The Other Side

I was shopping at my local grocery store, and just as I do at every store, I was scoping out which cashier would be graced with my presence on that day. (I know that sounds self-centered, but I am truly a pill and it takes a lot of patience to deal with me in a grocery line lol). Well anyhow, I stumbled upon a young woman who kind of looked like she was just at the end of her rope. So as usual I greeted her with a great, big hello! She kind of smirked and returned the greeting. So I decided to strike up conversation about the holidays, I asked what she would be doing for Christmas, etc. All of sudden she began crying as she begin to share a little bit of her life with me.

She told me how everything seemed wrong in her life, and nothing was going right. Her family was a mess, the people she encounters at work are rude, and how her birthday was Christmas day and she wasn’t even excited about it. So I shared some of my testimony with her, I encouraged her to hold her head up, and I let her know that she just has to smile through it all and focus on nothing but positivity. She told me it was hard to smile when she was going through so much, and people just could not and would not understand what she is going through. I said to this young woman, “No matter what it is, how bad it feels, or how hard it seems to get through; you will get through this! But if you can’t find the light in the midst of the darkness, you will never be able to see your way to the other side.”

I share that thought with others. Remember to live your life in the light. Not because it makes everything different, not because it changes the situation; but because it changes your outlook on your circumstances. Light drives away darkness, and it opens up the pathway to other side of the tunnel that seems to have you bound.

I have seen and heard of more than one instance of suicide and/or suicidal thoughts over this holiday season, and I only wish I could have reached those lost souls. I was at that point in life on more than one occasion, but God always sent someone, or something, to remind me that my life mattered. That my life matters, and that living is worth it! Let positivity be your guide. Let life and love help guide your way to the other side. No matter your situation or circumstance, there is and can be peace on the other side. Give love, give life, and give yourself a chance. I promise you will be happy with the end result.

-S.S. Latimore

#chooselife #chooselove #chooseyou #choose2believe