If you’re reading this (and hopefully you’re not the type who just skipped to the end!), you’ve come quite a long way from where you started. You’ve learned a number of skills, strategies, and approaches for dealing with depression (and sidestepping Sgt. Mind). You’ve developed tools for all the main areas of your life—your physical, mental, and social functioning. It’s our wish that you’ve not just learned some mindfulness and positive psychology skills, but that—more importantly—you’ve also learned to trust your own capacity to connect with the moments of your life, relate to them flexibly, and act with creativity and purpose. It’s this core of your own choice and power that really makes the difference in your moving beyond depression and into the good things ahead of you in life.
It’s been our privilege to serve as your guides on this journey. As this trip comes to an end, and before you begin your next one, we’d like to suggest one final practice. This is one to keep and to carry with you. Bring it out whenever you need a reminder of all you’ve learned in this book. Use it whenever you need a healthy jolt of mindfulness.
Try This:
For this final practice, sit comfortably and close your eyes. Breathe easily and normally. After taking a minute or two to settle, repeat the following slowly and silently to yourself.
“May I…
Treat my body with care…
Hold my thoughts lightly…
Ride out the emotional storms…
Reach out toward others…
So that I know…
Peace…
Power…
and happiness…
And may all those who suffer know the same.”
In all that you do, we wish you peace and happiness.
—Chris and Mitch