A Fable

Once upon a time, there was a person who was very despondent, depressed.  The person, Jo, was miserable.  Jo had no desire to do anything.  The more Jo thought about how terrible their life was, the worse Jo felt.  In utter frustration, Jo called out to who or whatever was listening and pleaded for help, or just a way out.

The suggestion Jo received was to get themselves cleaned up and then to do the same with the house.  Jo thought about that for awhile and decided that it could not hurt to try.  Jo took a long hot shower and picked out a favorite outfit to wear.  The house did look a mess, so Jo spent the entire day cleaning.  Jo put items back where they belonged, ran the sweeper and even dusted.  By the end of the day, Jo was mildly surprised to discover that they did feel a bit better.  

Awakening the next day, looking at the clean house, the depression returned.  Then something strange happened.  A violent storm swept into the area.  Tree limbs were snapping and the wind made the rain fall in a sideways direction.  Jo looked out the window to see a large tree fall on the neighbors' house.  Without thinking or hesitation, Jo ran out the front door, bounded off the front porch and ran to the neighbors' home.  The family who lived there were in a state of panic. Jo grabbed the two small children and called for the rest of the family to follow.  They made their way to Jo's house and Jo led the way to the basement, where they all took shelter, waiting for the storm to pass.

Jo had never felt so exuberant.  Jo felt more alive than they had in months, maybe even years.  Jo had just realized an important idea, that action requires reaction.  Jo looked back on the last couple of years and understood that sitting around doing nothing got the exact same results, nothing.  

From that point on, Jo turned their life around.  Jo took a daily walk.  Jo learned how to meditate.  Jo joined a local gym.  Jo found a group that liked to get together and discuss a topic that was one of Jo's favorites.  In short, Jo's action created reaction and created a life that Jo did not think was possible.

The moral of the story?  Get off the couch.  Move!  Do something each day, just for yourself.  Create your very own reaction.  Create a brand new you.