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The Warrior Within I Call On to Fight Depression

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I see the crevices getting wider, I hear the cracking, like thunder in a storm, as the weight gets too much to bear. My legs weaken and begin shaking under the pressure of it all. My arms ache with the burden they carry. The sweat on my brow drips down my face merging with my salty tears. I cry out in agony only for my desperation to echo back unheard. The silence is deafening. The darkness all-consuming. I can feel the breath of the demons in the dark void caress the back of my neck. I only have my racing heartbeat to keep measure, pounding in my head like the beat of the drum. Time seemingly stops as I try to breathe in air so thick. I am without the oxygen needed to survive. I am drowning. I am breaking. I can no longer hold on. My burdens are too much to carry.

Yet I cannot falter, I cannot fail, I cannot crumble. I cannot let myself be destroyed. Too many are counting on me. I have fought too long and too hard to get here. I reach down into the depths of my tortured soul for the last bit of strength I possess and fight like a warrior poet. The fire in me ignites a tiny ember that glows just enough to see a glimmer of hope. Do I dare believe I can endure? Is my mind playing tricks on me once again? Is it possible to take this minuscule miracle and fan it into the flames needed to light my way? How much longer will I be able endure this torture? This world might very well come crumbling down upon me, destroying everything I am, everything I love, regardless of my valiant efforts and courageous hard work. Still I fight. Still I stand my ground. Still I survive. For the moment I am still here, and that has to be enough.

If you or someone you know needs help, visit our suicide prevention resources page.
If you need support right now, call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255

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Thinkstock photo by Hutangac

Originally published: January 14, 2017
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