Skip to main content

Take A Minute, Change A Life!

Yours Truly in Prospect Park, 2016

September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day. For the past few years I participated in awareness through Cycle Around the Globe, an initiative of the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP). They started in 1960 and grew to over 50 countries around the world.

I cycle in Prospect Park, Brooklyn and other areas of my community to share literature and love. I'm a little under the weather today and didn't cycle. So I hope this message can still be reached far and near through internet action. Shout out to everyone working on this initiative today and everyday.

According to IASP, every year, more than 800,000 people die by suicide and up to 25 times as many make a suicide attempt. Behind these statistics are the individual stories of those who have, for many different reasons, questioned the value of their own lives.

Each one of these individuals is part of a community. Some may be well linked in to this community, and have a network of family, friends and work colleagues or school mates. Others may be less well connected, and some may be quite isolated. Regardless of the circumstances, communities have an important role to play in supporting those who are vulnerable.

This sentiment is reflected in the theme of the 2017 World Suicide Prevention Day: ‘Take a minute, change a life.’ As members of communities, it is our responsibility to look out for those who may be struggling, check in with them, and encourage them to tell their story in their own way and at their own pace. Offering a gentle word of support and listening in a non-judgemental way can make all the difference. - Well said!

I want to encourage those of you that may be in a state of feeling that your presence is no longer necessary.- It is! Whatever you're going through has been experienced by someone else. They just didn't share their story. But you can share and perhaps save someones life yourself. Please remember to call 1-800-273-Talk (8255) if you ever feel down. Someone is there to lift your spirits up at the national suicide prevention lifeline.
My love goes out to those of you that have lost a family member, friend or associate. Sharing their story may save a life as well.

We all endure circumstances in our lives and have our ways of dealing with it. My faith, love of family and their support has truly been a saving grace through my life's journey. I've even had a therapist that I've spoken to as well friends. We need all resources to assist us in our life. Exhaust them all! My brother taught a life affirmation that I'll share with you. Let's all declare today 'I love life and life loves me. Life and I, we do agree. Life takes pleasure in my prosperity. Today I live my life best!' -Be Blessed, beloved community.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

MEET & GREET CHANGE!

Blessed Autumn World!-As we begin to transition from warm to cooler weather we'll learn of opportunities to rededicate ourselves in community initiatives. I've listed some common and perhaps unknown ways to participate in this post. Did you know that your local Police Precinct has meetings with the community each month? In all five boroughs of New York City there is a Community Council. Check your part of the world for meetings and engagement with local police departments. Learn what the department has achieved, ask your questions, learn how you might even be able to participate in some initiative. You'd be surprised what you may learn! The local police department usually has representation at your Monthly local Community Board Meeting . New businesses, road work, zoning issues and more are discussed at these important meetings. Local elected officials and/or their reps attend these meetings as well. You'd get info about their initiatives in your community. Remember ...
Post a Comment
Read more

How Do You Repair the World?

National Service Shabbat with Geralynn Lane Five years ago... a table was prepared for me to meet  new friends.  The picture above is the day that started it all; actually, it was the preparation for this day. My partner at the podium is Geralynn Lane, not pictured (yet in the audience) is Yusyin Hsin. We’d all been working with NYC Service at partnering agencies. There was an opportunity to attend a National Service Shabbat. I was intrigued by this idea to celebrate service through Jewish custom and belief. As opposed to a formal grace over the food, Geralynn and I led the audience into a moment of gratitude, setting the tone for the evening. There were many progressive young people present. We listened to one another and shared our stories. It was a safe space. Our common share was the gratitude in meeting one another through service.   I grew up in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Honestly the only connection that I had with my Jewish neighbors was my parent’s l...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Power of Today!

"Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” -Mother Teresa My name is Melanie Shaleya Lewis. My purpose on this blog is to make you want to get up and swing into positive action! Especially those of us in Faith. We all know that many churches are not connected in communities as years ago. We'll continue to uphold the assembling of ourselves in fellowship, yet we need to invite and be involved in the communities in which we serve God. 'Love they neighbor as yourself' is the second great commandment.- Mark 12:31 . No worries though.-'The time is always right to do what is right'-Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. I have a passion for service, events, international relations, politics and education. Yet Faith is my foundation. It all began as a child. My mother would take my siblings and I to many interesting places. We'd be exposed to great diversity in our City of New York. Camps in China Town, excursions to protest in...
Post a Comment
Read more