I know the thoughts of the people who have considered taking their lives. Of haunting thoughts that dance in their minds, like "ghosts" whispering taunting promises of "better things to come". It promises to release you of the pain, the darkness that embodies your soul, so that you can once again feel the sun. I know these thoughts, they have said "hello" to me once or twice and I still recall the sweet sound of its voice, so full of promise and hope. Rather full of lies and regret is what it would have been. And I'm still here, I'm glad I didn't listen, however sweet the voice.

This journey called LIFE is often painful. As we live out our happy days we often take them for granted until we stumble into our troubled times. These times can spin us into a world of darkness and despair as we lose ourselves within our own being. We become despondent with whom we are, unsure of what we believe of ourselves anymore, or if we even believe in ourselves at all. We want to. We try to. And we reach for anything within ourselves that used to exist which was "happy". But it is absent and the "ghost's promises" are the only ones who speak to our thoughts these days.

It doesn't matter that you are surrounded by people who love you. You feel alone. The sun shines around you, yet you live in darkness. I know, I have lived in this darkness, and no amount of light saved me from it. No amount of people could "fix" my broken shell. Because that is what I was, a shell, something hollow. Until one day...

"You look sad Mom" my daughter said to me. "You are always so sad."
"I'm tired sweetie."
"I said a prayer for you last night. I know you don't pray anymore. But God loves you. Believe Mom. Please. Believe."

My daughter's last word "Believe" hit me like a violent storm. I had lost belief in not only God, but in most things, including myself. It was on this day that I was born again, with the help of the one that I gave birth to, and with a word that I cherish still. BELIEVE.

Learn more about this author, Teri Brooks.
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