Mala. In that story, I had the character Tru teach it to the main character, but in my life I created it while working with my mala beads.
Mala beads are similar to rosary beads, except a mala has 108 beads. It's a tool I use to repeat a mantra or prayer for every bead. I began experimenting with the mala using Sanskrit mantras, and I did it while walking my dog. About two years into this, I felt compelled to create my own mantra to feel gratitude and focus on the blessings in my life--just like you. So my new mantra became, "Thank you for the blessings." Every time I repeated it--for a total of 108 times--I thought of something in my life for which I felt grateful.
Thank you for the blessings...Melissa. Thank you for the blessings...my health. Thank you for the blessings...my dog. Thank you for the blessings, my home. And so it would go for 108 things that made me feel blessed in life.
I LOVE the idea that while you are/were doing your "Thank You Method," I am/was doing my "Thank You for the Blessings" mantra at the same moment. And then, years later, we have crossed paths to discover this wonderful serendipity.
What I haven't done is taken this practice to the next level when negative thoughts come to mind. What a fantastic idea to say "thank you" to those thoughts while letting them go. What a simple and direct way of practicing mindfulness, which I know intellectually but only began practicing more recently.
I must say that I really like the "I am" method as well, because it covers concepts, emotions, and outlooks that don't necessarily fit into the Thank You practice. Please allow me to thank YOU for sharing it with me.
I'll tell my story of depression in an article one day. It's an inspiring story after a great deal of suffering, and it ends with me being depression free for, well, it will be 29 years on September 17th, which I celebrate every year. That experience is also the catalyst for me becoming a writer because I wanted to share my story of hope, so I have that to be grateful for too.
I appreciate you sharing your story with me as well, Gonzalo, which I believe will help others who read this. May you, too, continue to enjoy a healthy and grateful mind.
Fascinating... What a great gift. Thank you! I look forward to playing with the concept and make it my own.
Such an important, helpful article, Bob!
Thanks Cheryl. I too thought it important, but can only hope that it's helpful. ❤️