Action

Posted to Facebook August 24th.
As with all things, I can take action from the upward or downward spiral; my 'success' with the action is not really about the action itself.  If I take some action from the downward spiral, I am continuing to head in the direction of what I don't want.  If I take action from being on the upward spiral, then I am continuing to head in the direction of more of what I do want.  Therefore, I have found the 'trick' is knowing from which direction I am taking that particular action.

A question that sometimes helps me sort out which spiral I am taking the action from is, "Am I like an empty cup trying to fill myself up, or am I full and this action is just me naturally spilling out into the world?" 

If I am taking a job, getting into a relationship, doing chores, raising children, spending money, or doing social activities from a place of trying to feel better about myself, accomplish things, not feeling free or loved, then I am trying to fill my partially full cup.

If I am choosing to clean the house, go for a workout, invite someone over, invest in something, pursue a particular career, or play with the dog from a place of "I am so excited about doing this.  I cannot wait to do this," then I am probably full and this is me naturally spilling out into the world.

LOP is knowing that taking action is not about trying to make myself feel better, it is about the things I choose to do from a better feeling place.

Be Sensible

Posted to Facebook August 22nd.
My depression taught me that sometimes I can be a sloppy thinker, which is not very sensible.

I would not deliberately stub my toe, and say "Oww, that feels awful, let me do it again."  That doesn't make sense.  I would just stop stubbing my toe. 

And yet, sometimes I choose to hit myself over and over again with thoughts that don't feel good.  That is not sensible.

LOP is about being sensible by being kinder to myself.