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| Mom never stops being your mother |
Depression is one of the culprits for that deadly thought. Violence and feeling worthless bicycles alongside. According to the CDC, “suicide was responsible for 48,184 deaths in 2021, which is about one death every 11 minutes.” Ask our Veterans.
Our greatest scholars might use 10-letter words to suggest complex explanations. An online quiz might help troubled souls find the answer that offers solace.
Paul Ekman, a psychologist and leading researcher on emotions, surveyed more than 100 scientists and used their input to develop what’s known as the Atlas of Emotions.
“Emotions are an essential part of who you are, but they can be messy, complicated, and downright confusing at times.” Isn’t that the truth?
There’s a simple answer, if you really want an answer. But first, isn’t it true that in life, there are times of sublime joy you want to remember forever, and times of tragedy you wish never happened, but can’t forget?
Now, ask yourself, “Is my life better than an old dog sleeping on the sofa, a cat clawing up a tree, or a rat scurrying under the house?” Did you just purse your lips, sigh and guess, probably? Yup? No? Don’t know? Think about this.
Have you ever wanted a pet? A dog or cat or fish, bird, turtle? If you got a pet, did you feel joy -- if not, were you disappointed? If your dog died, did you cry? Feel heartbroken? Spend time grieving?
When you held your first baby, your sister’s baby or your best friend’s baby girl or boy, did you feel joy? Do you have a loved one who died, or died from violence? Did you feel sad? Angry? Did you physically feel hurt? Pain? Heartbreak?
God added emotions to the recipe of life for a reason. Feelings are simple to understand, aren’t they? Joy, happiness, anger, sorrow, fear, grief, heartbreak. But feelings mean something else, too.
When you feel joy or sorrow for someone, you are thinking of others before yourself -- even if it’s someone on TV. Who wasn’t horrified recently by the killing fields in Israel? That’s called a connection to others.
Every connection you’ve made and will make in your life translates into your contribution to another life. That makes you very valuable. You see, every life makes a contribution that affects others whether you realize it or not. A child gets sick; a doctor who lives across the country, cures that child. Isn’t that a connection? Wouldn’t you feel good about that?
Even a baby who hasn’t been born yet is emotionally connected to his or her mother and senses her joy and sorrow. Twenty or 30 years from now, that baby just might save your life or a loved one’s life or even that sweet puppy dog’s life that you love so much. That’s life. If you ever feel your life is wasted, remember God is always by your side every step to guide you back to joy.
Your life has value. Tremendous value. Your life is not wasted. Never wasted. Life is precious.
God has a plan for every precious life, especially yours. Even if you don’t know it yet. Wake up every morning until you do. Know that you help make the world a better place. Your precious gift of life can never be wasted. Smile. Be happy about you.