Michael you write well, you are an inspiration to me. Now, let me tell you what I felt after reading your piece "WOW!" I felt I was listening to either a therapist that wanted to make a simple way to understand hardships or a person that had managed to overcome his own in the most intelligent way. I suffered depression in the past. I do agree on each and every single point you made as to help someone pass the page, consciously and graciously. For me, writing helped me vent. I have always been introvert so, not having friends or trusted people much, my notebook was filled with my emotions. I created poetry, I was so freaking prolific since I had too much bottled up, each day! LOL I cried when possible, when I felt like it. I wrote, wrote, wrote. I read also trying to channel my energy. I learned about mediation. I learned that I don't need or want specific yoga poses but follow the rhythm of my body. Tai-chi helped me slow down my quick downhills lol Breathing with meaning. I mean, the more I saw that I was experiencing things that others were too made me more comfortable. Initially, the first years I thought I was the ONLY one that nobody understood. Since then I embraced my unique way of being. We are all unique, we should embrace it and not separate from others but more like, accept your humanity and be ready to confront the world, whether you like it, whether the world likes you back or not. Be happy with yourself. Something I have learned. Now, I am who I am because of all the bad things, all the sad things, all the great things along the way. And I am in PEACE with myself. I loved your essay.