Open Letter to Those Mainers Suffering This Holiday Season

Dear Friends,

Life is a funny thing. It brings happiness and hope and memories that fill you with pure faith and sometimes even magic. But life also tests you. It can make you question how goodness can even exist and even question your own courage at times.

The holidays are full of love and togetherness. Sure, there are the common family arguments or disagreements that arise when discussing politics and such but that is not what I am talking about.

I am talking about the loss of a loved one, suffering from mental illness, physical illness or death, just to name a few.

Trauma occurs when you are effected deeply, to the core by something that has attempted to break your heart.

I have been reflecting a lot lately on what I have personally been through in my own life and when you step back and take stock, hindsight is always greater and you can blow yourself away with the amount of trials and tribulations you have overcome in the past.

This year, when you are missing someone, dealing with illness, or just the mere uncertainty of the current state of the world filled with bad news, remember this, remember that the storm will pass because it always does. The clock doesn’t stop because you are suffering, meaning, there is always hope.

Remember to Believe. This season is full of that reminder, stitched on festive sweaters, written on ornaments, pretty much posted up everywhere. According to Merriam Webster, Believe is defined as, to have faith or confidence.

So, Believe. Remember that when all else seems dark, there is still a light inside of you, no matter how faint it feels, your light burns deep and strong.

The most important thing to remember is that there are others and you are not alone. Try not to hold things in. The stigma surrounding things that others aren't common is thick. Do not be afraid to be judged. Try to take that first step, make that call, visit that friend, hug your family close and tell them you're not okay.

IT IS OKAY TO NOT BE OKAY.

Support is becoming easier to find as more brothers and sisters join the fight to help heal each other in this world.

It’s often easy to give up and bravery is a hard thing to uncover from within, but it’s much more rewarding when you do find yourself standing in the sun again. Because it always rises.

I wish you all a happy holiday and pray that you continue to Believe.

With Hope,

Lizzy

Please visit the following websites if you are in need of support:

NAMI Maine, The National Alliance on Mental Illness

Maine Suicide Prevention Program

Maine Crisis and Counseling Centers 

Bathing Monkeys Teach Us How To Cope With Maine Winter Blues

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