There Is Still Some Time
In honor of World Suicide Prevention Day.
Today is World Suicide Prevention Day and the start of National Suicide Prevention Week in the United States. I’ve created a fundraising page in support of TWLOHA’s “The World Is Not Better Without You” September campaign. The organization has set a goal of raising $300,000. Every dollar will translate to counseling and treatment scholarships for people who need help but can’t afford it. As someone with loved ones who have been able to find support because of this aspect of TWLOHA, the campaign means a lot to me. In addition to my own fundraising page, I’ve created a team that you are invited to join or support. EVEN NOW is the special online speaking event that I have coming up on Thursday (9/14), so the team shares a name with the event. Here’s the link to join or support the Even Now (Life is Worth Living) fundraising team. And here’s the link to grab a ticket or find out more about Thursday.
The piece below is where the title of my book comes from. It was written the night the world learned that Robin Williams had died by suicide. I never met Mr. Williams, but along with millions of other people, I was shocked to learn that this man we associated with laughter and joy, this man who brought those things to so many of us over the course of his legendary career, there must have been more to his story.
I wanted to write something, not about the life or death of Robin Williams, but something for people who could relate to the pain and darkness he must have known, the questions he must have been wrestling with—questions as big as whether or not to live another day. This is what I wrote:
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If you feel too much, there’s still a place for you here.
If you feel too much, don’t go.
If this world is too painful, stop and rest.
It’s okay to stop and rest.
If you need a break, it’s okay to say you need a break.
This life – it’s not a contest, not a race, not a performance, not a thing that you win.
It’s okay to slow down.
You are here for more than grades, more than a job, more than a promotion, more than keeping up, more than getting by.
This life is not about status or opinion or appearance.
You don’t have to fake it.
You do not have to fake it.
Other people feel this way too.
If your heart is broken, it’s okay to say your heart is broken.
If you feel stuck, it’s okay to say you feel stuck.
If you can’t let go, it’s okay to say you can’t let go.
You are not alone in these places.
Other people feel how you feel.
You are more than just your pain. You are more than wounds, more than drugs, more than death and silence.
There is still some time to be surprised.
There is still some time to ask for help.
There is still some time to start again.
There is still some time for love to find you.
It’s not too late.
You’re not alone.
It’s okay—whatever you need and however long it takes—it’s okay.
It’s okay.
If you feel too much, there’s still a place for you here.
If you feel too much, don’t go.
There is still some time.
Here are those links again:
Even Now (Life is Worth Living) fundraising team.
EVEN NOW online event, this Thursday 9/14.
Upcoming small-group conversations, as we kick off Year Two:
Reading this makes me emotional. There Is Still Some Time hit me hard the first time I read it and for the longest time I struggled with suicidal ideation and suicidal thoughts, and There Is Still Some Time was what I held onto, and then what you said to me when we met too was something I held on to as I kept fighting against the darkness that wanted me to give up. I'm proud to say that holding on to these things and having friends who love me has made a massive difference and I don't struggle with those things anymore. BUT, I do still hold on to those things and when I'm feeling lost or stuck or sad I'm able to breathe and remind myself that there is still some time, and that comforts me.
Thank you for sharing your powerful words from that blog on here as well Jamie. It was a good thing to acknowledge some progress, especially as I have my scary doctors appointment tomorrow. Grateful for you always!
Your words, these words in particular, have provided me with so much comfort and inspiration during the darkest of times. Thank you for continuing to share hope.