Compassion and Why

I'm thankful that there is more awareness today than decade ago about mental illness. I'm thankful that the stigma has been reduced and those that suffer with it are able to come forward to receive help without the shame and guilt once associated with what was so blatantly misunderstood. I think we have a long way to go but progress is being made.

 The brain is an organ, no different than your heart or liver and it can be diseased. Unfortunately it is the most perplexing organ to the medical profession. Its workings are complex, diseases are difficult to pinpoint and diagnose, not to mention treat. This is why we must have compassion. It is one of many reasons. Another reason is that we cannot truly understand the suffering of another person who struggles with mental illness. From my own perspective I have the utmost difficulty to handle the internal struggles and external stressors simultaneously. I become overwhelmed. I can often act irrationally and make poor decisions.

 I have a very difficult time maintaining relationships. Many cannot handle my erratic nature though it may be well-intentioned with genuine kindness, generosity, and love for others at it's centerpiece. Simply put, we must be compassionate because we don't understand. This doesn't mean we have to accept behaviors that are damaging to ourselves but we must still be compassionate and make an attempt to understand and love even if from a distance when necessary.

 Throughout history some of our greatest contributors were sufferers of mental illness. It is a gift and a curse for many, but we must look for the good with empathy in our hearts.