Did You Think to Pray?

Sometimes you honestly feel like nobody understands your pain. No, that's not a melodramatic statement. That's not teenage angst. You feel so helpless, and you think that nobody can understand what you feel, because even YOU don't understand what you feel. My advice: Talk to somebody who went through EXACTLY what you feel right now, somebody who did it all alone, who has felt your pain, and come through on the other side. Jesus Christ suffered for our sakes, not just our sins. He felt our pain, shared our sorrows, shuddered under the burden of sin and temptation. He has hurt deeply, so that He can have pure, true empathy for our situations. Say a prayer. Shout, cry, say what you need to, and then give God a chance to talk. Because He made it, and He knows how to help you do the same. I promise that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ can give you comfort, advice, and strength if you go to them. That's testimony, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Hidden Pain

So often lately, I've heard people open up about their suicidal thoughts, tendencies, and actions. Often I am surprised that these people have had this struggle, because they "don't seem like the type." Well of course they don't! Nobody seems like the type to forget how important they are, to hurt so badly that they just want it to end, regardless of the consequences. It's especially strange that I should be surprised, because I never seemed like the type either, yet two years ago I had the same struggle. I've been in a situation similar to these people whose despair and pain was so cleverly disguised. I know what it is to tell people you're just tired, you're just stressed, you're just fine. I know what it is to hide your pain so deep nobody will ever find it. It corroded me and tortured me until I lost sight of who I was, of what the world really was.

I also know that my biggest problem was feeling alone. I didn't know how I was loved. I had no idea that I was surrounded by people who cared so much about me! If I had one message I could tell to anyone who was hurting, anyone who was questioning the point of continuing on, it would be this: I LOVE YOU! I think you matter, I think you are important, I think you have a lot to give this world, and it may have more to give back to you than you believe. 

Please don't give up on yourself. I know you're in a dark place, and I won't lie: getting out of it is not easy. But eventually, you can reclaim yourself. I'm on your side. Many others stand with me in support of you. Pick the winning team - be with us, choose yourself. I love you!

Basic White Girl

Sometimes I get super ahead of myself, and I try to tell people what to do or how to live their life in order to be happy. (Not that I'd know, I'm not always happy or content.)But I don't understand what they go through, I can't fully identify, and what they need is different from what I need. But I still want to help, and I want to give people keys to make their life a bit better. 
Well here's the first key: Start with the basics.
Not Starbucks-drinking, hoodie and legging-wearing, topknot-twisting basics. Like, beginning principles basics. 
The most important thing you can do is to love yourself. Begin there. Find the life-altering truth that you are worthwhile, you matter, your existence is a plus. Then move onto things like understanding that you are beautiful, intelligent, talented, and capable. Find the good in yourself. Love yourself. From there, you can find confidence, empathy, forgiveness, hope, clarity, and compassion. As you discover your own worth, you become even more worthy, and the cycle never ends. Infinite goodness is in you, just awaiting discovery. The world itself blossoms for those who have confidence in themselves.
Actually, that's pretty much the basic. From loving yourself, everything else can grow. Love yourself. See the goodness in yourself that you've been blinded to. It may surprise you how you shine.