How to Overcome Depression


by Raymond David Salas

Are you depressed?

Do you feel down … and have felt this way for an extended period of time?

Have you tried to get out of your depression but nothing seems to be working?

If you are depressed, there may be a remedy.

Here’s a story of how I found one...



How to Overcome Depression


It may not be obvious and may seem counterintuitive to you, but the best solution that I have found for overcoming depression is: find a way to be of service to others.


Yes, that’s right. Donate your time. Volunteer. Shift your focus away from yourself and your problems, and direct your energy instead to finding a way to add value to others, in whatever way you choose.

I know what you may be thinking: “What a load of B.S.! I have real problems. My life sucks! You don’t understand!”

The truth is...I do understand.

In fact, I can remember hearing Marianne Williamson speak in the early 1990’s on how volunteering was a good way to get out of your head and stop focusing so much on your “stuff,” whenever you’re feeling down or depressed.

I wasn’t depressed at the time, so I could not fully grasp what she was talking about. I could not relate to any of it. After alI, I had a pretty good life at the time.

Then, my downward spiral began. First, I was laid off from my management job (I did not see this one coming). Then, I broke up with my girlfriend of two years. With no money, broke...and alone, I was forced to move out of my nice home in the suburbs of Orange County and into the den of my grandparent’s home. All of this happened within a six month period of time. I was crushed and devastated!

Initially, I responded by trying to figure how the f*** all of this had happened to me. But, I came up with no answers. I didn’t have a clue. More importantly, I had no idea what to do about it.

I did try to help myself by looking for new opportunities and solutions, but I still came up with nothing. My whole world had been turned upside down. Except for the love and support of family and some friends, I had nothing left. My world felt empty. I had no idea where to turn or what to do. I was out of ideas...S.O.L. And, I didn’t care anymore. I was feeling really, really down and totally depressed.

I felt like I was living in quicksand. The harder I tried to get out of my situation, the deeper I sank. Everything felt pointless.

It was then...during one of my darkest hours...that I remembered what Marianne Williamson had said about overcoming depression. So, I decided to start volunteering my time once or twice a week at Project Angel Food (which was founded by Marianne).

What did I have to lose? I didn’t know what else to do anymore. Who knows? Maybe it could help. Maybe it would be therapeutic for me, the balm that my aching heart was searching for. As it turned out, it was exactly that and more...SO MUCH more.

Since I literally had nothing else going on in my life at the time, I fully committed myself to volunteering at Project Angel Food, being of service and helping out in any way possible.

It worked! Slowly, I started to feel better and better, no longer a victim...piece by piece...a little bit at a time.

Shortly thereafter, a miracle happened. After volunteering steadily for about six months, a paid position became available and the supervisor encouraged me to apply. I did and got the job!

A few months later, I was able to move out and rent a place of my own. Shortly after this, I discovered my Energy Healing work...and as they say “the rest is history!”

My life had put itself back together, better than anything I could have ever imagined. More importantly, I was no longer depressed.

By shifting my focus away from my problems and all of my thoughts about how much my life sucked to adding value and helping others, my depression was eventually replaced with a newfound joy, peace, and gratitude from deep within me.

I am so grateful for this valuable lesson on overcoming depression that Marianne Williamson had imparted to me so many years ago.

It literally changed my life!


Read related articles: