Day 13 - TWLOHA

Over the past several days my attention has been brought to TWLOHA - To Write Love on Her Arms.  I'm still learning more about this.  One; it's a movie, which I have yet to watch, about the struggles of one girl living with bipolar, which has turned into a new movement. It looks like an extremely emotional movie.  Two, who brought this to my attention? Jared Padelecki.  He is the actor who portrays Sam Winchester on Supernatural, yes, one of my top 5 favorite shows.  He finally got himself onto Facebook due to the death of a friend.  His friend committed suicide recently.  He has created a new journey for himself.  The death of his friend hurt him so deeply that he decided to step up and help others, with the profits from the sale of the line of shirts going to TWLOHA.  He had a few contests this week as well; autographed shirt & phone conversation with him - for example, both of which any fan of Supernatural would LOVE!

Well, he posted a couple videos from himself to the fandom world on FB.  The responses are amazing.  There are thousands of responses for each video and post he's made this week. Aside from condolences there are personal stories people are openly sharing for the world to see.  This is so wonderful to see.  It's also heart-wrenching to read some of them.

That's where I am right now.  My mind has become obsessed about all these people that suffer from depression, anxiety, self harm, self destruction and suicidal thoughts.  I've been on both sides of this.  I've been the one with the tendencies mentioned above, but also on the flip side - seeing someone in such inner agony that I just want to wrap my arms around them and make it all go away.

My perception of one side; the person going through the emotional pain.  One cannot fully comprehend what it's like to feel this  unless you've gone through it yourself.  

Backtrack to sophomore year of high school.  I was 15 and 16 during the school year.  I know this is 30 years ago, but I remember parts of it so clearly.  The inner pangs of a teenager was in full motion with me.  This is when depression was just beginning to really be looked at as a chemical issue instead of being weak and situational.  The inner pain I felt came out in my body language, in the things I said, what I wrote and in self harm.  At my lowest points I just wanted to die.Whenever I talked about how I felt I would get similar responses; disbelief, being told it was dumb to feel that way, or I just scared the person off.  I had a couple friends though, that took that extra step and did something about it.  One contacted my parents and another contacted the school counselor.  I was lucky and grateful that someone stepped up to help me.  Yes, I got counseling and things improved for me.  Thirty years later I still struggle with depression.  I've been on several different antidepressants, but nothing really worked.  I've seen counselors, learned more about myself and got diagnosed with bipolar 2 disorder with depression and anxiety.

Finally a diagnosis that fits.  I'm currently on meds and deal with each day as it comes. I'm still on a roller coaster called Bipolar, but I've done research and learned more about my own patterns.  I know what my mania symptoms are and can tell when I start to crash into a depression.  I always pay attention to where my thoughts travel to and my mood.  I know that even though I feel like I'm in the bottom of a pit that I will come out of it.  It may take a week or so sitting in the pit, alone with my thoughts, but I know God will bring me out, every time.

I would love to know what it's like to live without bipolar, but I know that it's a gift that God gave me to carry so that maybe one day I can help someone else.  Hence, my blog.

Now flip this over.  My grandfather attempted suicide; he shot himself in the head.  Like I said, attempted.  He survived.  his body did but he was no longer the super hero I always thought he was.  He was unable to communicate, the amount of brain damage was catastrophic. A close friend of mine, a cousin and my best friend's nephew all lost their battles with depression.  Their deaths affected so many people that makes me wish they knew how much they were loved by others. 

Fast forward to today.  Yes, I'm in a downward slope right now.  I knew late last week that I was headed down.  But I also know there will be better days.

If you're reading this blog and you are struggling with depression or self worth, know you are NOT alone.  Try to step away from your thoughts for a moment.  I know it's horribly difficult.  Things can get better.  Today is one day, tomorrow is new.  Look at the short term if you can't look at the big picture.  I never thought about when I would be 20 or 30, let alone making it to 46! That was too far away.  Even today I just get through the day.  Please don't think of yourself as weak because you are going through this.  If you feel like inflicting self injury and choose not to, you have become even stronger.  Each and every day you get through creates a stronger person inside.  You can get through it all.  No matter what your situation is, it's up to you to decide how to respond.  Grow stronger each day, just by getting through it.  

As Jared's shirt says  "ALWAYS KEEP FIGHTING" 

Day 9 - A better day

Today was a much better day.  The company I work for has relocated over that last week so we have been moving things around and today was a relaxing day.  It's off season for us right now so it's not very busy right now. (I work for a landscaping company).  I think it's great that I can work with people that I get along with so well.  

We had an issue on Friday with something at work and what do we do? We stop and pray about it.  This is why I'm so grateful for living in the US, we have the freedom to pray whenever we want to.  I feel it's sad though that kids are not allowed to pray at school anymore.  When I was in high school I was in a Christian fellowship group that met in the mornings, if I wasn't able to do that high school would have been much worse for me.  

Our freedoms are taken for granted some times.  There are so many men and women who work hard and give more than some people really know so that we can have these freedoms.  

