LOVE is Social Impact

As you may already be aware, Anthony Bourdain, author, traveler and chef died by suicide today. Many people on social media are having conversations about suicide and mental health. Mental health is still something I believe we don't take seriously, nor do we completely understand.

Kate Spade, fashion designer too recently died by suicide.

I think about Kalief Browder, a young man who who imprisoned at the young age of 16, for no crime, who tried to die by suicide several times, ended his life in his home in the Bronx, NY in 2015.

I won't pretend to be a mental health expert and try to explain why. But I can reach inside myself and find the place where I too questioned if the world was better without my presence. Where the pain or heartbreak and rejection lead me to believe that I was worthless.

Pain is real, it is no respecter of persons. It won't skip you because you are rich, it will not pass you by because you are poor.

And what I know to be true, is that the world needs more love, lots of love in action. And we say this all the time but do we live it? Do our actions show it?

You never know the battle someone is facing.

Maybe your kind word or smile could be the thing that compels someone to hold on another day.

I just see a lot of brokenness in the world. So much pain and strife.

The O'Jay's said let's start a love train, people all over the world...maybe we should.

I'm not saying you can love people out of depression, but more love can't hurt. Love, and help...professional help.

I am realizing that my social impact isn't just through Soul and Story, it is in my every day interactions, how I treat people...how I treat myself. Through thoughts and my actions I am having either a positive or negative effect on the world around me. I am reminded to be mindful. I am reminded not to be so quick to anger, because the person I am angry with may be dealing with something deeply painful.

I have no answers. Just wanted you to know that you are needed, you are worthy and the world is better with you in it. And if you need help, there is help. If you need someone to talk to, there is a friendly ear available. You are not alone.

Be good to one another.

LOVE is social impact.

xoxo

Tammy

Resources:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline '1-800-273-TALK (8255)'

TrevorLifeline, a suicide prevention counseling service for the LGBTQ community, call 1-866-488-7386

Text HOME to 741741 to have a confidential text conversation with a trained crisis counselor from Crisis Text Line. Counselors are available 24/7.