One of the things I learned that day was how important it is to get out of ourselves when feeling blue or depressed. We are, after all, interconnected with one another all the time. When we close down into ourselves and ruminate about our sorry condition hour after hour, little good comes from it. Getting out of ourselves and caring about others helps us as much as them. This does not mean that there should not be times when we are quietly, attentively with ourselves.
Productive solitude is an essential element for personal growth.
But when we experience our misery-making thoughts just going around and around it might be time to make contact with someone else and take an interest in them. What is important to remember here, is that often the interest doesn't come first and then the activity. Many times it is best just to start doing something, a phone call, exercise, a hobby, and the interest follows. First I left my room and started visiting with the person who wanted to see a priest, then my interest, and freedom, followed. In Christ's love, Fr.