“Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.   Be honest and frank anyway.” – Kent M. Keith

I just learned about Robin Williams.

I am heart-shocked. This is the only way  I can describe how I am feeling.

Only yesterday, I watched Night at the Museum with my family. Robin Williams is a favorite and I have seen nearly all of his movies. I love his whipper-snappy, quick-witted slapstick comedy. He was also an incredibly adept dramatic actor. A huge talent that will be sorely missed. I just can’t imagine what his family is going through right now.

Suicide.

How devastatingly disorienting depression can be – a fog so thick that one sees death as the only way out.

I was in the middle of writing another blog post about honesty but I just couldn’t stop thinking about Robin Williams.

And how easily this could have been any one of us. We need one another. Desperately.

Honesty.

I have been thinking about isolation and loneliness. Disconnection is so easy nowadays. We are all connected digitally but suffering from increasing measures of isolation and loneliness.

Honesty.

“I miss you.” “Wanna come over”. “Let’s hang out.” “I am lonely.” “I need a hug.”

Honesty.

Vulnerability takes courage. Reaching out is something I really need to work on.

And Robin Williams has just reminded me of this in a sobering way. Rest In Peace Robin Williams.

 

Practicing Honesty:

1. What do you desperately need right now? Honestly.

2. Who do you need to reach out to and honestly share your needs and concerns?

3. Who needs your attention or help?

4. What can you offer? Presence, listening ears, a kind word, helpful action?

5. If you suffer from depression, please know that you are not alone.  Please call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

6. In what ways can you practice self-care today? Rest? Solitude? Reflection? Nourishment? Play?

7. What small step of honesty do you need to take right now? Do it.

 

Take care of yourselves, friends. Connect with your loved ones.  Tell them how you really feel. See you next week.

Yvonne Whitelaw writes for Yvonnewhitelaw.com where she blogs about her quest to grow into her ideals in her “Live Your Ideals Project”. By sharing her lessons along the way (every Monday and Thursday), she hopes to serve and inspire a tribe of wholehearted warriors like you, to “live your ideals, live your calling and change the world.”