Here’s a few great “why” question to ponder. Why do we suffer from mental illness,today, more than ever before? Why?
Why are we 10 times as likely to suffer from depression as were our grandparents? Why?
Why are we more addicted too? Why?
Why are we more affluent and more anxious? Why?
Why are we more connected via some kinda social media and less connected at home, at work, in the hood, and any other kinda face to face community? Why?
Why?
The short answer isn’t the one we want to hear. The short answer is not an easy one to hear, much less absorb. The short answer is that we are more disconnected, depressed, drugged, and distraught because we’ve never been more focused on others and less focused on ourselves. Mental health requires a human to begin within. Inner, other, outer is the focus of the mentally fit. And, this is the opposite of self absorption. Huh?
Here’s what I mean. The root cause of the aforementioned ailments is too much time invested in fixing others and too little in fixing ourselves. This will drive a human to drink. This will drive a human to distract. This will drive a human down. This will drive a human toward depression. This is a recipe for disaster.
Today, make a decision to become more mentally healthy. Choose to work on your biggest problem, you. Your mental health depends on you changing your focus from outer (your system), other (your significant somebody’s), to inner (you). Make a date with your mirror, my friend. And bring a friend, not to make you feel better as you discover, dissect, and deal with your stuff, but, instead, to make you better as they bring their invited perspective to illuminate what you cannot see on your own. This will hurt and help. Choose this kinda pain, now.
And, remember, some of the most mentally fit among us are not the ones that look the part. Oftentimes, the most mentally fit among us are simply the ones with the humility, courage, and discipline to ask and receive the help of others.
Funny, huh…
BUILT TO LEAD 