As I travel the new road facing my depression, it is clear the path is not straight. As I read and learn more about depression, I ran across the concept of stages of change. Currently, I am reading the SMART Recovery Handbook. It reminds me that it’s difficult to change long-standing behaviors, even when new ones are better for you. Depression has a way of making these … [Read more...] about My uncharted journey into the future
worry
Sometimes I want to go where everybody knows my name
OK, so I am dating myself by using the line from Cheers! But they were on to something special. Sam Malone, a former relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox’s and a recovering alcoholic, is running a bar. I always felt the show seemed genuine, and that the characters portrayed the lives of people I could relate to. “Norm.” I can appreciate the feeling of being welcomed into a … [Read more...] about Sometimes I want to go where everybody knows my name
I braced for the storm that didn’t come
The heatwave that has been terrorizing the east coast of the United States for the past five days was about to come to an end. A cold front was pushing east and was to collide with the entrenched heat. Striking the hot air mass, the cold front was predicted to incite massive upheaval in the sky. As the two strikingly different air masses battled it out over our heads, violent … [Read more...] about I braced for the storm that didn’t come
Concert tickets for tonight. Should this be fun?
Back in February, I saw Bruce Hornsby was coming to a local venue at the end of July. I jumped on tickets the day they went on sale and got three tickets, fifth row, center. I was very excited. The tickets were delivered by the US mail in an unassuming white business-size envelope. After opening the letter and reviewing the tickets, I put the envelope on a clipboard that … [Read more...] about Concert tickets for tonight. Should this be fun?
You should be careful what you wish for
Depression told me I would love early retirement. My plan for the past 30 years was to work until I was 70 ½, before retiring. Full social security benefits, a chance to add some extra cushion to my 401K and staying involved with day to day life outside of the house. This all seemed good and doable. About 18 months ago, depression saw how good things were going. It decided that … [Read more...] about You should be careful what you wish for