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Dalton
Roberts |
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There
are very few sure cures in this life but I have been reminded of one
just this week. The cure for depression is creativity. I
don't necessarily mean painting, or writing a song, or all the things we
usually think of when we hear the word "creativity." I mean anything
you like to create. Creativity is a word owned by everyone of us because
we all have created something in our lives that we felt good about. No
need bothering you with details but depression came blowing into my life
last week like a dark monsoon rain. It doesn't always come without
warning but this time it did. I
had scheduled a recording session for today at 2:00 and when I got down
with the blues, I almost cancelled it. I am glad I didn't because
getting all my lyrics out and practicing the songs lifted me up
immensely. I
learned the power of creativity long ago but we forget even our
clearest and most potent lessons at times. Freud said we are not
rational creatures but emotional creatures and that makes us vulnerable
to strong emotions like depression. Wake up feeling physically bad and
the least little annoyance can hit us harder than it normally would. One
thing that can trigger our own creativity is basking in the creativity
of others. Roger Alan Wade is one of my favorite songwriters so last
night I went with my co-writers, Tom and Eve Horner, to hear Roger and
Tim Starnes at the Red Lantern. Some of his great new songs just kicked
my own juices into full flow. I slept like a log and awoke wanting
to go and put down some of my songs. As
I lost myself getting ready for the session, I suddenly realized my
whole mental and emotional world had done a turnaround. This
is the secret of Dale Carnegie's famous 14 day cure for depression. He
said to get up every day for 14 days and do something for others and
your depression would be gone. I realize it is not just doing for others
that does the trick, it is getting out of that dark, funky rut and just
doing something positive, meaning creative. While
you are not depressed, make a list of the things you love to create,
including putting a smile on the face of others ala Dale Carnegie, and
keep it ready in case the blues move in. DR's
website is www.DaltonRoberts.com
and his writings are gathered at www.ipsfeatures.com.
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