The flowers are for me, it’s Mothers’ Day here in France.

I re-read Louis’ plea for help to ‘spread the word’ about Moodscope to where it can do most good (not that it does not help thousands in its current form) but by a series of ‘Outreach’ to help more people in trouble, he cited in particular the most despairing, who commit suicide.

I tried to find the ‘essence’ of Moodscope, not a marketable quality, but something intangible. It is unique, no hidden traps, no getting you inveigled with medicines and therapists (although mention of both come up in blogs), I Googled ‘Moodscope’, the web-site came up of course, then lots of ads, inducements to join and you will be introduced to the ‘best’ therapists available, how are they judged? They virtually offer the Holy Grail which long-term sufferers from depression seek, and it does not exist.

A lot of people say they don’t bother with their daily scores via the cards, the actual ‘corner stone’ of Moodscope. I find them marvellous and revealing, looked at my graph for the last year – from 82% to 32% in one week. I do not bother with what I rudely call the ‘homily’ because I know exactly what was wrong and could not be avoided. Riding the crest of a wave, achieved a new life against pretty long odds, then somebody very close pulls the rug out. But Moodscope was there, comfort from other members. I call it my ‘Wailing Wall’, because over the last decade it has been just that a lot of the time.

I insist that it IS therapeutic, but you don’t have to pay (except a pittance a month) to be listened to. CMM, today 27th May told of a joyous day, Memorial celebration for her long term companion, nursed through dreadful cancer suffering then the grief of her death. Like my story, Moodscope members were with her throughout. I say Moodscope is unique, it is, there is a limit to how much friends and family can cope with, no limit here.

Then, the last couple of weeks have seen a burst of ‘fun’ blogs, from people who on their own admission are struggling to control, if not master, their depression/bi-polar. For me, whose main sufferings are boredom it was a super breath of life. Lex and his weird poetry, goodness, people had fun. Valerie with her vivid description of teen-age preparation for Saturday night out. That bought incredible memories out of the woodwork. Lovely therapy. Leah, childhood board games, family Christmases, cheating. Rowan, taking us out of ourselves with her description of the Yorkshire Moors, here we have superb nature notes just by opening our computers.

For me, personally, it is a light in my day, old age is not fun, I get terrified of being a constant moaner like so many where I now live.

These observations are not marketable for Louis. Has anybody had any positive ideas for him? Can any of you define this ‘essence’ really, what it means to you? 

The Gardener

A Moodscope member