True Colors (and asking for help)

In this world of Facebook and Instagram, Twitter, and all the rest – being authentic can be a challenge. We try to show the best of ourselves on social media and at times I think put a false face on our reality. After all, everyone else seems to have the perfect family, job, home, vacations, etc.

We join in the hypocrisy without even realizing what we’ve done.

Perpetuating a fallacy of a perfect life that doesn’t exist.

It can’t!

Not this side of heaven. Everyone has struggles and problems they have to deal with. We all have disappointments, arguments, and heartbreak. We can’t always win! We sometimes lose.

With some living (ahem – read age), I’ve seen a lot of ups and downs. I’ve been witness to the ups and downs of others. This life is like an ocean – it’s beautiful but temperamental. One moment – smooth as glass, the next anger licks at the shores.

As this year draws to an end, I can say I’ve learned a lot. I’ve heard and seen a lot. I’ve felt and experienced a tremendous amount of both grief and joy – sometimes in the same moment. Life has pushed and pulled, taken and given. My heart has ached for others who have suffered and rejoiced for those who’ve celebrated. I’ve experienced both physical and emotional pain on a daily basis – yet, here I am.

When I ponder the ushering in of a new year, it’s filled with emotional upheaval. I look forward to time spent with my beautiful family. Watching my grandchildren growing and becoming such amazing people is a blessing and one of my greatest joys. Starting a new year also means another year has passed without Stuart. If you’ve never lost a child (and I hope you haven’t), then I don’t expect you to understand. If you have, then you get it.

Starting another year where Stuart won’t be here to talk to, to celebrate with, to laugh and smile with, to debate with — is hard. Just. Hard.

“To be loved and not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully know and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything.It liberates us from pretense, humbles us out of our self-righteousness, and fortifies us for any difficulty life can throw at us. “
Tim Keller
Photo by Stuart —SLS

But, I digress!

Please, be real. Share your struggles as much as you share your celebrations. Let others know they aren’t alone in their hard. Show a picture of your mountain of laundry as often as you show your designer closet with color coded clothing. Show your messy, along with your perfection.

Mostly, if you’re struggling, let someone know.

Don’t keep it all in. Don’t let the others fool you into thinking they have it all figured out and you’re out on a limb alone.

Because. You. Are. Not. Alone.

Please talk to someone — anyone! Ask for help! You are loved and cherished. You are important to so many.

Ask for help! You can call, text, email or message ME anytime. I’m not a professional, but I can listen and help you find help if you need it.
You can ALWAYS get help here:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – tel:+1-800-273-8255

Or Crisis Text Line – text HELLO to 741-741

True Colors

You with the sad eyes
Don’t be discouraged
Oh I realize
Its hard to take courage
In a world full of people
You can lose sight of it all
And the darkness inside you
Can make you feel so small
But I see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that’s why I love you
So don’t be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful
Like a rainbow
Show me a smile then
Don’t be unhappy, can’t remember
When I last saw you laughing
If this world makes you crazy
And you’ve taken all you can bear
You call me up
Because you know I’ll be there
And I’ll see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that’s why I love you
So don’t be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful
Like a rainbow
If this world makes you crazy
And you’ve taken all you can bear
You call me up
Because you know I’ll be there
And I’ll see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that’s why I love you
So don’t be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors
True colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that’s why I love you
So don’t be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful
Like a rainbow

(Songwriters: Billy Steinberg / Tom Kelly
True Colors lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC)