I interrupt this regularly scheduled I’m on a Journey post to bring you something of more immediate relevance. Like people all over the world, I was so sad to hear about Robin Williams’ death. It is heartbreaking to think that someone who brought so much happiness and laughter to the world was unable to find happiness himself. It seems unfair that he couldn’t share in the joy he brought to the world. His death made me reflect upon mental health and mental illness. It can be the case that people who bring happiness to others are unable to find it for themselves. It makes me think that there should be something more we can do for people who are suffering from mental illness, beyond destigmatizing mental illness so it becomes easier to talk about and for people who are going through it alone to receive the support they need.
Admittedly, I’m not the best person to talk about this, as happiness has largely come easily to me and I am not well versed in matters of mental health. The thing I do have is a blog, so it is easy for me to start conversations in the hopes that people who are more knowledgable that I can weigh in so I – and perhaps, we – can learn more. Some of the most amazing people I know have suffered from mental illness and some of them have gone through it largely on their own. That’s one of the things that was hardest for me to take watching others go through it, that they felt alone even when they brought light into my life.
Sometimes the circumstances surrounding mental illness are such that reminding someone how much you love them isn’t enough. Even still, it’s the one thing we can always do. We can remind those around us how much we love them and how much they mean to us, and be there for them so they have someone to turn to if ever they feel alone. We can help them to get the support they need, and try to help them in whatever way they think we can. When it comes down to it, it’s not our battle and we don’t know the kind of fight someone has been through. We can’t just hug someone and make it all okay. We can’t free those who are suffering from the pain they are feeling, but we have to try. Maybe if someone sees the joy that they bring to your life, they can see their own light reflected back to them. May we always have courage to be there for those who matter to us the most.
And if you feel like you are suffering alone, know that someone loves you, even on the days when you don’t love yourself. You’re not alone. Your light is irreplaceable and adds so much brightness to the world.
Rest in peace Robin Williams. May you find the peace and happiness you could not find on Earth.
Song of the Day: Strong by London Grammar
