10 GUIDELINES TO THRASH DEPRESSION

There are times when we left to face with the harsh realities of life… We feel that we will not be able to deal with the present situation and we see nothing good in the future to change things. So we sink into the depths of desolation… But are we going to live our life in this manner? Don’t we have faith in God who sustains us, in whatever trials we are through? Afterall, God does not give us trials that we can’t handle. We just need to have faith in Him to help us to have courage in facing our struggles and troubles in this God-given life… I would like to share with you some tips on how to beat depression no matter how downtrodden you are:

1. Try to think positive. Don’t give too much emphasis on the bad things instead give more emphasis on the good things. Count your blessings… Count them one by one, from the tip of your hair down to your toes, count all the people who love and care so much about you, count all the talents and strengths you have, and all the triumph you had in the past… Praise God for everything. One way to look at life is to look at the grass in the field, they don’t reap nor plant yet God takes care of them. We do have problems; we have failures and mistakes; and we have to struggle in this life, but amidst all these, we can also put our full trust in the Lord. Only then we can get through this phase.

2. Seek help from someone. Getting the burden out from your system can lessen it. Confide in someone you can trust and whose advice you respect such as a friend, a teacher, a priest, your parents, your brothers or your sisters, etc. They have wonderful ideas to help you get through this. Remember, two heads are better than one.

3. Have a good cry. It is uplifting to voice out all your emotions by giving in to your sorrow. Don’t be ashamed to cry out loud and accept the realities of life. And most of all never refuse to accept comfort from others.

4. Plan a course of action to solve your problems and follow it until you see improvement. If for example you are jobless, don’t wallow on self-pity, instead look for jobs. If loneliness is your problem, try to accept the fact that we all do experience certain lows and highs in our lives. Don’t isolate yourself. Get in touch with your old and new friends. They will help you recover what ever sadness you are feeling right now.

5. Be good to yourself. If you have some cravings, go splurge for it. There is no time to do that but now. Go to the salon and have your hair done, have a spa or massage, buy yourself an ice cream, etc. By doing this, you are giving yourself time to chill out.

6. Realize that you are not alone. Nobody in this world is alone. No matter how poor or rich we are, we have our family and friends to cling to. And if you think that nobody is really there for you, think of Jesus. He is always there for you, just call Him… You can also join organizations in which you have a sincere interest. There you will meet new friends with similar interest that will help uplift your spirit.

7. Renew an interest. If you used to enjoy movies, music, gardening, reading, or whatever you like, go for it. This will improve your self esteem and keep you out from thinking of the present problem.

8. Follow a course of regular exercise. You can take a walk early in the morning in your neighborhood and just appreciate the beauty of things around you, from the small ant in the anthill to the flying birds in the sky. See the wondrous beauty of nature… Meditate and be thankful for everything that was given unto you.

9. If in spite of all your efforts you continue to suffer from sleeplessness or anxiety or restlessness or worst thoughts of suicide, ask for professional advice from a reputable psychiatrist and begin your therapy.

10. Write down your dreams and try to interpret them yourself. Sometimes they can help in solving your problem. Keep in mind that the Lord in ancient time uses dream in order to talk to people and help them in whatever dilemma they had… So take time to meditate on it!

Remember that there is no problem in this world that can’t be solve with God in our side. For the Lord said: “Come to me, all you grown weary and burdened, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble hearted, and you will find rest for your souls; for my yoke is easy, and my burdened is light.” Face it and cheer up! J

THE BEAUTITUDES

Today is Christ triumph over death. Let celebrate this day and reflect in what he want us to do in order to be truly happy…

True Happiness (Matthew 5:3-12)

Happy are those who know

they are spiritually poor;

the kingdom of heaven

belongs to them!

Happy are those who mourn;

God will comfort them!

Happy are those who are humble;

they will receive what God has promised!

Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires;

God will satisfy them fully!

Happy are those who are merciful to others;

God will be merciful to them!

Happy are the pure in heart;

they will see God!

Happy are those who work for peace;

God will call them his children!

Happy are those who are persecuted

because they do what God requires;

the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!

Happy are you when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of evil lies against you because you are my followers. Be happy and glad, for great reward is kept for you in heaven. This is how the prophets who lived before you were persecuted.

JESUS CHRIST’S TEACHING

Today is a black Saturday, let us all reflect and meditate on what Jesus thought us… Here is some of Jesus teachings for you to ponder this season of lent…

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

Matthew 7:13-14

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Matthew 7:1-2

"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well."

Matthew 5:38-40

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."

Matthew 7:3-5

"'Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?' Jesus replied: '"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: "Love your neighbor as yourself." All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.'"

Matthew 22:36-40

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."

Matthew 7:7-8

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

Matthew 5:14-16

FAVORITE BIBLE VERSES

“Yet, O Lord, you are our Father;

we are the clay and you are the potter;

we are all the work of your hand.”

Isaiah 64:8

“If it is not the Lord

who builds a house,

its builders strain at it to no purpose.

If it is not the Lord

who guards a city,

guards keep watch to no purpose.”

Psalm 127:1

“Whether you eat or drink

or whether you do not,

do everything for the glory of God.”

1 Corinthians 10:31

“Be a model of good works

in every respect;

in your teaching demonstrate integrity,

seriousness, and sound speech

which is beyond reproach.”

Titus 2:7-8

“Render service with enthusiasm,

as to the Lord

and not to men and women,

knowing that whatever good we do,

we will receive the same from the Lord.”

Ephesians 6:7

“Come to me, all you grown

weary and burdened,

and I will refresh you.

