You Cannot Be Replaced

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. I wrote a post about this last year, and I'm going to write one again. And probably ever year after this year until I close down this blog. Because this is something that is important, it's something that cannot be ignored or neglected.

To Write Love On Her Arms, one of the most well known suicide prevention organizations, has adopted the phrase "you cannot be replaced" as the theme for this year's suicide prevention awareness. Let's read that again. Slowly.

You cannot be replaced.

You, sitting right there, cannot be replaced. There is no one like you. You are unique in your beauty and goodness. There will never be another you. And we, your friends, family, coworkers, community, do not want to lose you. Because you can't be replaced.

If you think that no one will miss you, that life will just continue on like normal if you go, that people may actually even rejoice, you are so, so wrong.

Maybe you've made some poor choices, maybe you feel trapped, feel like you are suffocating and there is no other way out. But there is. There is always a way out. Use your words. A simple "help". We will come to your rescue, because we love you, and we don't want you to get hurt.

Maybe you feel like you are not accepted. And, maybe some people aren't doing so great at showing acceptance and love to you. Don't make their ignorance your problem. Keep being you. Because you, my friend, cannot be replaced.

When you're lying in your bed at night and all these bad thoughts are running rampant through your mind, call someone. I don't care if it's 3 am and you worry you'll upset them. Call them. When you're walking through the hall at school or work and feel like you can't breathe, stop, and talk to someone. When it's the weekend and the sun is shining but you don't want to get out of bed, take the first step out. Go wash your face and brush your teeth. Baby steps. Then talk to someone. Let them know how you are feeling.

You cannot be replaced.

You are loved and you are far more beautiful than you will ever realize. Your beauty is not defined by how you look, darling. It's in your actions. In the way you carry yourself. And sometimes the most beautiful creations emerge from disasters. So your "mess" right now won't be a mess forever.

Spread love today, people. Every day, but keeping in mind today that we all have a reason for living, and that someone you know may be suffering.

Resources for hotlines, counseling, and more can be found here: http://twloha.com/find-help