Inner Peace

                The opposite of peace could be defined as turmoil. The opposite of inner peace likewise could be defined as depression. I’d like to start by saying I’m not a doctor and don’t claim to be. The years of effort and talent that goes into hard research is beyond anything I could ever comment negatively. Furthermore I know there are different scenarios and different people that make up the vast sea of people that feel hopelessly depressed. Only allow me to interject a singular idea and a theory pertaining to a singular cause of depression, and hopefully this will be a positive posting that will be about hope much more then depression.

                It starts very simply with guilt. We all make mistakes in our lives, to error is to be human. Yet most of us are afraid to face the consequences of poor decisions made. When I was a child, I did something outright that my Father had told me not to do. When confronted about this act, I lied to avoid punishment. After a short time of a sickening feeling in my gut, and a guilt-riddled conscience, I decided it was time to confess. Profoundly enough, even as I child I realized that the guilt in my soul was much worse than any punishment I would otherwise receive. As I confessed to my Father “a weight was lifted,” and although I was punished (with a wooden spoon I might add), I learned a valuable and everlasting lesson that day. That lesson was what guilt feels like.

                As we age this lesson might never leave us, but our actions may become worse. We make terrible mistakes (speaking from personal experience here), for which we are so ashamed and so filled with guilt that the consequences we fear are much too hard to bear. As time lengthens and guilt is pushed aside we began the process of self loathing and a feeling of inadequacy for ourselves and those around us. Years pass and the shame takes new form as it becomes who we are internally. Our shame becomes our guilt. Our guilt becomes our depression. Sometimes this guilt is misplaced, as we can blame ourselves for things that were entirely out of our control. I think of the child who feels guilty that they “caused their parent’s divorce.” How often do people misplace guilt on themselves?

                Yet this is a message of hope, not depression. Maybe understanding is the beginning of healing. We can take the lessons we learn as children and know the beginning steps are reconciliation. We all understand this as an “I’m sorry,” but things quickly become more complicated as our problems become more complicated. There is a process that can heal the broken heart, and more importantly, provide peace. “Where our sins may be as scarlet, they can become white as snow.” Happiness can be yours, and I can promise you as we face our fears and take a leap of faith (personal experience again), you will forever look back at your former self, thankful you did.