Im finding the discussion about depression and mental illness important and enlightening, mostly because it seems to touch every family I know in some way. A couple years ago I spent Christmas Eve convincing a loved one over the phone not to take his life. It took about an hour and a half. He called me, pleading for help, but insisting that there was no hope. And it sounds similar to what Ive been reading on the Internet. He kept saying, I dont know why I feel this way, this isnt me, Im a person who loves life, I just cant shake the gloom. Its as if something had overcome him completely beyond his control and he was so deep in the dark that I just prayed for one tiny spark of light to come out of my mouth. Some might say that people suffering from this illness are better off ending their struggles thru death but this man has gone on to share his talent, to bless others, and enjoy the beauty of life. And he DOES love life. But when the gloom hits, he forgets. We need to surround these people with love, check in on them regularly (I really need to improve in this area) and know that Life and Love are more powerful and attracting to them than the dark when they are in their normal frame of mind. I know that Robin Williams, and my loved one, feel and know the love of their families, but they cant feel it when the gloom hits like a mac truck. I get pulled down easily too, but Im getting better and better at just being happy with being. Like a tree. We get so wrapped up in thinking were not pretty enough, talented enough, bright enough, popular enough.... When really its enough just to exist, to be truthful, and to strive for goodness. Those are the only standards Im holding myself to. I fight hard to silence the comparing and the pull to focus on the negative. But its getting easier. Lets keep supporting those with depression and fighting hard for Life. We can make progress by keeping this discussion going.
Posted on: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 19:37:02 +0000
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