We Are Not Alone

And, no, just in case you were wondering, I’m not talking about an X-Files kind of “we are not alone” here. 😉 (Not that I don’t absolutely LOVE that show…) *Is suddenly unable to stop self from whistling the X-Files theme in its entirety*

Huh. Okay, now where was I? Oh, right, I was writing a blog post! Anyway, back to business. A friend of mine recently posted this quote, and it just happened to be one of those random things I sometimes come across that I, for whatever reason, felt on a deeper level than usual:

I just couldn’t help but think how beautiful a sentiment this was, and also just how important it is to keep in mind. I think sometimes we (myself definitely included!) become so wrapped up in our own pain and struggles, that we truly do imagine that we are very much alone. And because of this, we completely fail to realize that others may actually be able to help us–or in the very least, provide us with reasonable evidence that we can make it through whatever we’re up against.

Sure, they haven’t been precisely in our shoes; no, they maybe haven’t dealt with our exact situation; of course they most certainly are not stuck inside our own heads and could never fully know how we feel–but does any of that really matter in the end? I honestly don’t think it does. Because the thing is, they might have been through something quite similar, and isn’t that reason enough to turn to them for help? Isn’t that a great reason to see what they might be able to lend to your own situation? Perhaps they have advice on how they overcame their own demons. And, even if they can’t really tell you what to do, or what they say won’t work for you because you just aren’t them… who cares? You want to know the best thing you can take away from the experience? The fact that they did overcome their demons. The fact that they are making it through whatever obstacles life has thrown at them. I truly believe there is one thing you most certainly can gain from allowing others to offer their help and support:    Hope.

And, in my humble opinion (and experience), that is the single most important tool you can have in your arsenal when you are down that dark hole with no rescue ladder in sight. So long as you can hold out hope that you’ll make it out of that hole, you will survive the ordeal.

The real take home lesson here: you are not alone. None of us are truly alone. I know it certainly feels like it sometimes, but we are not. Someone out there has been there too. Someone out there has fought and clawed their way out of their own dark hole. And if you happen to be so lucky as to stumble across them, please do yourself a huge favor and let them try to help. They might not be able to give you a ladder…but perhaps a flashlight and words of encouragement are all you really need to make it through. ❤