Suicide Prevention Week

I've never contemplated suicide but I know people who have.  And it might surprise you to know who they are.

They aren't the people walking around with their heads hung low... or the woman who is constantly crying... or the guy who appears to be down on his luck.

No, the people I know are "functioning" adults who are contributing to society but who at one point no longer saw the point in a lot of things.  They were tired of the struggle and they thought that things would be better someplace else.  Anyplace else.

In honor of them and in recognition of Suicide Prevention Week, I've challenged myself this week to smile at strangers and to give at least three compliments a day.  I started on yesterday and it was a little harder than I thought it would be.  The smiling part came rather naturally, but I had to make an effort to remember to compliment people.

How sad. I wish that part had come naturally, too.

I love compliments, most people do, so in my own personal quest to spread JOY, I have to remember to spread compliments freely -- even if I have to make them up.  I mean, honestly, what's the harm in telling someone their blouse is pretty when I really don't think that it is?  If it makes her smile, my work is done.

Next week I'm going to try compliment people that I don't especially like to be around.  Pray for me.  They may be the ones who need it most.

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