Written by contributing blogger, Daniela Forte.
I was trying to figure out what I was going write for my next blog post for Radiate Daily, and several ideas came to mind, but nothing resonated strongly with me, until recently.
It was then I realized that the month of May was just around the corner and with that came a memory; a terribly sad memory from a year ago, that no one should ever have to relive.
Last year, I wrote about my friend Mike who was taken from us way too soon, like I had mentioned in my first post about him, I had met him through a friend of mine and immediately realized how special a person he was. While I won’t dive into the details, my friend Mike committed suicide.
Before last year I don’t believe I had ever been that close to this kind of an incident or this close to someone who didn’t realize there were so many reasons to stay.
A year has gone by and so much has changed since that fateful day in May, I can still remember it, much like many of us remember tragedies that occur in our lives. We remember exactly where we were, what we were doing, who we heard the news from and we’ll re-tell that story to anyone who wants to listen.
I am not going to that here. I won’t tell you where I was or who informed me about what happened, because it’s not what is important, what is important is the year that followed and what I’ve learned about life since then.
Remember Your Friends: Sure, this is a no brainer, I remember my friends each day, no matter where I am in the world or whom I’m with. My friends (next to my family of course) are the most important people in my life. These are the people I carry with me in my heart and my mind each day. These are the people that make me laugh, make me cry and make me happy to be alive. So I ask that all of you reading this remember your friends, don’t forget them no matter what happens in life.
Be Kind to Everyone and Anyone: Our daily struggles are sometimes too much, just too much. We are constantly fighting our demons on a daily basis, often finding ourselves trapped by them, so it is important to be kind to everyone you meet, you have absolutely no idea what a person may or may not be going through. It is so important to be kind to everyone and anyone you meet. Everyone you meet is struggling with something – big or small, remember that.
Talk and Talk Some More: Don’t shut down because you’re afraid of your words, talk it through, and let the world know what is on your mind and in your heart. Realize that you are not alone and that there is someone always there to listen. Allow yourself to be heard by those you are closest to.
Don’t Place Your Happiness In Others: Don’t allow others to dictate the person you are or become. You are the only person who can do that. Don’t place your happiness in others, you are the only person that can do that, if you want to. Make yourself happy, find joy in the little things everyday.
Find the Little Joys: Oh how I love the little joys life has given me this year. It’s my favorite song on the radio, it’s the long drives with no destination in mind, it’s a phone call from a friend, it’s traveling the world, and it is sleeping on a rainy Saturday afternoon. Find what brings you joy, it doesn’t need to be big, just something that makes you happy.
It’s Not that Serious: Whatever is getting you down, in the grand scheme of things may not be that serious. Don’t allow the small aggravations of the day get you down. Put things into perspective and realize you will get through it, because you have to.
The Mind is a Fascinating and Complicated Thing: Take it from someone who lives with so much anxiety on a daily basis, the mind can certainly play mean tricks on you. It can make you think the worst things about yourself and life that you wonder how you will get through the day. Calm your thoughts, because if you allow your mind to rule you, it will. Write down what is getting to you; talk it out to yourself or others.
Pray, Just Pray: On my bad days, I just pray. I pray to get through whatever is ailing me, whatever stress is on my plate. I pray. Prayer to me is my favorite things to do, because it’s a lot like meditation. I’ve seen what the power of prayer can do for those around me. I’ve prayed for family, my friends and myself many times and I’ve seen the results. And if you’re not into praying, consider meditation. Quiet your mind and your thoughts.
Giving Up is Not an Option: No matter what is going on your life, no matter what you are going through, what your family is going through, giving up is not an option. You push through and you never give up. It’s simply not an option. Life is hard, but so are you.
So as I enter the month of May I will remember my sweet friend and the joy he brought to all of our lives in the short time I knew him. Rest easy Mike.
#radiatedaily
image source – pixabay
