“I love you when you bow in your mosque, kneel in your temple, pray in your church. For you and I are sons [and daughters] of one religion, and it is the Spirit.”  Kahlil Gibran

********************

Of  late, many of  you have written to Dance of the Spirit to say that you’ve recently found yourself feeling melancholy. For so many weary souls out there, it seems like the world’s gone crazy. Some  find it hard to even get out of bed in the morning.

They ask: “Can you give me a ray of hope that things are going to get better?”

Here’s my answer to my dear, wonderful, and courageous Dance of the Spirit collective: Stay Strong. See True. You will always be guided to the next step of your journey. Ask that the Guidance be for your Best and Highest Good. And the way will be shown to you. But first, you must find that Spark of Spirit within; it will drive you forward.  And, it’s always a superb idea to put on a good pair of walking shoes!

My thoughts continue below. Remember, that wise sage Saint Teresa was right. She “saw true” when she said, “All is Well and All Will Be Well.”  ….. Namaste, SC

————————————————————————————–

It’s not uncommon to feel sad from time to time, especially when it seems like the world has “gone crazy”. However, if these feelings persist for a long period of time, or if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by them, there is a chance you are experiencing a bout of mild to severe depression, and it’s a good idea to seek professional help sooner rather than later.

It isn’t healthy to suppress your feelings. Sometimes, the simple act of confiding your sadness (and confusion) to a trusted friend can help; it can also strengthen the bond of intimacy that you share with those you love, and those who love you.

Classical depression comes with distinctive signposts that might help you to evaluate how severe your condition may be. Common symptoms of depression are: 1) Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions 2) Fatigue and decreased energy 3) Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or helplessness 4) Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism 5) Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping 6) Irritability, restlessness 7) Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex 8) Overeating or appetite loss 9) Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease (even with treatment) 10) Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” feelings 11 ) Thoughts of suicide and/or suicide attempts

As previously mentioned, if you find you have symptoms such as these, I encourage you to consult a medical professional right away.

****************

However, if you are simply suffering from a case of “the blues”, and we all have “blue” days, I have a few suggestions that might help:

A) It’s important to remember that there is “good” in every situation, similar to the analogy of observing whether a glass is “half empty or half full”; both are correct, yet the attitude of the observer is everything.

B) When you choose to focus on ALL that is wrong in the world, your subconscious jumps in to “assist” you in that effort. By establishing a belief that the world is “crazy”, or that you are powerless, or that only bad things are in the works on 3-d Earth, you set yourself up for more of the same. (It’s called the Law of Attraction.)

C) Changing your attitude is as simple as changing your mind. Start with gratitude. Gratitude is one of the most influential emotions in the Universe. (Set aside a few minutes each day to write down three things, small or large, for which you are grateful. These don’t have to be Earth-shattering items—they can be as simple as clean water to drink, the love of a friend or family member, or the way your dog’s tail wags when he’s happy. Engaging in this simple exercise will help you change your focus; you’ll soon find yourself looking for things in your life that make you happy.)

D) Set aside time each day to read from books designed to guide and inspire you. I suggest you start with books by Wayne Dyer or Louise Hay.

E) Limit your exposure to mass media, especially the 24-hour, hyped news machines! (This cannot be emphasized enough.)

Sure, there are forces (going on all around us) over which we have no control. We do, however, have control over our emotions and how we view the world. Choosing to focus on negative events, people or circumstances encourages negative emotion and heightens what’s called “victim mentality”. Instead, do your best to look for the positive aspects within every circumstance.

Practice CONSCIOUS INTENT as you choose to feel GOOD. Smile at strangers, even the grumpy ones (they probably need it the most). Engage in a random acts of kindness. Invite the nearest purring cat to sit on your lap; the little stuff adds up to a more fulfilling life, moment by moment.

Have no doubt: the world is a wonderful, magical, loving place; I hope you choose to embrace that truth. Hang in there; it’s gonna be okay. You are not alone and you are certainly not forgotten. May this little HeartSong of mine join yours today. Together, we will harmonize our way to PEACE.

*********************************

“Faith is a passionate intuition.” William Wordsworth