For 18 years now I have been struggling with depression. It gets worse or better suddenly and without reason for unpredictable periods of time. My latest downturn came in winter. I’ve tried so many different strategies to lift my spirits, pushing myself into things I’d rather avoid, but the fixes never hold. The last few days have been crushing. For two nights running, I bunkered down in my office instead of sitting at the reference desk, coming out only when someone needed my help.
Yesterday Berly emailed me a link to a TED Talk video about community, and I watched it this afternoon. It was very touching, especially the story of a crippled elephant cared for by her herd. Like that elephant I am broken, but in ways no one can see. My depression is far more debilitating to my life than a wheelchair would be. But that 15 minutes shared by a South African storyteller sang some relief into my tortured day. It made me think that maybe I can make a small difference for one person by sharing life on this blog, perhaps a spark of connection, a sense that you are not alone in your struggle. I don’t need to be clever or poetic or memorable. Just being myself, sharing my little scraps of hope and discovery, struggle and pain, may lift someone’s flagging soul, even for an hour.
May we somehow, across the distances, touch one another with compassion and understanding and find a little relief in our shared stories.
Janathan Grace Reflections 
Thanks, I needed this. I have been very depressed lately.
I’m sorry to hear of your depression. It is a miserable thing. May you find grace tonight and tomorrow to lift your spirits at least enough to give a little hope for better days ahead.