As we age, we find fewer and fewer things to make us smile. Loneliness, money problems, health
issues, or any worry that we have can bring smiling to a halt. If we do not smile very much, there is a good chance that we will become depressed or “feel out of sorts,” if you like. Unchecked, this feeling can create a sense of life being over - with no more happy times in our future.
I often feel depressed and have analyzed why this is
happening so much. Much of my depression is the result of choices I have made in my life, my health, my physical limitations, my age, and my finances, but mainly I become depressed because I have no real purpose in life.
Working at my job as an IT Specialist and before that a high school English teacher gave me a sense of purpose and made me happy because I met so many interesting people and was able to help many of them. Perhaps, you were a parent and, of course, that consumed your life AND made you feel worthwhile. Maybe now your kids are all grown up and you find that you have time on your hands. It is a shame that when we retire, our sense of worth is tied to “what we did for a living.” When we do not do what we used to do, we have a tendency to feel worthless.
Now, I am searching for SMILES because I do not think one can actually smile and remain depressed.
I will look for anything that can bring a smile, even a small one, to my face and my heart. Maybe if I
search for smiles, I will forget what depression is.
I have already found a few things that can make
me smile. I have two very cute dogs who love to entertain me with their actions. I have started watching more comedies on TV. I send and
receive emails of pictures of cute animals, people doing ridiculous things, funny signs, ridiculous misleading newspaper titles, and the like. I smile and my mood lifts.
If you have a “smile” to send me, send it to missmaudiesmenagerie@gmail.com.
I will appreciate it and forward it on.