Purpose & Villains

When you are the human version of the headache, life can get pretty tedious. Especially when you wake up every morning knowing that that's what you are. When you have little monsters in your head, and they spend every waking minute bullying you, life becomes oppressive. That's morbid, I know but it's what's real. Changing it stopped being  an option a long time ago. People will say things. They do say things.

"You're crazy."

"Stop being so depressed."

"You need help."

It's true, I do need help, however, I am beyond it. I accept that, because I'm trapped inside of my own head. Imagine being punched from the inside of your skull. Not that I would wish that on anybody, I apologize. Explaination isn't really my strong suite anymore. I guess, I really just hate what I'm turning into. Once again, I'm looking to my best friend, Music. I can always rely on that to help me explain.

"As the war between light and darkness continues,

Heroes and villains become harder to identify.

Kindred spirits separated at birth,

Fighting for their place in time to be solidified.

The clock ticks faster and faster,

While time runs a marathon in this Babylon.

But see, the end is only the beginning.

The beginning of the calm before the storm."

That's from a song by B.O.B and it's called "Bombs Away." That part is spoken by Morgan Freeman, and for good reason, his voice sounds like gold in vocal form. Anyways, my favorite part of that whole statement is "Heroes and villains become harder to identify." No, we don't live inside of a comic book, or a movie, but heroes and villains are real. It hard to tell who the good and bad guys are anymore. There are more villains than there are heroes, and that breaks my heart. Not just because they're the bad people, but because things happened to them that made them that way. I think I'm on the verge of becoming one of those people. I don't like it, or accept it, I don't want to hurt anybody, and that's what I'm doing simply by existing. I've said it before, I'll say it again, I would gladly give up my spot for somebody with a purpose.
  
I recently attended my ten year class reunion. Talk about a group of people with purpose. I was dreading it, I struggled with the thought of going, pretty much up until the day before. Now, I talk about bitter-sweetness all the time, I can't help it. It's an aspect of my life that I take very seriously. I love the feeling of being able to acknowledge the best and worst of both worlds. Going to this reunion was probably one of the more major bittersweet moments I've had in a long time. Just, not for the reasons most people would assume. See, I believe that we're apart of a very complicated generation. Things change all of the time, it's a part of life. In my opinion, our generation has dealt with a huge amount of changes. The older we all get, the more changes there are. This is part of why I thought going to this reunion wouldn't be a positive experience. I was scared, and I feel like I was most likely not the only one that was scared. I was an outcast growing up, I still am to this day. So, my preconception of the whole event, was that I'd be standing alone in a corner. 

I was wrong.

I'm wrong more often than not, I'll admit that, no problem. From the minute I walked through the door, everything was alright. As a person that deals with severe anxiety, I expected to freak out from the very beginning. I didn't, I was able to be social because people were being social with me, and there was alcohol around. I made the mistake of underestimating everybody, and I apologize for that. It was so beautiful seeing everybody, even the people that I didn't really interact with. I'm actually really proud to be able to say that I was part of a class full of people doing great things with their lives. Nobody had to pull a "Romy and Michelle" people are successful, hard working, and productive. That makes me happy, but it also proves my point. I listen to people talk about there careers, spouses and adventures. In the back of mind, all I can think about is the fact that I'm an utterly useless human being. I didn't deserve to be at that reunion. It's the same kind of feeling when I'm at birthday parties for kids. I'm not always the only person without any kids at those parties, but I might as well be. People often get confused when I tell them that I feel like I don't have a family. I get the confusion but I have a hard enough time understanding the situation myself. I won't dare try to paint a picture, the colors would run together. 

There's been so much in my life that I love. Beautiful people and beautiful things, that always make me smile. With beauty comes ugliness. Ugliness brings pain, and suffering. Pain brings demons that sit inside of your head and terrorize you. In my eyes, that's part of what makes a villain a villain.

I will not be a villain.

Bittersweet Little Gifts & The Desire To Leave This World

Being hugged by somebody who actually thinks you're worth something, is pure magic. Especially when you know that you're not worth anything. I have to admit, knowing that I'm an utterly useless human being is bittersweet. Bitter, because I seem to be in the way a lot. More often than not, I'm taking up space, or holding somebody back. I don't have the right to do that, especially not to people who have actual purpose. The sweet part is, when I'm not here anymore, it frees up a spot for somebody better. Somebody that is actually worth something. That makes me feel pretty elated. For the longest time now, I've felt that my existence is unfair. Not to me, but to other people. It's my belief that I was never supposed to be here. Some people disagree with that, but it's what I think, and it's how I feel. I get genuinely confused when I wake up in the morning, it just hurts my feelings now. Not all lives are a joke, I respect people's sense of resolve. I think my life is a joke though, and the punchline just never comes. When it does, I don't know if I'll laugh or cry, maybe I'll do both. Maybe my reaction will be painfully neutral. I have a few different horrifying reoccurring nightmares. Dreams as well, but more nightmares than dreams. Waking up every morning feels like one of those. I know what some people say.

"Life is a gift, and should be appreciated."

I don't entirely disagree with that, but I just don't believe that my life is a gift. I wish I did, but it just doesn't feel that way to me. I believe certain parts of my life are gifts. Like, fireworks. They turn me into goo. I remember, I used to think that after fireworks went off....they turned into the stars. I wish that I still believed that. Naivety saves my heart, I wish I was still naive to lot of things. Fireworks are tiny exploding miracles, and even though they don't turn into the stars, they're still a gift. On the other hand, my life as a whole is not. This world, where we all exist, is filling with Evil. Pure evil and poison.  There's starving people everywhere, but somebody's pissed off that my skin is the color a milk chocolate. People are getting away with disgusting things like, abuse, rape and murder. Yet, people are pissed off because a man wants to kiss another man, or a woman wants to marry another woman. There seems to be terrorists everywhere. What is it about humans that makes other humans want to terrorize them? I don't understand it, and I'm not really sure that I want to understand it. Hatred is fueling everybody now. It's like the majority of people in this world forgot how to love. Treating people nicely, and with respect has somehow become turned into something else. People make it seem like it's the wrong thing to do. That's super sad, it breaks my heart. Everybody is stressed, and taking it out on each other. People are so enthralled with social media that they forget about actual communication. It's all so frustrating, and being trapped within this chaos is only doing more damage to my very fragile existence. There's so much more about this world that breaks my heart, but I don't have to name every single little thing. I trust that some people see the same evil that I do. 

