Stress Center Peer Support

I just received the program about three weeks ago...I am on Session 3.

I find it comforting to know that I am not alone. No one in my family suffers (that I know of) and I have been having a really hard time for the past four and a half years.

I am faithfully reading about everyone's challenges and accomplishments. Thank you.

I had a few panic attacks today...oh well. I am praying that I get to the point where I can drive to school to pick up my son without having it turn into an episode. And, I love to walk but I haven't walked on my own in, I don't really remember but, I am thinking it has been over 10 years.

I think my anxiety has been building for a long time and I probably have had anxiety since I was a child but I suppose the stress of losing a child and other stresses in my life, coupled with lack of coping mechanisms, have led me here to this point.

But, I have discovered along the way that I am here because I am meant to be here, at this point in time, in this place. I am learning so much about myself, although not easy, it is helpful.

I believe in God and I believe I was led here to this program.

Session 3 has been tough. I am really not very nice to myself and, I suspect, not as nice as I could be to others. Guilt, low self-esteem, self-hatred, whatever the reason they are not important anymore.

I am willing to change.

I would love to hear from anyone?

Hello. I am having a very hard time with panic and depression in this point of my life and reading your letter has really inspired me. I know you will do great with this program and i think you are doing great already in time you will get to where you want to be in life. The key to getting back out there and walking is to just do it! I also seem to have trouble getting out sometimes but when i finally face my fear i feel so much better and you will too with time...I would just like to leave you this for some inpiration for a rainy day......


If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now. Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded. But trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You are not as fat as you imagine. Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday. Do one thing every day that scares you. Sing. Don't be reckless with other people's hearts. Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours. Floss. Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself. Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how. Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements. Stretch. Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't. Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees. You'll miss them when they're gone. Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else's. Enjoy your body. Use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it or of what other people think of it. It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own. Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room. Read the directions, even if you don't follow them. Do not read beauty magazines. They will only make you feel ugly. Get to know your parents. You never know when they'll be gone for good. Be nice to your siblings. They're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future. Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young. Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard. Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. Travel. Accept certain inalienable truths: Prices will rise. Politicians will philander. You, too, will get old. And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders. Respect your elders. Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund. Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse. But you never know when either one might run out. Don't mess too much with your hair or by the time you're 40 it will look 85. Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth. But trust me on the sunscreen.

I wish you peace of mind~~Erin

wow erin
great life advice

thanks for posting!

Hi Erin,

Thank you so much. Sometimes a kind word from a total stranger is all it takes. Yes, I too unfortunately, have suffered with depression.

But, I have come to realize, and I trust me I am not recovered yet it is a process, that a lot of my depression comes from not living up to others expectations of me.

Stuff that I really don't like doing or just plain don't want to do are usually the things that get me down. I need to learn my own limits and what makes me happy.

All these expectations that others have for our lives...but, what do we really want for ourselves? That is true.

I read this wonderfully inspirational book about two years ago. This is where I learned that my depression was coming from "expectations" and not living in the present. Lucinda's program is taking this one step further for me with Session 3 and self-talk...this one is huge for me. I am looking forward to completing the program.

So, you have inspired me...if you, someone I do not know would take the time out of your life to send me such a beautiful message...don't I deserve to give myself that same kindess? YES

And, so do you...love yourself, you are worthy!!

God's voice speaks to the listening heart.

Searching for peace,
AWESOME, AWESOME Advice!!!!

I simply loved that post. Real down to earth commentaries. Fabu!

You have received really nice replies here. I don't have anything new, just want to say I'm glad you are here, and I hope to keep seeing you post your progress along your journey through this program.