Who knows one of those kind...

I see often those who are struggling with depression. The theme is the thought that they will never be able to be like "one of those" happy all the time people. This is a struggle as it seems out of reach to be happy "all the time". 

The thing with being positive in life is not to view it as an all or nothing, black and white concept. Either I see the bright side, am an optimist, or I am dark and the kind to wallow...why can't it be more of one and less of the other, and just set the intention for being real. When we drop the expectations, keeping up with the neighbors, who has what, etc, we can just be...and that can be being positive...

Accepting ourselves, our current situation, finding gratitude, acting with grace, forgiving ourselves, and forgiving others. These are all components of being positive. Positive does not look pretty all the time.Tripping on the sidewalk, spilling your coffee (gasp), and still getting up with a smile, or ability to laugh at yourself, that is positive. 

My message to those who are suffering from depression--happy people are not always happy, positive people are often struggling. It is just a way of thinking and shifting perspective. That is where therapy can help. With support and Cognitive Behavioral techniques being positive CAN be learned...