The Giving

It has been said that a big reason for the struggle with depression is that we have a too strong dependency on other people and outside circumstances.  Like what?  Like the need for approval, affirmation from others, or the need for prestige from outside situations.  Our focus in all this is to "get."  We have this need to get things from people, or situations such as work or a group or an event. With Covid, there is not much of that.  We are somewhat by ourselves or with a family that sometimes wants to get from us while not giving much in return.  What to do?  A suggestion for a solution is to give love in some way, or try to be of service even in social distancing.  How?  You might share what you are reading, or project you are working on that might appeal to someone else.  You might write a letter and put a stamp on it.  You might call someone out of the blue that could use a pick me up.  In other words get out of yourself and try to be of service.  I hear people in Zoom meetings talk about how glad they are to "get" this chance to connect or be with others on the internet and how tough things have been.  But then they don't share any solution or offer anything that might help another.  Dwell less on what you are missing or not getting, and think more about what you can share to help another struggling person.  We are all in this thing together.