I was depressed and suicidal for around 15 years. I tried numerous anti-depressants, went to see doctors and even checked myself into a mental hospital.
Looking back, I realize I had to hit rock bottom in order to realize what I truly wanted in life. I want what everyone wants: to feel happy! But how?
Happiness means something different to each and every person. While on the anti-depressants, it became a habit to think negative thoughts. Time passed and I became a negative person. I soon was in the middle of living a negative life.
Each thought we think creates a “neural groove” on and into our brains. A small line or groove is literally physically etched into our brain. The more you think that thought the deeper that groove becomes. If the grooves deepen with each thought, how much deeper do you think they become when they are backed up with consistent actions? How important are the thoughts you are thinking every day?
It’s been over three years since I got off those medications. ALL of them. I have never been more happy or grateful for my life, and it has been a consistent thing for the last three years. My life literally keeps getting better and better as time passes, and while I don’t have everything figured out, this is how I got from daily suicidal thoughts to a happy, fulfilling life:
1 -I decided I needed a change. Have you ever been sick and tired of the way your life is going? I was. At this time I was homeless (thank God my three sons were able to live with their mom full-time on a temporary basis), injured (I had just ruptured a disc in my back yet again), and I didn’t have a vehicle.
2 – I thought about what I wanted. This changes from time to time, but I knew I wanted a place to live, food to eat, and clothes to wear. I wanted to spend as much quality, positive time with my three sons that I could. Knowing exactly what you want is 85% of the battle! Once I knew what I wanted I knew exactly what I needed to do to get there.
3 – I started a mental list of every single thing I had to be grateful for in my every daily life. Within a month of doing this every day on the way to work I was already a different person. Try it. You’ll see.
4 – A month after the “Gratitude Experiment” I began to read a daily excerpt from a book called, “The Language of Letting Go”, by Melody Beattie. I also saved every positive quote I came across on Facebook and Pinterest.
5 – A month later I watched a documentary called, “Fed Up” on Netflix. Trust me. Watch it. I lost 60 pounds of fat within a matter of months simply by changing my diet and cutting sugars out of it as much as possible. There is always something every single one of us can do to improve our diet, lifestyle, mentality, our health or anything else in our lives. It is a choice.
I continued to do these things, as much as possible, every single day. CONSISTENCY WAS THE KEY. Sometimes I need some down time, but I always go back to my new habits and new thoughts.
We all have bad days. We all get tired. But I’ve changed some habitual ways of thinking, which changed the way I am habitually living. It took years. It was totally worth it. I love my life. I am so blessed.
Pit Bull said, “It’s not about making it. It’s about maintaining it.”
Making a lot of changes at one time can be extremely overwhelming. If you start with one change, change what you decide to focus on and think about. That one thing will change everything automatically. BE GRATEFUL.
Change can be incredibly difficult, but…
Seriously, If I Can Do It, ANYONE Can.