Many people ask me how I am so open about my mental health and the effects and traumas that come along with it. I always tell others it was not always that way; I learned something essential during my journey.
As I met more people and began discussing my mental health issues, I realized I was not alone. That there are many people out there with the same traumas, if not worse. I felt shame and embarrassment when I was first diagnosed. I felt like people were going to see me as weird or different. So I understood how others felt.
With time, I learned more about my disorder and began to understand that there were many more who suffered from the same. After some time of working on myself and knowing that this is something that, with time and dedication, can be managed healthily, I wanted to give the same hope to others.
I realized that we are all humans with flaws, some more than others, but we are all flawed. I realized that the more I open up about my disorders, the more I see others going through the same and are afraid or embarrassed to talk about it.
Having these flaws makes us human; hiding them keeps the world from seeing how resilient we are. How precious we are and how we have the power to change. How can we give others hope when we don’t allow them to see that change is possible.
I have always said that life is just like a video game. Our flaws show our weaknesses, but in becoming aware of them and showing the world change, we level up in life. We are given challenges to help us deal with the big enemy in the end. When you conquer that monster, there is the satisfaction that you accomplished your mission and leveled up.
Then you realize another level is ahead with a bigger challenge and a bigger monster. Yet, you equip yourself with weapons that will help defend you at each level along the way. Once you defeat that level, you prepare yourself for the next challenge.
Life works the same way. The strength and versatility we have been given to deal with each level help us level up. We are given situations that will challenge us, not to break us, but to show our mental strength as humans.
Not only have I had the chance to level up, but given the opportunity to share my walk with others. To realize that I don’t need to be ashamed of my flaws or weaknesses because they are a part of me, a part that will slowly level up as I continue my walk in this life.
I walk my walk unashamed, knowing that I still have a lot of work to do as I continue and that it will not be perfected until the good Lord calls me home. I believe that perfection is not found in what this world sees as perfection but in those willing to be molded and transformed. Becoming a better version of themselves every day. One step and one level at a time. That is true perfection.
Mentalcloud9 