Sadly too many people in the western world are suffering from depression today. Many of us quietly knock back the anti-depressants just so we can cope with our day to day lives and sleep well at night.

 

This modern day illness is slowly gaining momentum, sneaking in through the chinks of self worth and self esteem, creeping into our lives and leaving us numb, lifeless, defeated and down.

 

But who is the culprit here?  Depression is a symptom so it can’t be the cause. And whilst many sufferers may have suffered a trauma or loss, this is not true for all of us. Many people deal with depression for months, even years, before they realise they need help. And help normally comes in the shape of a pill - with no questions asked.

 

Could it be that one cause of depression is trying to accept today’s modern world when really we feel isolated and even alienated by it? So many billboards, TV advertisements and glossy magazines tell us what and how we should be, conditioning us to fit in to someone else’s idea of life.

 

In fact, this ‘normal’ fantasy world we’re supposed to buy into is actually a place where crime, indifference, rudeness and ignorance get better results than sensitivity and caring. And with so many techno-savvy gadgets on the market and lifestyle experts spouting quick fixes to most of life’s daily problems, many of us just go with the flow and actually stop accounting for our actions thinking what we do or say has no real impact on this world anyway.

 

Yet deep down inside we wonder why we don’t fit in; why we need to run to the hills with our bottle of pills, feeling like losers.

 

To put this into some kind of perspective, have you ever thought that your depression could be a sign that you know something is wrong (yet can’t seem to act). That it is your stifled subconscious crying to be freed from the lies of daily life. That it is a wake-up call.

 

Your spirit is reminding you about the mystery of life that goes so much deeper than the thin superfluous level at which modern day society operates at. It’s asking you to listen to your intuition, to believe in your gut feelings, to follow your instincts.

 

This ‘modern world’ I refer to is actually ‘us’. Collectively we are all responsible for the lies we choose to surround ourselves with. Look at the meat industry, for example, and how it is whitewashed to let everyone believe their meat comes from happy cows and pigs, gaily frolicking in green lush meadows. Look how we choose to turn from the cruel and bloody truth so we don’t need to deal with our conscience of what is right or wrong. If you can see this level of willful blindness in the meat industry you will start to see it everywhere.

 

We can run but we can’t hide. Thankfully life is full of many little safety catches that will stop us and force us to address the truth.  I believe depression is just one of them.

 

Do yourself a favour and live according to your own conscience. Be true to yourself and live by your truths. Empower yourself and those around you by becoming one of life’s top models: an ambassador of mankind, of humanity.

Don’t be afraid to say no. Don’t be afraid to think differently. Don’t be afraid to be who you really are.

 

And spare a thought for the animals next time you go shopping.