Nobody has the right to make you feel unpretty, undeserving, inferior nor unworthy of love. They do not know what you've been through. What defines you is not the amount of money in your savings account; not the degree and academic achievements from a prestigious university; not the kind of car you own and the poor driving skills you have; not the wrong choices you've made in the past; not even your complicated family background. What makes you beautiful and special is how you rise from the fall while being careful not to harm anyone; how you survived tragedies while staying on top of your head; how you still try to do right than wrong; how you learn things from experience without the aid of school; how you were able to free yourself from the chains of the past; how you still reach out to your family in-spite-of-despite-the; and how you are trying to savor life and continue living regardless... Only the people with a deeper understanding can appreciate and see through you. So shed no tear and waste no heartbeat for those who try to hurt you. You are an exceptional woman and only a few enlightened ones know that.
"How do you manage to NOT be depressed?"
I have been asked the same question repeatedly these past few months. At first, I wondered if they think my situation is so depressing that they can't believe I'm still in good spirits. But I realized they were referring to themselves. While I am not a happiness guru, here are some of the things I do to stay positive and beat the blues: 1. Travel to places you haven't explored. It's a liberating experience. 2. Satisfy your cravings without feeling guilty. 3. Give up the things that cause you stress. 4. Don't over-analyze everything. The world is already a complex place. 5. That gnawing thing that's been in your bucket list since time immemorial? Just do it, for Pete's sake! 6. Believe and the universe will connive to make it work if it's really what's in your heart and mind. (This is a work in progress for me, too.) 7. Talk to strangers. Sometimes, it's easy to share your thoughts when you don't have to worry about being judged. You won't see them again anyway. 8. Say a personal prayer, as if you're confiding to a trusted friend. It will relieve you of your sorrow. 9. Do the silly dance when you're alone. And while you're at it, watch yourself in the mirror. This will instantly lift you up. 10. Volunteer for a good cause and help touch other people's lives. This will shift your perspective from "I, the depressed" to "them, who need help." |
AuthorJossa De Pano is a freethinker and freelance writer whose special interest is on feminism and women's empowerment, animal welfare, green living, and volunteerism Archives
June 2017
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