[Nancy]

Nisha,

In looking at the overall condition of depression, the first step to consider is one's own condition. For some, depression is pronounced and continual, an overlay of gloom, like a dark cloud blotting out the sunshine of each new day. Some are desperate and suicidal in immediate psychic pain that is intolerable, some have a low grade continual dissatisfaction with life in general.

Much of this can come from negative patterns of thinking, which one can correct by monitoring oneself. This is the basis of Cognitive Therapy. Think positively, and you will feel more hopeful. Ask yourself, -- what good does it do to have a negative outlook and approach life with doom and gloom, -- it does absolutely no good and is a form of self-sabotage. We cannot bring all our energy to life challenges (ie. "problems") by repeating, "I will never get through this", "why me?", or "I am sick and tired of things never turning out right".

Life is a learning experience and part and parcel of the experience are life's problems or "challenges", -- no one, rich or poor, escapes them. We've heard, "Whatever doesn't kill you, makes you stronger." Youth
are overwhelmed with how extreme life's experiences can be. They do not have the advantage of having been through extremes of living, and realizing one always comes out wiser and stronger on the other side. Life is a school on "spaceship earth" (from Gary Zukav's, "Seat of the Soul"). If we are especially insensible regarding a lesson, the lesson will be repeated in various forms, over and over again, until we learn it and can move on. This is essential to every human being's development, -- in this intelligent setup called the Order of the Universe.

Much personal strength comes with the knowledge that all who are alive will have problems to deal with that are constant. At times there will be more, and they will be more extreme than at other times. It is maturity and responsiblity to face each challenge with as much personal strength as we can bring to it. There is no point in lamenting, because a challenge will not go away. We can run, but the problem(s) will follow us. Running solves nothing. It will make for a mixed-up, messed-up, disorderly life of chaos and cowardice. Stand - in the face of a life challenge.

In the USA, our SAD (Standard American Diet) way of eating cause emotional problems to be especially difficult. What is also unfortunate, is that capitalist American thinking brings the "immediate gratification" way of eating to the rest of the world who were once healthy indigenous eaters. Meat, poultry, and dairy products injected with hormones and antibiotics wreak havoc on our emotional health. Overconsumption of sugar brings immediate gratification and a sugar high. Just like a drug, one soon crashes off the high. Years of the jagged effects of poor eating, bring with them intensified physical and emotional problems that are otherwise unnecessary.

Whole grains as the firm foundation of the Macrobiotic Way, give every individual a cornerstone of mental health and balance, as well as physical health and balance. Prove this to yourself when during especially difficult times, whether physical or emotional, you simplify your eating with Ohsawa's #7 diet, (whole grains and limited liquid). Physical and emotional balance is soon achieved. Three days into the #7, one begins to achieve emotional well-being, and physical feelings of bodily bliss. This is the natural state of our bodies, when not using food to sabotage our health and our lives.

Whole grains sustain the human body very well with their complex carbohydrate structure. They impart a balanced long-sustaining energy as human fuel, through food consumption. Blood sugar maintains a steady state of balance, instead of spiking up and down, causing energy and emotions to do the same.

Most practicing macrobiotic people will notice an almost immediate relief of depression, if they are following the recommended percentages of grains, vegetables, soup, beans, sea vegetables, and fish, nuts, seeds, or other. At the inception of a macrobiotic practice, the higher percentage of whole grains that make up one's diet, the easier it will be to achieve initial balance and heal from diseases long in the making. As we begin to achieve this balance, we are also learning yin/yang, and how our food and cooking fits into this philosophy. Once the beginning of mastery of the Order of the Universe starts to develop, we have found a great tool to manage our emotions in life with yin/yang. In a manner of speaking, we have found the "keys to the kingdom". We have gained knowledge of precisely how to achieve balance, at any time of the day, every day. This comprises emotional balance, physical balance, mental balance, and spiritual balance.

Yin/Yang, the Order of the Universe, are the great keys to achieving an orderly and abundant life -- one that is easy to enjoy.

No depression.

Nancy