Tag: books

Sharing the Heart of Christmas

In this post I send holiday wishes while reflecting on Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” It summarizes the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miser who embraces the spirit of Christmas. The tale highlights themes of love, family, and redemption, and I wish the same to you.

Merry Christmas and welcome to Watercress Words, where we explore the HEART of Health.

My family and I attended a stage presentation of Charles Dickens’ story, A Christmas Carol, where this photo was taken

Dr. Aletha and Raymond Oglesby

The story was written by the English author Charles Dickens in the mid-19th century, but it continues to touch hearts almost 200 years later.

Spoiler alert-here’s the story, skip if you don’t want to know

Ebenezer Scrooge is a miserly man who despises Christmas. Scrooge started a business with Jacob Marley, who was very similar to Scrooge, but since Marley died Scrooge runs the business alone, treating one of his staff members, Bob Cratchit, very poorly.  

One night Scrooge is visited by the ghost of Jacob Marley, who warns Scrooge that if he does not become kinder he will have an awful fate after death. Marley tells Scrooge that in the coming nights he will be visited by three more ghosts. Initially Scrooge fails to take the warning seriously but as the ghostly visits become more terrifying, Scrooge begins to realise that he must change his ways.  

By the end of the story Scrooge has completely transformed, having learnt the importance of charity, friendship and generosity. Christmas is now his favourite time of the year and he does all he can to help Bob Cratchit and his family.  

Watch A Christmas Carol

There have been multiple screen versions of the story, including some animated adaptations. Do a search and find one, probably for free.

Read A Christmas Carol

And you can read the story, also for free. Here is a link to one version online at the Library of Congress.

Cover of the original publication

My wish for you and your family

Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is about loneliness, greed, selfishness, anger, fear, regret, and death.

But it also teaches us the value of family, friends, caring, giving, receiving, charity, and forgiveness. It is about second chances and starting over. Ultimately, in this timeless classic, love wins.

However you spend Christmas and whoever you spend it with, I wish you peace, joy, hope, and love.

Warmest wishes, Dr. Aletha

I will honor Christmas in my heart. Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens, English author, Lightstock.com, affiliate link

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More ways to win over depression

Sheila Walsh an accomplished singer when she became co-host of The 700 Club. She seemed to be at the peak of her career publicly but privately she was careening downward. One evening she left the studio on the verge of suicide and checked into a mental hospital .

In another post I told you about depression from the viewpoint of blogger Darren Rowse of ProBlogger.com. He shared how he dealt with depression, steps that I endorse and recommend to my patients. In this post I talk about another public person who has depression and uses her insights to help others.

Sheila Walsh-singer, speaker, author

Sheila was an accomplished singer when she became co-host of The 700 Club. She seemed to be at the peak of her career publicly but privately she was careening downward. One evening she left the studio on the verge of suicide and checked into a mental hospital .

Since then she has lived with depression but not under the weight of depressive feelings.

” After entering the hospital, Sheila went through therapy and evaluation. Along the way, she discovered things about herself that were harmful. For example, when she was unable or unwilling to deal with what was true about her life, she buried it.

“You can try for years to deny the things that are tearing at your soul, but they will not go away. They thrive in the shadowlands, and if you don’t deal with them, they will one day deal with you.”

Sheila

Her doctor determined that she was severely clinically depressed. She had all the classic signs:

  • insomnia,
  • loss of memory,
  • loss of appetite,
  • overwhelming feelings of hopelessness,
  • loss of emotional control, and
  • an unbearable sadness.

Sheila’s doctor helped her understand that mental illness is a reality, a treatable reality, and there is no shame there. Through prayer, reading the Bible, therapy, and medication Sheila began to manage her depression. At the end of thirty days, Sheila left the hospital and returned to CBN to say goodbye. ”

from CBN.com

Sheila’s top 4 tips

In a radio interview with Jenny Dean Schmidt of Channel Mom, Sheila lists 4 things that help her deal with depression.

  • walking her dogs
  • listening to worship music
  • sleeping well
  • staying in touch with trusted friends who “know all about me”

“a kind supportive boss”

In this interview with her former boss, Pat Robertson, Sheila explains how his kind and caring support, medication, and her faith helped her overcome depression .

These are all similar to things Darren mentioned in his article- exercise (walking), getting a dog, telling friends and family, medication, and prayer/meditation.

How Sheila was “Loved Back to Life”

In this book, Sheila tells her story of her recovery from depression.

Sheila’s “Unexpected Grace”

I enjoyed Sheila’s story about supporting her mother-in-law through a cancer diagnosis.

“Unexpected Grace is a tender account of the relationship between a mother and daughter-in-law and how they discovered extravagant grace in the midst of what could have been the most tragic experience of their lives. Their story will encourage you and help you see how God can bring good out of even the bleakest circumstances. “

Sheila Walsh

books available on Kindle Unlimited and Audible

If you haven’t read it already, please read my post about how Darren Rowse manages to control his depression.

How to relieve depression in 11 simple steps

Not everyone needs antidepressant medication, but when they do, it can make a dramatic difference. Medication needs adequate time and dosage to be effective, and once that is reached should be continued long enough for the depression to stay in remission.

If you are depressed and thinking about or planning suicide, please stop and call this number now-988

exploring the HEART of freedom from depression

Dr. Aletha