Hello, World

I'm joining Mama Kat's Pretty Much World Famous Writer's Workshop again this week. The prompt I chose for today is:

5.) A song with significance.

This is a relatively new song from Lady Antebellum. It's the type of song that can be interpreted in more than one way. But it really speaks to me, because it reminds me of the feeling of coming out of a dark depression, and recognizing the beauty all around us. It's always there, but depression can rob you of the ability to see it, and appreciate it.

Traffic crawls, cell phone calls
Talk radio screams at me, through my tinted window I see
A little girl, rust red minivan, she’s got chocolate on her face
Got little hands and she waves at me
Yeah, she smiles at me

Well, hello world
How you been
Good to see you, my old friend
Sometimes I feel cold as steel
Broken like I’m never gonna heal
And I see a light, a little hope in a little girl
Hello world

Every day I drive by a little white church
It’s got these little white crosses
Like angels in the yard
Maybe I should stop on in, say a prayer
Maybe talk to God like he is there
Oh, I know he’s there
Yeah, I know he’s there

Well hello world
How you been
Good to see you, my old friend
Sometimes I feel as cold as steel
And broken like I’m never gonna heal
And I see a light, a little grace, a little faith unfurls
Well hello world

Sometimes I forget what living’s for
And I hear my life through my front door
And I breathe it in
Oh, I’m home again
And I see my wife
Little boy and little girl
Hello world
Hello world

Well the empty disappears
I remember why I’m here
Just surrender and believe
I fall down on my knees
Well hello world
Hello world
Hello world

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Depression Is Not...

You can find a lot of resources online that will tell you the definition of Depression. I'm sure most of you have at least a basic understanding of what depression is. But there are many misconceptions about depression, people who suffer from depression, and the medication that some people take for their depression.

So I am here to tell you what Depression is NOT.

Depression is not a choice.

Depression is not an excuse.

Depression is not a copout.

Depression is not a bad day (or week).

Depression is not something a good cry will make better.

Depression is not something you can sleep off.

Depression is not something you can shake off.

Depression is not something you can control.

Medications are not a crutch.

Medications do not numb.

Medications do not create a 'high'.

Medications DO provide balance.

They provide emotional stability.

The help you keep your head above water.

They help you get out of bed in the morning.

They save relationships.

And they save lives.

There are exceptions to everything. But don't assume that the person you know who takes medication for depression doesn't really need it. Because she 'acts fine'. Maybe those medications are the ONLY thing that enable her to 'act fine'. Maybe behind closed doors, she does not 'act fine'. Maybe they are the only way she is able to parent her children. Maybe they are keeping her alive.

Depression is serious. It kills people every single day. Please don't make someone feel guilty about needing help for this illness.

(all images from PostSecret)

I'm Pouring My Heart Out today with Shell @ Things I Can't Say.

Visit her blog for more PYHO posts.