Throughout my life, I have had many people come and go from my circle. The only people who have never left my side no matter what have been both of my parents. Having endured a very tough period in my life where my mental health challenges were at the center of my life and my treatment was everything that surrounded me, I look at the song from a different perspective. Sometimes, when we go through things in life, they may be too hard to handle or we may just not know how to deal with all of the bullshit life has dealt us so we just explode one day. That may lead us to do things that to the “normal” world may see as crazy, unnatural, insane even, but if you were in our shoes, if you would have dealt with half of the things we have, maybe you wouldn’t feel the same way.

This post isn’t about pointing the finger and blaming though. This post is to inform others that one of the hardest things that I faced when I was going through my period of long-term treatment for my mental health issues was isolation and feelings of being alone. I lost all of my friends and felt essentially disconnected to the world around me because along with the fact that I was away from my home for years, no one reached out to me.

This song means a lot to me now that I look back on those times when I really struggled. I don’t know if things would have been easier for me once I tried transitioning back into the community, or if I would even have more friends now. Nevertheless, I do know that it would have definitely made my time “locked up” way easier because I would’ve known I had people who cared about me besides my mom and dad. Although I am definitely grateful, I was a teenager back then and for me, having your mom and dad by your side all the time wasn’t cool- I wanted friends.

I am grateful to know that if I lost it all today, I know I would have people who would still love me and have my back no matter what. But there are people out there who don’t have that, who will have their friends and even family members turn their backs on them if they ever get “labeled” or put into an institution. But why? Providing support and assuring our loved ones that they will be supported no matter what is one of the most essential things we can do. I know this, because the feeling of having everyone turn their back on you because all of a sudden your “sick” is one of the worst feelings in the world.

https://youtu.be/UQOXG-dsMRY

Sometimes when someone we care about is going through a difficult time, it may be hard to figure out the right words to say in order to comfort them. Here is a list of things to say that may be useful when you find yourself in that position.

Has anyone ever said anything to you during your time of need that you would add to this list?

Check this out:
https://www.facebook.com/goalcast/videos/1608313555912495/

All it takes is one person. ONE individual who chooses not to give up on someone despite what their internal struggles may be, and who chooses to see the good in them even if they have yet to see it in themselves. YOU can make a difference in the life of someone who is around you that you may not even think looks up to you. Take the time to get to know a young person, understand the reasons why they act the way they do, and come to know that a little compassion can go a LONG way.

Has there been anyone in your life who has acted in a similar way? Do you think you would be where you are at this point in your life if it had not been for that person/those people?

The picture is me, one year ago.

The little guy to the right… that’s Teddy. I met him through Craigslist. He became a soul companion for days upon days, weeks upon weeks, months upon months, while I was battling depression.

When I had no one else to talk to [as crazy as it may sound], I talked to Teddy.

It was great seeing the little guy last Saturday. I went to visit him and his family.

Man, he has grown. I heard he likes girls better though, LOL. But he didn’t slouch when he saw me. The usual Teddy, he started clawing at my clothes. His energy, as always, was endless. (Thinking about getting a dog? I think the best energy comes from a Cocker Spaniel).

So the story with Teddy is such…

The first day I saw him, he was slowly nibbling on a new toy he got for Christmas. He was half asleep. I took him in my arms and started rubbing my fingers through his fur. He quickly fell asleep.

Lucie, his owner warned me,

“That’s his tired moment… we don’t get alot of that.”

What could I have said. How cuter could he be?

A week later, it was was our first day alone. Two months old, but it was easy to see that Teddy was the most vibrant fellow in the neighborhood.

He couldn’t stop himself from eating every bits of sticks, grass and whatnot that was in his reach.

And there I was, extremely frustrated hoping that he would stop [just o give me a break] but day by day, apart of my job was to get used to his surprises.

Well, alot change after the first week or two. I got used to Teddy and started looking forward to seeing him everyday.

Firstly, I would get half bag of Cheerios before we leave the house, hoping to feed him the other half when we return.

No!

Wrong strategy! Teddy needed it all!

Once we were outside the house, before he made it down the steps that lead into the yard, he would rush back into the house.

“What is the matter Teddy?”
“Do you need your toys?”
“Or is it just too cold outside?”

No!

Teddy wanted the rest of the cheerios.

He was smart, he was quick and he knew how to get what he wanted.

In Teddy’s mind, “You take me down three steps of steers – that’s a walk long enough – now take me back, there is food inside.”

I laughed!

All Teddy really cared about was having it his way.

As the dog walker, I had to keep him checked. I was expected to train him but instead Teddy began to teach me and I allowed him to . I admired his will, his strength and his yearning and applied this to different aspects of my life, at the time, for meaning.

I was compelled to write about my observance, that I actually started a journal.

“Watching a pet fondly at play can be therapeutic.

You grow and as you become more aware of your surroundings you strive to make the most of it.” March 8, 2016.

A year later – 18 months old – Teddy is no less the guy I met a year ago. My trip to go see him was just a brilliant idea.

To say that great ideas come from unusual places, would be an understatement in this case.
Having walked Teddy for close to 7 months, I learnt that life is just too short to waste it sacrificing your worth.

By just being resolute, determined and ambitious, you make other people’s life better – no need to be a people pleaser.

And this is a lesson, passed on to me from a little dog [that often times, you don’t get to learn from alot of people] but that I hope will also enrich someone else’s life.