This is always a rough week for me. By the time we get to late December the weather, the gray skies, the brown grass, and the leafless trees have done their number on me and I find myself in a familiar battle. I have a sadness deep within me that makes no sense whatsoever. I have no idea where it 
comes from. They tell me it’s called Seasonal Affective Disorder. I call it no fun. It seeps out of that place deep within, little by little, thank God, and while I am usually not overwhelmed by it, I am noticeably affected. When the stress and noise and expectations of Christmas get thrown into the mix there are days where the struggle is almost more than I want to deal with.
If you are shocked hearing all of this, well, I don’t talk about it often. Don’t get me wrong, I am generally a happy person, am very blessed, and love my life. If the weather is warm and the trees and grass are alive and green, I’m great! This is just as part of my life that I have to deal with. I know all the things to do to help combat it: sunlight, exercise, vitamins, spicy food, etc… They do help a bit. The feelings get muted, but they are still there.
I have accepted the fact that this is the way that God made me. In that, there are some good things that come from it. I am more likely to slow down and consider others. It reminds me to do this even when things are good. And while you all know I am not the most pious of believers, it does bring me back to my God and helps me remember he is still there and I am to trust him. It also shows me what life is like, be it in a very small way, for those who battle depression every day. I can empathize with those poor souls.
So pray for me if you think to and I’ll fight and claw my way to Spring with as big a smile on my face as I can muster. But more than that, find those people in your life that struggle, especially this holiday season, and pray for them. Do something for them where appropriate. Not one of us can make it alone.
For more infor on Seasonal Affective Disorder, click here.
Recent Comments