Bringing Depression into the Light

About two weeks ago, I learned that Chonda Pierce was releasing a movie called LAUGHING IN THE DARK. It's a one-night showing--Tuesday, October 27--only. Curious about the movie, I did an online search about it and found that she'd also written a book with the same title. I immediately ordered it and began reading it as soon as it arrived. 

As usual, Chonda Pierce tackles a difficult subject--depression--with humor, lightness, and hope. I had no idea until I started reading this book that she had dealt with [severe] depression. I have watched Chonda's videos for as long as I can remember and have laughed and laughed and laughed and laughed through every single one. Her story is a true testament to the fact that we never know what the person next to us is going through--just because he/she has a smile on his/her face and/or is laughing doesn't mean that all is well in his/her world/life. 

In today's world, "depression" is a dirty word in the context that the people around us don't want to deal with our sadness. Depressed people are difficult people to be around. To those who have never dealt with it, they seem to think that if a depressed person would JUST quit focusing on the negatives in his/her life, he/she wouldn't be depressed anymore. Or the depressed person should JUST pray more...or JUST worship more...or JUST read the Bible more...or JUST get filled with the Holy Spirit...and the list goes on and on. 

I've heard it from those around me, "JUST 'get over it'"! Honey, if I could "just get over it," don't you think I would have already?! Who in their right mind WANTS to live in a constant state of sadness--severe depression?!

Chonda's story brings a very serious subject into the light and discusses it laughter, but great tact and the realization that EVEN Christians can have severe depression and we need to be supportive rather than judgmental of those who do.

Thank you, Chonda, for your openness and honesty. I can't wait to see your movie on October 27.

Laugh....Life IS worth living....

I try so hard every day to smile and laugh as if my life depended on it.  Smiling, even when I don't feel like smiling--so I've been told, boosts certain hormones or receptors in the brain that triggers whatever emotional part of us is needed to help us move from the sad, depressed (or even angry) state to one of peace and contentment.  Smile through the pain.  Then, when I'm not in front of anyone, when I'm "in my closet"--as Marie was--crying my eyes out, feeling as if the world is falling down around me and I'm falling apart right along with it, I can cry and let my true feelings flow.  Like Marie, I put on my smile and pretend that I'm "fine"--that all is well, when inside, I'm wondering how in the world I'm going to survive to the next moment, let alone tomorrow.

I don't know if I have or have ever had post-partum depression as Marie Osmond describes in her book MIGHT AS WELL LAUGH ABOUT IT NOW, but I do know that I have felt exactly as she has felt.  I, too, have gotten in my car and driven away from my home and family with no destination in mind except to GET AWAY.  Like Marie, I have plastered a smile on my face and gone to work, doing what had to be done, only to go home and fall apart in the privacy of my home. 

Marie is a true kindred spirit for me.  I don't know if we have both had the exact same emotional diagnosis, but I do know that I have felt what she has felt; I have been to THAT low, terrible place of wondering if my life is even worth living, but then thinking of my beloved son who needs me; I GET what she writes about. 

But because life IS WORTH LIVING, we "might as well laugh about it now" and enjoy our loved ones while we can....!