Agency and goal setting

Something amazing has happened!  Ever since that day when my depression finally went away, I have found myself a new, happy, dedicated, motivated, purpose-filled Kellie!  It's amazing!  My life since then has been intensely better, and I've been able to find so much more joy, even in the most mundane of projects.  Every accomplishment, it seems, brings me satisfaction, not necessarily because of the project itself (like, say, doing laundry) but more because I have been given the strength and power to do it!  Something has changed within me, and I'm confident that it is a direct result of the kind, divine assistance of my Father in Heaven. It is He who provides me with the strength and power to accomplish any significantly difficult or simple task in this life! It was He first of all who gave my life to me, and it is He who knows the potential for growth and good that I possess as one of his divine children.  Lately I have discovered the importance of goal setting.  As I have been doing my best to overcome some of my greatest weaknesses (time management, depression, etc.) I have been setting simple goals, like doing homework as soon as I get it, going to bed early, taking care of myself physically and spiritually and emotionally, etc. I've learned some very important lessons in this!  Heavenly Father respects our agency!  I've been so amazed and impressed at how true this is!  He knows the desires of our hearts, and I have felt, as I have striven to improve my life, how much his hand has been involved in helping me to achieve the righteous desires of my heart.  For instance, I had a goal to be more healthy, taking care of my body better by getting the exercise, nutrients, and sleep it needs.  This is one of the things I have chosen to do to help me maintain a healthy state of mind.  Considering how badly depressed I was last semester, I have chosen to involve myself in activities, thoughts, etc. that will help me to avoid the negative thoughts and idleness that lead me so swiftly to become depressed.  I prayed for assistance to be able to accomplish the goal of exercising three times a week, and since the day I started, save for one day, I have been aided in successfully keeping this goal!  I have learned however, that Heavenly Father cannot, obviously, do everything for us. He can help us.  However, we need to decide first what things we need his help with, and ask Him for them.  Soon after, He swiftly sends his angels to encourage and help us to fulfill those goals which we made.  He respects our agency, and it seems like when we let him know what we want or need, if it be a righteous desire, He instantly helps us to achieve it.  I suppose this is why they have the scripture: "It is not needful to be directed in all things... be anxiously engaged in a good cause."  I feel so much how true this is! As I have set goals of worth and righteousness, the Lord has supported me with the strength I have needed to fulfill.  Seriously!  Another goal I've had has been to be on time and present at every class this semester and to do all the homework ahead of time.  Since this is something I have been weak at for a while, I cannot expect to be perfect from the start, however, I have seen great improvement, and continue to find myself getting better!  Just this week alone, I was on time, if not early to every academic class (but not the art ones I'm afraid).  Like I said, perfection can't be achieved overnight.  But another way I am working to combat depression is to recognize the little progresses and to delight in each step for the better! Anyway, I just wanted to bear my testimony of the power of agency and of the swiftness of the Lord in serving us according to our desires (righteous) and needs.  I sure love and am thankful for his great kindnesses to those who seek to do his well.  How blessed we are to have such a caring and loving and gentle Father in Heaven!

How to Avoid Depression

(This was a blog post I wrote a while back but never ended up posting. I never fully finished it, but will post what I have so far for those who might need it. )

As I've been recovering from my own major bout of depression, I have been trying to maintain my freedom from this terrible sickness by doing certain things that will help me to maintain a healthy mind, body, and heart.  I thought that as I progress, it might be nice to share some of the things I've learned with others that may be searching for ways to overcome their own feelings of depression.  Here are some ideas and things that have helped me immensely, and I hope will help you as well.

1- Recognize that you are depressed.  There are many websites that list many of the symptoms of depressed persons.  Some of these include low feelings of self-worth, lack of desire to do the things you used to love, lack of motivation, little faith that your life can improve, etc.

2- Understand the reasons why you may be depressed:  could it be because you feel that all the other girls (guys) are prettier (more handsome) than you? Do you feel unworthy perhaps because of a past sin or because you are not living your life in accordance with what you know to be true? Do you compare yourself to others? Are you overwhelmed? Stressed?  Do you feel that you are never able to keep up with the work you have to do? Do you wonder why other people seem so happy? These are just a few of the things that went through my mind as I faced depression.

3- Cease those behaviors which only contribute to the depression, for example, self-depreciating thoughts or words.  Also, choose to desist those which you know are wrong, and begin to replace them with what you know is right.  Often times, feelings of depression can stem from feeling like we really just never
You may have to replace those behaviors with their positive counterparts in order to change them fully. 

4- Begin to replace those behaviors with their positive counterparts. 


Ways to maintain freedom from depression:
1- Take care of yourself physically: a healthy body is also a healthy mind.  Start eating correctly.  Take care of your appearance.  Don't do it for anyone else, but just do it for you.  You'll like yourself more if you feel good on the outside.  Start exercising a little every day.  It doesn't have to be much, but as you make those efforts, you will begin to feel in control of your life again.  As you develop those feelings of being in control, it is amazing what faith you build to begin to accomplish even more tasks.  The power of hard work is one of the many ways depression can be healed and maintained.

2-  Take care of yourself spiritually:  if you are a God fearing person, start aligning your life with his will. If He wants you to study your scriptures and pray to him daily, then do it.  Don't wait or hesitate.  We are commanded pray daily, hourly, always, so do so.  Seek his help through prayer to overcome your weaknesses and difficulties.  Maintain a consistent study habit to read and pray and attend church and otherwise seek Him and is strength in his life.

3-Take care of your self emotionally.  This means clearing the messy corners of your mind from all the negative thoughts you have about yourself- all the lies you say to keep yourself down.  Remember, thinking too much about oneself, even when negatively, is still thinking selfishly, is it not?

4- Give back.  Seek outside yourself.  Reach out to those who seem to need a friend, support, someone to talk to, etc.