Post Interrupted

I was going to call this post girl interrupted, but then I am not the one who was having a crisis of the mind, nor am I a girl anymore. Perhaps that is what makes this mini saga all the more sad. There comes a time in most people's lives that we will find ourselves in a darkness that seems endless, an abyss of sadness, disappointment and regret. The measure of who we are is not how we barrel through or overcome it, but rather how we deal with it when it hits us. Are you going to reach for the hands stretched out to pull you in? Or are you going to go on the self pity brigade and fall deeper into that sea of nothing? 

Now the rational mind will choose the former, but there is the rub, it is not a rational mind we are dealing with when the point of their supposed "no return" comes a calling, it is fear, trepidation, irrational thoughts and feelings that will more than likely steer them. This is when you have to decide to keep the one hand out for help and the other grabbing onto something to secure yourself, or it may take you as well. Times like this will test a friendship, family ties and intimate relationships. I ask you however to hear me loud and clear, this is a mental disorder and unless you are a professional in the field it is not your job to fix it or them. 

What is your job is to be the brother, sister, mother or father you would want for yourself. Be the friend, husband, lover or guardian that you hope for yourself and be supportive and guide that person, who is lost in their own temporary madness to find the proper help they so rightly and most definitely deserve. Do not judge them, do not push them, anyone can become unhinged, life is that fragile. Remind them that you care for their well being, but explain that you can't fix them. 

There is however a job that we, as a collective need to do, and that is to remove the stigma of mental illness. Look at those words again, mental illness, the keyword here is illness. It is a malady, sometimes genetically given or caused by brain injury or trauma. Whatever the case, it is not contagious and most often can be managed with therapy and/or medication. Trust me, no one woke up in the morning and said; "I will take mental disorder for one thousand Alex!" So when it happens, be concerned, be as helpful and sympathetic as you can be, but guide that person to help! Don't be afraid of what they think of you at the moment of the crisis, just do the right thing for the right reasons and this too shall pass.

To those in the darkness; I have this to say, reach out for help. It isn't your fault that you feel like you do, and it can get better. Sometimes when we find ourselves in a pit of despair we reach for the light outside of us, only to find it was within us all along. With much love I say, go and get healed.

Today's inspirational quote: "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved."-Helen Keller