As some are aware, September is Suicide Awareness month. Suicide is something most people don't feel comfortable talking about because of the darkness the conversation brings. A broken heart, a broken life, someone who feels so beat down that they can't pick themselves up one more time. Everyone usually hits a point in life when their friends start turning away, their family might experience a rough patch, or other influences keep bringing them down.

Every case is different in terms of severity and reasons, but it brings no less importance. It can seem so much easier to block the world, and those who love us, out, but sweet sunflower, it is so much healthier to let them in. Let the light of love and the small things have a gradual, positive flare that lights the little hope that seems to be left.

I've been there. My case was specific to me and may seem small to others. I felt the necessity to keep my feelings in because they were so specific. It seemed to be something I could fix. So I tried to do it on my own.

Unhealthy habits began to take over, closing out those around me, lashing out, and focusing on the negatives. It was hard, and looking back, noticing the actions I started taking and seeing them in those I know right now is so heartbreaking. Life turned out so great, but at the time it felt never ending and filled with pain.

I am sharing this for awareness. The reminder to always keep in mind some struggles may seem small to you but could be consuming someone's heart and life. I was grateful enough to have guardians looking out for me and checking in on me but not everyone does. As small as it is, a smile and just sitting down with a stranger and introducing yourself, or sitting silently with someone while working on homework can leave a positive light in the world. Slowly that light can grow and overcome the dark thoughts that sit within them when they look in the mirror or think of their future.

It is repeated daily and posted on every media platform out there, so hopefully, it reaches those that need to hear it most.

A simple smile or act of kindness can turn someone's day around. A text to let someone know you thought of them. Taking the time to give a small hello. Introducing yourself to the person sitting by themselves. Something as simple as not sharing negative thoughts about someone can not only make someone else's life more positive but yours as well.

To all those who need to hear this, I'm with you. "I'm a sunflower, a little funny // If I was a rose, maybe you'd pick me."

I pick you. You mean something special even if nothing makes sense right now. You are about to become a very strong version of yourself.