Sister U Matter!

I have really been struggling with this week’s post. I wanted to address the suicide issue because we have been bombarded with this topic in the last few weeks but am hesitant because it can be a touchy subject.

Yes, mental illness is real. Yes, depression is real. Yes, suicidal thoughts are real. I encourage anyone dealing with these issues to seek healthy help immediately.

You know, we are taught to present a brave and courageous public face although our insides are shattered and crumbling. We walk around with big smiles and made up faces but our hearts are broken and our souls are shaken. Sometimes we have such an internal conflict that is raging inside of us but no one knows. The thoughts seem so intrusive and we are encouraged (by our inner self talk) to not talk about all that’s going on with us. We remain silent out of fear of being misunderstood, labeled and sometimes ostracized by the very people that we thought would never betray us. Trust me, I understand.

But the real truth…anytime a life is taken prematurely, all of the promise and purpose connected to that person is also taken prematurely. No one gets to see how the story ends. We no longer have the opportunity to help the next person through their struggle based on own experiences gained while making it through our own struggles.

The real truth…no one wins when lives are taken prematurely. It leaves the surviving family members and friends with so many unanswered questions. It leaves a void, an emptiness, in the world that only you can uniquely fill.

The real truth…the world needs you. Someone is depending on you to make it so they can make it. There is an issue affecting others that only you can resolve. There are inventions needed that only you can make happen because of your unique experience.

The real truth…Sister U Matter!®

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You are uniquely you. A one-of-a kind masterpiece. An awesome treasure. A beloved jewel. You are uniquely you.

So, what makes you so unique? Your personality. Your interest. Your experiences—the good and the bad. Your expectations.

Sisters, I want to encourage you to appreciate your individual differences while intentionally celebrating the differences of others because our differences only make us unique…not better than or less than our sisters. You are exactly who you are and so is your sister. Be proud of you AND your Sister!

Spread the word…Sister U Matter!®

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PTSD: How much do you know?

I don’t know about you but for the longest time when I heard PTSD, I immediately thought about  those who have experienced deployment and/or war experiences associated with military service. But I’ve come to realize that anyone who has experienced a traumatic life experience can experience symptoms association with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Common symptoms include:

Flashbacks, or feeling like the event is happening again

Trouble sleeping or nightmares

Feeling alone

Angry outbursts

Feeling worried, guilty, or sad (Source: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: MedlinePlus)

June is PTSD Awareness Month and June 27^th is National PTSD Awareness Day. I challenge you learn more about this disorder. I have included some links that I hope will be helpful.

Helpful links

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions/Posttraumatic-Stress-Disorder

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml

https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/post-traumatic-stress-disorder#1

https://www.ptsd.va.gov/

https://medlineplus.gov/posttraumaticstressdisorder.html

PTSD Awareness Month: Educate Yourself

https://www.nami.org/About-NAMI/NAMI-News/2013/PTSD-Awareness-Month-Educate-Yourself

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You know we get in a rut sometimes. We’re in a slump before we even realize it. We throw those pity parties, too. Trust me, the ruts, the slumps and even the pity parties are okay for a moment…Just Don’t Stay There!

I’m learning that life is not always going to be positive, with steps forward all of the time. There will be periods of inactivity; times when the creative juices stop flowing. Even some times when we declare (mentally) “I quit” …Just Don’t Stay There!

Be intentional about moving past these times in your life. Recognize that indeed you are in a stagnant place. Give yourself permission to slack off. This could also serve as a time of rejuvenation…Just Don’t Stay There!

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"Words are free. It’s how you use them that will cost you." -Anonymous

You know, Sisters, just because we can say or do a thing doesn’t always mean we should. Sometimes saying or doing something (even with the best of intentions) at the wrong time can be very devastating. It can damage relationships, strain situations and create pockets of distrust among even the closest of friends. I read a devotional many years ago that encouraged readers to consider these three questions before speaking:

    It is true?         Is it kind?           Is it necessary?

If what we are about to say (and I add ‘do’) answers ‘yes’ to these questions, then move forward. If not, don’t. Our words (and actions) can build up or tear down others. Sometimes, as women, we get so caught up in “telling folks the truth” or “telling her about herself” that we don’t consider if our words are also kind and/or even necessary. Sometimes our assessment of the situation is not correct and we could cause more harm by “telling the truth” from our perspective.

Sisters, I challenge you to keep those words (and actions) true, kind AND necessary. Spread the word…Sister U Matter!®

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