Small Things Change Lives

 "Sometimes when we are generous in small, barely detectable ways it can change someone else's life forever." – Margaret Cho

Mental illness has the name "illness" because that's exactly what it is. Just like any other, we can't will it away. We can't fix it on our own, or cure it without help. Just like a sinus infection would need antibiotics, mental illness is real, and requires the same attention as any other illness. 

I don't personally have the ability to make antibiotics, nor do most people.  If a friend has an illness, we can make a meal, or watch their kids, or offer other such support, but we wouldn't be able to cure them. I tell you this because I want you to know that if someone you know chooses to make a drastic decision, that was their choice. Yes, we can support, listen, love...do what you can...but if that ultimate decision is made, please don't think it's your fault for not doing enough. Cancer kills people, and mental illness robs a person of rational thinking at times. I wanted to share this because so many blame others or themselves. It's no ones "fault",  just like cancer isn't something to blame on others. Our loved ones can be shown as much love and support as we can give, but at the end of the day, if that decision is their desire, they will find a way. They will find a moment that no one is watching and the means to do it in 10 seconds. That's not on anyone's shoulders that's still here. 

I mentioned earlier about the cycle of mental illness. 12 hours can make a huge difference. Personally, I've gone from complete crisis to moving forward in that amount of time. Do what you can to help carry someone through a crisis, but please don't blame yourself or others if you/they couldn't/didn't/weren't able. Sometimes this illness wins, and all we can do is learn from it. 

We may not be able to make antibiotics, but we can do things that are seemingly "small and barely detectable" to us, that may be huge and life changing to others that just need to something to get them through the day. Keep at it, you're making a difference! 

Slow Down for Your Friends

I'm a bit nostalgic today so I wanted to share something. Long story short, 19 years ago today I had an amazing friend bring in an alcoholic, drug addicted teenager. He cleaned her up...she wasn't always nice and rarely very healthy. She was lost, defensive, didn't trust, and was fearful of human contact. A few evenings a week, he took her running. She whined, complained, threw up, refused to go up a hill, argued, and he laughed, smiled, encouraged the whole time. 

A few things happened during this time. It got her out for some much needed fresh air, it grew a tighter friendship, the resistance lessened and eventually it wasn't just him that was laughing.  Some days it was the only part of the day that she smiled. She eventually started to enjoy those runs, the time together, and every once in a while she even ran up a hill as she started to feel better. 

If you have see anyone around you that looks like they may need some fresh air, take

them out if you can. Let them hate you for it, eventually they'll love you for it...and you'll have changed a life...which I can only imagine must be a pretty amazing feeling. 

Running is more than running. It's desire to inspire, the creation of comradery,  the learning of how much fight one has within his or herself that they never knew was there, it's the love for a fellow human that can't love herself. So, next time you lace up your shoes...ask a friend if they'll go with you. They may "slow you down", but what you'll gain in your heart far outweighs a strava segment PR 🙂

Just food for thought.