If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere,” goes the famous song about New York City. Is there a place — a city, a school, a company — about which you think (or thought) the same? Tell us why, and if you ever tried to prove that claim. ~ Daily Post
There was a time in my life when I became swallowed by severe depression. Each day I remember thinking, if I can get through this hour, maybe I can get through the next hour, and maybe, I can get through this day.
There were days when I felt I had taken one step forward and two steps back. There were days I didn't think I could make it through the hour much less the entire day.
The suffering experienced by severe depression is immeasurable. The pain is just as real and painful as physical pain, maybe even worse.
In my opinion, this is the reason there is so much suicide in our world today. From my own experience, I believe it is because of this pain. The very act is the desperation to escape it.
Did I think of suicide? Sadly, yes. I too wanted to escape the pain that had seized me in it's consuming and hideous grasp. Pain that wouldn't allow me peace. Pain that seemingly wanted only to destroy me.
With perseverance, I finally made it through it. I had finally climbed that difficult mountain. I climbed it one minute at a time, one hour at a time, and one day at a time.
Anyone who can climb this mountain and make it to the top, can make it anywhere.
Today, I may not be perfect, but I am 90% better than I was.
If you have severe depression, or even, depression, please, don't give up. Don't ever give up.
BEAUTIFUL WORDS 
Wonderful post! People need to know that there are others out there with depression who have made it out so they can make it out too. I applaud you for writing this, I’ve been there a little too.
Keep fighting. Your posts brighten my day and you are such a lovely person, I’m glad to know you even if it’s only through the internet!
Thank you Mandi! I feel the same about you. Whenever I write about my past it take a LOT of courage to push that PUBLISH button! LOL. I agree with you, we need to let others know there is a light at the end of the tunnel, even when there seems to be none at all.
That is great advice, PJ. You have come so far from the first days I met you here on WordPress. Let me tell you how strong I see you have come in the year and a half since then, please? Because you never gave up or into it the depression completely, I think. Cheers to you, and to everybody who fights that battle so courageously.
Thank you Mark! You have been a good friend ever since I first started blogging here. I am doing better (some days I wonder though 😀 ). I also thank you in behalf of the others that are courageously fighting this depression battle. It isn’t an easy or a fair fight.
Good for you! Stay strong, and keep posting!
What a great message! 🙂
Thank you Ish!
Lovely post, Joy. I remember that pain so very well, it’s indescribable. You are an inspiration
Thank you Cat. I knew you would know what I was talking about. I am glad we are both over that mountain.
And I want you to know, YOU are an inspiration to me. 🙂
you are Priceless Joy! <3<3<3
Thank you! And so are you! 🙂
Me too — 20 years ago. there was a day when I got up and washed the dishes. I got such pleasure from that simple routine action I can’t even tell you. That was when (and I still had a long road ahead of me) that moment showed me that I had turned a corner and I might make it out.. I think more people need to “come out” about their experiences — I think this because once I was recovered I ended up losing so many hours at my school (I was “unreliable” — that is after 13 years teaching there) so they wanted me to go away. I went away — to better pastures — but to suffer like that and then be treated like a pariah? Far too common. Thanks for this lovely post!
Thank you for your sweet comment. I agree with you. When I was going through this my family was so “ashamed” of me and because of that it makes it difficult to talk about but I know that is the best thing to do, for me and for others. Those of us need to put aside our shame and “come out” of hiding. 🙂
I went back to school, walked into the classroom building, headed down the hall and my colleagues actually stood back from me. One of them even said, “Look, it’s Lazarus.” I just thought, “You live through what I just did and THEN you can talk to me you….” I saw them at that moment no longer as trusted friends and colleagues but as a bunch of cowards. Anyway, that was a while ago.
Last summer I learned about this organization and I think it’s really cool. You might have heard of it, but if not: http://bringchange2mind.org/
By the way, the theme you’re using made it almost impossible for me to see what I was typing.
That’s terrible. I’m sorry you had to experience that, and the illness you experienced. Thank you for the url. I will look into it.
Oh, thanks for letting me know about the theme. I just changed colors on it. Was it the color yellow that made you not be able to see what you were typing??
Yeah — the type was white so it was almost invisible.
I just changed it to something darker.
Yes! This works a lot better! 🙂