I honestly just wish that people could or would pay more attention to the good things. There are beaches covered with pink sand. There are beaches covered in black sand. Can you imagine how amazing it would be to see that? I know it would bring me so much peace. If I had the chance to lay on a beach with sand those colors, I could die with the biggest smile on my face. I would burn Fiesta Lime incense and play music by Tom Day. I could get lost in that forever. That's just me, I know that, but it's a picture I've painted inside of my mind. I wished more people did that, and if they do, I hope they share it with me. I'd like to know about pictures people paint in their minds. Even if that's just a far off dream, it's one of the good things I think about all the time. Even knowing that it will never happen, the thought is enough to make me smile for a few minutes on my worst day. I get so worried about people in my life. People that I know are worth so much, but are sad. I used to be able to make people happy. Being a good friend means so much to me, but I no longer have the ability to make people feel better. I can't make people happy anymore. My issues are in the way, my head is broken, my thoughts are dark and scary, and my spirit is dying. My spirit is sick, and suffering, and has been for the longest time. There's this song called "Little Black Cloud" by Crazy Town. That's the same band that had the one hit wonder, "Butterfly." The chorus was simple, bu the lyrics always appealed to me.

♫"I got a little black cloud that follows me, everywhere I go, it takes over me."♫

That song came out in 1999, and I still listen to it to this day. There are times when I feel like I have that cloud over me. Other times, I feel like I am that cloud. People always say things like "You're in control of your own happiness." Fine. If that's what your opinion is, than fine. Only, that isn't always true. People with mental health problems don't always have the option of being in control. We have demons, and they tell us how to feel, they tell us how to think. They control our actions, our words, and our thoughts. I don't think that people understand that those demons, they make their existence known every day. They don't just talk to us, they yell, they scream and they rampage. They're little monsters with more power than you'd think. So, no. I don't believe everybody has control over their happiness. Yes, you can cut people and certain  unhappiness from your own life, you can try your hardest to protect yourself. Only, the consequences always seem to be bad. If you cut a person from your life, you're a "bad friend." You're the "enemy", and "how dare you." I've been cut from many people's lives, but I understand why, and I don't blame people for it. But, not everybody does understand. It hurts to be cut out, it does. It's a hurtful part of life that some people just don't get over. To me, that's part of "being in control of your happiness" but it's so negative. It doesn't seem like it should be apart of happiness. Maybe that only makes sense to me. It might, because I struggle to put my words together most of the time. If only people knew how long it takes me to write just one entry for this blog. 

♫"Used to play pretend, used to play pretend, money.

We used to play pretend, wake up you need the money.

Used to play pretend, give each other different names, we would build a rocket ship and then we'd fly it far away.

Used to dream of outer space, but now they're laughing at our face saying "wake up, you need to make money", yeah."♫

I love Twenty-One Pilots. Their music brings me so much peace, the lyrics are perfect. They say it just how it is. One day, you wake up, and you need to make money. Only it's not that simple. I'm an artist, and that doesn't always promise money. So, you go and try to find a job to save money for things that you're passionate about. Only, you have a last name that intimidates people. You look a certain way, and it puts people off. So you spend years trying to get a "normal" job, yet nobody will give you a chance based on these petty little things. People say "You can't give up, just keep trying." That's not a bad thing, but some of us reach a certain point. You get to this point where, you cannot take anymore rejection. Hearing that you're not good enough gets old after a while. You start to believe it, and then trying just becomes pointless. The constant rejection gets painful. You might as well stand in front of a person and say "You suck, we don't want you, and you aren't good enough" over and over and over again. It's like being punched in the throat repeatedly. They don't understand what they're doing to you. They don't understand, and most of the time they don't care. People in this world who hold positions of power, usually abuse that power. Those of us who are never given a chance, because it's already decided that we will fail, that pretty much means that we're screwed. I'd rather go back and play pretend. 

♫Sometimes a certain smell will take me back to when I was young.

How come I'm never able to identify where it's coming from.

I'd make a candle out of it if I ever found it.♫

Those lyrics are from the same song. I should mention, the song is called "Stressed Out." Even the damn title is perfect! This song is everything to me. I know you know what they're talking about. You're minding your own business, a smell hits you, and suddenly you are six years old again. It makes you smile for a minute, but you cannot figure out what it is. It's another one of those bittersweet little moments. I count that as a gift in life. 

Even with all the little gifts like, music, amazing smells, and thought of brightly colored beaches, I'm just so tired. I want the little things to be enough, I do. They aren't, and at this point I feel like no matter what I do, it will end with me in tears, and the world once again be laughing at me. I don't feel like anybody wants me around. People can tell me until they're purple faced that they do. My monsters won't let me believe them. People do tell me I'm not wanted, and they make me feel unsafe. They know that I feel scared, I won't let the world know that they're bullies. I like people too fast, I love and care about people too fast. Too much. So much, that it makes me seem creepy and weird. That's what being friendly is these days. It makes you a weirdo. Being loving is considered a bad thing. Being sensitive and crying a lot makes you weak. That's what I see, and I just don't want to see it anymore. All I hear is hatred, and pain. Not just my own, but other people's and it hurts me. My head is a scary place to be, and there isn't anything I can do to fix it. Some people are beyond help, some people can't be helped. The world's solution to "fixing" people like me, is drugging you up, and strapping you down. To me, it's cruel and unusual. To strap a person down who just wants to escape in the first place. It seems like being kicked while you're down. I understand why it's done that way, but I don't like it. I just want to step aside, I wish I could give my life to somebody else. Somebody that would do something useful with the time. Like, seriously, take my life, do something better than I will ever be able to do. I have faith you. 

The next time you see somebody that you think is worth something, hug them as if their life depends on it. 

