I’m afraid of listening to other people’s problems.

It’s not because I am a better talker than listener.  That’s totally true, but not the point.

It’s because I am a seer.

I see your problems already, and have been trying to figure out how to help you shoulder the burdens you’re carrying.

I see that it’s March Madness time.  I know that was something that you always bonded with your only son about.  I remember him artfully building brackets and arguing the merits of one basketball team versus another with his roommates, me or anyone else who would listen.

I see how your heart lost a piece that day last spring that his quit suddenly at only 38 years old.  I see your pain, and I don’t know how to fix it, or what to say to help you, his wife or children. I know that me quoting a scripture or spiritual platitude will not change what you are going through.

I see you.

And I see so many others I know and love who are struggling to carry their emotional burdens.

I’ve seen you long for another child, and experience your fourth miscarriage.

I’ve seen your marriage fall apart leaving you unfulfilled and disappointed.

I’ve seen you smile with your mouth, but not your eyes, so I know that something is pressing on you.

I’ve seen your social media posts become less frequent, because you are grappling with whether it’s worth fighting against the depression anymore. It is a struggle to even get out of bed, and it seems pointless when the weight of your burdens make it impossible to move most days.

I’ve seen your cancer come back, and you struggle to find hope.

I see you, and what you’re going through.

I want to fix it, removing your pain, but I can’t. So, I try to let you know in small ways that…

You are loved.

Your life matters.

You are important to me, even if I’ve never met you in person.

What you are going through now sucks, and I wish you didn’t have to do it.

You’ve been through a lot of difficult things lately.  And the problem is that you’re not through it yet. You’re stuck in the middle of it now.

You’re tired of fighting, because it’s exhausting. You’re mucked down in the drudgery of every day stuff in addition to those burdens that you’re carrying with you. They are heavy, and you want to quit.

When You're Searching for Hope BT

I know what it’s like to want to quit, but please don’t.

You don’t have to carry your burden alone.

Share your burden.

You can share it with a professional counselor trained to help manage the weight of your burdens.

You can share with a trusted family member or friend.

You can share with the US National Suicide Prevention Hotline online or by telephone.

1-800-273-TALK (8255)

We just celebrated the first day of spring, in the Northern Hemisphere. Spring can bring warmer weather, melting snow and new plant and animal life.

Springtime is also the most common time of year for people to end their own lives through suicide. 

I have felt so much pain, that I didn’t know how to escape from. I have been mired in depression so deep that I didn’t have hope or see a way out alive. I have held my hand to my chest to feel my heart beat to remind myself that it was still there. It was still beating despite being broken.  I have made the journey from despair searching for hope I lost.

I got through it, and so can you.

You’re not alone.

I’m afraid of not being able to help someone in need. I see that you need my help, even if you think no one notices or cares. I do. I was going to write about something else today, but felt impressed to write this for you instead.

You are loved.

You are valued.

Your life has meaning, and purpose.

I see you.

You are more than the burden of your pain.

You are more than the burden of your pain TP.jpg

Genealogy Jen’s Challenge of the Week-  Springtime usually means spring cleaning. It’s time to repair the damage done by winter months to our environment. While you’re evaluating your physical environment, don’t neglect your mental health. Make a joy list. List 5 things you will do that bring you joy or hope.

Bonus Points – Reach out to someone who might be struggling right now to let them know they are loved and cared. Embrace their vulnerabilities. Especially reach out to men who are less likely to express emotional despair they may be feeling.

Free Gift Thank You – As a visual reminder, I have created free PDF downloads of my burden of pain quote for you to print and share. Shout out to my reader-friend Marie for the inspiration.

PDF Download small Burden of pain  5×7 in or 13×18 cm

PDF Download large Burden of pain   US letter size 8.5×11 or 215.9 mm x 279.4 mm

 

 

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