Where's That Broom?

Ever have one of those seasons when everything goes wrong? When people disappoint you, friends abandon you, and rejection is around every corner. When your best efforts are criticized, what do you do? When your dreams go up in smoke, and you are left holding ashes, how do you cope?

What are the signs of depression? Loneliness and isolation? Sleeping too much, or not sleeping at all? Overeating, or can’t choke anything down? Tired and achy? Feeling flat? No energy? No interest in….much of anything?

I had a dear friend who had her share of depression. She once said something profound about it. She’s gone now, and I don’t remember her exact words, but here’s the idea:

We think that depression is a negative thing, but really it’s a chance to go inside and reflect. It’s a chance to enter our mind and heart, find out what we’ve stored there, and get rid of things we no longer need. It’s a chance to get to know ourselves better and to do some deep cleaning.

I think I’ll go inside for a bit and wander about. It seems a little dusty in here. There are cobwebs in the corners, and crumbs underneath the tables. What was that I once heard about “a heart swept clean and garnished?” I need a broom.

Sweeping...Sweeping.

Linda Garner