Socially Acceptable Disease

♫ Disease by: Hollywood Undead ♫

Society today is blows my mind, and breaks my heart at the same time. At least, in my eyes, it seems to be more than some people are able to handle. Some of the behavior that I see from people that's become socially acceptable in this time, makes me feel like breaking down and crying tears of pure sadness for the world that we live in. It effects me that much. I'm sure if I was a stronger person, it wouldn't hit me so hard, but strength isn't really part of who I am anymore. I honestly don't even know who I am anymore.

Strength is a very tricky thing. It's a little funny to me, because it seems like most people only see it as a physical thing. It's so much more than that though. Strength is part of a persons mentality as well. If you lack it, you're considered to be "too sensitive" and that kills me. It's true, we're all human beings, but each of us is different in our own way. Some of us aren't as strong as others appear to be. Some of us believe that it's easier to bleed our problems out, than to talk about them. Some of us aren't capable enough to live like others. Some of us see beauty in things that most people don't. Even if that beauty is in death. Even if that beauty lays within something that most people view as ugly, or too different for their taste. Everybody is entitled to their own opinion. Everybody is entitled to feel how they want to feel. Only, these days, through my eyes, most people are taking the negative side. Difference is "bad" and "normal" is good. Only, the "normal" part is what makes me want to go to sleep, and never wake up. It's socially acceptable to hate difference. Even things that are out of anybody's control. People aren't accepted to be themselves, they can't be themselves without being criticized or judged. That isn't something that I'm able to deal with easily, it makes me sad. It upsets me since I am one of those people, and because I know others that live with that. Every single day. I just think living in a world like this is such a waste. It has it's perks. Beautiful things to see, and amazing music to hear. It used to be enough to keep me safe, but not so much anymore. Nobody is safe anymore. 

I wouldn't raise kids in this world, I absolutely would not. Here's one reason why, and also  something that frustrates me like nothing else. 

"Having balls" supposedly means that you're tough, and the word "pussy"somehow equals weakness. Yet, a slight flick to a man's balls puts him on the ground in the fetal position. Whole human beings come out of vaginas, but having one somehow qualifies as being weak. Yay people and society! I say that with every ounce of sarcasm in my body. I'm sorry, I really am, but that is nonsense to me. Fighting it seems right, but it won't change. Yes, the world has evolved and progressed, but nothing can save some of us. I wake up everyday, wishing that I hadn't. I am in constant pain, physically and mentally. Not that most people would know, I have a mask on most of the time. I'm starting to understand how people in my life really feel about me, and how me being around effects people. Ultimately, I don't really think that I should be in anybody's life. That's not me insulting people and saying that nobody's good enough for me. I'm saying that I'm not good for anybody. I feel like the biggest piece of trash on the planet. It's painful, but probably not as painful as having to put up with me. I love my friends, the real ones and even not so real ones. After years of being naive to people's attitudes towards me, I'm finally starting to see how people really feel. It's not something that I can really deal with. Spending so much time inside of your own head, it does this sometimes. It kind of opens up little rivers inside of your head, only instead of water flowing around, it's everything negative that you're dealing with. It's people's hateful words, it's mistakes you've made, the what if questions. You question every decision you've ever made, and end up wanting to punish yourself for the bad decisions. At least that's what happens with me. Inside of my head is a scary place, and I am very thankful that nobody else has to be there but me. I give people so much credit to people who actually have the strength to survive life. Unfortunately, I'm just not one of those people.

Bittersweet Bitterness For The New Year

It's weird that it's 2015, it doesn't seem real to me. I kind of wish it wasn't. I didn't think I would make it until 2015, I didn't want to either. 

The path my thoughts have taken, lead them to a very unnerving, alluring place. I'm not really sure what to call it, but I sincerely hope nobody else has a place like this lingering inside of their heads. It's toxic, evil, and addictive. Beautiful too, and that's what's so confusing, I can't talk about it without saying good things. 

Let me see if I can paint the picture a little better. Imagine being terrified of the dark, and being trapped in very dark woods. Only, your favorite music is playing, or it smells absolutely amazing, and you're warm and cozy. You can see a light in the distance, and you know you can get there. Only, with that light comes some of the worst things you've ever had to deal with in your life. Things that destroy you, things that you should probably try your very hardest to avoid. That may not be clear to most people, but it's the best way I'm able to describe it right now. Inside of my head, is a major cluster fuck, so when I do attempt to explain things, I don't blame people for loosing interest. Or, looking at me like I should never open my mouth again.

I was honestly under the impression that my thoughts, and demons would kill me before the new year. I was, and I didn't care. When you wake up every morning, and get upset because you woke up at all, to me, that means life is hurting you. Life requires strength in the same way that pain demands to be felt. I'm not a strong person. I think that I might have been a long time ago, but I'm broken now. I am a broken person, and it's not even a secret anymore. Everybody knows, and it's not really important at this point. I try my hardest to just smile my way though things, because my anxiety, depression, and other issues just make people uncomfortable. Which makes me uncomfortable, so it's just a vicious circle of unnecessary discomfort. Sometimes, it comes out, and I cry in public because my anxiety gets out of control. I really wish that never happened, because I know it annoys everybody. It's not healthy to keep it inside, I know that. It's part of why I'm so messed up in the first place. That's what happens when certain people have a toxic bubble of mental illness growing inside. It gets bigger and bigger until it explodes. After, it just starts filling back up again. With the old things, and new things. It's no way to live, at least not for me. That's why the new year is weighing on me the way it is, because I really didn't count on making it this far. 

I feel so bad for people that have to deal with anxiety, and depression. Especially people who are surrounded by others telling them that the illness they suffer from isn't real. It upsets me so much when people dumb mental illness down to the point where they might as well just say that it's not real. People do just straight out say that it's not real, I've heard it. I've talked about this before, and I'll always get defensive about it,for as long as I'm alive. Mainly because I'm tired of seeing other people that suffer from the same things that I do, get told that they need to cheer up and stop being so sad. Depression is not just sadness, and anxiety is not just indecision. So, no, telling an anxious person to "calm down" isn't going to fix them. In fact, saying that may only make it worse. Hearing those words, when you're having an attack puts a lot of pressure on, and it sucks. It's almost like you're expected to just press a button and shut it off. So, when you have pressure of that thought thrown at you when you're already having an internal nervous break down, it's absolutely devastating. That's like sticking your hand in a fire, and expecting it not to hurt. 

