BEATING THE BLUES

  I have decided that I am sick of the negativity in life.  This includes myself. For the past few weeks I have been pretty "mopey" and depressed. I would sit arround the house, mostly in front of the TV and not do anything. I would only get up to go to the bathroom and eat (not together of course).
So I was concidering going on anxiety pills.  However, as I have been praying and pondering on it, I felt that I needed to try somethink else more natural to get out of my "funk."
I decided to try an experiment:to exercise and read my Scriptures in the morning and actually eat breakfast.
I did this routine for three days in a row and for those three days I have never before felt more energized and less irritable. I have not done the routine for the past couple of days and I have noticed I have gotten some of my irritability back.So, I need to start it up again on Monday.
Now I know most of you will be saying, "Duh Cara. Of course doing those things make you happy."  I am just a lazy person.  That's what it comes down to.
But that is one way that I have tried to beat the blues you might say.  I have been discovering that as humans we tend to allow the natural man to take over to be negative. We look for anything to be miserable. "So and so said I am not a good parent."  "So and so was mean to me."  "I don't have any friends."  I have said those things too.   I am a pretty negative person naturally.  I jump to negative conclusions.  But there are a couple people who have taught me two things.  One: my mom.  She teaches me the importance of looking at every angle.  Instead of jumping to one negative conclusion, to confider the many other possibilities of why that person may have done something.  If we have looked at all of the angle's and they are still negative ask yourself, "Does it really matter?"  I will add is it life threatening both spiritually and physically?
The second: a good friend Al.  She has taught me through her blogs and videos that there is happiness in the Gospel.  I have always oneness this but I have never really pondered it or studied it.  There is sadness in life.  There is supposed to be.  But in the Gospel principles there is only peace, joy and eternal happiness IF you live them.  Sadness still may come because it's part of growing and learning but having faith in Gospel principles will bring you joy and strength no matter the trial.
But all these things are up to you AND me to use.  Do we allow our natural selves to be depressed?  Do we say,"What is it worth?  Why try and be happy?  Nothing ever good happens to me."  Or do we have faith in the Atonement and the Gospel principles and work through our trials?  Do we instead say,"Yes, today was crappy.  But because of the Savior I can try again tomorrow.  I can find answers in my Scriptures.  I can find power in prayer." 
Beating the blues is up to you!!!!

Keep on keepin' on!!!