That’s it! I thought as I covered my head, I am not getting up today. What’s the use, all of this positive mumbo-jumbo is pointless. So I just laid there with the blankets over my head letting my inner child fantasize about sitting on my kitchen floor throwing a tantrum.

So why all the melodrama, especially coming from an inspirational author and speaker? Good question. Truth is, I manage depression and despair on a regular basis. It is my “thorn in my flesh,” using the words of Paul.

I am addressing depression today for two reasons: First, people look at the positive results in my life and assume I don’t struggle and second, because I know from talking to women daily that depression and despair is a very common battle that far too many women face alone.

And while there are many things that cause depression, there is an alarming percentage of women who have been the victim of some sort of abuse in their life. And without realizing it many of these women are suffering every day as a result of the abuse they were victims of.

As most of you know, I make no secret about my being abused. So the point I am getting at today is that even though victims of abuse grow up and move on; the side effects of abuse generally tend to come right along with them.

These side effects manifest themselves in many ways:

Needing to be perfect is one of them. And in our need to be perfect we wear ourselves to a frazzle. In our minds we can “never-be-good enough” so we often adopt the “all-or-nothing” attitude. Which then brings more feelings of despair; like guilt, overwhelm and worthlessness, caused by looking at all the projects we haven’t accomplished…this sentence alone makes me tired.

Feeling undeserving is another big one. When we feel undeserving we often self- sabotage, rejecting good things. And when we do get past this and allow ourselves to receive a gift, help or promotion we then tend to feel like we need to give back ten-fold or over-perform. Again we find ourselves exhausted.

Now while these two issues don’t even skim the list of side effects, I just wanted to point out a couple of the emotional burdens we carry…so long story short, I personally have to manage these types of feelings almost daily. Ahh, but here lies the good news; I am able to manage them and so can you. Granted, it doesn’t always feel possible; hence the covers over my head and tantrum fantasy I had this morning.

So how did I get out of bed and willing to take another stab at dealing with life, even though our business that has been going gang busters for years just dried up the last couple months like a bunch of grapes hoping to be put to work at the Sunmaid factory. Only there is nothing sweet about this for us, with fixed overhead expenses, financial commitments, kids at home, and employees who count on us for work. And as all trials tend to do it has spilled over to our home with every appliance and electronic device deciding to give up the ghost as well.

But as I was silently adding up the damages and the lack of income, my husband climbed back into bed and whispered in my ear, “Honey, so, thats it, your not getting out of bed? “No’” I said and rolled away. Fortunately, he rolled with me proceeded to whisper in my ear reminding me of all the things I am always speaking and writing about.

How we all have a purpose and a mission that no one else can do like we can… How every trial holds a valuable lesson that will bring out the best in us, if we let it…He went on and on, finally I pulled the covers back, he smiled and said; “So, Pollyanna how does it feel to be served your own medicine?”

I smiled and said “Your right; this is just another temporary test of my character and faith like everything else and it’s a test that I want to pass.”

And you know everything he reminded me of is so true. My life experience as proved over and over again that if I will keep-on keeping on, if I will go and do my best… if I will do at least two daily actions toward my dreams, my job, or whatever is placed before me, things not only eventually work out, but there is also always a harvest beyond my greatest expectation.

So I offer you this challenge; manage your depression and despair by writing down two actions that you need or want to do and then do those two actions. If you can do this in spite of how big the feelings of being tired, hopeless, frustrated, overwhelmed, apathetic or whatever the emotion is that you are facing is, you will be rewarded for your efforts and you will find joy.

Today’s Quotes:

“Action is the antidote to despair.”—Joan Baez

“Action will remove the doubts that theory cannot solve.”—Tehyi Hsieh

“The deeper that sorrow carves into your being the more joy you can contain.”—Kahlil Gibran

“Joy comes from using your potential.” Will Schultz

“Joy can be real only if people look upon their life as a service.”—Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy

Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls. A joyful heart is the inevitable result of a heart burning with love.” Mother Teresa

Never let anyone or anything steal your joy. The greater the challenge and the longer the test, the greater the joy and the reward will be.

Some days my two actions involve finding joy in chocolate. I bake cookies or a cake, or buy a chocolate bar, that constitutes action number one. Then for action number two I take my goodies to a friend’s house or an elderly person and then we sit and eat and chat and we find some joy!

I post new articles everyday so bookmark this page and come back tomorrow for another kick to get you off your rear and doing what you came to this planet to do. I am dedicated to assisting you on your journey to discover and live your “life purpose”. Get my favorite quotes.

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If you are struggling or your hope meter is extra low, feel free to email me and ask a question.

Copyright © 2007 Becca Levie. All Rights Reserved “Joy comes in finding and living your life on purpose.”—Becca Levie