Look Around...

Look around, look around
Look at where you are
Look at where you started
The fact that you're alive is a miracle
Just stay alive, that would be enough

—-That Would Be Enough, from “Hamilton”

While I love Hamilton as much as the next person, when this song popped up on my shuffle, these lyrics meant something different to me, given that September is Suicide Prevention Month.

Given the past year and a half (or 100 in Pandemic Years) it’s becoming increasingly harder to appreciate the little things in life that usually keep us going in difficult times. Beauty, wonder, adventure, have been elusive and harder to get a hold of. And it’s been really easy to slip into despair and hopelessness. I know people are struggling to pull themselves out of that quagmire, and to them I say, “Look at where you started. The fact that you’re alive is a miracle” You held it together during this time. You woke up every day, even on the days you weren’t sure you wanted to. You’re here, and to me, that took guts and fortitude, and it makes you amazing. Keep staying amazing, everyone. Let’s try to be there for each other, but if you can’t manage that, at least be there for yourself. There’s someone who doesn’t want to lose you. And eventually, when we get back to “normal” we’ll all have a beer together.