This morning I was reminded that last Tuesday was Suicide Prevention Day.

I was sitting at the table enjoying my breakfast after the kids and Sheri had gone to school.

In my Facebook feed there was a link to donate in memory of my cousin who took his own life earlier this year.

Another acquaintance from high school was asking for prayers because they were going through a really tough time right now.

A couple that Sheri and I are friends with are going through a divorce.

Someone else posted a video of a beautiful rendition of “Shallow” by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper (done by a choir in Ireland).

Such a powerful song. And an even more powerful movie (A Star Is Born).

It made me think:

Life is hard.

Everyone is fighting battles that we cannot see.

Depression, anxiety, struggle, are all quite common in today’s world.

Everyday life can be challenging.

Being a parent is hard too. Raising kids is not easy, they need us so much as newborns (which is hard), and as they grow their reliance lessens/shifts. That is hard to adapt to as well.

Everywhere you look, people are working hard to provide for their families, they are fighting their internal demons, they are working to improve their own lives and the lives of others…

Not a single face you see is coasting through their life.

No one is lying back in the shallows, floating through life.

I know whomever is reading this is facing strife and struggle in their lives.

So, today (and hopefully everyday) share compassion. Give kindness to others. Try to make whatever interaction you have with all these beautiful, struggling faces a positive one. Even the simplest things can help lessen their (and your own) burden.

Connect. Serve. Love. Smile. Share.

Realize that not a single Pearson’s life is “shallow”, everyone is swimming “in the deep end.”

Thank you for reading, and God Bless.

-Dr Lindeman