A book saved my life! Yes, a book! It is amazing how the power of someone’s words can make a difference in our life. For me, that book was Letting Go: A Pathway to Surrender.
Some bad financial mistakes, troubling health problems, and a not at-fault house fire caused me to fall into an episode of depression. After a few events of bad luck, I was starting to become convinced that I would only be remembered as a one-hit wonder. Thankfully, a few months later, that book entered my life. I was always familiar with another book by that author called Power vs Force. It was a good read, but not good enough to lift me out of depression.
Many people rely on antidepressant drugs to feel better. It was an option that I swore to myself that I would never consider, but I was feeling so bad that I saw it as a possible solution. Fortunately, one day, I got curious to search the other books written by that author. That day, I discovered the book that saved my life, Letting Go: A Pathway to Surrender.
The title of the book spoke to me. I lost my pride, but I did not lose my anger and fear. So, I had to let go of everything. That book taught me how to surrender emotions that are not good for my mind, body, and soul. Antidepressant drugs are not always necessary. An NIH study proved that bibliotherapy may be just as effective as a standard treatment that involves an antidepressant drug.
Until a few weeks ago, I did not know bibliotherapy was a one word definition for reading books to help one’s self. Nor did I know that there was science proving the effectiveness of book reading for depression.
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