A Letter to Those Who Need It

You've got it all, You lost your mind in the sound, There's so much more, You can reclaim your crown, You're in control, Rid of the monsters inside your head, Put all your faults to bed, You can be king again."

(Song:king_Artist: Lauren Aquilina_Producer: Daniel Goudie)

The Above song is always like a calm wave of warmth, and clarity whenever I hear it. While I only provided the first verse and the chorus my hope is that you already get the idea of the song and what it is about. Much like this song does for me I truly hope that this article or as I titled it a letter, provides you all who may see this that breath of renewal you need. A reminder of the light that exists in a world that may right now seem to be shrouded in nothing but darkness, much like my own the past few months.

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*Prologue*

I wish to assure you that what you are going through no matter what part of your journey. Or what part of life you are enduring. You and what you are going through is valid.

If you are happy and full of life that's ok. You are allowed to be happy, you do not need to feel shame for your happiness. Despite the current situations of our world you are allowed to be happy, let yourself be happy.

If you are sad and in a thick depression that’s ok. It is not easy to be in the situation you are in, if you haven't reached out for help I would urge you to do so. Not everyone will understand and that's ok. Just don't let anyone shame you for your depression or sadness, you are allowed to be sad and if you suffer from depression understand that you are not responsible for it, you did not ask for your depression and you did not make yourself depressed.

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*A letter to those who need it.*

Life is hard, and it always will be.

But it will be ok. Even if it may not seem like it at the moment.

It may get tiring and start to become a struggle.

You are not alone. No. None of us are ever alone even if we think we are.

Even when the quiet seems so intense that it actually has a sound.

Even when your thoughts are racing and you can almost feel your pain.

Even when it seems like you will never catch your breath and it hurts to try and just breathe.

You are not alone.

Hope may be hard to hold on to and frail once you have it.

You may even lose it from time to time. That’s ok. But make a promise.

Don’t give in.

Don’t give up.

Don’t stop fighting.

Life is one big arena that we all have to fight in.

Trying to overcome thoughts and feelings.

That is part of the arena.

Unforgiving and ruthless

Thoughts may quickly become voices and those voices your enemies.

Feelings become their weapons and may seem unbreakable or unbeatable.

But you are the hero of your own arena.

You have a fire inside of you.

It may be dim, or perhaps it has been covered in thick black fog.

As hard as it may be to see it, that fire is there.

If you are thinking you don’t have one.

If you are thinking that you are not a hero.

You are.

Every morning you wake up.

Every time you have the courage to get dressed.

Every time you have the courage to show up to work.

Every time you are able to show up for a social outing.

Every single day you do something

Even if it as simple as brushing your teeth or simply getting out of bed.

You are a hero.

You may wonder who you are a hero to.

I would encourage you to walk into a room with a mirror.

Look at your reflection.

Then just be for a minute.

Take in your reflection, take a moment to register that the person in the mirror who was able to get out of bed. Who, was able to brush their teeth. Who, was able to get dressed and show up to work. Who, was able to for a small amount of time go out with friends or coworkers and simply be social.

That person.

Is the person you are a hero to.

While none of us can walk toward recovery alone.

You are the one, who in the end overcomes the obstacles.

Every day you do simple things you stoke the fire inside of you.

Sometimes it may rain and dim your fire but you are a warrior and a hero.

Nothing and no one can take away your fire.

Because just like you are your own hero.

You are your fire,

and when your fire is bright enough,

is big enough,

and illuminates what was once a dark arena.

Or in some cases a much darker arena.

Even if you only get a little illumination.

It is enough for you to look at the arena your life is and see that even if you have what seems like an army of enemies in front of you.

You have an even bigger army behind you, an army of warriors. Your support group.

Your friends.

Your family.

Your counselor.

Your psychiatrist.

You may have to go through most of your recovery journey alone, but a simple glimpse behind you reveals the army of warriors that are willing to fallow you into battle and fight for your recovery with you.

Yes.

Life is hard, and at times you may fall and struggle to stand.

But you are never alone.

You are not alone.

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*A Personal Note From The Author*

I am proud of you.

It is not easy to acknowledge that we are in a dark place. That we are sick or have a disability to overcome.

It is never easy to feel miss understood or different.

But by reading what I hope was an inspirational letter. You may have come face to face with your own arena, and your own enemies.

To come face to face with darkness.

To come face to face with enemies.

To come face to face with an arena.

To do these things takes bravery and fire and for that.

I am proud of you.