The price we pay for our cynicism is too high. To think that by sharing, rehashing and revisiting our sour depressing thoughts does any good is ridiculous. Negativity distorts and darkens our collective vision of a brighter future. To those acutely suffering it may be the last straw.
I have lost three friends to suicide over the course of my life, and I am sick of it. The victim is often made the villain and called a self-centered coward. This is far from the truth. The only thing I would say is that at the time of the incident the victim’s thinking was distorted. There is no reasonable explanation for taking one’s own life. Only twisted thought leads to suicide.
The victim falsely assumes that his or her plight is hopeless and despairs, and doesn’t know or won’t accept that hopelessness and despair are symptoms of depression. Once the depression goes away so will the symptoms.
Stress undoubtedly has much to do with depression. Do we as a community need to add to it? A smile, a kind encouraging word, keeping your own cynicism and criticisms to yourself goes a long way to raising spirits.
This is a heads up to the community I care about most. Our friends, brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers are all struggling at sometime in someplace. Have pity, be kind, assist if only by way of offering encouragement. Want to take it a step further? If someone is talking about ending their life, ask them why. Ask them if they have a plan. Ask them if they are planning to carry it out soon? Ask them to promise you they won’t do it. Tell them to get help or get help for them. You may save a life. I wish I had.
To all I wish peace and prosperity and please persist in living. It means much to me. Suicide prevention: 1-800-784-2433. Colorado Crisis and Support Line: 1-800-784-2433 (TALK).
Richard M. Feit
Cortez