About Me

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My name is Maribel. I have two wonderful children and a strong faith. I am also a survivor of depression. I want to share my stories and feelings with everyone in the hopes of removing some of the stigma associated with this disease. You are not weak, you are not crazy. It is not a feeling that you can just wish would go away; it is a struggle from day to day. Some days are good, some days are great, other times everything around you seems bleak. The good news is that there is hope, and depression can be controlled. Thank you for visiting my page. I hope you will enjoy reading my thoughts. At times you will find my posts to be educational and uplifting. Other times I am sure they will be raw and personal. My hope is that you will travel this road with me as we continue to explore what is in store for us in this journey called life.

Monday, April 10, 2017

A Season for Everything


The sounds of robins chirping, motorcycles zooming by, lawn mowers buzzing, and the smell of fresh cut grass can only mean one thing…Spring is in the air! The temperature might still be a little chilly in the morning, but by midday you can shed your jacket and enjoy the warmth of the sunshine.

Fall is my favorite season, but Springtime is not far behind. It signifies that warmer weather is just around the corner. Flowers bloom to expose all of the beautiful color combinations you can imagine. The laughter of children echoes in the park. Everything seems refreshed and rejuvenated. Yesterday just happened to be one of those beautiful spring days. I took advantage of the warmer weather and spent all day outdoors. I raked my yard, organized my garage, and assembled a bistro set I had purchased for the patio. I topped it all off by enjoying my new table and chairs. I sat down with a drink in one hand and binoculars in the other (to observe the various birds that gather around my bird feeders). At the end of it all I mustered the little bit of energy I had left and cut down some hyacinths to make a pretty bouquet for my kitchen. They filled the entire room with their sweet aroma! So, why am I feeling down today? You already know. There is no “cure” for depression, only maintenance.

With depression some days are better than others. Our mood is not necessarily dependent on what’s going on around us. While our environment and circumstances do affect our mood, we also have to account for biological factors. We are beings with imperfect bodies who suffer from physical ailments, chemical imbalances, genetic flaws, etc. In other words, even if the world around us were to be perfect we must remember that our bodies are not.

My advice to you (and me) is do not blame yourself. Do not feel guilty about feeling depressed. Also, don’t waste the little amount of strength you have trying to fight it. It’s coming whether we like it or not! The important thing to remember is that we have been here before yet risen victoriously in the end. Continue trudging forward until you see the light at the end of the tunnel once again. Use Spring as a reminder that there is a season for everything and that in due time everything will be renewed, including yourself.

Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4 – “To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven…A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.”