"Life is short and it’s fragile, and we don’t know how many birthdays we get so just — you don’t have to have a birthday to celebrate — just celebrate life. And if you haven’t told someone you love them, do it now … Call your friends, text your friends, kiss them, be nice to the people at the DMV." -Ellen DeGeneres, following Kobe Bryant's death
Yesterday, another man who we do not know personally, but welcomed into our homes, dancing on screens, tragically took his own life. Stephen "tWitch" Boss. In 2014, it was Robin Williams, who we laughed with and cried with.
I have gone back and forth for some time about writing publically again. I thought today was a better time as any, because I want to cry out to you all, to check on your friends and family. Strangers, people around us, we really have no idea what people are going through. But we know one thing for certain-- we live in a broken world, filled with darkness, sadness, depression, anxiety.
We are carrying hurts and burdens, trauma and pain, with us that no one else can see. We slap a smile on our face, and laugh through this anguish. I say, "we", because I've been there. I've had the thoughts. I experience the depression and anxiety. People think that the "happy" people, the "resilient" people don't have these negative thoughts or difficult emotions. But as we see time and time again, celebrities, neighbors, family members, friends, strangers lose their battles every day to the negativity on the inside. It grows bigger and bigger that the smile slapped on can't contain it anymore.
Please, I'm begging, don't do it alone. Reach out to someone, anyone. Text or call 988, the national crisis hotline, available 24/7. Call a friend. Text your mom. Take one step towards filling the inner you with the positivity you want everyone else to see. And take Ellen's words, celebrate the life you are living.
I don't want to let you go without sharing wise words from another favorite of mine:
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8
You are loved.
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