When Things Get Dark…

Dark thoughts. We all have them, right? Mental health issues are real. But how gray is that line between having a legit problem and just experiencing life? Life is full of disappointments. We learn not by our successes but by our failures. And we are almost always our worst enemies. All of this is true. I ask myself often how I can help someone who is suffering emotionally when what they’re going through is something everyone goes through. Surely it doesn’t help them to know that they’re not unique in their plight. So what does one say? Does it serve better to walk on eggshells and patronize someone when they’re going through an episode of emotional turmoil or is it better to be blunt and honest?

I try to have empathy. I try to understand. I am no stranger to crying myself to sleep at night. I would say that I live in a constant state of anxiety – especially since I became a mother. I used to tease my own mom of this type of worry. But now I get it. This is what keeps us up at night and forms lines on our foreheads. We want happiness for our children. And when they are not happy or they insult themselves. It physically HURTS. And then the darkness creeps in.

What’s the darkest thought that has invaded your mind? Mine is “I wouldn’t mind dying right now. Put me out of my misery… but God & Satan…they don’t want me either.” Thinking you have no place on this earth or in Heaven OR in hell… That’s pretty dark – that voice in your head that says nobody loves you like you love others. There is nobody out there that worries for YOU. There is nobody thinking of you. THERE. IS. NO. ONE. THERE. FOR. YOU.

So, how was your night?