hi starfish.. you certainly have that right that depression is an energy vampire!!!

as for part two of your question... for me, it is all a matter of faith and there is no way to answer the questin without being spiritual... are you prepared for that answer? its what works for me... others will have their own remedies just as valid...

for me, i needed something larger than myself which i have found and it has changed my life dramatically... i still get down, look around, is there a shortage of depressive topics?

but now i know what i can do, and beginning to do those things has created its own energy.. so much that i forget good self-care because i'm going and going all the time... there is a lot to be done!

so, i still need to remind myself to rest, eat, play, work, etc... things we did back on the farm!