PostPoems Be Artistic. Be Creative. Be Inspired!

by Jeph Johnson

"I used to think the worst thing in life was to end up all alone. It's not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel all alone." ~Robin Williams

I am going to go out on a limb here and call bullshit, even though people are going to say "too soon."

First, utilizing this quote for us to help understand why a beloved actor and comedian would take his own life, at this current time, is what is likely too soon.

This quote from Mr. Williams posted for our digestion on the eve of the announcement of his untimely death, implies his wife (and presumably other family members) made him feel "all alone."

No one makes anyone feel alone. Your feelings are your responsibility.

This doesn't take those close to him off the hook, but it also doesn't place the guilt upon them either.

Perhaps his relationships were challenging. But a person's personality traits and choices in partners are not the faults of others.

The quote itself is sad. Very sad. Robin Williams was a man who made millions of people laugh as well as cry. He tugged on our emotions from both ends. On those merits alone he remains one of my idols.

But I do not believe for a moment that the man who took important roles in Patch Adams, Good Will Hunting or Dead Poets Society would enjoy this quote being his sad epitaph.

"Our job is improving the quality of life, not just delaying death." ~ From Patch Adams

I propose he falsely reckoned his quality of life had waned.

"Carpe Diem. Seize the day boys. Make your lives extraordinary." ~ from Dead Poets Society

Perhaps he felt it was beyond the point of being extraordinary. As though he no longer could seize the day.

We all know better. We know that he enriched each of our lives in extraordinary ways with his humor and poignant witticisms.

But unless we tell those around us every chance we get, how much they mean to us, those suffering through the ravages of depression and the frustration of addiction will always be susceptible to this syndrome.

The responsibility is twofold.

First people who suffer from depression with suicidal ideation need to learn it is no one's responsibility but their own to "seize the day" by taking control of their emotions.

This is not as easy as it sounds. In fact it is nearly impossible for one suffering from depression to do this.

Unfortunately those around them owe nothing.

Realizing the responsibility for one's emotional well being is personal can either be an inspirational springboard or a devastating anchor depending on how one goes about the realization of it.

And here is where the second responsibility comes in. And it can help everyone out.

"You don't know about real loss because it only occurs when you've loved something more than you love yourself." ~from Good Will Hunting

Everyone, those suffering with depression and those not suffering from depression, needs to tell our loved ones, every chance we get, how much they mean to us. How they enhance our lives and how much they would be missed if they were gone. Even if you don't love them more than you love yourself, you can aspire to that end. A little love and encouragement goes a long way. Especially to ones who are hurting.

Touch others so it is easier for them to feel a part of our humanity. And lo and behold they likely will not feel "alone."

This is the only fuel we can provide that can help depression sufferers enhance their quality of life and seize the day.