For example, a peasant in medieval Europe might blame a plague on the turning of the Wheel of Fortune, being born under a bad star, or their being cursed by an evil eye, etc. Modern science, of course, would explain the disease carried in the flea living on a rat, and then would explain how we have an avenue to improve hygiene, living conditions, and reduce the occurrences of disease. But a peasant hundreds of years ago has none of that knowledge, so would therefore be unhappy at being sick, mad at the supposed evil person who cursed them with an evil eye, and feel despair for being treated wrongfully by fortune.
Therefore, I make an analogy between myself and that peasant. Like him, I don't know everything, and I use my world view to fill in the gaps. As a result, I can assign wrong causes to any given situation, extrapolate meanings and symbolism, and give myself over to despair. A bad experience driving, might lead me to blame poor drivers, might cause me to over generalize which sort of people are bad drivers, and then cause me to feel anger at a blameless group. (A terrible example because I don't want to be specific about what experience led to my having this general thought about world view.)
Anyhow, I hated this day. I let myself down, felt despair, and struggled to adapt to experiences I cannot control, but could have tremendous impact on my life or the lives of others. I know I had a bout of depression today.
My glimmer of hope is the lesson of the day I mentioned at the beginning. I *could* view the world as a dark place that will only get darker for myself, but to have hope, then I must cultivate an attitude of gratitude for what I do have, the virtues I have earned and will carry with me. This view of gratitude will go a long way to helping me have a better world view overall, and avoid the pits of despair. Gratitude, gratitude, gratitude. Gratitude is not lying to yourself to feel better. It is acknowledging the positives and helping your brain see them in their proper place, integrated perhaps with some bad stuff, but not overwhelmed by it.
I have health. I have family. I have options for the future still. I have had good things happen to me in the past. I have a perspective that gives meaning to these bad experiences as life does and will continue to present uncomfortable things that likely will not change. I will try to get better going forward. I will try to commit to myself again, and recognize some of the permanent improvements I have made. I will try to develop what is, essentially, a skill.