I would like to express my
appreciation to Landy for allowing me this great opportunity to be a guest
blogger. Also to congratulate her on the
great achievement that is writing her book.
I am a fan of her writing.
I have learned that the road to
happiness is not something you seek; it’s something that you choose in spite of
the circumstances.
The more you look for ways to
make yourself happy, the longer the detour. Seeking happiness
is a dead end street. No “one” thing on earth can give it. It is
only through God and through making a daily decision to be
happy, that it can achieved.
Last year, I experienced
depression for the first time in my life. This happened
after many months of horrific events, constant stress and on top of that, the
death of my brother. I reached a
breaking point where being or staying strong wasn’t an option. I cried
all the time, could barely get out of bed, had to force myself to eat and could
barely sleep. Hours
turned to days, days to weeks & weeks to months. I was desperate, I wanted
to be myself; I missed me. If there
is one lesson I learned from that
experience is never to tell anyone that is going thru something like that “get over it” because as much as I tried, I
couldn’t. I did absolutely everything
I knew to do, pray, read the bible, hear sermons, and meditate day & night.
I mean it! Everything except VOODOO!!!! LOL
This is a time when only your
true friends remain and your family becomes your life lines. Because the
recovery requires so much support and understanding; you must surround yourself
with people who believe you will get better. My husband became more than a
husband, he became my hero. He didn’t
believe for one minute that I would stay in that turmoil. He constantly
encouraged and loved me in the midst of this dark time. I never felt
rushed, misunderstood, or as if I was a burden to him. He loved me
thru it. My sisters, nieces and nephews were my life lines; I drew what little
strength I could muster from them. They never
left me; I felt their love and support all the way thru.
I wish I could tell you I used a
magic wand to get better but I can’t. It took hard work, time and
persistence. I was
determined to get better. How did I do it? I allowed
myself time to heal, I rested, and I started to exercise, just walking at
first. But probably the most
helpful was talking; talking to my family and good friends. I went to a
Christian counselor that helped me put things into perspective. Slowly but
surely I began to feel better. Because my
depression had passed the three month mark, my counselor recommended
meds. As
apprehensive as I was to taking them, I was desperate; my kids needed me, I
could not remain in this state. For the sake of myself and my family, I was
willing to do whatever it took. Within a week
or two I began to see color again. I felt
as if a tiny window had opened up inside my dark place from which a ray of
sunshine was peeking through. That’s when my journey to wellness began. I won’t
tell you I don’t have bad days, because I do. But they are
rare and far in between. I choose happiness,
joy, and peace every morning. And yes there are days when every one of those is
tested and I fail miserably, but I pick up again the next day.
He came so that we may have
life and have it more abundantly.
Remember, Happiness is an inside job!
For more information about Millie Perez Gonzalez and her writings,
visit her blog at: http://fourgirlsandalady.blogspot.com/
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