I try to remain optimistic. I really do. I try to look at all the wonderful things the Lord has blessed me with. But as of late, I am feeling depressed.

Partly I miss last semester. Okay, I really miss last semester. I miss my friends from back then. I had so many of them. I have people who respect me this sememster, but they really aren't close friends. Those close friends who are still here, are more busy now. It's pitiful. I don't even have the motivation to do my homework as much.

I shouldn't, but I feel like I am dying inside. I think I have a bit of an idea what Laura is going through. I feel sorry for her.

Jonathan, I can completely identify with your situation. It's really hard making that kind of transition while you are in college. The closer you and your friends get to graduation, the busier everyone seems to get. I'm afraid it's just a part of school, but you can at least make an effort to reach out to your friends and keep those relationships alive.

I'm assuming that you have a cell phone, as most college students do nowadays. Make it a habit of calling your friends, even if they are unable to talk for a longer period of time. Perhaps try to figure out when the best time is to call particular friends so that you have a few minutes to talk and catch up on things. Just the fact that you are making that effort to stay involved in their life will speak greatly to them.

It's definitely hard to keep in contact, but it's also completely worth it. In the mean time, try to get closer to some newer friends (it's hard, I know). Perhaps a new hobby if you have time or a different living situation, or even just eating lunch with someone new for a few days. Look for social opportunity whenever you are around other people - in class, eating lunch, in the library, the student union, religious functions outside of church, church, or Sunday morning class (if you go to a class, or if you don't, perhaps it's time to start?).

I know it's really difficult to make new friends when old, comfortable friends are just getting too busy to really spend time with you. My best friend did her social work practicum the semester before I graduated and lived off campus, so it was difficult make connections. But, we tried as much as we could to find times that she was available at times that I could be flexible and get together to go shopping or whatever. Cell phones are a huge help in keeping in touch with friends, even if it's just a voicemail here or a text message there - you know that your friends still care enough to let you know about what's going on in their lives.

Hopefully this has helped you a little, it's definitely a difficult transition from the good ol' college have-the-time-of-your-life experience to the end of the pursuit of your degree and moving on to being a (ack!) responsible adult that actually holds a real job. Sometimes friends just kinda get lost in all the mayhem, even if they aren't at the same point in their education. All of this just makes it that much more important to make a real effort to keep that contact open and communication flowing.

I hope that what I have said has been helpful. I'll definitely be keeping you in my heart and mind, as well as prayers. Make yourself open to the comfort of the Lord, and He will bless you in ways that you never imagined.

Jonathan,

Everyone gets depressed every so often.

Keep plugging along. Get outside, possibly find somewhere to go outside naked. Maybe in some woods somewhere? Find a clearing where the sun streams through and lie there and open yourself to God as the prophets of old did.

Ralph

Jonathan,

I have to tell you that I went through that hard time in life as well. Between 18-25, it was hard for me to get over the fact that I did not have to have freinds around all the time to be who God wants me to be. Even then though, with ADD, (which I did not know I had then) depression and a sense of loneliness kept overwhelming me. Sad to say, when I was 19, I actually asked God to just let me die. But he didn't. I'm glad he is wiser than I am.

I had to become purposeful, focused on where God wants me. I prayed to God for help in my relationships, especially when it came to women, and ask God to take out of my life those who will not do me any good and to put into my life those who will do me good.

As a result, I may not have a bunch of friends around, but I knew then that God was answering my prayers and sending me those who were right for me. And of course, my ultimate friend came along, Gwin.

I focused on my career and not my friends. I still kept up with some of them, but even then, it is up to them to try to keep up with me as well. It is not my responsibility alone to keep our relationships alive if they are truely friends.

Sometimes it's better to have people who respect you, which was even harder to find than friends! (and harder to accept)

I can't say this will help you, I'm just letting you know what my feelings were and had to find a way to work around it.

I have met people on this forum that I thought would be good friends for a long time, if not life, but then suddenly they disappeared! But one thing I can truely say, it was not I who walked away, it was them. I am still here, I still have the same phone number, and still available. I cannot help it if they changed or walked away or got "too busy".

Maybe they have some issues that suddenly came up such as health or a form of depression or just seriously got busy for any of their friends.

Just remember, its not your fault. Just ask God to help you be what HE wants you to be, and ask HIM to take out the people in your life that is not good for you and to bring in those that are.

"When the student is ready, the teacher will arive", can be true for other parts of your life.

You may want to talk to a doctor about your depression. I did. As a FRIEND, I advise you to talk to a doctor! At least, he or she will listen.

Boyd Allen
"May the Lord protect our nudity from the sight of those who will not benefit, and may he allow us to be seen by those who will."

Please jonathan, go get medical attention for your depression. It's not something to play around with. Being a depressive myself at times over the years I can tell it's very possible you have clinical depression.

Get it out of the way so you can get back into life! There are so many ways to overcome it.

I hope you are doing better.

Boyd