Even cats need company

I've been struggling this week with depression, and it's difficult to force myself to be with other people. I skipped choir, and have pretty much been at home, except for facilitating the Procovery meeting.
This photo reminds me that we all need others for warmth, companionship, survival, and happiness.
Spooning for Cats Originally uploaded by txkimmers.

PROCOVERY - The goal of this BLOG

This is a group weblog devoted to :

• People everywhere who have a Mental Disorder
• People who have a Mental Disorder AND who are working at PROCOVERY
• My Friends at the Self-Help Center
• Helping eliminate the stigma of Mental Disorder
• Giving people with a Mental Disorder a voice and a forum for self-expression.

Procovery, by the way, is a relatively new concept developed by Kathleen Crowley. She has written a book called The Power of Procovery in healing mental illness. Here's a short definition of PROCOVERY, from the book's jacket liner:

Procovery / n: attaining a productive and fulfilling life regardless of the level of health assumed attainable [vs. recovery, returning to a prior state of health].

biPolar - What's Up? - Donno, I'm kinda Down

I took this photo myself, and couldn't resist the title. It reminds me of myself.

At times looking down at my feet with nothing worthwile to say or do. Afraid that no one loves me or cares about me. Ashamed of things I need not be ashamed of.

Other times, looking up, with the limitless sky above me. No barriers, no limitations, fearless and (too) self assured.
biPolar - What's Up? - Donno, I'm kinda Down Originally uploaded by creativity+.

Wake up and smell the flowers

Wake up and smell the flowers
Originally uploaded by Martini Break.

Hey, if this little guy could slowly slide up on slime to explore the world, why not you?
Feelings follow actions. You may not FEEL like getting up and going outside, but getting up and going outside will almost certainly make you feel better.

Depression makes everything look worse than it actually is. Remember that, and "just start anywhere" (tm Procovery.com)

Things are not always what they seem!

Folds
Originally uploaded by Zsaj.

When I first saw this, I thought it was a caterpillar. Then I realized it was a closeup of a mushroom.
When we're depressed or manic, we often don't realize that the disorder is making us view the world not as it is, but with a strange filter. The filter makes us see things as gloomy, sad, and hopeless if we're depressed. The disorder makes us see the world as way TOO happy, and our vision of ourselves more wonderful than we really are.
It's important to know this and remember that our perceptions can be false during the extreemes.

New eyes make seeing clearly a possibility

bug eye
Originally uploaded by fly_tosser.

We must see in new ways to overcome the obstacles of the present. Seeing things the way we always have means we will experience more of the same.
So how do we see with fresh vision? Through the eyes of a friend, or a mentor. Through the experience of someone further along the path. Find places and people who stretch your imagination and your view of the world.