I'm trapped in a place where I don't belong. It's where I grew up, but I never really belonged. I'm what I like to call a "Walking Black Joke". There isn't very much diversity here. So, for as long as I can remember, I've just been labeled as "The Black One".....and it never used to bother me. I didn't know anything different, I didn't really understand. Now more than ever, I understand, and I wish that I would have just stayed naive. I realize now that, that's all there is to me around here. I let people say the things they say, and I play along with it. The truth is, if I didn't, most people would just stop talking to me. I have enough problems in my life that make people want to keep their distance from me. I don't want to add something else to the list. I grew up in a white community, a very small one. Not that I think anybody will really understand this, but....I'm not accepted by other African American people, because of how I grew up. On top of that, I'm not accepted by Caucasian people, because of the color of my skin. I'm not accepted by a lot of people in general, because of my lifestyle, and personality. It's a Hell that I hope nobody else has to be trapped in. So, that brings one question to the surface. 

Where will I ever be accepted? 

Nowhere. 

That hurts me, but I know it's the truth. I'm not taken at all seriously by most people, which is whatever at this point. So being a walking joke, it's really not that big a deal right now. It is part of what makes my anxiety and depression so bad, but it is what it is. It's too late to change it. I'm not saying that's the main reason I have the problems that I do, because there's just no way that's the case. It was childhood, it was growing up, it was a lot of things, and it was a mess. There's this quote I know, I honestly have no idea where it's from, but I like it. 

"Childhood is like being drunk. Everyone remembers what you did, except you."

It's perfect. I couldn't have worded it any better if I tried. I'm sure that applies to so many different people. Honestly, I think it's a very bittersweet statement. A very true, very clear fact, that may or may not be relevant to how people feel. In my opinion, it's on point. Being back where I grew up, it's just a huge mistake, but there really isn't anything I can do about it. Some might argue that for many reasons, one being that since I keep ending up back here, mean that I do belong somewhere. I don't agree with that. I understand why people would have that opinion, I do. Only, that's really not the case. It's not just me, I'm not the only one that feels trapped by this place. I can see it in other's people's eyes. I can see that they wish they had left, and had a different life. I can see the pain they're in, I can see how angry they are at themselves for getting stuck. I really feel for those people, because I know how much it hurts. I know that it's not easy to have passion in your heart directed towards things that aren't possible in a place like this. It's not comfortable, and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. 

Now I'm a year older, and it just makes me sick. Happy 28th Birthday, I am dead on the inside.

Hear No Evil, See No Evil.

When Robin Williams left us, people kept on saying something along the lines of....

"Maybe people will pay attention now."

To me, that statement is somewhat bittersweet. Unfortunately, in this situation, my belief is that the bitter part over powers the sweet part. This is just one of many things that frustrates me about humanity, and society. Most of the time, it takes illness or something like death for people to open their eyes to certain things. Drastic measures make for drastic reactions. One emotion in particular brings others to the surface.

Fear.

It brings untouched emotions to the surface in a very quick and aggressive manner. It effects us all, yes, but in different ways. Those who don't suffer from mental illness, people who don't deal with the evils that are depression and anxiety, they have fear, but it's not the same. Their fear is subtle yet aggressive at the same time. When a person that doesn't suffer from any illness like those particular ones learns that somebody has taken their own life, it makes zero sense to them. So, there they sit, trying to justify it in a way that makes them comfortable with the random thoughts running through their mind.

"They should have gotten help."

"They should have gotten over it."

"It was a cop out, they were cowards."

"There's no way it was that bad."

"They were selfish."

NO. 

I can't help but get very upset when people make statements like that. I believe everybody is entitled to they're own opinion, we are all free to have our own beliefs. To each their own, it's a personal right. However, in my opinion, and in my experience....people who make statements like that have no idea what it's like to have severe mental illness.  Their demons are either nonexistent or quieter. Now, I'm not saying that I wish that everybody suffered from problems like that. I guess I just have very little to zero faith in most people when it comes to sensitivity and understanding. After years of having so many different problems, it's become very clear to me that most people aren't tolerant of things like anxiety and depression. They aren't patient with you, or the fact that you have those issues and it makes things harder for you. Or the fact that if you're anxious or depressed, it makes things of the most simple nature harder. They know, but they don't care, or they don't have the solution, so they pretend like it's not there. Some people will even go so far as to pretend that you aren't there. That sounds completely made up, I know, but I've seen it happen. People really can go that far, and they will.

I think that death is a trend at times, and it's very sad. When Phillip Seymour died, and people learned about his demons and drug addiction, they made statements that matched the statements about Robin Williams. Same with when people heard about Cory Monteith. 

"I had no idea. Oh my God, maybe more people will pay attention now."

Only, that didn't happen. Not with Phillip Seymour, Robin or Cory. Two days after Robin Williams was gone, people were promptly back to dumping ice water on their heads, and going on judgmental rants in their social network statuses. That's what I'm talking about when I say that death is a trend. People mourn, and move on, and that's totally acceptable. Only, I think it's unfortunate how people are so quick to make those kinds of statements, when they have zero intention of being more aware.

Over the years I've seen people take some very drastic measures to avoid helping others. Especially people who can't just openly admit that they don't want to help, or don't know how to help. For some, it's about effort, or having patience. Or, just not knowing what to do. For others, it's denial. They don't believe that depression or anxiety are real. For others, it's about religion. Suicide is supposed to condemn you to Hell, so you're considered to be evil before you're even dead. If a person knows you're suicidal, sometimes they will choose not to see or hear you for those reasons. I've also learned that those of us who are addicted to self harm are looked at as selfish, because we're hurting one of God's creations. Personally, I don't agree with some of that, but not I'm criticizing those who do. I'm simply pointing out some things I've noticed about people who are on the sidelines of the cruel game that is mental illness. Out of sight, out of mind. Only, not for people like me. The demons linger in our minds like cobwebs. 

