Say It Like It Is

Yesterday my brother Jason would have been 41.
Last year I wrote this post in which I remembered him and owned up to my own struggles with the black dog. It was the most difficult post I ever wrote because I had to be vulnerable and so, of course, it was the most popular in this blog's long history.

Let's get real. Nothing worth doing is asking for pretense. 

Jason, Me, Daryn
As they say, Depression can be a terminal disease.

This year in memory of him I'd like to share some survival strategies for those of us fighting the good fight.

Be Kind.
Especially to your own self.
Treat your body like a beloved pet.

https://afoxintheflowers.com/wild-geese-mary-oliver/

Then...be kinder still.

Allow it to rest and move and receive the sustenance it needs.
Can you do that?
It's not easy if you're used to suffering and pushing yourself while always criticising.
It's a default setting. But just gently catch yourself and...

Laugh at yourself!
Kindly.
We're so funny!
So cute.
Look at us trying so hard.
Oh ye of little faith! This is much much bigger than us.
We don't actually DO anything, but we are everything.
I'm not trying to be tricksy with words, but it's difficult to explain -- both the power and the humility that we ought to feel.

Just remember, it's all for fun. No really. Even that. All the hard stuff. Especially that.
Just smile. It's not necessarily light and bubbly, but it's still damn funny.

I had a moment of clarity yesterday (thanks boet for the bday pressie).
This Depression, it's name is actually Solemnity.
And that's exactly as it should be.
What if there was nothing wrong with you?
What if you were feeling exactly as you should be?
Yes, even that.
Especially that.

Look around...look inside. There's A LOT, a lot, to deal with.
We have every reason to feel the weight of the troubles of one another.

But just remember the previous point.
You can see it all. FEEL it all. But you can still smile and wink.

It's okay. It's okay.
Really.
It's okay.

Off to join the #climatestrike #fridaysforfuture now - thank you Ruby & Africa Clockwise for organising!

Just check out Greta Thunberg saying it like it is ...with great solemnity.


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