Lifeline
Giving up may seem like the only option when you’re at your lowest moment. But I promise you that there’s a better one. Reaching out. So often, we ignore the cracks in our emotional and mental well-being until we’re suddenly staring down an abyss. Climbing out from that darkness and back into the light is possible. The first step of that ascent is to accept that you need a hand to help lift you. Because none of us were ever meant to walk a solitary path in life.
I tried to carry my burdens on my own for decades until they became too heavy. When that happens, escape becomes tempting unless you remember to look up and grasp that outstretched hand, the lifeline waiting to steady you. To remind you that you’re not alone. Building yourself back up also requires a foundation of self-compassion. Only then can hope emerge and healing begin. Hope comes in all forms, be it the promise of a second chance or the discovery of one’s purpose in this life. I know first-hand the power of hope in healing and transforming darkness into light. But I had to make room for it and let it take the lead so I could stare down my fears and surmount them.
Asking for help when you are faltering is not a sign of weakness though we may be at our most vulnerable in that moment. Rather, it’s a testament to our mind’s power, our insight into our limits as humans, and our resourcefulness. In truth, it’s an act of courage, a show of strength, to suppress our ego and to admit that we’re struggling. Ultimately, it reflects our desire to rise again. If we avoid the issues that stress our minds and wreak havoc on our emotions, it is then that we weaken, and our ability to fight back becomes compromised. It’s no different than a disease attacking our immune system. Do we not seek treatment for those bodily ailments?
In our society, we place great value on caring for our physical health. Without our pumping heart and powerful lungs, how would we survive after all? But what controls those organs? Our brain. The most complex and beautiful organ of our body, responsible also for the workings of our mind and consciousness. So why do we not similarly care for our mental and emotional wellness? The body and mind are interconnected, after all. If one declines, so will the other. Not maintaining either impacts the overall quality of our life. Just as we schedule annual physicals for our body, what if we regularly schedule well-checks for our mental and emotional health? People tend to focus on longevity over happiness. For me, the prospect of a meaningful and purposeful life, be it a short one, characterized by mental peace and equanimity, holds more appeal than living to the grand old age of ninety without it. As Aristotle discerningly articulated, “the energy of the mind is the essence of life.”
Millions of people struggle with mental health issues today, but sadly very few consider mental health treatment because of the stigma still attached to it. The shame associated with mental health illness persists across cultures. If speaking about mental health remains taboo, the younger generations will also continue to suffer in silence. The key is to change the narrative and encourage open, honest dialogue, empathy, and compassion. We are all united in our struggles as a human race and, therefore, can only thrive when we support and uplift one another.
We can start the mental and emotional well-being journey by treating ourselves with love and compassion and then spreading that to others. Be each other’s lifeline. What’s more healing than that?
