Anyone who says differently is selling something.
Cynical words
from one of the most ultimately hopeful romantic comedies of all time, The Princess Bride.
And I don’t use
them lightly, or dismissively. They speak to—or are whispered from—the darkness
that opposes my previous post. The same night that I was writing some sort of
manifesto of hope and love, Robin Williams, an extraordinarily gifted actor and
comedian, could find no more, and took his own life. Tributes to him, and
expressions of grief, have been mixed in the social media vortex with cries for
more compassion and understanding of depression, and even suicide. I think I
will keep my thoughts on both to myself.
But I will say
that if you thought my manifesto and creed of Love More to be simplistic or naïve,
I steadfastly disagree. It may, at times, be the hardest thing. I will give an
example that I’ve discussed with a few devout Christian friends before: a
parent’s forgiveness of their child’s murderer. I—literally—Can Not Even. Can’t
think about it too much. Can’t imagine it. Cannot fathom it. Even with my
newfound realization that I have been moving towards this creed of Love More
for some time.
I have wrestled
with my own demons of depression, and I am not always successful in keeping
them at bay. I’ll add my own call to reach out for help. Picking up the phone
and dialing the numbers may be the hardest thing someone at that point in their
life Will Ever Do. But there are people who can—and will—help you take the next
breath, the next step, even when you are not sure how you possibly can.
Jenny Lawson, the
wonderful Bloggess, posted this yesterday, in
the wake of the news about Robin Williams:
If
you are considering suicide or know someone who is, please call a suicide hotline.
They can help. They’re free. They’ve saved and helped so many
of us, including me. Click here for a link to
suicide crisis organizations around the world. They
listen.
One breath. And
the next. Even when it is the hardest thing. So many before you haven’t known
how they would either.
I guess I’m not
quite done journaling, but I want you to know, I appreciate your taking this
journey with me. I thank you for the many kind and thoughtful comments you have
shared, and so, with a loving heart, I offer you
Namaste
I’ve heard many translations. Here’s one I love: The light of the
universe that shines within me recognizes the light of the universe that shines
within you.
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Dogs
in House
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Houdini
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Time
writing
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~35 minutes
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August
word count
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3,576
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