For what it is worth, the old people in my family, invoking traditional local superstitions they brought from Sicily that extend back at least to Roman times, believe that light or pale birds augur well. They say that darkness and ill fortune come on the wings of the Raven. The Raven is the one they claim you really have to look out for, and crows are not good news either.

well that's good news!

ravens and crows - they are scavengers - it makes sense that they'd be associated with misfortunes. they tend to gather around dead animals and such.

also they are big and a little scary.

You'd be surprised how often, if you try to get over that guilt of asking someone for a shoulder to cry on that the someone in question is relieved at being able to do something for you.

"I thought you'd never ask for help, and I didn't have the courage to pry, and I was feeling bad about it", a friend, a sibling, a lover would tell you, more often than not.

I'm sure you've given countless support and love to your friends and family over the years, so much so they are probably dying to pay you back in kind. Ask for the smallest amount of care you think they could afford to give you now, and they will likely give back more than what you'd imagined you could ask. Loved ones always surprise you that way.

Jane,

Hang in there buddy!

P.S: you can ask ANYTHING of your friends and family. You know they'll come through if they can, however, whenever, wherever.

It's hard to ask for help.
But I'm sure you will be surprised by the people who come through for you!

friends and family should know you well enough to understand when you need help, and when you need to work it out yourself.

i've always been worried about asking for help from someone who can't help me in any way. i think, though, that sometimes just asking for help and getting support is enough. or at least a start.

You can't always ask *anything* of family of friends. Sometimes, these people CAN'T help you. It all depends on their situations and their abillities. It is not because they don't want to - they just can't. And by asking, you are making them feel powerless and it tears and wears.

You can ask anyone *anything*. They have the right to refuse.

I think Dr Zoidberg can help here:

Zoidberg: The female Leela's problem is purely medical. Soon she will drop her eggs and they will hatch and all will be well.

Brainscans of people with clinical depression show inactivity in brain lobes similar to those patients with lobe-specific physical brain trauma. That's one of the reasons why it feels so debilitating. Your brain is actually not allowing you to process the data in your surroundings that you otherwise would.

And mindfulness of the state of your mind will help you through, not a glaze of sugar over this pall. There is a dualism at work here -- while support is a *necessary* component to recover, the individual herself must walk inside and view her emotions without judgement. That is the dual nature of healing psychic wounds.

Remember never to feel guilt for the way you are feeling -- that only covers the looming blackness with a sour taste. Though natural to want some taste rather than none, the view of non-judgement may indeed feel like nothing at first. But then with tuning, will reveal its flavor in time.