"Please come back, but don't come near me."

I'm not really sure if that's a quote, or lyrics from a song, or what. I just like the words, and I found them on accident. I relate to those words, but I think they kind of tie into what I've been saying. People who chose to get angry at depressed, suicidal people, they tend to have that kind of attitude towards it. In a way, it's like they're saying....

"I don't want anything to do with you, but I want you alive."

Again, this is my opinion, I'm not claiming these things to be facts. It's just how I see it through my eyes. Now, I think a person has every right to feel that way. Hell, I'm guilty of it in a way. There's people I love, but can't handle being around. It's just one of those very suckish, very devastating feelings that some deal with from time to time. It's irrational, but there's nothing we can do about it. We're only human after all, you know? 

(Photographic Dramatization) 

Some of us have been marked for extinction since day one. Only....those marks, they can't be seen right from the beginning. As you grow, and get older, you learn, stuff happens. You learn about things. Beautiful things, happy things, sad and horrible things. You learn about yourself, and other people. You learn about how much, not just actions hurt, but words too. Soon, those actions, those words, and the hatred behind them, they turn into something else. There's a point that's reached, one that not everybody will always get to. It's the point where you realize that hurting them back doesn't bring peace. That's when the invisible mark transforms. The mark, it turns into a scar. After that, the scars....they multiply. I'm not the type of person that can just let go of the hateful things that people say to me. I wish I was, but I'm not. I'm just not that strong, and I admire people who are that strong. With me, it's like that whole demonstration with a sheet of paper. 

The paper, it starts of clean and unharmed.

 After it's crumpled up into a ball, and unfolded, it' damaged beyond repair. It will never be the same, no matter what.

(Photographic Dramatization) 

It can only get worse from that point.

(Photographic Dramatization) 

Worse and worse, until there's nothing left but wrinkles and mess.

(Photographic Dramatization) 

It's a shame that some of us are really that fragile, for many reasons, it's a shame.

One thing I've learned, is that sometimes, people just don't want to help you. It could be that, they are just that kind of person, or it could be that you're the kind of person that people don't want to help. Regardless, life goes on in one way or another. Me, I'm tired of life in general. I have been for a very long time, it's just how it is. Just recently, I was in a situation that was very frustrating. It was a level of frustration that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. It was almost like sitting in the waiting room outside of Hell. I was trying to make things better for myself, and it just fell apart so fast. I'm pretty sure I lost a very close friend, and it will break my heart forever. That friend, along with another one, they said things to me that really hit me. Like a brick wall. Basically, I learned the perception these people have of me. It wasn't eye opening in the way you'd think either. See, they made assumptions about me, and based their opinions on those assumptions. It hurt a lot, and it made me hate myself even more than I already did. The fact that I had somehow made these people jump to the conclusions that they did, it killed me. The fact that me needing their help was just burden, and that I thought they were alright with me needing their help. Those are things that eat my emotions alive. During that time, I was lucky enough to have another friend, and a new friend....give me hope, and shine some light on certain aspects of my life. 

The best way I can describe these two people is.....fireworks. They are just like fireworks. Their personalities explode, and go all over the place in the most beautiful way possible. They're colorful, and able to take your mind away from all the bad things for a little while. Instead of telling me everything that was wrong with me, they made me see what could be. They pointed out the good things, and had me concentrate on those good things. Their faith made me believe for a little while. Their attitudes towards me weren't negative or threatening. They didn't make me feel stupid for thinking the things that I do. Instead of yelling at me, and talking to me in a way that triggered my anxiety, they were patient, they were loving, they were kind. They recognized my pain, and dealt with it in the most perfect way. I'm thankful for all of my friends. Even the friends that are no longer a part of my life. Maybe I'm mean for saying this, and I don't mean to be.....but there are just some friends that understand me better. People that understand that anger, aggression, and and negativity are not things that I respond well to. My own family hasn't been able to figure that out in the last twenty seven years, so I'm not in shock when I see that other people don't get it either. Only, when certain people understand that about me right away, it makes me smile. It makes everything better for a little while. It makes me forget that I am a walking mistake, and that I never should have been born to begin with. It makes me forget that being in pain is a burden to most, even those who are closest to my heart. It makes me forget about the demons that are constantly whispering in my ear.  When people treat me like a person, it just makes me forget. 

I'm not angry. I'm not bitter. I'm just noticing things. One thing I've noticed a lot lately, and that the mentally ill are not tolerated by most. So, the next time a person takes their own life, hurts themselves, or lashes out in a way that you don't understand......don't pretend to care. Don't make assumptions, because assumptions are judgement's angry cousins. Don't think twice, think three times.

There's plenty of reasons why people let Death win. Try not to let your attitude, words and actions be any of those reasons.

Life, Death & Perfection

 I think about silencing myself sometimes. It would hurt a lot, but I think that it would be worth it. I talk too much, and I know how much it annoys people. When I speak, it helps people to realize just how much they don't need me in their lives. It hurts, but not enough to make me angry. I'm not strong, but I am understanding. More often than not, people avoid me, but I get it. I'm too much on so many different levels. I'm not exactly proud of that, but I'm not ashamed either. I'm happy that I can recognize that. People like to think that I can’t tell when I’m boring them, but I can. Some had to teach me how to see it, but now I can tell when people are humoring me. It happens a lot more often that I ever wanted to believe. So, why even  say anything at all? Now, I just feel dumb when I talk about things. Yeah, it has a lot to do with low self esteem, but it also has a lot to do with people being fake. The fakeness, it’s like this mask that people wear, it’s a wall they hide behind. Instead of being honest, they’d rather spare your feelings by pretending to want you around. I understand why people do that, but I think that there are people who abuse it. I  can hear the confusion, hate, disgust, and most of all humor, in people’s tones when I speak. Sometimes, I can hear the very moment when a person stops listening, and blocks me out. So, there are times right before I go to sleep, when I think about getting needle and thread, and sewing my lips closed. Yes, it’s morbid, but I’d be doing myself, and so many others a favor.

