topic Feeling elated and happy! in Depression

Feeling elated and happy!

hope4joy — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 10:58:45 GMT

Hi all,

I've been feeling so very down for a good few months and today i've had a momentary release - something so beautiful and I want to share that because you guys on this forum are really important to me. Tonight I came runner up in an art award, for a public artwork i made, and i'm so excited!!!! it is so empowering to have people acknowledge my ideas and my work. The piece was about a prominent female historical figure who overcame significant obstacles and opposition to excel in her field in what was a male-dominated profession at that time. It was also in support of marriage equality. And lastly is was about following one's passions and dreams - not waiting - and having the courage to do this. It was kind of a statement about me returning to uni to do visual art, and having the courage to pursue an occupation in the arts. But i guess what led me to post here is to share that even when everything feels bleak and hopeless, things can happen that light up our joy, even if they are only fleeting. And amazingly when I accepted the award I chose to make a little speech into the microphone (eek, first time!) and I radiated my joy and passion for art... in fact i wanted to keep talking but decided a few mins was enough... even though i am in the middle of a horrible depression episode and have no confidence in myself... it was truly remarkable!

Kindness and joy to you all, Christina

Feeling elated and happy!

Guest_5218 — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 11:22:14 GMT

Oh Christina, congratulations...... That is fantastic news. You are obviously extremely talented, and its great that your talent has been duly recognised in this way. And well done to you for the speech. I am so very proud of you!

How exciting. I will be able to tell the world that I once knew a famous artist. Ha ha ha. ( - :

Keep it up Christina.

Sherie xx

Feeling elated and happy!

Bluey_moon — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 11:24:00 GMT

Oh Christina, that is such wonderful news and I am so happy and proud of you!

Feeling elated and happy!

blondguy — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 11:28:08 GMT

Hey Christina and Congratulations 🙂

To achieve what you have by having your own piece of art displayed in public....AND getting the recognition for it is something you should be very very proud of.....and you should be excited too 🙂

"Overcoming Significant Obstacles and Opposition".........If you wish let us know who that prominent female historical figure was.....

Well Done Christina...and kind thoughts too 🙂

Paul

Feeling elated and happy!

hope4joy — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 21:36:47 GMT

Hi Sherie,

thanks so much for your support! I woke up radiating this morning and have just been for a long walk with a few short sprints and some stretches thrown in too. I'm also sitting at my desk instead of with my laptop on my lap in bed - the first time i've used the desk in a good few weeks! Its so great to feel energetic and powerful again. This morning I was reflecting and thinking that it's so wonderful to have won something... when i remembered i've been lucky enough to win a few other things to do with art in the last year and a bit.... i guess that depression can sometimes cloud over those memories and make successes seem insignificant. I think what was special about last night was that I received the award in person and got to speak - previously I've just found out by email and the like. I guess as well that public art is my passion and so to have a public work recognised is like the greatest thing to me. Just thinking, i wonder if there are any opportunities to make art for beyond blue?

How's your day looking Sherie? Do you have much on? Do you have a creative outlet to express yourself?

With kindness, Christina

Feeling elated and happy!

hope4joy — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 21:42:04 GMT

Hi Paul,

thank you so much for your congratulations! I am really joyful this morning 🙂

the artwork was about doctor lilian cooper, the first female gp in queensland, she opened her practice in brisbane in 1891. at first anaesthetists and the like would boycott her because she was female... she had to fight and work hard to become recognised and respected. she went on to great success in her career, and really paved the way for women practitioners and women in professional roles in general.

what are your interests Paul?

Thanks again for your support!

Kind wishes, Christina 🙂

Feeling elated and happy!

Guest_5218 — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 21:42:16 GMT

Hi Christina,

I'm so pleased for you. That sounds so good. Well deserved recognition.

I am working today for about 5 hours this morning and again tonight for another 3 hours. So a busy day for me.

I am about to head off shortly, but will catch up again later.

Sherie xx

Feeling elated and happy!

hope4joy — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 21:47:00 GMT

Hi Sherie,

wishing you a good day - that is busy indeed! Good on you for being so active.

I look forward to chatting more later.

Kindness, Christina 🙂

Feeling elated and happy!

Guest_5218 — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 22:06:33 GMT

Final check before heading off to work this morning. I start at 9.30am, but it only takes me 15mins to get there.

I forgot to reply to your question about whether I have a creative outlet to express myself. No, unfortunately I dont. I have always greatly admired artistic and musical people. But I am totally lacking in abilities of that sort I'm afraid. I like doing word puzzles and sudoku. I am more a 'numbers' person I guess. But I have always wished I could paint, sketch, do poetry or some other artistic persuit though.

Gotta go....... Have a great day and rightly bask in the glory of your art award. ( - :

Love,

Sherie xx

Feeling elated and happy!

Neil_1 — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 00:19:49 GMT

Dear Christina

Thank you so much for being able to share this absolutely amazing experience that you had.

