That's a good suggestion. I do have a paragraph my wife wrote in an email about the kids that inspires me, so I have it clipped on my computer and just call it up to help. It's not perfect, but gives relief for that moment.

I also just started to mark up a list of skills/points for each day to keep some track of the work I'm doing to cope. Things like petting the cats, putting my worry away, etc... I'll add some of what you mention to it so I can give myself some credit for helping myself.

Depression is not a direct willpower disease. You can't get out by willing to be out, but it seems it takes willpower to do the things that you need to do to help yourself. It's a strange arrangement and I get really mad about it. It's an area I have the hardest time just accepting - that I have to help myself to work my way through depression by doing little things. I am foolishly clinging to an idea that I should be able to just be happy/feel good naturally and not have to work toward that goal.

I appreciate the listening. Need somewhere to just post my feelings.