 To you, it may look painful, but when I found this, it made me smile. To me, this is beautiful. I can’t help but wonder about that person. Real or fake, a statement is being made here. Maybe they feel the same way I do, maybe they feel guilty about the words that come out of their mouth. Maybe their mouth often got them into trouble, maybe they were tired of hearing their own voice. Or maybe they just wanted to know how it felt. Whatever the reason….I’m happy that I found this. I get happy when I find new things, even if it’s just a random photo. Like the needle and thread one. Or a picture of places like this.

 I don’t know where that is, but I don’t need to. It looks like the perfect place. For life, for death, for anything.  There could be anything beyond that fog, and I don’t think I would hesitate to find out. I’d walk slow, but I’d still go right on through. True, I don’t know for sure what I would find, but I know what I would want to find. Somewhere to sit, a place where I could very comfortably fall and stay asleep. A place that smells like Egyptian Musk. 

 Yes. This is perfection. Warm water, candles. As awkward as it would be, this tub, in that place would be pure magic. The moment would mean nothing without something to listen to. A song to hear, one that flows like warm wind through the air. A song that fit’s the atmosphere. 

 A song like this. It’s calm, it breathes….and it’s beautiful. Just like that place. It would be the perfect setting to say goodbye. To close my eyes, and take my very last breathes. Everything would just melt away, piece by piece. 

 See, I have these tiny little demons inside my head. True, they’re tiny but they don’t exactly tread lightly, and they work fast. They run around inside my head, so fast and so often that they’re making it damn near impossible to use all my emotions anymore. My excitement towards things is almost totally gone. There are exciting things happening around me, and I’m happy, but I’m not excited. I’m proud, but I’m not excited. I know how it sounds, I do. It sounds as if I don’t care about others being happy, and having lives to be proud of. That’s not the case, not at all. The people I love, and care about will always make me happy in some way or another. I will always be happy for the good things they get out of life, that will never change. The thing is, it’s nobody’s fault but my own that certain feelings of mine are being taken over by the mind numbing little demons that are taking over my mind. I’m not strong enough to handle real life, and I’m not about to pin that on somebody else. 

 You know, some people don’t believe that depression is real. They think it’s some made up thing, created by weak people who feel sorry for themselves, and pin all of their problems on others. Well….to each their own opinion. Each and every one of us is a different person. A person with opinions of our own. However, I will never agree with the small minded view. The small minded view that just because one person handles life their way, that it will work for everybody else around them. Depression is a disease, and diseases kill. I don’t feel sorry for myself, I genuinely hate myself. I don’t blame my issues on other people. My sadness and heartbreak is just a part of me that happens to be stronger than other parts of me. Some people in this world are just sad, and don’t want to be alive. That’s just how some people happen to be. It's a fact. It maybe sad, it may hurt, but it's real. Just because others don’t really understand that feeling, doesn’t mean they have to be mean, and judgmental about it, but they always will be. That’s how other people are. Again, we’re all different. Understanding should be part of that difference, but it’s not. People will forever lash out against what’s different. There will always be people in this world who feel like it’s normal to insult, and judge those who are so different, that they don’t understand. These are people that will never grasp a certain concept. That just because they don’t understand or agree with something, they have to destroy and insult it. That to me…it’s painful. I don’t like how that makes me feel. So, when I feel like escaping to a world where, my mouth is sewn shut, and I’m dying in a bathtub, in the middle of a colorful little foggy world….I’ll do that. Because in my mind, that’s just better. It hurts less, and it’s just better than the real things. People will read my words, and study my thoughts, and they will automatically assume that I’m negative towards life. If that’s how it seems to people, fine. Everybody is allowed to have their own thoughts. I don’t believe that my thoughts towards death are all negative. Death scares me, but it also gives me this overwhelming feeling of a peace that lasts forever and ever. I should probably hide most of the things that I feel, I know that I should. This world isn’t mature enough to handle some of the thoughts that people have these days. It’s just how it happens to be now, you know?  My honesty will always turn most people against me, and it hurts, but it’s real. The real truth is, I’d happily take my very last breath listening to beautiful music, in the middle of a colorful fog, thinking about the few things in life that made me smile more often that not. Accept it, or don’t. You’re allowed to feel however it is that you feel.

Fireworks & Moments Worth Remembering

 There can sometimes be these incredible moments that happen in life. You're at this weird point where everything seems to be standing still. Nothing you want is in reach, and everything that you're trying desperately to hang onto seems to slipping away faster and faster as each day passes by. The more tears you cry, the slower your heart beats, and giving up just feels so right. Going through the motions isn't even a justifiable way to describe it anymore.

 There are so many monsters inside of my head. Telling me how to feel. Forcing me to think about things. Not voices, I don't have schizophrenia, or anything like that. The monsters are negative, mean, hurtful memories from the past. Echos that I've been hearing my whole life. I used to think that they came went on and off, from time to time. Now, I'm thinking that they never really go anywhere. They're always there, just waiting the remind me. Waiting to mock, and bully me. It's almost ironic. I don't handle bullying well, I'm the person that cowers into a corner when it's happening to me. Yet, it's my own thoughts and memories that are backing me into the corner. It's so frustrating, it's almost like I might as well be punching myself in the face, or pulling my own hair. My brain is already telling me how much I suck at life, and meaningless my existence truly is. How empty I'll always be. It's no secret what that is, at least it's not to me. My low self esteem took a pretty serious turn for the worse at some point. That's part of why I think talking to people about myself is a huge waste of time. I don't have all good things to say about myself, so when I'm honest about it, I get yelled at. People get angry, and snap at me. Telling me that I shouldn't think those things about myself, and that they aren't true. Only, they just don't understand it enough to respond in a way that makes me comfortable. I don't get mad at those people, ever. I really do understand why certain people get so fired up about my self loathing issue. They just don't get how complicated it really is.

