Beat the Christmas Blues

During a recent blog surf, I read several posts by people dreading the holiday season. This time of year is especially hard for those suffering from depression and similar illnesses. With all the gaiety around, it only serves to contrast with the deep blue (or black) of depression.

I know. Some years have been bad for me as well. Luckily, recent years have been better for me. But, I remember. So, I thought to post some of my ideas for beating those blues – or at least keeping them at bay. I also want to ask for any ideas you may have. Have you done something in the past that helped you get past this difficult time? Please, share it here (in comments) and you may be helping someone else.

First, if you are severely depressed and cannot function at all, please get professionsl help. The following suggestions are more for those who have reached a certain level of managing their disease and can sense when a dark period is approaching. These suggestions are ways to nip that in the bud. Don’t give in, fight.

It is important you have a list of people that are understanding of your plight that you can call on to talk to. I do mean a list, because even the most understanding person simply cannot be available at all times. So, get your self a list. Find them in your hometown and online. The internet has opened up the world. There are a lot of us out here and we understand.

One of the things I used to do when the holiday season threatened to take me down was to bake cookies. I would then wrap them up in little “gift packages” of 3 or 4 cookies each. I used a pretty paper to wrap them and tied ribbons on to secure them. Then, I passed them out. I passed them out at work and wherever I saw someone who looked like they could use a boost. Sometimes, I got a smile in return. That smile helped.

It does not have to be cookies. Just doing something for others is a way to stay busy and to get out of your own head. It is not a cure by any means, but it does help.

Remember, to take good care of yourself. You need to eat nutritious meals every day. You need regular sleep. I know you don’t feel like it sometimes. But, it can help. If you cannot bring yourself to eat, drink a smoothie – at least you will get some nutrition inside you.

I found these two links as well. They provide fundamental and important tips.

10 ways to Overcome Depression and Those Winter Blues

Foods that Help Fight Depression

Please, anyone else with ideas, leave them in comments. My ideas may not work for everyone. We are all different. So, the more ideas we can collect, the better the chance that someone will find something useful…Thank you and please have a safe if not happy holiday season.

Taking Action

In regards to my previous post “I am Afraid“: I have little in the way of resources. Like more and more Americans, I am on a very tight budget. We are so busy just trying to “get by” that we have not much time, energy, or money to fight this. I suspect that is as planned…

But, I still have a voice, even if it is a small one. I intend to use it here and in sending emails to my representatives (as if that will really do much good). Perhaps, if more and more people spoke up…I just don’t know. It may get very ugly before it gets better.

A few weeks ago, I sent an email from ImpeachBush.org in support of House Resolution 333. Here is what I wrote:

(This first part of the letter was pre-written for any who wanted to use it…we are encouraged to add to it or to rewrite it as we wish – I kept the pre-written part and added my own thoughts.)

I support House Resolution 333 calling for the impeachment of Vice President Richard Cheney. I also support the impeachment of George W. Bush. As your constituent, I am writing to insist that you and the rest of the House of Representatives carry out your constitutional duties to defend the Constitution of the United States.

It is unconscionable that the House has obstructed an open discussion of the activities of the President and Vice-President. This administration has taken this country into a criminal war, is threatening to start a new war, and has violated the constitutional rights of the American people. It is time for the House to fulfill its constitutional obligations in response to these impeachable offenses.

(Now for my addition:)

I am appalled that we, the American People, have let this go on for so long. I am appalled that when we do call for impeachment, our representatives refuse to answer the call. Everything our country has stood for is going down the drain.

Do we really believe in the values we espouse? Do we really believe in our Constitution? Do we take our oaths seriously? When I joined the U.S. Army many years ago, I took an oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies – foreign and domestic. Do our representatives not take this same oath? If so, why are they not fulfilling this oath? Or, were they merely empty words said just to get the job?

Forget the side issues like abortion and illegal aliens – our opinions won’t matter if our Constitution is destroyed. If we let Bush and Cheney get away with this, it will open the door for others to grab unchecked power, or is this what you are hoping for?

As a moderately educated person, I understand the principles behind checks and balances. Do you? Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Even if Bush and Cheney have the best of intentions (which I don’t believe they do), no one can guarantee they won’t become corrupted. No one can guarantee that persons following them in office will be uncorrupted by all the unchecked power. That is why our founding fathers wrote the Constitution. So, either they (Bush and Cheney) are ignorant (of these principles) and incompetent, or they do not have our best interest in their hearts. At the very least, by dismantling the checks and balances, they are opening the door for tyranny. Why are we letting them get away with this? Surely, you are more educated than I am. You must understand this better than I could say it.

I believe that dismantling the Constitution, destroying checks and balances, and lying to take us into war are are acts of treason. Our young men and women are dying for the lies told to get us in this war.

Clinton was impeached for sexual misconduct, and there were no lives at stake. The American People did not call for that impeachment, but it was done anyway. His misconduct did not kill anyone, nor did it deprive the American People of their Constitutional rights. Yet, he was impeached.

Now, our Constitution is under attack, our rights are being taken from us, and our young people are dying. We, the People, have called for impeachment and have been told “It is off the table”. What???

I admit to being nervous about speaking up. For the first time in my 48 years, I have become afraid to voice my opinions. In a country that gives lip service to freedom of speech, I am afraid to speak. But, I am more afraid to keep my mouth shut.

For the first time in my 48 hears, I am ashamed to be an American. And I am angry.

I am Afraid

I have been afraid for some time.

Today, I was reading some of the articles at Alternet.org. I came across “The End of America? Naomi Wolf Thinks It Could Happen“.

Included in the article (mentioned above) was a link to “Naomi Wolf Warns That The End of America Is Near“. This linked artilce includes a Blueprint for Closing Down a Democracy – The 10 steps (excerpt below) are currently in motion in this country.

1. Invoke a terrifying internal and external enemy

2. Create a gulag

3. Develop a thug caste

4. Set up an internal surveillance system

5. Harass citizens’ groups

6. Engage in arbitrary detention and release

7. Target key individuals

8. Control the press

9. Dissent equals treason

10. Suspend the rule of law

The article also includes this video speech:

I am Glad I am Getting Old

For the past couple of years, I have been glad I am growing old. My heart goes out to all of the young people who are inheriting this world full of problems. I would not want to be in their shoes. I am glad, now, that I do not have children. What would I say to them?

Then on Digg, I found this video. I cried. This young woman has courage and heart. Watch it and you will cry, too. We should all be crying.

Changing my Focus

Just a little.

In addition to being busy with my crafts and suffering from some down days, I have also been kind of stuck in regards to this blog. I think I want to shift to a slightly more personal voice. After all, this blog is for me. I have some other blogs in support of my business, but this one is just for me.

Checking In

I know, I have not written in some time (again). I have been extremely busy with my crafts business – it is the Holiday Season after all. So, I may not get too many chances to write until after the holidays.