“No one is your enemy except yourself.”–Shannon L. Adler
A person very close to me is struggling with depression. Since I once believed I, too, had depression (To borrow a Prince moniker, I now refer to myself as “Joy Previously Masquerading as Sorrow”), I wrote the following letter:
Dear________,
I’ve been thinking a lot about your current depression. Because I have also suffered the debilitating “dis-ease,” I feel that I can understand and perhaps help in some way.
Here’s what I now know: The only thing “wrong” when I’m depressed is my thoughts. My thoughts start their incessant yammering, telling me I’m bad, that something is wrong with me, that life is hopeless.
But what I now believe with complete certainty is that these thoughts are false.
When I listen to them, claim them as my identity, I give them power they don’t deserve. The better tact is to observe them with interest (Wow! Where’d you come from?), know they’re temporary and REFUSE to fight them.
God promises me an abundant life, a life of joy, purpose and peace.
The thoughts of worthlessness are imposters. They only get away with their bald-faced lies to the extent I let myself fight with them, to the degree I let myself believe they contain power.
Nowadays, I try to remember my two magic words: “It’s okay.”
And I hold on to the fact that there is NO WAY I can be worthless or bad or unloved. The ego’s ridiculous thoughts have no power except the power I give them. I can choose to simply observe them and recognize them as the powerless posers they really are.
The only, only Truth is that God loves me as His precious child. He adores me and wants only good for me and for all His children.
As for the ego and its thoughts of worthlessness? They can kiss my beautiful, adored-by-God ass.
And so it is.
Pam Grout is the author of 17 books including E-Squared: 9 Do-it-Yourself Energy Experiments that Prove Your Thoughts Create Your Reality and the recently-released sequel, E-Cubed, 9 More Experiments that Prove Mirth, Magic and Merriment is your Full-time
29 Responses
Awesome timing for me! Thank you!
Am up to my eyeballs in learning this very thing w/a newly-hired, awesome life coach. Terrific timing! Merci beaucoup
Such powerful words and just what the doctor ordered.
Pure gold, again.
Thanks Pam!
Hello Pam! I had to forward this article on to a friend who is going through a rough time now. It came at the perfect time that my words could not convey to him the necessary relief I feel he needed…so thank you…thank you and your wonderfully, adored-by-God, ass.
Thank you Pam. Perfect timing
I love this and it’s appearance in my email inbox was nothing short of a miracle. I had been expecting one as part of Exercise#1 in E-SQUARED and you delivered it and I accepted it. What is not to love about telling depression to “kiss your God-adored ass”?
OK, now I can go onto the next exercise, as soon as I stop giggling all over the place.
Absolute truth! Thank you for wording it so wonderfully!!!
Hi Pam,
Love your books and emails. I rely on them. How can I change my thoughts when I am dealing with divorce, an abusive ex (that’s why I left him), custody litigation that has cost me $42,000 to date and its not over, and all the emotional toll this has taken on me (like the worry and fear I have for my two girls)? It’s hard to find joy in life while in a war zone. I am struggling to the point of despair. Please help!
Peace, Margie Keruskin
Sent from my iPhone
Dear Sweet Margie,
Find just one thing that is going right (I’m sure there is at least one) and focus on that. Our focus is a seed that grows into a bigger reality. I believe in you and I know you will get through this. Remember, “it’s okay”.
Love and joy,
Pam
As always, you hit it out of the park!! I will be saving this so that I can refer back to it and remind myself that I all of me is adored by God! Thank you!!
Nowadays, I try to remember my two magic words: “It’s okay.”
I have only clearly heard the voice of God once in my life and it said: “Relax. You’re fine.” What a relief!
Date: Tue, 2 Jun 2015 13:59:52 +0000 To: kcblok@live.nl
And so it is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SWAK!
I feel that your kind of “paint-brushing” what depression is here.
Depression is a disease, the cause is not just bad feelings that can be wished away there are other factors that contribute to depression has more than one cause such as unreliable mood regulation in the brain, other medical problems, genetic pre-disposition, stressful life events, like a parent dying.
Yes, it can be said that God loves you, and who doesn’t like the adage “patient heal thyself”. At the same time though therapy and drugs do help a person with healing and some people must use a drug for most of their lives.
Hurrah! that have found a way to help your depression.
I have a parent that has depression since she was quite a young person and the above factors that I have listed have contributed to her diagnosis. Yea, she tells herself positive things and kicks it in the ass but it(depression) hasn’t gone away.
I think when you give advice about a brain illness you should have a disclaimer at the end of your article stating that this isn’t the only advice for people suffering with depression.
Thank you for adding that disclaimer!
Onto my Pinterest board this one goes! I love you, Pam Grout!
Well!!…..AMEN!!! to THAT!!!!!
I love this post. I once was told “think only what God, Love, thinks about you and I sill know e Truth that sets you free,” you just described this in terms of depression. What good work you are doing. Much appreciation!
Sorry about self correct!,, ha ha ha! You will know the truth!!!
This post came as a blessing call it a sign for me a shift in energy what ever. It just made me feel truely understood. Thank you Pam
Hello Ms G!
I am a reader of E2 E3 and whatever you write in the future! Since I started listening to you and talking my life over with myself, this thing called life has taken a HUGE turn for the better! Bravo on putting this all into wonderfully chosen words. I am so much more positive and happier since you unknowingly straightened MY ass out. I feel lucky about the whole darn thing…and I don’t even need a disclaimer.
From someone who adores you in Buffalo.
The most beautifully stated, the most awe-inspiring message that resonates with me, well, with all of us. You continue to make the day brighter by reminding us what we have either forgotten or stubbornly ignore. Thank you dearest Pam…
I love, love your post! My sentiments exactly! I call those thoughts Mr. Morley…and it’s like..who, you again? I can’t remember how I came up with the name now. I tell him I am not listening and to quit bothering me.
Thank-You. AMEN.
I just love you!
Ah that’s a Brilliant little message Pam,and so darn true its scary……………but in the right way ,oh and am sure your ass is adored by more than God:-))))))))))))))))))))))
Oliver Mc Kenna | email: omckenna@hotmail.com + 353 1 8259030| mobile +353 857303261
Date: Tue, 2 Jun 2015 13:59:31 +0000 To: omckenna@hotmail.com
LOL…precious! Thank you, just in time as I had a couple of those imposters try and visit me recently. Kicked ’em to the curb I did. Hugs!