 When you are told for years and years by people that you being so much different is bad, and that you shouldn't be how you are. When they tell you that you're appearance, and the way that you choose to look is weird, and unacceptable. When they look at you like you're crazy as Hell for saying something that's on your mind. When they spend so much time and effort breaking you down. All of that, it tends to stick, and it sticks hard. For some of us, all of that will reflect on our future, even if we don't think it will. For some, it only makes them stronger, and proving those people wrong becomes a huge part of daily life. There is nothing wrong with that in my eyes. Hell, I wish I would have landed on that side of the fence, but I didn't. Not everybody does. What people don't understand, is that....you can't just get rid of that over night. Like I said, it sticks hard. Eventually, it makes you think the worst of yourself. It's not like pressing a button, and having it all go away. Especially not when you're yelled at and made to feel stupid for thinking bad things about yourself. You might a well be pouring gasoline onto a fire. When you call a person stupid for thinking thinking that they, themselves, are stupid, the outcome will either be the same, or a little worse. Either way, it's not right. It's always nice to hear that somebody doesn't have those same horrible thoughts about you. It's not nice when they respond with anger. It just hurts more. Maybe that's just me being the overly sensitive person that I am. Regardless, it doesn't feel good.

When a person is pretty much at the end of their rope, I think one of the worst things you can do is respond negativity. You might as well be the one that takes the final tug, and pulls the rope away. Then, you just watch them fall. Down, down, down until they hit the bottom. Then what? Nothing. You've accomplished nothing. Tone is everything, and it's not always easy to have control over, but I feel like people don't even try anymore. They are all too happy to be the bigger person, and the only way they can do that is to make you feel as small as they possibly can. Like for people who self harm.

“You're stupid to hurt yourself like that!”

“Why would you do that to yourself?”

“If you really cared about me, you'd stop doing that.”

“If you don't stop doing that, I'm done with you.”

“You're crazy.”

“I don't understand why you do that.”

 Exactly. You don't understand, you just said it yourself. So, how can you stand there, and say all those things? Especially if you don't understand. You can't force people to understand things that they don't, at least not right away. But, I think that people who don't fully understand things right away have some things to learn too. Like, just because you don't get it, doesn't mean you have to insult it, or make somebody else feel like garbage. Self harming, or people who use drugs. People who have alcohol addictions, people who have eating disorders, or phobias. Depression, Anxiety, all of that. You can't turn it off over night. Which brings me back to the whole low self esteem thing. You can't just turn it off. Not with a switch, not with a button, and not with negativity. Some would call it tough love, and maybe that works for some people. Anger only pushes people like me, deeper and deeper down. It fuels the fire. Because now I'm thinking....

“They agree with me, they're right. I'm stupid, and everything I do hurts people and makes them angry. Nobody really understands, so I might as well just sew my mouth shut with a needle and thread, and call it a day.”

 See? That may sound dramatic to some, but for me, and others like me, it's way too real. It's the reason why some people choose to suffer in silence. Judgment is around every corner. Hate waits on your doorstep like a unwanted guest on a daily basis. Sure, it's easy for some to ignore, but not all of us. Some people in this world might as well me blind and deaf, because it seems like the only way to escape the monsters. The fear, and pain, the Devil and all his games. There is evil in this world, and it comes in all shapes and sizes. All forms. It's in people's words, and actions. It's in people's eyes, and it sits over all of our heads like a dark cloud. Waiting to rain down on everybody that still has love inside of their hearts. It's all too easy to caught up in. To me, it doesn't matter where you stand, the monsters can always get to you. Some people don't care. They're ready for their world to end. It's when the monsters go after the ones we love. That's when we choose to stand up and fight. I can't lie, I'd fight for whoever is in my heart, for whatever reason. When it comes to myself, it means nothing. It's been like that for a very long time, and I'll admit, it's gotten me into a lot of trouble. Things might be different for me today, had I cared about myself before. My mind might be a little more clear.

 So, when one of those incredible little moments comes along, I can't help but put so much behind it. Like tonight. I heard these weird little explosion noises coming from outside. I knew what it was right away, and I had to smile. Anybody that really knows me, knows that I have this awkward obsession with fireworks. I mean, I enter another world when there are fireworks going off. I went outside, and sure enough in the distance, there were this amazingly beautiful display of fireworks. The bests kinds. The gold and white ones that kinda rain down after they explode. The ones that shoot straight up, and disappear for a moment, only when they finally do go off, it's big and beautiful. When I see those, I can't help but think about that is probably one of the best ways to make an entrance. I saw every color, and even though I was already listening to music....I didn't really need to be. Watching fireworks is like watching certain music take visual form. It's just so easy to get lost in the lights, the fire, and the colors. Even the sound. When I was standing there, watching them....everything just went away. The monsters inside of my head, the pain in my heart....everything. It was just gone for a little while. For once, the tears I was crying were tears of joy. It was one of the best feelings I have felt in a very long time. Sure, the moment is gone now. But, I have the memory, and that means more to me than I think I'll ever be able to really describe.

 There can sometimes be these incredible moments that happen in life. My advice is, when those things to happen....try not to forget them. Try to keep the monsters away from those memories. Those are the moments that can make you smile later on down the road. And it's beautiful. Even if only for a moment.

 

Once Upon Time, in Reality

Alice should have stayed in Wonderland. Dorothy should have stayed in Oz. Peter pan had it right, and Wendy probably should have stayed with him in Neverland.

The real world, and the reality that most people are stuck in, it's a trap. It's a cruel, and damn near useless trap. I understand, that it's probably not fair for me to say that. It may not even be true, but I can't help but feel that way these days. Everywhere I look, I see pain. In people's eyes, and in their body language. I can hear it in their voice when they speak. It's a heartbreaking tone. It just makes you like hugging the person. Only, you know if you do, they'll just push you away.

They lie about their pain, just like they lie about yours. People tell you all the time that they're your friend. That you can trust them, and that they want to be there for you. You pretend to understand, because you've already realized that they are blowing you off in the middle of telling you that they care. Those are the kinds of people that really mess with my head. I don't hate them, and it's not very easy for me to get mad at them. It just hurts. I'd rather be told that I'm too depressed, and too much of a downer to hang out with. I'd rather people just tell me the truth, and say that they don't want to be around me. I know it hurts when people do that, people have done it to me before. Only, it hurts more when a person lies to my face about it. Claiming that they are so busy, and barely have time to breathe. You're told that, and then you go on social networks, like Facebook, and see photo after photo of that person handing out with a bunch of other people. You go on Instagram, and see the same thing.

