Within the past five or so months, there have been three major shootings nationwide. That's a lot of violence (of just one kind) in a short amount of time, which makes me feel the need to write this blog today. I'm not here to talk about political or religious opinions, I promise, so just keep reading.

All of these tragic incidents were preventable. I don't mean that if guns weren't available, they wouldn't have been able to shoot people. And I don't mean that if these people, had God, they wouldn't have been filled with whatever hatred possessed them to do this. No, the real problem that the shooters didn't address was the fact that they needed professional help. They were sick, whether they were diagnosed or not—I don't know the personal information on any of the shooters, nor do I care to know. I just know that anyone willing to kill innocent people (even children!) are sick. But instead of seeking the help they needed, they decided to take that pain out on others who in no way deserved it.

So the point of this blog is this: if you're suffering and want to hurt yourself or others, please seek help. Don't let it sit inside of you until you feel killing others (or yourself) is the only option left, because it's not and it never will be. You are not alone. There are plenty of people you can contact.


Depression Hotline: 1-630-482-9696 Suicide Hotline: 1-800-784-8433


For more phone numbers, check out the Important Hotlines tab.


Stay Alive,

Lindsey

Do what you think is right, even when others are telling you you're wrong. (Note: I feel like that's a quote I've read somewhere, but can't find it. So if it is a quote, I apologize for the lack of credit. Continue on, now.) That seems like a simple concept, doesn't it? But in a society obsessed with fitting in, is it, really?

I've written before about trusting your gut, but today, I'm going to elaborate more on standing by your gut when your feelings are questioned.

Recently, I have been told my gut is wrong. I have been told I thought I was better than someone else. Why? Because my gut feeling on a certain situation was confirmed and I stood by it instead of just agreeing with everyone else. And you know what? I will not back down on how I feel just because someone else disagrees with me. Wanna know why? Because standing by my gut instinct (and therefore, myself) is more important than “fitting in.” Doing so doesn't mean I don't care about the friends who told me I was wrong; it doesn't mean I'm trying to just fight. It just means I value what I think is right. And that's okay.

Now, this belief can be applied to many situations. Whether it's regarding your political beliefs to your opinion of a person or even just whether or not you should give in to peer pressure, always do what you feel is right inside. If you can't stand beside yourself, who else would? As I said in my other post about guts, your gut is always right. Be sure to listen.


Stay Alive,

Lindsey