In light of, yet another, suicide of someone that everyone would say portrayed a PERFECT life it compelled me to express how heavy words are, that image is not everything, and how we can make this better.
A word we toss around with such strong ones as love and hate. It seems words do not hold as much weight as they used to. Yet the inability to express oneself has people bottling up what they "can't say" of pain and struggle. When did everything become so extreme. Words have weight and ones like love and hate are used so loosely, love was a cherished word reserved for couples and family now we LOVE our pumpkin spice season. Same with hate which means to "wish ill fate towards a person or object." We say things like I HATE my phone when it simply does not function properly, now I may be wrong but I am pretty certain nobody wants a broken phone. Though that rant will get me no where, prefacing the fact that this is one of those over used words as well.
Full Definition of perfect
1a: being entirely without fault or defect :flawless<a perfectdiamond>
Source: Merriam-Webster.com
Perfection is God, perfect is the image of Jesus we can strive for daily but no human is perfect and no human should have that expectation on their shoulders.
This poor soul was in turmoil but from the outside, even those close to them, knew the image they put up of joy and happiness in everything, nobody was the wiser that it was all a facade, their own significant other did not even see this coming. We have a high bar set of keeping up with society, neighbors, the unobtainable standards that our minds think need to be reached, even snapchat filters promote a facade. Though I do not personally have to coop with being a perfectionist I have close friends that do and just from what they have allowed me to see it is a vicious cycle. Linked with suicidal thoughts and depression it is so small in comparison but like both of those needs to be addressed. It negatively affects everyday life and to a bystander it just seems like they're particular in their own life, so what harm is that. Is it a disease in itself like alcoholism or suicidal thoughts, I do not know, but what I do know is that this world on earth needs to be more understanding, supportive, and forgiving. How can anyone with any sort of ailment get the help and support they need if we do not even accept someone for their choices in hair color, tattoos, attire, or (Heaven forbid) even skin color let alone their internal struggle.
Perfection is a great thing to strive for but it is a terrible place to live.
Give each other a safe haven.
A pastor was recently discussing the keys to success as a company leader, in a household, or in the work place and one of the points that struck me the most was opening the door to receive feedback. Open that door to others and they will in turn open it up to you. It can be the same for those struggling, if you open up to others about a tough time, a radical decision, personal struggle, you'll be surprised how quickly people open up. Maybe all someone needs is a real conversation to help them put things in perspective. We are all humans fighting the human race. Lift each other up and if you or anyone you know has thoughts of suicide please, please seek help. If not for your sake then for the sake of those around you that LOVE you with all the true emphasis that word was created to have. We will never know if it was that unobtainable standard upon themselves or the deep illness that is suicide. This world has lost too many bright lights from not being able to speak out.
Visit Suicide.org or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Bonus: in my personal experience as a flight attendant with passengers, and coworkers alike, I've opened up about my struggles (though mediocre compared to many), they open up to me about theirs, then the golden question of how I get through things and with a positive attitude comes up and I get to share the love of Jesus Christ and spread His light just as He is calling me to do everyday that I get up in the morning till He calls me home.
source: http://pin.it/wF16Tcg