Secret #30: The Universal Secret
When i saw the presentation by Frank Warren, creator of the postsecret project on my last birthday, he said that of all of the thousands of secrets he had received, this was the one secret that he receives most often. And i think that it's very telling that so many people have the same secret that they feel too ashamed to tell anyone. i think a lot of us have a lot of the same secrets that we share and feel like we're all alone. If i've learned anything, it's that i'm not alone in this world. i don't have to feel ashamed of who i am or how i feel. i've learned that "if we sink or if we float, we're all in this same big boat." (The Police, "One World (Not Three)") And, most importantly, there is always someone to reach out to in our darkest hour. We don't have to do it alone, no matter how lonely or isolated we may feel.
That being said, i'm really glad this month is over. As cathartic as it's been, its been very emotionally draining. Many of these things i've had stashed away for years and this has made me get introspective and re-examine some of the lesser moments in my past (much of which i have only touched upon if i've shared them at all) and realise that while it will never go away, i do not have to remain a prisoner of it. i have made friends with my ghosts.
If you haven't joined the postsecret community, you should. Fresh secrets are posted every Sunday. If you need it, the The Suicide Prevention Lifeline has a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Consider making a donation.
i will still go back and look at the last few posts and respond to all of your comments, but for now, this series is complete. Quite coincidentally, this is my 1000th LJ post which, i guess, is some sort of milestone in and of itself. Yea, me! It's been a long thirty days. It's been a long couple of years. Thank you and good night.
You can see all 30 of my secrets here.