Keeping in mind that -  

"Life is difficult" -  the first sentence of The Road Less Traveled by M.Scott Peck, M.D.) Peck reminds us that it is the difficulty we encounter and overcome in our lives that make us strong. Life is supposed to be difficult, something we should welcome rather than bemoan. This sentence was my mantra throughout my depression and I have discovered that Peck is correct.

"Love your children for what they are rather than regret what they are not" ~ quote   by Joan Fenton, State College, Pennsylvania - 1982  

"Always keep the promises you make" ~ Catherine McCarthy Baker, my mother 

"Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe" ~ Voltaire

"Know that you know more than they do" ~ Advice given to me by a young man who was working at Denver's Tattered Cover Bookstore. We were discussing rejection letters. - circa 1997. "They," of course, refers to the editors who write all those letters.

Incorporating humor into my life ~A tough thing to do when depressed, but Gary and I tried hard to do this and it usually brought my mood up a bit.

Exercising ~ extremely difficult when deeply depressed, but if I forced myself to do it, my mood would lift.

Nuturing friendships ~ impossible to do when down too far, but if I could, I would call, go for coffee, or lunch with someone. No one knew about my illness, so we would discuss other things and this was good.

"Never offer anything negative about yourself". Gary Kochenberger, husband

"Always do your best and finish what you begin" ~ William Nowers (Bill) Baker Sr., my father

"Treat children with respect, and don't talk down to them. Use "grown up" vocabulary. They are much more capable than many suppose." ~ My personal philosophy