Don't Give Up

Having battled postpartum depression with Big Sister, this has been such an important thing for me. I have been trying to be proactive to prevent ppd with Baby Sister, and I think I'm doing ok right now, but this is my motto for the foreseeable future. 

I also wanted to share this for anyone who is silently suffering. Whether it be any invisible physical, emotional or spiritual pain and/or illness, know that you are loved. DON'T GIVE UP! There are those that look up to you, that love you, that need you in their lives. 

And one thing that I've learnt for myself: there is always someone who knows with excruciating detail and perfect understanding EXACTLY how you feel. Your Savior, and mine, has felt EVERYTHING that you feel or have ever felt, thought or done. 

When I was at my worst, and I felt like there was no one to turn to, no one who would understand my anguish, I read a scripture relating to the Atonement, and finally just opened up my heart to my Savior. I cried. I prayed. I cried some more. But eventually, once I had let go of everything I had worried about, I was able to feel His loving embrace. 

Now, this didn't mean that I was all better. I still ended up needing medical intervention. Just because I had a major spiritual moment didn't mean that I was "all better." But it did allow me to move in the right direction. 

Get the help you need, but if all else fails, at least follow this counsel:

"Don't you give up. Don't you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead. It will all be alright in the end. Trust God, and believe in good thing to come"

-Jeffrey R Holland

Even if all you can do is believe and hope, just keep taking one more step. 

Please know that I love you; those around you, love you; and, most importantly, your Savior and your Father in Heaven love you.