I learned through the miracle of social media that this week
has officially been dubbed “Mental Health Awareness Week”. My first reaction
was to wonder who dreamed up this concept (Big
Pharma perhaps?). Also, I think a
better choice for a name might have been “Human Condition Awareness Week”. During
this time, we are encouraged to acknowledge and support people who are prone to
depression, anxiety and panic attacks, which according to the statistics,
includes 33% of the US population.
I wholeheartedly agree that, in general, the world would be
a much better place if more people would focus on expressing empathy, kindness,
forgiveness, compassion and encouragement, rather than fear, resentment, anger,
hostility and war. Doing so would benefit everyone, not just the people who
have been diagnosed and/or labeled with a “mental condition”. But I certainly
do NOT support the promotion and/or use of psychotropic drugs.
The Facebook message/announcement reads:
“Depression, anxiety and panic are NOT signs of weakness.
They are signs of having tried to remain strong for too long. Would you post
this message on your wall, at least for one day? Most people won’t post but
it’s Mental Health Awareness week. Did you know that one in three of us will go
through this struggle at some point in our lives? Share and support! Let those
who struggle know that they are not alone, and they are loved and surrounded by
a lot of people who care…”
In all honesty, I can relate to my own struggles and
challenges that I have suffered and endured over long periods of time as a
result of fighting against major, massive and widespread forces of evil and
corruption, ignorance and cultural brainwashing. The life of an informed,
liberty-minded patriot and political/legal activist requires living in an
altered reality, as most of the what Americans have been taught through the ‘public
fool system’ and main stream media as
‘factual information’, ‘truth’ or ‘science’ is actually misinformation,
myth, propaganda or lies. Also humans
have a natural tendency to fear others who have a different belief system or
perception of reality, so culturally accepted ‘knowledge and information’ is closely guarded
and rarely questioned by the majority.
I literally spent many years feeling frustrated, angry, and
paranoid. Many times I wished I did not know what I know about the way the
political and financial systems work. I found some solace in understanding that
humanity is engaged in a spiritual battle that has escalated to the greatest
conflict in the history of civilization. I also understand that we are primarily
spiritual beings having human experiences on planet earth, rather than human
beings having spiritual experiences.
Perhaps I have cared (and still care) more than I
should. Maybe I was ‘overly sensitive’,
but by whose standards? Could it be that most people are not sensitive enough?
In any case, the people who reached out to me in kindness and support during
those dark periods of my life made more of a difference than they will ever
know. They encouraged and empowered me tremendously. My gratitude response to
their kindness was heightened and magnified by my suffering.
But more so than anything, I needed to realize that my
suffering was largely the result taking on what I call a ‘God Complex’ or
trying change the world with all of my own strength, rather than allowing and
relying upon God to help shoulder the burden.
When I focus on political /societal problems, it still
deeply grieves me to watch our planet and our freedoms being systematically
destroyed while most are oblivious to the horrific atrocities being perpetrated
by our government in this country and abroad, including crimes against humanity
that make Hitler seem like Melvin Milquetoast.
I know God requires me to focus on solutions and do my part in making
this world a better place, but He also wants me to trust that He is ultimately
in control. Often times, The Serenity
Prayer has helped immensely to frame my reality in a proper perspective.
So, in honor of Mental Health Awareness/Human Condition
Awareness Week, here’s a three-step call to action, if you chose to accept
it.
1.
Sincerely pray the Serenity Prayer: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot
change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.“
2.
Turn off the mind control devices (TV, radio,
newspapers, magazines, etc.,)
that numb your sensibilities and blind you
from the truth.
3. Seek the truth and search out
reliable information through some alternative media (without hidden agendas) on the Internet,
such as:
4.
Stand firm for dignity, liberty and justice;
speak out against abuse and crime, especially when it affects you and your
loved ones personally and directly.
5.
Make an extra effort to demonstrate respect,
kindness and compassion to everyone and make a commitment to do your part make
this world a better place. Act with conviction and conscience.
Here are some quotes to consider:
“To live is to suffer, to survive is to find
some meaning in the suffering.”- Friedrich Nietzsche
“All the world is
full of suffering. It is also full of overcoming.”-
Helen Keller
“I swore never to be
silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We
must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim.
Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”-
Elie Wiesel
Life is full of misery,
loneliness, and suffering - and it's all over much too soon.” -Woody Allen
*************
Hope Henley
