Glow Living

Tag: depression

  • When You Feel Pulled to the Dark Side

    When You Feel Pulled to the Dark Side

    When You Feel Pulled to the Dark Side
    By Chandra Lynn

    I remember a time when I was having a particularly difficult time processing a breakup and I went to see a therapist. I went in telling him all the things I did to make the relationship work and all the things I was going to do to heal myself. And in the way that therapists do, he looked at me and asked “what would happen if you just stopped and did nothing?” The prospect of not doing anything didn’t feel comfortable at all and the question actually infuriated me. I was looking for answers and solutions, not to not do anything! depression

    Decades later, I became friends with my yoga teacher and she said she noticed I was fidgety in the mediation part of the class and I acknowledged that it wasn’t my favorite part. I suppose I’m a “doer”. Well I’ve come to the conclusion now that I don’t like how it feels when I just sit with myself. My thoughts aren’t always empowering and my emotions can turn dark like a storm that blows in unexpectedly. The dark side has always had a magnetic pull that I’ve tried to resist.

    Today, someone asked if its possible that I’ve been silently or unknowingly battling depression all of my life. Looking back, I suppose its possible. And its possible that I am still reckoning with it, but its been such a familiar state that I don’t know the difference. My life has been a quest for tools and strategies to manage this state as positively as possible. I have not mastered it entirely, but if you can relate, I have some very powerful tools to share with you that can certainly help without prescription drugs. Boy do I wish I could just pop a pill every day and feel like this is the most amazing life ever lived, but I’m resistant to doing that because of the chemical dependency and side effects.

    Through Glow Living, I will describe all the things that have worked for me and that I’ve learned from others about emotional mastery, managing thoughts, self-love, and being the best person you can be in relationships with others. Join me on this journey by following my posts and sharing your experiences.

  • Leading During Difficult Times

    Leading During Difficult Times

    Leading During Difficult Times 
    By Chandra Lynn 

    Are world events weighing heavy on you? From senseless killings and celebrity deaths to political shenanigans around the globe, its hard to feel light-hearted these days. Even though things are going well in my own life, I feel negative emotions in response to the news. 

    leadershipMarianne Williamson reminded me that we are not the first generation to have to deal with what feels like unsurmountable challenges. But we do have access to information like never before which can lead to the feeling of overwhelm and hopelessness.

    So how did generations past overcome things like slavery, oppression of women, religious persecution, genocide and terrorist attacks? My theory is that it was through leadership. Lots of people found peaceful ways to stand up for what they believed in and inspire others to do the same. The list is long…Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., Ghandi, Malcolm X, Susan B. Anthony, Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and many, many more. Being someone of this significance is not necessary to make an impact. I invite you to find ways that you can lead and inspire within your sphere of influence. Our world needs leaders and no effort is too small because collectively it all makes a difference. 

    I recently watched two impactful videos led by Marie Forleo on this topic, and I invite you to check them out.

    The first was an on how to reconcile feeling deeply sad, empty or depressed — especially when everything in your life is “technically” going fine. She describes how these feelings may be linked to negative world events, and what to do about it.

    The second is an interview with Simon Sinek about how to be a great leader and inspire others to do remarkable things. He shares his personal story in the first half and then gives some great insights into leadership in the second half. 

    There are some Glow Circles members that have demonstrated amazing leadership and I am working on interviews with them to share with you soon. Stay tuned!