Winding the Clock

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In celebration of… in light of… as a result of (sounds better) the recent changing of the clocks, I thought I would talk about this topic. I often share in broader terms, but I believe this post needs to get a little more specific. For some of you it will have close to the heart relevance. Even if you don’t relate personally, I hope you will read it through its entirety because I can almost guarantee that someone you know will come to mind when you do.

When I was a kid, I was what I would call a free spirit. Every rule was restrictive, almost to the point of oppressive. I was a pro at breaking them. I was also in trouble much of the time. The kind of kid I was would probably have the label, “creative or expressive,” these days. Either way, I still don’t do well with rules. I like order, but not boundaries. Some of you are probably nodding your head in full agreement.

Unfortunately, order and guidelines are incredibly valuable for me. You see, I have suffered in some form from depression over my life. This has its origins in several key areas, but I am not addressing those today. What I want to talk about is the clock. Let’s say the clock is just a timeline written across each day. Every new sunrise brings a new line. Along that line is structure. It is this regularity that gives advantage to those who struggle with depressive disorders.

The approach that I take in my spiritual care is trifold. It has roots in psychology, pastoral care, and spiritual formation. Therefore, what you will find next in this post involves all three. If you or someone you know suffers from the “blues” there are actions that you can take that makes these times more manageable. You should design it individually to fit you and your life. The only aspect of it that remains fairly consistent is that each day is new. But this is not just a belief you can have it has to be a mantra. Each day, you have to get up and verbally tell yourself it is a new day. In that moment, you also have to find a physical thing in which you are grateful for and thank God. If you need to write it down and carry it with you into the day, do it!

Beyond that, build your day one block at a time. But have your building blocks preset so you do not have to determine them in the middle of your depressive state. Here’s an example:

• Name my grateful, thank God.
• Get a shower and get ready for the day, even if I have nothing planned.
• Go to work or work on something productive (this could be as simple as make your bed or sweep your floors)
• If you do not work outside of the home, make a list of things to do for the day, then set a timeframe in which to accomplish them.
• Allow yourself a lunch break, and several breaks during the day, but take something with you into them – a person, a book, not social media and not work.
• Be sure that your day is full, but not overwhelming. Again, it could be prayer time, simple chores, a phone call.
• Be sure that you reach out to someone during the day. DON’T wait for them, you initiate it.
• Do some physical activity outside of household chores. Take a walk (it can be around the block), weed the garden, take the stairs at work, something.
• Eat regular meals – even if they don’t include all of the food groups, eat something at a regular scheduled time.
• At the end of the day, write down or give voice (I don’t journal) three things that you did and praise yourself for doing them. Then give praise to God for giving you the day and the strength to do the things you did.

One key component to this list, is that you do not write it, or use it negatively against yourself. It is meant to predetermine your steps when you have no energy to do them on your own. It is meant to keep focus on the things that you accomplished, not the things that you did not achieve.

There is one other piece that I want to address. You are a piece of creation. That means you are knitted together with every other aspect of it through the hands of the Creator. He gives strength to the trees that stand for centuries. He gives power to the waves that crash unending on the shorelines across the globe. He is never absent whether or not you see or feel him. Recall this on tough days and allow yourself to lean into him to help carry you.

-blessings my friend