Celebrating Life – Battling Depression
Posted on Thursday, August 14th, 2014
Celebrating Life. This seems like a no-brainer, right? Who wouldn’t want to celebrate their life? The answer is – too many.
With the death of Robin Williams, a most cherished comedian and actor of my generation, we are saddened and stunned. How could such a brilliant funny man be suffering so deeply?
Depression is a confusing illness.
It can be, and is often, mistaken for having a bad day, having a case of “the blues,” or just being down.
It is often misdiagnosed. It is often ignored. It is often covered up. It is sometimes a death sentence.
Perhaps the tragic end of a celebrated life will open eyes, minds, and hearts to the reality of depression.
Every time I saw Robin Williams on the screen, I celebrated.
I laughed. I cried. I applauded.
I only wish he had been able to enjoy the applause and celebrate his own life as much as we did.
So, today, let’s celebrate life. I decided to share a lovely reminder that life can be beautiful and should be celebrated – even applauded – every day.
Enjoy!
Enjoy more videos from PreservePlanet.org
p.s. I shared more details about my own battle with depression and some things I’ve done to help fight it in a two part guest post for super-blogger friend, Barbara Younger of FriendForTheRide.com. Thank you, Barbara! Click on this link to take a look:
Down The Rabbit Hole And Back Up Again
p.p.s. And big HUGS to my lovely daughter Nicole Dean and family for helping me with my battle in so many ways.
p.p.p.s. If the video doesn’t play, here’s the YouTube link: LA VIDA DE LAS FLORES
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It seems it takes the death of a celebrity to bring attention to these diseases. Yes, celebrate life– every single day.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Lisa. Yes, the focus seems to change when an illness is in the headlines. Sad to say, but true. I guess, in the end, it is a positive thing to take from such a terrible loss.
I have had depression for years, but it’s held at bay through medication. I often mention this to people I meet who may be depressed in order to let them know that there is something that can be done. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, as I’m sure you know, but keeping quiet about it is the worst thing of all. That just makes it more of a burden.
Thank you, Gabi, for sharing your experience. Yes, medication can certainly be helpful. I have been that route and it worked. Then my Doc and I decided to go without and it seems to be good. But, if things change I would not be against trying medication again. Which brings up an interesting thought, too; sometimes we aren’t the best judge of how things are going. Wouldn’t you agree? That’s why, like you mentioned, talking about depression on a personal level can be a lifesaver. It also lets the people around us know to be watchful for symptoms that we may try to cover up, or just ignore. Good thought, Gabi. Share, share, and share some more!
Patti…so well said and i love that flower video! I have a sister that fights depression and i feel so helpless. It is such a confusing illness and therapy is not a one size fits all. I guess the main message is to encourage people to get help. Thanks for this post. I will reread your posts on FFTR in regards to my sister. Yes, we must celebrate Robin Williams!!
Thank you, Judy! I’m so glad you found my post helpful. And it would please me no end if what I shared on FFTR helps your sister. Thanks for reading and commenting. I surely appreciate that!
Oh, Patti, I am so glad you relinked to your original depression post. I couldn’t remember where I had read your totally great description and like so many others, I was knocked to the ground by Robin Williams’ suicide. My initial emotion was that if he, with all his money, fame, family and friends couldn’t escape, what hope do I or my child have of making it through.
Now, more than anything, I am so sad for his children and wife and yes, for us, for the loss of his amazing talent. And sad that he couldn’t find a way out that didn’t involve death.
I took my son to college yesterday for his freshman year. He is more excited and happier than I have seen him since his first grade. Depression is so cyclical and if we can just hang on for the moment, take whatever we need to take to get through this episode, ask for help, we might just come through to the other side. At least, that is what I tell myself and tell my son.
Many blessings for sharing your story and putting yourself out there so that people can see there is no shame in mental illness.
Thank you, Sylvia, for reading and for sharing your thoughts. I am pleased you found my original post helpful enough to want to reread it. I do believe that we need to remind people that depression is; 1) nothing to be ashamed of, and; 2) treatable. Depression is also very confusing. You asked the questions so many people have asked in the wake of Robin Williams’ death – how can someone so joyful, funny, rich, and famous feel so despondent? The answer is not simple. The brain is an organ, probably one of the most complicated organs in our body. When something is wrong with the mechanics of the brain, no amount of propping oneself up with reminders of all the good things in life cures the illness. It helps us get through moments and reminds us to take care of ourselves. And that is a good thing!
If you haven’t read my guest post on FriendForTheRide.com you might like to. It’s in two parts, so be sure to read the second part, too. There are some things I shared there that you might find helpful in dealing with depression; some are very simple things that help a lot. Here’s the link again: Down The Rabbit Hole
And, yes, remind your son that depression may come, but it also GOES! I have so much joy in my life, so many good people and happy times… but sometimes I still just want to go to bed and stay there. It’s okay. It can pass quickly, or it may take a while. Let a good friend know you’re just going to go to bed for an hour, or a day, and ask them to please check in again later. Then plan some simple fun – a walk, a swim, snow angels, lunch… whatever.
Thank you again for reading and sharing your thoughts. I surely appreciate the time you took to do so.