Tuesday, June 16, 2009

To kill the dead

This article is just to make sure my blog doesn't go dead as some say it is, and the bigger updates coming soon ya, so just read up and learn from the words I've written ( :

“I think suicide is the most perfect thing you can do in life”

-Damien Hirst

When we all were young and foolish, we often sought after the easy way out of the difficult things in life. Take for example when we were in our schooling years we often try offering a mountain of excuses and reasons as to why we weren’t able to complete our homework or hand in our assignments on time. Or maybe a lazy clerk who tries to explain and justify himself to his boss, claiming he couldn’t finish the 1000-word report because he had to visit the restroom every 20 minutes. But, of all the silly things we do and say, suicide comes in ranked as the number one item on the list. Suicide as portrayed above as the “most perfect thing you can do in life” by the great artist, Damien Hirst is truly a remarkable statement, to both the fool and the idiot. In fact, the taking of one’s own life is in reality the most ridiculous and absurd way to end one’s misery and troubles. Imagine the pain and hurt you’d cause to your loved ones. Or the disappointment inflicted upon your close companions and friends. Or worse, the negative impact that would be scarred upon your family and its generations to come. Suicide is never the right option in any scenario. No matter how great the storm lashes or how fiery the flames may be, suicide never comes in as the right choice for any individual especially teenagers, to take.


But wait, what causes it? Pressure, some say. Grief, speaks another. Ranging from the death of a loved one, low self-esteem to even suffering from a terminal illness, there lies a list of endless possibilities and motives that spur a person to commit this abominable deed. But for us teens, we’re faced with our everyday trials and hurdles in the long race called “Life”. Maybe not a thousand pages of homework or a tonne of History notes to do, but remember, the greatest things in life come in small packages. The number one cause of teenage suicide in the United States of America is drug and alcohol abuse. Never underestimate the power imbued in that innocent-looking pill or bottle. Alone, it has caused the pitiful deaths and downfalls of millions of unfortunate people, including teenagers. You’d lose that highly-coveted prefect ranking of yours or your goody-two-shoes impression or maybe even your life, robbed by the notorious criminal, suicide. Some teenagers hold too many roles in their lives. As a son, a brother, friend, prefect, student being unable to live up to the expectations of their peers and loved ones. Some forecast us to become the next president of the United States, or maybe the richest man in the world not knowing the insurmountable pressure that they are placing on our shoulders. Knowing why and how it happens, is only part of the puzzle unsolved.


Fitting in the final pieces of the puzzle would be the knowledge and understanding of overcoming suicide. Remember the time when your mom kept nagging at you for not washing your dishes? Sometimes, you’d curse under your breath saying, “I wish I was dead and gone so I wouldn’t have to hear her stupid voice ever again.” Suicidal thoughts eh? We could all be more positive about life and our mom’s nagging about cleaning up the dishes for a start. Look on the bright side of things when the way grows dark. Remember, the optimist sees the doughnut, the pessimist sees the hole. Learn to be like the jolly optimist and instead of treating homework like a burden, why not take it as light exercise for your hands? Or maybe even regard washing dishes as playing with water and toys. Though the grass may not always be greener on the other side, our minds must be tuned to think of our troubles and strife as hurdles and obstacles that we as the athlete have to leap over and sprint across.


I’m sure we all love music and the wonderful melodies that they pronounce to our ears and heart. Needless to say, listening to soothing and relaxing music is indeed another way of overcoming your rocky and tumbling life. Like medicine to the sick, music is the cure to a wounded soul. It heals the cuts and relieves the pain while soaking up the blood that has been lost. Of course, the right choice of music would indeed influence the effect it bears on its listeners. Would you prefer to hear the comforting and reassuring melody of voices so angelic? Or the deafening and vulgar hellcalls of rock bands and heavy metal groups? Without doubt, our minds would be tempted to savour the tuneful hymns thus laying aside our doubts and of course, suicidal thoughts and intents.


“Hold my hand, all the way, every hour, every day. From here, to the great unknown. Take my hand, let me stand where no one stands alone.” The lyrics of this song truly describes the unparalleled value that lies in the spirit of friendship and fellowship. Thus, implying that we should all be in the ever so loving company of our friends, family and loved ones. Be it a simple dinner with a friend or a lengthy chat with your next-door neighbour and possibly a romantic date with your apple of the eye. Share your underlying problems with them and let them hear you out. Remember that a true friend is one who comes in when the others go out. Don’t forget your beloved parents who are ever ready to lend their ears and hands whenever the need arises. They who love and cherish your life the most will be the greatest cure for not only suicidal intents but also, the great storm that crosses your path and the searing fire that blazes your long and winding journey, that I once referred to as “Life”.


All of us have a little fire that burns within us. The flame that keeps us living from day to day. The burning passion and will to strive and tell ourselves that tomorrow is going to be a better day for you, me and everyone else. That fire, is hope. Hope bears all things, endures all things, embraces all things. Don’t let that fire go out, or so will you. Don’t let suicide be the pathetic end to your life. You have one shot at life, don’t waste it on suicide.


I stand alone on silent nights,
my scares of feelings dawn new light.
I cannot reap a soul nor weep,
and at night I cannot sleep.
For the demons wake in silent beds,
to pull all my fears and dread.
I must stay on my chosen path;
hope to outrun their gentle wraith.
I cannot stop 'til peace has shone,
but then I fear I am all alone.
Like a candle I flicker light,
shedding tears and shedding fright.
The people cling with all their might,
to hold to my dieing light.
My fears and dreams came close to thee,
stop what's right for me.
All but your presence is unknown,
how can I make all seem alone?
it brings so much strength to stop these tears;
Yet somehow your touch will wash my fears.


Hope




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