7 REASONS TO LIVE

written by Vicki F. Duffy

I can speak from experience on the real, intense, and disturbing feelings that come with suicidal tendencies. I had 2 suicide attempts; one in May of 1993 and the other in September of 1994, where I was 'down' for 7 seconds. In 1994, when I awoke with doctors hovering, I was miserable that I hadn't succeeded. I could not imagine another day in the torment I lived in. I do understand how it is to not want to live another waking moment. Although it was not an overnight success or an instant miracle, I did get through it and now I am so glad that I didn't succeed. It is my hope for all who are struggling, to realize you do have hope and a future on this earth!

As far as having anyone I know take their own life, I had a relative take their life in 2002 and my mother took her life on January 5, 2007. To this day I miss my mother, but do not miss the pain she was in.

There are Reasons to Live!

• You may be thinking to yourself, "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't end it all right now?!"
• In my opinion, here are 7 good reasons not to end your life & 7 good reasons to live:

1). If you killed yourself, your death will hurt many people, emotionally and mentally.

• Whether your realize it or not, your death will hurt friends, parents, brothers, sisters, husband, wife, teachers, pastor, neighbors, younger kids that look up to you.

2). If you are considering killing yourself because of what someone has done to you, you would be punishing yourself for the actions of another person/people.

• Whatever harm was put on you by someone else is not worth ending your life over.  You can find strength in knowing that by you getting better and healed in your mind, that in itself is 'payback' to the person who wronged you.

3). If you were to end your life, you would be creating a permanent answer to something that CAN change.

• Even if your situation has been going on for years, that can change and know that whatever you are going through can be dealt with.

4). Suicide is an extremely devastating occurrence for the people left behind to deal with.

• There are so many unanswered questions in their minds. Many people who are suicidal feel that they are worthless, that their life would be better without them in it. That is not the case, especially those who love them! The effects the loss has on those loved ones left behind is unexplainable! They are left with guilt, bewilderment, feelings of abandonment, trauma, shock, sadness, hopelessness, and probably more questions than they know what to do with.

5). Should you kill yourself, you will never experience the good things that life has to offer!

• Although you may not realize it now, there are many good things in life.

6). By overcoming, you can become an inspiration to others, helping others get through what you struggled with.

• Suicidal thoughts affect many people who cannot break free from the hopelessness.

7). If you succeeded in ending your life, you would miss what God has for you. Regardless if you believe in God or not, God has a plan specifically for you in this life.

• "You have a hope and a future. I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11