Take my yoke upon you

and learn from me,

for I am gentle and humble hearted,

and you will find rest for your souls;

for my yoke is easy,

and my burden light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

But first seek the Kingdom and

the will of God and all those things

will be given to you also.”

Matthew 6:33

VEGIES FOR HOLY WEEK

Since today is a Maundy Thursday, I would like to share with you three vegetable recipes that you could cook this holy week when meat is a no-no for us Catholics. Enjoy cooking!

1. Cream of Peppers

· Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; ½ pound onion chopped; 1 large clove garlic chopped; ¾ pound ripe plum tomatoes; 1 pound red bell peppers, roasted, peeled, trimmed, seeded and chopped; 3 ½ - 4 cups chicken stock, no salt added; 6 large basil leaves, plus additional leaves for garnish; ¼ cup dry sherry; salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

· Procedure: Heat oil in a nonstick pan over medium-high flame. Reduce heat to medium and sauté onion in the oil until tender. Add garlic and continue sautéing for 30 seconds or so. Stir in tomatoes and cook about 5 minutes, until tomatoes soften completely and lose their shape; do not brown. Stir in peppers and 3 ½ cups stock. Briskly simmer about 10 minutes, until liquid has reduced a little. A couple of minutes before the time is up, add 6 basil leaves. Add sherry, season with salt and pepper then remove from heat. Carefully spoon half the mixture into a blender and blend thoroughly. Pour into bowl and repeat with remaining mixture. If mixture is too thick, add a little more stock. Serve warm or chilled, topping each serving with a tablespoon of julienned basil leaves.

2. Sautéed Eggplant

• Ingredients: 2 tablespoon vegetable oil; 1 tablespoon chopped onion; 4 cups cubed eggplant; 1 tablespoon oyster sauce; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 1 teaspoon chili paste with garlic; 1 tablespoon vinegar; ¼ cup water or chicken broth; ¼ teaspoon sesame seeds.
• Procedure: Heat oil with onion in a heavy bottomed frying pan until soft, about 2 minutes. Add eggplant and stir and toss until cubes are coated and oil has been absorbed for about 2 minutes. Add oyster sauce, soy sauce, chili paste, vinegar and ¼ cup water or chicken broth. Cover and simmer over medium heat until tender for about 5 minutes. Stir in sesame seeds and serve.

3. Zucchini with Butter

• Ingredients: 4 small zucchini about 1 pound; salt and freshly ground pepper; 4 teaspoon capers, well drained; 2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley; 1/3 cup unsalted butter.
• Procedure: Wash and dry zucchini and trim ends. Cut crosswise into 2-inch chunks. Cut each chunk lengthwise into 1/2 –inch slices, then cut each slice into ½-inch sticks. In a large saucepan, heat enough water to generously cover zucchini to a boil. Add salt and zucchini sticks, and simmer until just tender for about 2 minutes. Drain and plunge into cold water to stop the cooking. Drain sticks thoroughly and transfer them to a shallow, heat proof serving dish. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper, toss, then add capers and parsley. When ready, heat butter in a small, heavy saucepan. Cook it over medium heat until the bubbling stops and the butter turns to light brown and smells nutty. Pour butter over zucchini and serve.

FAT BURNING SOUP

Are you overweight? Do you want to get rid of all those fats? If so, I would like to share with you a recipe which is called “fat burning soup” that helps in trimming down fats in your body. I had read this recipe in an old issue of Homelife Magazine just this morning. Here it goes…

Recipe:

4 large white onions; a head of cabbage; a can stewed or crushed or paste tomato; broth of your choice; any other vegetables that would make the soup more appetizing. Just pop all the ingredients in a pot, put a desired amount of water and boil. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Rationing:

Day 1: Eat lots of fruits (except banana) and fat-burning soup.

Day 2: Eat lots of vegetables and of course, fat-burning soup.

Day 3: Eat lots of fruit and vegetables and lots of fat-burning soup.

Day 4: Eat meat with a small amount of butte and lots of fat burning soup.

Day 5: Eat lots of fruit and vegetables and lots of fat-burning soup.

Day 6: Eat meat with small amount of butter and lots of fat-burning soup.

Day 7: Regular three square meals. But no merienda please.

But take note, for day 1 to 6, absolutely no bread, no rice, no carbonated drinks and no alcoholic beverage. Vary your vegetables or broth to make your fat-burning more appetizing. And if you lose more than 15 pounds after seventh day, make sure you take two weeks interval before resuming the diet…

Good luck!

RELATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY TEST

I was surfing the net when I came to this website www.personalityquiz.com. It did interest me a lot that I answered some of its personality tests which were featured in this site. One of the tests was entitled Priority Test in which an individual is given a situation and was asked to decide without second thought on which action he would do first in a given situation. In the test, each action matches up with a certain priority. Here is the test, just follow the given instruction below… Enjoy answering...

What would you do first if you were in a situation where:

· The baby is crying.

· The clothes are hanging outside and it has started to rain.

· The water is running from the tap.

· The doorbell is ringing.

· The phone is ringing.

Think about what you will do first, then second and so on. Scroll down to see the explanation.

Each action reflects the priorities that you have set in your life. Take a look at the following table to see which priority corresponds to which action.

Action	Priority
Attend the phone	Career and job
See who is at the door	Friends and relatives
Pick up the clothes	Sex
Attend the baby	Family
Switch the tap off	Wealth

For example if the first thing that you did was to answer the phone then your biggest priority in life would be your career and job. Similarly if the fourth thing that you did was to attend to the baby then your fourth priority would be your family.