<center>{{{{{{{{{{Darrel}}}}}}}}}}</center>

You're right. Jumping into the hole isn't the healthy way of helping people because you can't really help them out since you're down there with them. Or... you help them out and you're stuck again.

The following, I can do and have/am doing:

5. Promote social awareness by explaining the condition to friends, co-workers.

6. Write a book about overcoming depression.

7. Speak your truth. Those who've tried to escape depression need truth, not delusions.

You know how hard it is for others to accept truth? I know... I can put it out there and they may or may not accept it. That's okay. It's the emotional entanglement that is so difficult for me. Something more important that I suppose is the core of what's bothering me: what's the big deal about helping those that are likeable, or even loveable? Those are easy to help. It's the unlikeable and unloveable that probably need the help the most and those are the one's that are so difficult for me. There's where "compassion" comes in for me. Then I think "Where do I get off feeling that way? I've considered myself one of the 'unloveable' ones all my life!"

I could certainly rationalize my thoughts and feelings, but that doesn't help me overcome and grow.

We've really taken a detour from our original intent, haven't we? I'm sorry. Any time you want to get back on track is fine with me.



<font color=blue>Don't die with your music still in you.</font color=blue>