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Message: 2
   Date: Mon, 1 Nov 1999 14:25:03 EST
   From: [email protected]
Subject: My answer to Depression

Dear Olivia and Group:

It is with a smile on my face as I type that I write this note for all to 
read.  I had been in a "Clinical Depression" unbeknownst to me for over two 
years.  During this time various antidepressants were used trying to make me 
more comfortable and livable.  I felt the need for constant sleep and with 
this my entire body gave into my depression.  I had no desire to maintain my 
weight or exercise.  I think these were years of becoming someone who was not 
associated with me.  

A little over two weeks ago after hearing a full lecture from my favorite 
shrink I began to come to the realization that my depression was about me and 
no one else.  At my age of 54 when I glanced into a mirror I saw a different 
person looking back at me and not the person years ago whom I remembered.  
Ofcourse I still wear makeup and have hair colored, etc., but something else 
was amiss.  My weight had gone up about 30 pounds and I began to put off the 
inevitable and simply ate to my hearts content while blaming the depression.  
Well, as I mentioned I began not a diet, but a way of life which for me and 
my partner MS was exactly what was needed.  I bought the book my Suzanne 
Somers that my shrink had told me about and proceeded to change a few menu's 
and head back to the gym.  I am not alerting all of you to the magic of the 
diet or the gym, but I began to realize as I pondered that treadmill that I 
was feeling wonderful and had a better outlook on life.  Perhaps it was that 
I just lost 6 pounds towards my goal and I felt better about myself. Or, was 
it the exercises program that was designed for me by one of the instructors 
who is knowledgeable of MS?  I am not sure people, but the end results is 
that not only did they find a medication (antidepressant) that does not make 
me sleep and I actually like myself again and proved once again to myself 
that only I have the power over my body.

Please, I am not in any way trying to say exercise and diet are a cure, BUT 
it does indeed improve your outlook on life and make one feel good about 
themselves.  Although Suzanne Somers believes in combination of her meals 
(i.e., Not to mix protein, carbohydrates, etc., together at any given Meal) I 
think my exercise program has given rise to change the way I had felt.  

I have MS for almost 30 years and by the grace of G-d there go I.

Ps. A little something to think about.

Take time to work, it is the price of success.
Take time to think, it is the source of power.
Take time to play, it is the secret of perpetual youth.
Take time to read, it is the foundation of wisdom.
Take time to be friendly, it is the road to happiness.
Take time to dream, it is hitching your wagon to a star.
Take time to love & be loved, it is the privilege of the gods.
Take time to look around, it is too short a day to be selfish.
Take time to laugh, it is the music of the soul.
                      
         ~Old English Prayer 
Regards,
Nygabnet