After losing two children to suicide, I had to find a way to keep living. I’d like to share with you my ‘secret sauce’. It’s very simple. People, Peace, and Purpose.
People
You have to have people to lean on when the going gets tough! This is where Project 24SEVEN plays a big role. Get comfortable with being open to your friends when you’re struggling. Know, really KNOW that they want to help. How can they help if they don’t know you’re struggling though? I don’t have anyone I can trust like that, you say. The first step is to find those people you can trust and be there for them. Let them know that you care enough to be their 24/7. Then follow through. If they need you, drop whatever you’re doing and be there for them. Check in with them from time to time just to let them know you’re thinking about them and care about their wellbeing. That’s how you grow your community of people.
Peace
You have to know how to find peace. We all have so much stress in our lives that when something big happens we don’t have any reserve left to deal with it. Mental health depends on your ability to step away from stress for a moment and refresh. Some people meditate daily, others pray, or go hiking, or do yoga, or ride a motorcycle. Where/when do you find peace? If you struggle with that, put that at the top of your things to do! Figure out how to find peace. Then practice peace every single day. Make finding peace a habit.
Purpose
So many, young people especially, don’t have purpose. We just wander around day after day with our heads down going through the motions, but without any purpose. Maybe you go to work everyday and that’s the framework for your days. What happens if you lose that job? What is your bigger purpose than the food on the table and a roof over your head? What about the mom who loses a child and she is no longer, “Mom”, to anyone. Her identity is lost. Having a purpose that is bigger than you is the final seasoning for the secret sauce. Founding and now supporting Project 24SEVEN is what I keep going for. Initially, when my children died, I had two other children to keep going for. Now that they have grown and flown the coop I have something bigger than myself to keep me focused and getting up each day.
Who are your people?
How do you find peace?
What is your purpose?