thebeccagramchronicles

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Sometimes depression reminds me of a cardinal in summer. Who notices a cardinal in summer anyway? They don’t stand out. Red against green is not really noticeable, but a red cardinal on a white snow-blanketed limb? Now that’s contrast. We really take notice then, even though the cardinal has been around all year. Depression is like that, subtly hiding against an obscure background for years. In my case, twelve. I can ignore it, but I can’t pretend it isn’t hanging around. I catch a glimpse now and then when my mood suddenly drops or I feel anxious without warning. That’s when I immediately put my management techniques into high gear. I make sure that I walk at least five days a week, although 90% of the time, it’s seven days a week. No matter what. I’ve literally “walked ” myself right out of an anxiety attack on more than one occasion. Exercise really, really works. Some of you are saying, “Oh, no.” Not another exercise advocate. I’m really not. I just know it works. The research is overwhelming. Many studies have proven that exercising works as well and sometimes better than anti-depressants. Personally, I think it might be more than just the act of exercising itself. I think it might also be because we feel we have some control over our depression. We feel we’re doing something constructive. (Of course, it’s a heck of a lot harder than just swallowing a pill.) I have to make myself exercise as much as anyone else. How about you? Are you willing to give exercise a try? Just walk for thirty minutes every day this week. If you absolutely can’t make that commitment, at least move around the house for one-half hour, or wherever you are. I’m finding it difficult today myself. There is someone staying with me who is severely depressed. They are taking all my time, not to mention all my emotional energy. I’ve listened and encouraged to the point of physical exhaustion. That’s a danger signal for me. So my strategy means, I’m making myself work-out today. Exercise is a no-brainer for me. My emotional survival is at stake. survival Besides, the not-wanting-to-exercise demon wanes in comparison to my fear-of-the-depression-demon. demon depression  (I  know this is scary but for someone whose experienced depression,  it’s spot-on.)   God bless and I hope you have a good day. Here’s a related article by a psychiatrist I follow that I think fits in well with my post today.    

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Depression can be a gift. Here's five reasons why.

  Depression can be a gift Sounds like some Pollyanna gibberish at best, doesn’t it? It isn’t. God promises He can take anything meant to harm us and turn it into something good. (Genesis 50:20) Many of life’s experiences are not welcomed at the time. However, we look back and see how it was for our good. The verse above in Genesis refers to the store of Joseph in the Bible. His brothers sold…

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What silly things make you smile every time? Do you know?

Smiling matters. Smiling makes us feel better, whether it’s forced or not. In fact, forcing ourselves to smile is a well-known technique to manage depression. We all know the big things that make us smile, like baptisms, weddings, and birthdays. You know, the really big things. But do you know the little things that make you smile? I’m going to list mine. How about you try it as well? It’s…

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Found a great thrift store vase, and some really cute tops

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depression has a really BIG appetite. Don't feed it.

Depression has a big appetite and if you’re not careful it will eat you up. Depression finds its victims just like an animal finds its prey. Predatory animals always search out the most vulnerable of other species. Even the king of the jungle, the mighty lion, isn’t stupid enough to attack an animal as strong as he is. Well, Satan is no different. Our unique vulnerabilities make us susceptible…

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Why worry about it if you really can't control it anyway?

Table of Contents 1. Worry never accomplishes anything. Worrying never accomplishes anything. Right now I’m sitting on the porch of “La Cabinette”. My she-shed sits about 40 ft from the main cabin. Both the cabin and the she-shed are tiny. The cabin, which we call “Teeny, Tiny Red Cabin” is now about seven hundred square feet because we just added a separate bedroom (there wasn’t one before);…

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Six truth about anxiety everyone needs to know

There are six truths about anxiety that, if we know them, help us keep anxiety under control. But before that………. Proverbs I love Proverbs. If I could practice even half of what is contained in this book, I would be the smartest, most industrious, and kindest person in the world. Alas. All I can do is read them every day and keep on trying. One of my favorite verses is Proverbs 12: 25 Anxiety…

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The reason I write. I hope it helps.

  I feel like this blog IS my passion.  I feel like I have already thrown myself behind a cause and that cause is to help as many people as I can who have fallen victim to depression.  I work hard at staying abreast of the best research. I try to present as many options for my followers as I can.  I also try to be honest about my past struggles with depression and sometimes my present ones as…

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Depression and the pit. Don't get comfortable. There is a way out.

  One of the interesting and sad facts about depression/anxiety is that we get so comfortable with the condition  we can’t imagine life any other way. While there are some things we do have to adjust to and learn to live with, depression and anxiety is NOT one of them. So if you’re dwelling in a pit of despair, don’t get too comfortable. Don’t become like the frog in the boiling water so after…

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Anxiety is miserable but there are helpful things we can do

Anxiety is miserable. Anxiety is a miserable feeling. It’s a two-ton elephant sitting on your chest. Usually, but not always, anxiety and depression go hand in hand. There are all kinds of reasons one may feel anxious, and there are those real situations that can cause anxiety to flare up. There are triggers from the past; we have a flashback and feel anxious. Some medications can cause anxiety…

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Thinking about important issues works best when we "get away"

“Getting away” and thinking My husband and I were on vacation last week. We drove to Utah to visit some of the national parks. Our favorite was Canyonland. To God be the glory for this piece of creation. It’s amazing. My pictures don’t come close to showing how beautiful it was. It was a really long drive for us–took three hard driving days to get there. I found myself singing “How great thou…

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Three ways the past is prologue to the future.

Past experiences and the future In the journey of life, past experiences often serve as a prologue to the future. The lessons we learn shape us. The trials we face define us. The triumphs we enjoy Inspire us. Therefore, reflecting on the past can provide valuable insights and guidance for the road ahead. Here are three ways in which the past serves as a prologue to the future. “What’s past…

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Relationships. What are yours like? Are they healthy? This post addresses these issues.

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pin.it/6OLZpmr6B

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Today was a confusing frightening day for the disciples. Sometimes we have our own in-between day. I hope this helps.

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Routines: How to create a great and effective morning one.

Routines are important Routines are really important if we want to live an organized life. For some of you, having a routine is synonymous with BORING! So, if this is not for you, read no further. But if you want to have time for the things you really want to do, you might want to consider a routine. It’s interesting because in order to have more free time, you need to schedule your tasks. And…

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How to keep Circumstances from stealing our happiness.

Circumstances are what they are. Circumstances. They either add to our happiness or take away from it. Sometimes, we create our own circumstances, and other times, life just happens. Is one easier to handle than the other? Most of us probably figure that if we create our own messes, we should accept our responsibility and not complain about them. That might be true, but no matter who caused the…