My Dream

One of my all-time favorite movies is Tangled, because it shows the value of chasing after dreams. And one of my all-time favorite songs is from Tangled, it's called I See the Light. Every time something good happens, I think of that song. Likewise, hearing the lyrics reminds me of all the good things in my life. Recently, one of my biggest dreams came true and naturally, I was thinking a lot about Tangled and the lyrics to this song were constantly in my head. Afterward, one of my friends asked me, "So, what's your new dream?" I couldn't really give a legitimate answer because I hadn't thought about it a lot.

Now I know.

My dream is to save lives.

Interesting dream, right? I know it sounds crazy and idealistic. Obviously it's a good thing and most people want to do it, but why is that one of my biggest goals in life? And how in the world am I going to accomplish it?

It's my dream for two reasons. First, I believe too many people die too young of things that are preventable, one thing in particular. Second, I can relate to the problem that I want to fix on multiple levels.

How will I accomplish it? By spreading hope. We all know that hope is important, but I believe it can also save lives. What if saving lives didn't require any special skill? What if we all could do it? 

This year I wrote a speech on depression and have performed it at tournaments in multiple states throughout the year. Ever since the beginning of the year, I have wanted to post it for you guys to read. On several different Monday's I told myself I was posting that speech, and several different times a balked. I rewrote it, reformatted it, changed it, edited it, but every time I was too afraid. What if I put an idea into someone's head? What if I become responsible for something? What if I'm wrong? But I realized that not speaking wasn't the right action. I like to think of my blog as a platform. And in moments of illusion I tell myself that I can use this platform to change the world. Even to save lives. So with the information I know, why haven't I raised awareness? With how passionate I am about depression, why haven't I spoken up more about it?

 Well, there is no shortage of excuses and honestly, they are legitimate reasons. Depression is hard to talk about. It's controversial, so the chances of me being wrong or you disagreeing with me are very high. It's personal for many people, so it's likely I offend someone (though I promise I don't mean to). And I don't have all the answers, so maybe I make life worse for someone or give false hope. However, there is a problem that you and I can help solve, so the least I can do is raise awareness. It wasn't until a few days ago that this fact, that we can help right now, really impacted me. I decided I need to speak up. Because here's the thing: depression is a disease that is taking lives every day. And in the moments  when it's not taking lives, it's making some people's lives miserable. Very little I say can be worse than me saying nothing (at least, that's what I hope).

So here's what I know: Depression effects 16.2 million adults, 1 out of 8 adolescents, and 360 million people globally. Every 100 seconds it claims another life. Don't take my word for it, go research it. The numbers are there, we just have to find them. And these aren't just statistics. They are more than numbers on a page. These are real people with real stories who just don't think there's an end to the pain. How can we help them? How can we save lives? I believe that the cure for depression is joy. True joy. Sounds simple enough, but it can be very difficult. 

 Yes, depression is a sad reality for many, but it doesn't have to be, and no one ever has to let it defeat them. In 2nd Corinthians 12:9 God says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” In our weakness, His power to give us joy is made perfect. The command "rejoice in the Lord always" isn't a burden, it's a gift. It's the solution to depression. Joy doesn’t mean always being happy, or always smiling, or always shouting to the world in exuberance. It can be the quiet pleasure of realizing God is in control and every moment is for His glory. We have hope in God’s grace and power to give us joy. 

For some people though, it seems impossible to cling to hope for another second. For some, that joy seems nonexistent and that truth seems unbelievable. 

That's where you and I can help. My dream is to hear people's stories, understand their pain, and help them find the solution. I know that I want to dedicate the rest of my life to fighting for those who don't see a reason to fight anymore. There's three steps that I think can help people struggling with depression find a way out, steps that I implore you to take with the people around you. 

 1. Deepen your relationships. Statistically speaking, you know someone who is struggling right now, you can help by discovering who that is and understanding them through a deeper relationship. 

2. Tell them they're not alone. Loneliness is painful, and people struggling with depression don't feel like anyone is there for them or understands them. Make sure the people around you know that you love them and are there for them. 

3. Speak truth. For those who think they are unloved or can’t continue, the Bible provides all the answers. Show them that God is in control, His power is perfect in weakness, and He can give us the strength to rejoice in Him. By speaking the truth, you are reaffirming the ability to find joy in the most hopeless situations.

It took me a while to speak up. I hesitated for longer than I should. But I realized that, often, we don't help until it's too late. And then the regrets are overwhelming. So I implore you: join me in trying to save lives. Make that your dream. Statistically speaking, you know someone struggling right now, chances are you know who it is too, or at least you have your suspicions. Ask until you know you're getting an honest answer. Figure out people's struggles, sympathize with their pain, and show them that there is joy. I know that I can make a difference. But all of us working together? We can make an impact, a ripple of joy that can touch millions of hearts and change lives. If we all choose joy, we can show others that there is a reason to rejoice.