Thought and Poem

Thought and Poem – August 15, 2014

I have been depressed at various times, and for various reasons, for the most part of my life. Depression can be likened to a snake bite in some ways. A victim of a snake bite can survive but it may take some time and medicine…but they can heal. But, even though there are treatments for depression; therapies and medicines, for some reason, depression comes back again and again to bite us and we have to deal with it all over again. Still depression does NOT have to win the victory over us.

We hear of those who have been bullied and how they lost their battles with depression because they did not see the value they had to share with others because someone clouded their hearts and minds with untruths and they did not have what they needed to rise up from the ground. Unfortunately some succeed in taking their own lives and Just like that…they are gone from us.

Our school systems are full of students that come from homes and lifestyles that make it hard for them to come to school every day and show their face among their peers. They don’t know it but they are some of the bravest students our classrooms can hold. Despite what they go through each day, they still find the strength to go to school. School becomes a safe haven for them and they depend on the distractions it provides from what they deal with on a daily basis. They try to mask their depression.

How wrong it is to not treat everyone with kindness. Teachers can’t do it all, although many try earnestly to encourage and comfort. As parents, do we take enough time to show by our example how others should be treated? Are we positive when speaking about others even though they might be different or come from a different culture or lifestyle? Or are we quick to crack jokes and verbally put down others…even when our children are around?

When children go to school, they often speak and act like those they have been around most of their lives up to this point…their parents. Please take the time to teach your children to have compassion for others, especially those who may be less fortunate, deal with illnesses, or those being bullied by their peers. Bullying hurts the victim…perhaps even for life. Depression can last a lifetime. Suicide shames us all and takes away a chance to learn the value of the one who did not find worth in themselves. Who really shoulders the guilt for not helping a depressed person find their place in the homes, schools and communities? Life if precious and is a gift. Please help by your actions and words.

What about you? If you have ever been depressed in your life, what helped you to be able to shake your troubles off and find yourself back on the right path in life? Share your thoughts with us…Jeanne Claire Probst

Depressed?

When depression leaves one feeling doubt,

Wanting to scream and shout,

Stop for a moment and take a deep breath, and then let it out!

You are not alone,

We all moan and groan,

But depression doesn’t have to control your throne!

You are the King or Queen or your own mind,

Yours is the only one of the kind,

Don’t let depression steal your good times.

Make a list of what you can do,

When you awaken in the morning feeling “blue,”

Start at the very top of your list and do not stop until you are through.

Before you know it you have gotten past the “blue feeling” moment again,

All the while trying to powering through it, calm you remain,

You knew your strengths, you took control and you flushed depressive thoughts out of your brain and down the drain!

Jeanne Claire Probst