I bet the endorphins must have been surging through your body at the time, hence you being able to take to the microphone, and then being able to convey to the people there about your passion and your joy – just brilliant. Though with regard to your joy, I think that would have been very recognisable for people to see.

That’s really awesome that you’ve had that experience … hmmm, I wonder how you slept that night? Very well I would have thought, but possibly the question should have been, how long did it take for you to get to sleep? I bet you were buzzing for a long time afterwards. 🙂

Thanx again Christina for sharing.

Kind regards

Neil

Feeling elated and happy!

Guest_1055 — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 01:06:53 GMT

Hey Christina

You were hoping for some joy, so I am glad and happy for you that you received some. I would like to see some of the work that you have created. Anyway Congratulations to you! Many hugs.

With love

Shelley xx

Feeling elated and happy!

hope4joy — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 22:07:18 GMT

Hi Sherie,

I also love numbers - puzzles, sudoku, card games - they are a wonderful form of play. I also enjoyed maths at school. I think there are lots of ways we can express ourselves - from cooking, to gardening, to writing, to making things, to singing... i have always wished i were a great singer.... i'd really love that! To me it is such a powerful way to emotionally connect to masses of people, and inspire positive messages. But alas i'm not, and am very happy to follow my other passion which is art. Its challenging though because only some people understand and love my art, and I struggle with self confidence on and off. Sometimes I wonder about art's relevance and importance, and i guess it can feel like a very selfish pursuit at times because it is so much about self expression (i also work in community services which feels much more noble!) but I guess the fact is that i've been given a talent and calling in art so that is what is true for me to follow. i've travelled a lot and worked in many different areas from gov to community sector to private and so i guess i'm still trying to make sense of it all, while trying to enjoy the journey so to speak! I feel very privileged to be able to spend this time at uni studying art - we are ever so fortunate in Australia.

I'm wondering how your busy day yesterday went? And what your feelings toward your work are?

With kindness, Christina

Feeling elated and happy!

hope4joy — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 22:18:24 GMT

Hi Neil,

thanks for your kind reply. You talk about endorphins, oh yes! I was running on a high! It took ages for me to fall asleep and then I woke up early... I think it was only midday yesterday that the endorphin level dropped back down to normal 🙂 Its interesting I was reflecting on my walk this morning how much energy both joy and anger give the body - at either time I can easily run and do steps and all sorts of things, and need to use common sense to not overdo it as otherwise i'd be sore for days! Emotions are fickle things.

I've also been reflecting this morning how avoiding responsibility and commitments in life - something i've done with a passion - are the very things that bring so much meaning and connection and gentle joy (contendedness?) that i've been looking for and searching for, for ever so long. Yes its like the penny suddenly dropped. I guess lately I've made higher commitments to my work, to my studies and to a support group i'm part of - and it feels really good. Even last night at my team meeting for work I participated so much more than usual - and coming forward and being active felt great. I lost confidence at one moment (one colleague scares me) but otherwise really was part of the team. I guess that's it - I often act in ways of being sort of passive that mean I never feel I belong. Hmm, I wonder if any of this makes sense! Well it does to me, its like i see a new way of being. Taking more responsibility I guess, but in a healthy way.

And Neil yes I think I did convey my joy when I spoke! And I've realised that I quite enjoy public speaking. I also consistently love job interviews. I spoke to my sister about it and she thinks I'd be a great public speaker. I've done well with talks at work before, but they have been very few and far between. I need to know my subject matter and see some value in it to enjoy speaking. Who knows, maybe i'll end up being a lecturer!

Anyways Neil, thanks for sharing my excitement. It was nice to post something really light and joyful on the forum, as it can be a very heavy place at times.

Do you have any things that really ignite a passion in you Neil? Or that you simply enjoy doing?

Kindness to you, Christina

Feeling elated and happy!

hope4joy — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 22:22:40 GMT

Hi Shelley,

thank you for your congratulations! I'd like to share some art but I guess I don't know how to do this without giving away my contact information. In some ways I'm happy for people to know this info about me, and in other ways I like some of the anonymity on the forum. It is a shame there isn't an option to upload photos. I'll think about this some more - thanks for asking!

Kind wishes, Christina

Feeling elated and happy!

Neil_1 — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 02:43:07 GMT

Dear Christina

Thanx heaps for your latest response … things that ignite a passion in me … well not sure if it’s the ignition point, but things that I enjoy and that I’m passionate about, are obviously my two children (both in their teenage years and I adore and love them to bits), my gym workouts (the gym is like my 2nd safe sanctuary – home being first), running or keeping fit, is a massive passion or perhaps more of a lifestyle for me.

There’s a few things. 🙂

Neil

Feeling elated and happy!

hope4joy — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 03:38:25 GMT

Hi Neil,

thanks for sharing... that's lovely to hear that you've got two great kids - well teenagers!

Exercise and staying fit is important to me too - I love hot yoga in particular and walking - I think they act very much like anti-depressants and get my mind and body going in the morning.

Anyways, have a great day.

Kindness, Christina