As I start to write I think about the people I know that were in the military.  I know several, more than I realized.  I have friends, relatives and even a husband that gave time for our freedom.  

Do you ever think about that?  How many people do you know that served the country in one branch of the military?

BTW, welcome to my lack of focus. Jumping around in my head as always. 

Day 6

Today's thoughts... 

More lyrics for you to think about.  This is from the Barlow Girl song I Need You To Love Me.  

Why? Why are You still here with me?
Didnt You see what Ive done?
In my shame I want to run and hide myself
Yeah, but its here I see the truth
I dont deserve You

But I need You to love me
And I, I wont keep my heart from You this time
And Ill stop this pretending that I can
Somehow deserve what I already have
I need You to love me

I, I have wasted so much time
Pushing You away from me
I just never saw how You could cherish me
Cause You're a God who has all things
And still You want me

And I need You to love me
And I, I wont keep my heart from You this time
And Ill stop this pretending that I can
Somehow deserve what I already have, yeah, yeah

Your love makes me forget what I have been
Your love makes me see who I really am
Your love makes me forget what I have been, oh-oh

And I need You to love me, yeah
I need You to love me, yeah

And Ill stop this pretending that I can
Somehow deserve what I already have
Somehow deserve what I already have

I need You to love me, yeah
I need you to

 Oh oh oh oh eo, oh oh oh oh eo
Oh oh oh oh eo, oh oh oh oh eo

 Love me, love me, yah

So, dig into these words.  This writer, most likely one of the Barlow Girls, is talking to God. The question is asked, why would God still love you when you make mistakes.  God always sees everything you do, knows what you think and even what your dreams are.  He allows us to make mistakes, allows us to make our own choices and no matter what the outcome of our decisions he still loves us.  Isn't that so amazing?  

So, look into his words in the Bible.  He's written stories about people like you and me that you couldn't believe.  

Day 4

Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment."  Matt 22:37-38 

This is the most important thing that God wants of us.  I think many people aren't aware of this.  God should be the most important thing in our lives.  The most important person.  The most important God. 

How do we show Him we love him?  One thing is by how we live.  I try to live the way God describes in the Bible.  Loving, honest, peaceful, patience, forgiving, etc.  Some days it's difficult to be these things, some days it's easy. 

This weekend has busy for me, I've been working on completing some of the things I needed to get done around the house.  Still have plenty to do, but I expect that. 

So, this is a quick and short blog day, I'm sure no one's going to complain about it. 

Day 3

I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.  Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.     Psalm 116: 1-2

Years ago I cried out to God for help. He listened and came to my aid.  It's because of him that I have come so far in my life.  I have learned to accept the issues I deal with, that everything that comes my way I can get through as long as I remember that God is with me. 

Today I spent putting drapes up in my house.  My wrist is sore from the work, using the screwdriver is a bear sometimes, but I got them up and done.  I have a few paint touch-ups still but the walls are 90% done.  I can't wait to decorate them.  I've been going through my photos trying to decide which ones I'll print, frame and hang on my walls.  Some are just beautiful. 

I know this isn't much today, probably because I just don't know what to write. One of those "writer's block" days of mine.

We're due for snow this week. I'm so not looking forward to this!  I totally hate driving in the snow.  

Day 2

"but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run...  Isaiah 40:31

For the first day of the year I look at the previous year.  Been a busy one!  I've spent over half the year working on house projects and am not even close to being done.  We've lived in our house for 15 years and this is the first time we've painted the first floor.  It took me about 2 months to paint, but about 2 months prior to do wall repairs and prep to paint.  We have plenty to keep us busy and will have more to do as this year is beginning. It'll get there. 

As for me, I went from part time to full time employment.  It's a positive thing, but I know I will have some issues with it.  It'll be a learning experience.  I've been lucky enough not to have to work full time for the past 3 years, not it's a new adventure.  

That's my positive thoughts for today.  It's a struggle to stay positive but I keep plugging away.

Dealing

I'm not even sure how to begin today.  My mood is better than it was the last time I stopped in here.  I spent my weekend being slightly productive.  You know, the fun stuff, grocery shopping, errands with The Minion, taping the trim upstairs so I can start that paint job this week. 

Yesterday at church they announced that one of the young ladies in a local branch was in a car accident Sunday morning (1:30am).  She was on the expressway when a drunk driver was driving in the wrong direction and hit her head on. Erin was trapped in her car and had to be cut out.  The driver of the other car was taken to the hospital as well but only had minor injuries and walked out of the hospital.  Erin was transported to the hospital, spent 4 hrs in surgery Sunday morning and still has at least one more to go.  She has 3 fractured ribs, crushed vertebrae, and major internal injuries. 

I don't even know what to say about this.  

It just saddens my heart to know that this young girl will have so much ahead of her.  She is lucky though.  She has a great support system and she is such a faithful Christian it's unbelievable.  

I will just continue to pray for her, her family and the driver. This is what has been on my mind for the last two days.