April 2009

Excerpt from A Battle Against Stigma

What puzzles me is this: When a person feels so down that they become suicidal they are told that they should reach out. They’re told they should let others know how they’re feeling. Yet how many people really want to be told how crummy a person feels? How many people truly know how to feel compassion? Depression is a lonely state to be in for sure. It’s hard to find the kind of support we need.

Right now I find most of my strength by carrying on with my Living Room work. I draw comfort from knowing I’m doing things that will help others. In being sensitive to the needs of others I forget myself for awhile.

My prayer is that I will not focus on my own needs so much that I become self-centered. My prayer is that I will be other-centered—to love as I wish to be loved. There’s comfort in love, whether we give or receive.

marja