Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA

“The dark does not destroy the light; it defines it. It’s our fear of the dark that casts our joy into the shadows.” – Brene Brown 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

Depression has been an insidious part of my life that can take hold when I am unaware.

Moxie is my way out.

I’m not an expert on mental health. I’m an expert on “Mind Wellness” … at least in my mind!

It wasn’t long ago I found myself not only in the clutches of depression but in the deepest, darkest depths of despair dealing with a life-threatening illness.

Depression has a way of sneaking up on us, dimming the light little by little until we find ourselves flailing around in the dark. Despair is an entirely different ballgame. It’s life devoid of hope. It can lead to decisions we may regret because you believe that in the end, it doesn’t matter.

Depression comes in two forms: Clinical and Situational.

My experience lies in the situational form of depression. It’s when depression is triggered by things outside of us: situations and experiences that impact our psyches so greatly that they lead to an onslaught of depressing thoughts that spiral downward. It requires understanding and reflection.

While the cause is outside, the impact is inside. The impact is felt through our emotions, our mindset, our attitude, and our energy. It’s every bit as real and as dangerous as clinical depression. And it can lead to despair. We have the power to recognize it and lift ourselves out of it.

The beauty of Midlife is awakening to the power within. I credit my reinvention and awakening to confidence in Midlife as the Moxie I needed to keep depression at bay. I understand myself on a whole new level. I recognize negative thoughts for what they are – just thoughts. I know I have the power to change them…to catch them before they spiral. I trust my wisdom and experience to strengthen me when I need it. I also make sure I eat healthfully, exercise, get enough sleep, meditate, and surround myself with a supportive community. I don’t hesitate to reach out for help when I need it. I’m not afraid to let my Shield Down and confide in my closest friends.

Depression, despair, and dark times have been my greatest teachers. We don’t need to turn on the light when it’s bright. We need to turn on the light when it’s dark. We have the power to be the light…to bring light…especially when we find ourselves immersed in the shadow of darkness.

Behind every cloud lies the sun. A shadow is created by something blocking the light.
We cannot know light without darkness. We cannot know joy without pain. We cannot experience awakening without being asleep.

Midlife is an awakening. It truly is a superpower if you embrace it as one!

Enlightenment simply means becoming lighter. Every single time we dispel darkness and bring light to a situation, we become more “en-lightened.”

Life is meant to be lived. Living with depression is like driving with the brakes on. It depletes our energy.

All we are is energy. Positive thoughts lead to positive energy which leads to a positive life.

Thought by thought, our life is created. We have the power to choose those thoughts.

We have the power to tell ourselves a new story, a story where we are the superhero at the center. A story filled with Moxie.

Moxie is the antidote. It’s like kryptonite to depression.

Depression is a wake-up call. It’s a call for Moxie.

Moxie is Mind Wellness.

Midlife requires Moxie. Midlife is Moxie. A Modern Midlife is a Midlife with Moxie.

Try it on.

10 comments

Reply

Your photo on your posy depicts the only solace I find when struck down with Fepression and Anxiety me myself and the ocean which I am lucky to sau us 5 minutes from my house.

Reply

Sending you lots of positive energy and good thoughts.

Reply

Thank you for your post. It has come at a very poignant moment in my life. Outside situations and experiences have eaten away at my very core for over a decade. I just recently told family members that I had to step away for awhile but that I loved them and if they needed me sometime in the future, I am right here. I told my truth and allowed myself to be vulnerable, there on that edge, I found my courage. It was one of the hardest things I had to do, but there is a glimmer of light within me taking hold now when I all but thought I wasn’t enough. I am enough. I am strong. I will wait to see what the Universe sends back to me in time, perhaps, the unexpected. Thank you for reading.

Reply

Yes you are enough. Yes you are strong. Yes you are worthy. And yes you are filled with light. Sending you giant hugs and positive energy.

Reply

So well explained and so much strength shines from you. You help give others the license to be real, vulnerable and still see life for it’s incredible beauty and wonder!
xo, Serena West

Reply

Thank you my beautiful friend.

Reply

🙂
Shine On Catherine.
Jacqueline

Reply

Easy to shine in your presence.

Reply

What a great post! It’s incredibly admirable that you’ve been able to be mindful in times of darkness and pull yourself back to the light. Bravo!!!!

Reply

Thank you my friend. See you soon!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.