Home Add to Favorite Contact Submit  
             29 March, 2024
 

    
Category:  Articles » Self Improvement » Happiness

 

Perspective - Make it a Good One

Popularity:
         Views: 1775
2008-08-20 08:13:53     
Article by Lisa Fyfe

Recently someone who was very depressed her whole life - with suicidal thoughts for many years - shared with me the story of how becoming very sick changed her perspective. It was ironic, she said, how she had wanted to end her life so many times, and when actually faced with the prospect of her own death that she suddenly gained the will to live. In fact, years after recovering from her illness, she feels she is blessed and enjoys life to the fullest.

Now it wasn't as simple as it is described here, and in fact she has worked hard to create a life worth living and feels connected to many good friends. But the interesting point is that our perspective really does have a huge impact on how we feel. For me, I realized that I had fully recovered from depression when we endured a series of financial difficulties that arose simultaneously as we created a family. Throughout all the stress, struggles, and financial woes, it was somehow easy for me to see beauty of my children, and ironically, I felt blessed, despite our misfortunes. In fact, taking joy in my children while we were struggling felt to me like a beautiful metaphor for life, which is at once difficult and incredibly beautiful, always. None of us go without struggles, but the good news is that none of us get to escape the beauty, either. It is always there for us to see, if we choose.

Perspective is only one piece of the whole picture, and I believe it's a combination of many factors physical, spiritual, mental and emotional, that can bring real freedom from depression. That said, how we view the world and our role in it is pretty important. It seems for each of us, how we come to the conclusion that life is actually good is a unique journey. Here's some questions that might help you view your life in a positive way:

~ What is it about your life that is better than most other people's lives you seen? Do you have a particular talent, ability, or knowledge that other people lack? How has this served you in your life?

~ Are there others who have similar or worse situations than you? Are there ways in which it is easier for you, even if these differences are minute?

~ Are there others who've overcome the struggles you are now enduring? For example, we've all heard of people who've come from extremely distressful situations in childhood, like war, extreme poverty, and abuse to become happy adults. What is it about their lives that can be of use to you?

~ In the movie, It's a Wonderful Life the main character realizes how much he had touched the lives of those around him during his life. Who are the people you've touched and in whose lives you've made a difference for the better?

~ Envision what it would mean to have a happy, creative, fulfilled life. Think about specifics and try to create as real a picture of this life in your mind. Write down all the elements that you desire. Create a plan that will help you realize at least two of those goals within the next year.

~ What if you were an older, wise person encountering yourself at this stage of your life. What words of wisdom would you pass on to yourself? Spend some time meditating on this idea and write down your thoughts.

~ Above all, make it a goal to be happy. Even though there are some of us who seem to be blessed with the ability to have a happy temperament, at some point it is work for all of us to maintain a positive perspective. Even though you may not feel it, make a promise to yourself that you will have happiness. You deserve it.

Lisa Fyfe, M.S., is a former high school English teacher turned stay-at-home-mom. Her interests include delicious, whole food as natural medicine, nutrition, and parenting as a path to spiritual growth. She is a Reiki Master, essential oil healer, and also runs a website that documents her natural recovery from depression, at http://www.Holistic-Treatment-for-Depression.com - "Your Daily Foothold to Happiness."

Specialized in: Holistic Depression Treatment - Natural Depression Treatments
URL: http://www.holistic-treatment-for-depression.com
Print article      Bookmark this page
Related Articles 
Four Internal Forces of Happy Living (Popularity: ): Positive Attitude and desireThere are four internal forces that can be made to work positive for any person who dares to look upon his/her life in all honesty. Shakespeare said, "To thine own self be true" and it's just as true today as in his time. The key to controlling the forces of life comes from an honest look at the motivations which drive us and others.You have but to ...
Overcoming Loneliness - 10 Ways to Survive Being Alone During the Holiday (Popularity: ): Although holiday season is considered a time of joy and love, but for a number of folks, it is also a time of loneliness. Those without someone special in their life often find themselves full of anxiety and loneliness during this time of year. There are also people who are spending holidays alone for the first time after the death of someone close or a divorce. The lost of loved ...
How to Be Happy Despite Your Bank Account - Recession Proof Your Happiness (Popularity: ): "Your happiness should not be related to your bank account balance."So I started a debate between myself and my parents. They were arguing the point that there is no way you can be happy if you are having financial difficulties. Do not get me wrong. I see their point. I used to agree with their point of view. I would say that 99.9 percent of the population (especially in America) ...
My Wife's Tip for a Happy, Fulfilling Life (Popularity: ): One of the most frequently asked questions I get here at the DCT is "how do you come up with the ideas for your tips?" The truth is, many days, they write themselves - whatever I've been thinking about or working on blends with whatever has been going on in my life or the lives of my clients, and a tip emerges fully-formed from the womb of my mind. Other ...
Less Is More (Popularity: ): "Practice seeing joy in the natural world rather than seeking fulfillment in ownership." Wayne W. DyerWhen I was growing up, my family moved frequently. In fact, we lived in 10 different houses during my school years. The one benefit from moving so much was I became an expert at paring down and traveling light! Before a move, I would decide what I really wanted to keep and then give away ...


Related Business 
Seeds Australia Online (Popularity: ): Here at Seeds Australia Online our aim is to provide you with the best seeds at the lowest prices we possibly can (without going broke!). We make a commitment to our customers to 'do the right thing', that is; sell you a good seed at a good price, get it to you as fast as we can and provide you with as much support and advice as possible to make ...
Graduation Dresses Store (Popularity: ): We are a company specializing in all kinds of dresses online. With many years' experience making and selling dresses, we know well what our customers want and how to make the dress in good way. Our company is diligent in designing, careful in tailoring and strict in quality control, which wins us good fame from the customers we worked before. We promise that all raw materials we use to make ...
Good for the Jews (Popularity: ): Humorous and satirical look at current events from the perspective of whether or not it is "Good for the Jews".
Good Life (Popularity: ): A “Good Life” is an aspiration worth pursuing for everyone. Apart from emotions & values of Life that can’t be traded, our mission is to get you products and services that can provide maximum value towards your hard earned money and contribute to make your Life Good.
Alok Consultants (Popularity: ): Isn't it a good idea to get yourself 'In Good Health' and make it a primary motive? We all know health gives us freedom to think and work. It should always be of importance because the painful experience of various diseases are still in our memory. Why to carry them once again? Consult your best practitioner or Alok Consultants and stay in good health.
Business Leading News (Popularity: ): Let business develop naturally and keep up succesing with lessons and we will show you how can you work properlyer and make investors turn around and face good ideas with companies for good investing.
Chicago Skin Cancer Surgery (Popularity: ): As medical technologies have boomed over the past two decades, plastic surgery has made incredible advances both in reconstructing accidental injuries and congenital deformities, and in helping erase the marks, wrinkles and sags of encroaching age. Whether it’s changing a portion of the body to make it look normal or improving a “normal” facet of the body to make it look even more aesthetically pleasing, the goal of the plastic ...
Delicious Sushi Recipes (Popularity: ): Favorite Sushi Recipes, How to Make a Variety Including Rolls, Nigiri, Inari. If you are looking for basic sushi recipes with information about how to make it at home, this site provides you with everything you need to make really good sushi from a Japanese American nise (nee-se means: second generation).
Wisdom Quotes (Popularity: ): Quotations for a variety of occasions: shed light, help keep perspective, inspire, energize, or just make me think. Sorted by topic.
Purchase forex on the margin (Popularity: ): You're going to want to check out our site for the latest and greatest information on the internet regarding how to make big money with forex. We supply you with tips and advice in order to make good choices in your trading.