VIBRANT HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK~ When Sorrow Strikes Be Willing to Stay Present and Feel
Namaste All~ In the wake of the tragic news of Robin William's death by suicide, the outpouring of sentiments , sorrows, questions and yes some judgements by those that do not understand the devastating nature of depression , have been aired.
My sense observing this, watching clips of his work from stand up , to films to his charity work has been to reflect on the pain of a bright light lost by his own hand and yet I am acutely aware of the darkness that must have consumed him in those final weeks or days that led to his action.
I find myself going back and forth from celebrating the body of his creative genius then to the dark sorrow he harbored in his mind and heart. This is not easy but to be conscious is to feel and be present. Resist the cultures knee jerk reflex to tie a human tragedy up into a neat package with a bow and move on. The deepest way we may be able to honor the gifts Mr. Williams shared in his life is to also not turn away from the suffering he carried . To see that he was experiencing what millions of people struggle with daily. The numbers are staggering, suicide # 6 overall cause of death, # 3 among young people in their twenties and currently epidemic with VETS, often associated with deep depression and substance abuse and addictions and PREVENTABLE. It takes a willingness of friends, loved ones, family, community and a nation to step up and look at the reality of how mental illness and depression and drug addiction affects us all.
Yes, lets remember his brilliance, his art, his over the top capacity to give and bring humor into the world and lets also remember his pain and his suffering and his experience of separation , darkness and deep aloneness as a call to action for each of us to be available to anyone in your life that is showing signs of depression, drug abuse, addiction or suicidal ideation.
Namaste All~ In the wake of the tragic news of Robin William's death by suicide, the outpouring of sentiments , sorrows, questions and yes some judgements by those that do not understand the devastating nature of depression , have been aired.
My sense observing this, watching clips of his work from stand up , to films to his charity work has been to reflect on the pain of a bright light lost by his own hand and yet I am acutely aware of the darkness that must have consumed him in those final weeks or days that led to his action.
I find myself going back and forth from celebrating the body of his creative genius then to the dark sorrow he harbored in his mind and heart. This is not easy but to be conscious is to feel and be present. Resist the cultures knee jerk reflex to tie a human tragedy up into a neat package with a bow and move on. The deepest way we may be able to honor the gifts Mr. Williams shared in his life is to also not turn away from the suffering he carried . To see that he was experiencing what millions of people struggle with daily. The numbers are staggering, suicide # 6 overall cause of death, # 3 among young people in their twenties and currently epidemic with VETS, often associated with deep depression and substance abuse and addictions and PREVENTABLE. It takes a willingness of friends, loved ones, family, community and a nation to step up and look at the reality of how mental illness and depression and drug addiction affects us all.
Yes, lets remember his brilliance, his art, his over the top capacity to give and bring humor into the world and lets also remember his pain and his suffering and his experience of separation , darkness and deep aloneness as a call to action for each of us to be available to anyone in your life that is showing signs of depression, drug abuse, addiction or suicidal ideation.
Ask the hard question;" I love you, and am concerned, are you thinking of killing yourself?" You might just save a life! Sending prayers of love and support to his family and children who are bearing the deepest pain right now.
Namaste and Blessings to All
Namaste and Blessings to All
