The Force Awakens: Finding Hope in Unexpected Places by Judy Davis, The Direction Diva
Three years ago when I watched my son fight the battle that almost took his life, I had no idea that a day like today would ever exist. I spent time asking why and have shared our journey thru crisis publicly on The Direction Diva blog and through the Living Thru Crisis organization we founded in 2014. But every day much like a Star Wars fan eager for the release of The Force Awakens, I waited in anticipation to see if the force behind my son’s demons would win or if he would fight the dark side or ever begin finding hope in his life once again.
As a mother we worry about our children. We want them to find success, but most of all we just want them to be happy. But with mental illness happiness is relative. It is defined in a whole different way and truth be told there is an ebb and flow to it that is exhausting. I have watched my son ride this rollercoaster and have wanted to fix all that had broken within him. But I know that isn’t in my power – and therapists and support groups have shown me that he had to find what he needed on his own. So as is mother I find myself waiting for proof that he is going to be ok.
I can’t verbalize how hard this process is, and I’ve had to dig deep to begin finding hope and joy beyond the never ending worry that one day my son will succeed in taking his own life. But today I received proof of how far we’ve come in the strangest way. (Thanks Verizon*). Today I learned that I really can “Let Go and let God” and in order to see how far my son has come I just needed to see the progress in the little things.
Finding hope comes with the ability to see progress in the little moments.
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I’ve said it before, but I’m a believer that my son has a powerful guardian angel by his side and I know I have an insane ability to “work magic” when it comes to my children. But even I am amazed at how things unfold, and today that is the case.
You may laugh, but earlier this week my son and I were chatting. He shared that he and 3 of his buddies were having a “Bro Day” on Saturday. I calmly asked what they had planned – secretly doing the happy dance because FINALLY he has found some good and supportive friends who are also in recovery and enjoyed similar things.
He shared that they were disappointed because when they had tried to get tickets for the new Star Wars movie, they were met with “SOLD OUT” over and over. And that was one of the “must do with the bro’s” activities. So I mentioned that Verizon had announced that they were giving away tickets through their #TheoryWars promotion and that he should put his name in. He laughed and said ok mom “hold the intention, pray or do whatever it is you do because we are all broke and that would be awesome”.
Fast forward to the call (and reason for this entire post). For someone else it may have been great to win tickets but for my son it was so much more than that. This simple “win”
Provided my son with some proof that his hard work is paying off.
Showed him that big companies care about their customers more than the money he pays every month.
Gave him a gift that he could then share with his “Bro’s” making a positive memory that this group needs more of.
Allowed his mom to see that he has come so far in his recovery that he is finding hope and joy in the little moments in his life.
You see when someone you love has a mental illness many of the calls you receive center around offering support or helping them to see through the dark cloud that can take over their thoughts. Much of your time is spent in prayer hoping that they will find some joy.
Yes to some it may have been just a ticket but to us it was a gift.
P.S. If you are looking for some great mental health tools Verizon’s Mobile Living has some that are worth looking into. A quick search brought these results:
Mental health goes mobile (How your phone can get you into a better headspace)
How technology can help you relax (Here are six tips to use technology to transform your living space for meditation and relaxation).
Is Stress Relief the Next Big Thing in Wearables? (The first generation of wearables counted steps. The next one could calm your mind).
~Judy Davis, the Direction Diva is a motivational speaker, author and lifestyle blogger as well as a military life and teen suicide prevention expert. Co-founder of LivingThruCrisis.com, Judy’s books Right Side Up and Warning Signs: Is Your Teen at Risk are go to resources for families and her websites are filled with tips, inspiration and resources for those looking for direction. Connect with Judy at TheDirectionDiva.com
*As a member of the #VZWBuzz team I receive various devices and accessories and provide Verizon Wireless tips for military spouses. No additional compensation was given and all opinions stated are my own. As always whenever I talk about products you will get the real scoop not something someone asks me to write
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