Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Prompt: Life *is* pain, highness… (and PSA Suicide Hotline Links)

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.

Dogs in House
Houdini


Time writing
~35 minutes


August word count
3,576


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