I understand why people don't like being around me, most of the time, I don't even like being around me. I just hate that people think lying to me is easier. I guess I've know for a while, that I'm not really worth a lot. I just thought maybe I was worth the truth. Ever since I've been back in the area that I'm in, I'm starting to see that I'm not.

In Wonderland, nothing made sense. It was a mess. Tea parties, songs about how it's not your birthday. A stoned caterpillar, and a Queen that needed anger management. Yet, Alice learned a lot things about herself. A world full of nonsense brought out the best of her, at least that what I thought. Wonderland taught her things. It just seems like she learned better things. Better things than what this world has ever taught me.

Even if Dorothy wanted to go back to Kansas, I think she would have been better off staying in Oz. I think Alice and Dorothy would be best friends. I've always thought that, because both of them seemed so alone before they went on their adventures. No matter what, in the other worlds, or their own....I think if they would have found each other somehow, they would have been a little less lonely.

In Neverland, you're forever young. Enough said. Peter Pan had every right to be scared. He understood that when you grow up, the world can eat you alive. It can chew you up, and spit you back out, half alive. It's like....you wish it just would have killed you. If I were Wendy, I would have stayed. The stars shine brighter there. The water is blue, and it's full of mermaids. There's adventure there. You know what probably isn't there? Sickness. Things like Cancer, and mental illness. I bet the minute you get there, some of kind of weird magic takes it all away. In Neverland, you probably don't have to watch people you love die. Or feel your own body slowly shutting down. Sure, even if you can't grow up there's still death. Only, for some reason in my mind, in a place like that, once you're there, time stands still for you. Sickness goes away.

Sickness doesn't go away in this world. People lying to you for their own comfort, that will never stop. Bullies, Ignorance, and evil. All here to stay. The pressure to be just like everybody else, will hover over us like an angry rain cloud until the day we die.

Strange Irony

I wish it was possible to get through life without hurting people's feelings. Sure, you can keep your mouth shut, and never let out how to truly feel about some things. That's possible for some, but it's not always easy. That's what I do. It's so mind numbing, and frustrating, and it makes me crazy, but it's what I want. Honesty hurts people. Honesty is kinda' like music. Sometimes, what you're hearing is painful but it needs to be heard. Music is a voice, one that speaks truth, lies, love, hate, peace, war, life, death and so many other things. To me, that's what honesty is. There is just so much to say. Yet, I'd rather go to my grave holding most things inside. It's a dangerous flaw of mine, one that I feel I have to just embrace, and learn to live with.

 When you're honest with people, they get hurt. When I tell people things that get to me, I feel like a monster. Like an angry little monster that tears people down. We're all different people, we all feel different about certain things. So, when you have hate towards something that somebody else loves, and you say it out loud....feelings get hurt. Some people don't care. Some people find pleasure in hurting people, and their feelings. Some of them thrive on it, and can't go one day without tearing somebody else to pieces. I'll never be that person. I never want to be that person. Even when I'm being as nice as I possibly can be in my honestly, I still feel like a monster. One of the monsters that often tears me down.

 I cannot stress enough just how much I wish it was possible to get through life without hurting one's feelings. I understand, sometimes it's human nature to let it all out, and just be honest. It's ironic to me. I'm fighting against human nature, only to avoid being a monster. Strange Irony. Kinda' sounds like a song title.....

Monsters & Other Things ♪

Curiosity took my childhood away from me. Monsters stole my innocence. Not just the monsters under my bed. The ones that lived all around me. You don't know it until you're older, but the monsters are around all of us, every single day. All of the time. They hide in plain sight, most of the time you never even see their terror coming. It's just one of those things, it won't change. They won't stop hiding, they won't stop fooling us. No, they'll always be around, slowly killing all the beauty, and eating away at the things that make us smile. It's a bittersweet situation, to me. In my opinion, there should be a balance of good, and bad floating around. Only now, it seems like the bad things are taking over. It's hard to decide between the two sometimes, I get that. I don't see any point in wondering why other people don't think the same way that you do. People are different, that's just how it works. Getting angry at a person for not thinking the same way you do, or being on the same level is a sad waste of time. You might as well stand in front of a person, repeating the words “Be just like me”....over and over again, and expecting it to make a real difference. The monsters are like that. Some of them think the right thing to do is to bully you, and make you feel stupid for having your own mind. It's a poison that's hard to avoid. Mostly because it runs through so many people's veins, almost like it was their blood. It's kinda' like a song that you hate hearing, but you can't stop listening to it, because it's always playing. There isn't always an escape. When there is a way out, it always seems so temporary.

 For me, shutting down always seems to be my escape. I can't help it anymore, it's become a habit of mine. It's the safest thing to do sometimes, even if some people get shut out in the process. It doesn't mean I love them less, or that they've done anything to hurt me purposely. The wall I put up just keeps a certain kind of pain away. A pain that seems to last for days on end. It sits in the pit of your stomach, and grows until it turns into heartbreak, and resentment. It feels foreign, yet familiar and it makes your head hurt. I know I'm not alone on this, not that most people would ever admit it. It's a lot less complicated than I'm making it sound, I know that. I just tend to use more words then necessary sometimes. Another random habit of mine.

 I'm not saying that getting your opinion out there is a waste of time. It's what I'm doing right now. I'm not trying to rain on anybody's parade. I'm just tired of the monsters. I see them, hear them, and deal with them on a daily basis, just like all of you do. That's why when I create my own little bubbles, my own worlds, and personal escapes in my head....there aren't any monsters. It's just me, the colors I like to look at, and the music that I love to hear. It's always the best music too. The songs that really know how you feel in that moment. The songs you listen to, that actually listen back. Sounds too good to be true, I know, but those songs exist, and if you haven't found one yet, you will. You just have to be patient. If you can't find a song like that, just ask me. I'll find one for you.