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Carving Hope Out of Depression: Victory Over Darkness and a Path to Self-Love

By David Harder

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Chapter One: Two Things Before We Start

First, be sure to read this entire first chapter of my book. It will only take a few minutes. This is especially critical for those of you who are considering suicide. Please stop; don’t do it!

I was near this point myself, but thankfully didn’t act on it. If you’re feeling suicidal, the following lifeline is available 24 hours a day. Please call, someone will want to speak with you. Here is the telephone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:

1-800-273-8255

Suicide seems like an answer, a way to escape the pain, and no one gets hurt in the process, except the one who took his or her own life. But, nothing could be further from the truth. Your pain and the loss of your life will affect everyone around you.

Since you didn’t hatch out of an egg on your own, it took two people to make you. In addition, probably several others helped to deliver you, feed, clothe, teach, educate, plus work and play with you—so you’re not alone as much as you think. When you’re gone, you’ll leave a mysterious hole in the lives of your family, friends, associates, and even casual acquaintances. The ones you thought would be okay without you will not be able to make sense of your loss. They will carry in their heart a dark hole you will leave for the rest of their lives!
Choose to survive.

Second, I don’t care what religion you’re affiliated with, I’m asking that you read the following prayer aloud:

God, I am asking You to hear these words being read. Send Angels to watch over and protect me. I’m feeling depressed and hopeless, or can’t make sense of life, but I am willing to read this book. Help me to understand, and push all preconceived ideas out of my head.

If you spoke these words with meaning, then terrific. If you’re feeling even slightly skeptic, please go back and reread this prayer. In fact, it’s okay if you need to read it many times. I need you to remain open-minded as we move forward to the next chapters. By the way, you will find a summary of all the prayers used in this book on page 149.

I need to mention also that what you believe about the world and how it came into existence, is not up for discussion because it lacks importance. If you belong to a church, or affiliate with some organized religious group, this also is not essential right now. You might be Hindu, Buddhist, or Shinto, subscribe to Islam, Judaism, Christianity, or believe in nothing, and yet I assure you, this information although compelling is not significant. When you’re depressed and losing hope, nothing matters. But, I promise, there are answers.

What remains crucial is that you stay open-minded and set aside any preconceived ideas about God, Jehovah, Yahweh, Allah, Jesus, and the Bible. I will explain my thoughts on this as we continue. After completing this book, if you decide to hold on to your original beliefs, I cannot judge you. This is your individual choice.

Every human being who ever existed, or is living now, arrived on this planet through choice. It may simply be that two people had sex, and a child was created (on purpose or by accident), but in the end, whether the infant continued life or was aborted, this occurred because of a choice. In the same way, death is about choices. Granted, not all death is a choice because sometimes, genetic flaws or disease will contribute to death, but the rest—wars, murders, accidents, suicide, capital punishment—are all about choice. If you choose to ignore your body’s warning signs or seek medical attention when you’re sick, and you die, then it was a choice.

We face choices every second of our life. Some options are life changing while others seem insignificant. The decisions we make not only affect our life, but all those around us, whether we know them or not. What if Alexander Fleming had given up and chose to quit on life? You say you don’t know this person. Well, Mr. Fleming experienced tragedy, setbacks, and failures, yet he discovered penicillin. A single man and his discovery have affected millions of people worldwide.

There are many examples of how this same story plays out, but I believe that you understand my meaning. Since no one can predict the future, you’re left with the here and now, this moment in which you choose to take action or not. So, stay open-minded, and let’s find the truth together.

Right now, you’re deciding whether to close this book or read further; I’m hoping you’ll select the later. Remember, your life is a result of your choices.
 
Reviewing this Chapter

Suicide is a choice. Are you willing to set aside those feelings and journey with me to find hope?
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Can you remain open-minded through this journey?
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Living and life are options. Do these seem impossible for you?
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We cannot predict the future. Are you afraid of what the future will bring?
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Life is an accumulation of our choices. Do your choices feel wrong or confusing?
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