Depression: How to beat it and be happy


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	. Help for Depression Question: What is the secret of beating depression? A tough question but simple to answer. The secret is to forget about trying to make yourself happy, and instead make other people happy. Your family and friends first of course. But really, everybody in the world. Only then will you be truly free of anxiety and depression. If you can make just one other person happy, or relieve their suffering, your life will be a resounding success! And this is always possible for you, every day. The big secret truth is this: It is easy to make others happy, it is impossible to make only yourself happy. Think you can't help others? Even a single kind word can lift someone's spirits and make them happy. In WWII concentration camps, some prisoners shared their small rations of food with others, even though it meant certain death by starvation themselves. And survivors tell that in the midst of all that horror, other prisoners sang joyful songs to make everyone feel better. If you suffer from depression because you are lonely, go to Loneliness If you suffer from depression because you are ill and in pain, go to Why Does God Permit Suffering? If drug problems of a loved one are causing depression, go to Drug Problems If you suffer from depression because of your spouse or "significant other," go to Relationship Problems If you suffer from depression because you are overweight, go to Overweight Problems If you suffer from depression because you cannot stay at home with your small children, go to Working Mom Problems A Reader Question: Isn’t it safe to say that you have to make yourself happy before you can make others happy? I am a people pleaser and no matter what, I seem to feel like I deserve the same respect I give others. I’ve also heard that it is like giving a gift you shouldn’t expect one in return ( very true) so how can you make someone happy if you are not happy yourself??? Very very confused. Dear Reader, You are confused because you are still thinking how you can make yourself happy. This should never be our goal. Our goal in life is to mature and qualify ourselves as worthy children of God. We are born with nothing but free will and the knowledge of how to tell right from wrong. Are we worthy to be called true children of God? That’s completely up to us. It means following a difficult path. It means the rejection of everything selfish. From our good works we should never expect anything back except ingratitude, except from God, who keeps strict accounts. If you don’t believe in God, the whole argument falls apart. Then you are right back where you started from, and you will just have to settle for a selfish attempt to make yourself happy, which is doomed to failure. Your words “I deserve” are very telling. What you should hope to deserve is eternal happiness, and the satisfied and happy feeling throughout life that you are doing your best to merit that. You should be in constant contact with your Father, who will give you all the help you need if you simply ask for it. Forgive everyone everything. Hold no grudges. Always be cheerful and pleasant. See that no one goes hungry. Wow, is all that difficult, or what? No one said it would be easy. And you won’t be perfect, no matter how hard you try. But it is in exactly how hard you try that your life will be measured at the moment of your death. Each time you fall down, reach up for His hand. It will always be there. Another Question From a Reader: I suffer a lot. If I commit suicide, will I go to hell? Dear Reader, Only God knows, and we presume he will judge each case on its own merit. But he has said that he will be the judge of when we die. We are supposed to spend our time on earth trying to help other people, and we should not cut that time short. Who knows what plans he has for us later on? I would not personally ever consider taking my own life, it is just too huge a risk, and if you lose, well, as they say, all hell may break loose. How can God permit Suffering? Click Here for the definitive, surprising answer. Then please scroll to other articles on the Spiritual Inspiration page, such as the Meaning of Life and Proof That God Exists! If you are depressed and unhappy, write to us! Maybe we can help. We will answer! To send email, Click here. Go to the Home Page for a full menu of thought-provoking articles and helpful medical advice. Cope With Death \| Evolution and Ideas \| Being a Christian \| Why Is There Suffering? \| Who Is In Hell? \| \| Return Home \| The Meaning of Life \| Is There a God? \| Prayer \| Teachings of Christ \| Don Camillo Stories \| Our Catholic Faith \| Links \|