Today in America, it is a holiday. We are celebrating the 4th of July also known as Independence Day. And as families and friends gather today to spend time together, many of us are still fighting. Independence Day celebrates the freedom we have to live our lives. But too many of us are still trapped. I am not talking about physically trapped or fighting with weapons or our hands. We are fighting ourselves. Trapped in our minds trying to get a moment of freedom to live.
Trapped
If you have experienced anxiety or depression, you may have felt trapped by the thoughts running through your mind. Questioning everything around you and wanting so bad for things to be different. The deeper the depression, the heavier the thoughts. A feeling like you are drowning. Not knowing how to get yourself out.
Rock Bottom
About 3 years ago I was hitting that rock bottom moment in my life. Living each day wondering why I was put on this earth. Feeling like I didn’t matter as a person but was only there to care for others. I was drowning in thoughts and emotions. So many days were lost feeling numb to the world around me. I saw no way out. Trying to remind myself that I did have people in my life that would miss me if I had disappeared. I remember sitting outside my home, alone, thinking that I was invisible. Wondering why my life was like this and maybe that was what I deserved.
Deserve Better
I didn’t know how to make my life better. Didn’t know where I could get help. But it took just one day and one phone call that made me realize that I did deserve better. That I was a person with wants and dreams. That I was someone special. And it was later that day that my dad looked at me and said “NO! You cannot lose yourself. You are too special!” That was the start of my true fight. My true battle for my Independence Day.
Battling On
For 3 years I have been fighting a tiring battle. Daily attacks from the voices in my mind trying to point out the negative. Trying to stand strong against all the fear I hold for the unknown. Getting pushed by criticism and doubt. But forging on, against the odds, for what will hopefully be my moment in life. Hoping that I will find peace for once.
Path to Independence
But with all those that work on healing, those that fight each day to better themselves, and those that don’t want to give up, there will be a time in that fight where the sacrifice will be big. A moment that you will need to choose between the easy path or the hard path. Knowing that the easy path might be easy now, but hard long term. And the hard path may be hard now but may become easy in the long term. For some, it may be the ultimate sacrifice. This is where we find the true support, full strength, and the love we have in our lives.
If you are fighting today for your Independence Day, remember that you do have the strength you need to win the battle. You are special to this world. There are too many of us that fight this battle and you are not alone. Because, as long as you keep fighting, your Independence Day will come. Your peace will be there waiting for you. I love you and I support you. Keep fighting!
Enjoy this video.
With great warmth,
