SADNESS & DEPRESSION

In 2009, Gallup-Healthways conducted a survey that revealed about forty million American adults had been diagnosed with depression.  Signs of depression include a feeling of emptiness and extreme sadness, making everyday life somewhat of a struggle. 

And here’s another statistic.  On average, American’s spend 95% of their time indoors isolated and cut off from creation.  If God speaks to us through His creation, then how can one expect to heal from the sadness that grips the heart?

Ever since the Deepwater Horizon Disaster, I have had to deal with my own depression, among many others, who live here in the Gulf of Mexico region.  Some took their own lives.  When BP destroyed the one thing that gave us salvation, we no longer had that elective to tap into the healing energy that we were accustomed to.  The damage was done, and it wasn’t something any of us could fix.

I know of one Gulf resident who began taking some of the most beautiful pictures of birds. She said she had to look up, because what lay at her feet was just too horrifying.  She claims her new found hobby saved her life.

I myself found solace in starting a couple small vegetable gardens in my yard, and we purchased an above ground pool for the backyard.  Those two small activities really did help me tremendously.  Even today, I and my other half spend most of our weekends in the backyard cooking out and playing like kids in the pool.

Just being outside among nature with bare feet planted on the ground can heal the spirit tremendously.  Some of the best photos/video I have ever taken of wildlife has come out of my backyard; which is an example that you don’t have to drive an hour or so away to be a part of the outdoors to heal yourself of your burden. 

And I can support this opinion even further when I consider my pets.  We have two dogs and two cats.  The unconditional love of a pet is food for the heart. 

We’re a product of our environment.  If you spend 95% of your time indoors, you mostly likely have your attention directed at the television.  You’re assaulted with commercials telling you you need a pill for whatever ills you.  Abused dogs and starving children tugging at your heart.  The nightly news affects your mood as well, whether it is anger or sadness.  Angry at our government, or sadden by the endless bombing of babies and civilians, like in the Israel-Palestine Conflict.

Turn the T.V. off and step outside.  Shut down your thoughts.  Look to the sky, or get on your hands and knees and lay your head to the Earth and ask her take away your troubles.  Or just sit and be and watch what comes to you.  The seat of the divine is in your heart – feed it well.

MESSAGES FROM ABOVE - READING THE CLOUDS

Cloud reading is another way of retrieving messages from the Creator.  The images you see in the clouds sometimes foretell of future events.  Or they may simply be the answers to the questions in your mind at that time.  The message would depend on your state of awareness when you seen the image in the cloud.

 

I often see dragons in the clouds.  The dragon is symbolic of good fortune and great power.  Dogs are another image that I see often in the clouds.  In the photo below, I see a woman wrapped within a dog, like the dog is protecting her, while she sleeps.

 

 

I’m not the best at drawing with a mouse on a computer, but I think you get the point.  At the time, I had company and was not in position to recall my most recent thoughts.  But I did feel comforted by this image.

 

Dogs represent loyalty and protection.  They are descendants of the wolf and the coyote.  I often draw encouragement from my own dogs.  They love unconditionally, and they can turn a bad day into a smile within seconds.

 

Here’s another cloud reading involving a dog.

 

 

It’s a female with a dog’s tail in one hand, and the other reaching high with her hand clutched around the hair of another being.  The dog’s tail would represent the end; a time to leave past experiences behind.  Hair represents power; power flowing from the crown chakra, also known as the spiritual center. 

On this particular day, I had been praying for those who were in the path of tornados (the people of Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas).  Afterwards I questioned if my prayers had any effect?  Did they stop the tornados?  Did my prayers help protect those people?  And if my prayers are that powerful, can I conquer my enemies with prayer?

I then stepped outside to smoke a cigarette, and the drawing above is what I saw in the clouds.  There is power in meditation and prayer.  My enemy or past experiences involved the gas and oil industry, namely the Deepwater Horizon Disaster, also known as the BP Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico.  I had to learn to trust this answer and place my faith in a higher power; the force that lies within myself. 

Below is a video that actually draws out the images seen in the clouds, and other likenesses found in nature.  Please EnJoy! & Laugh as the Sun!