Broken Hearts Shouldn't Kill You

Suicide prevention is a topic that has become near and dear to me. Coming from a person who PERSONALLY went through a suicidal time of my life, I am now making it my mission to help others and save people from going through what I went through. I was just 18-years-old. In "love" with my then boyfriend. I thought we were going to be together forever. (Quintessential for teens in high school) Nonetheless I was in love. and thought he was too. Then out of nowhere 7 months in, he up and broke my heart. I thought my world was over. The world still rotated and revolved around the sun, but my world was over. So I thought to take things in my own hands. I wanted to end "my" world. I made many attempts at suicide, and landed myself into the hospital. While I laid there in the bed, hooked up to machines of all sorts, I had a lot of time to think. My constant thought was..."Did I just try to end my life over a broken heart?" It is stupid really, but it does happen every day. Heart break too can just about kill you...if you let it. In 2009 a statistic showed that an average of 444 people took their lives. Suicide is the most common cause of death for 15 to 24-year-olds. A surprising fact is that 80 percent of men kill themselves each year. Granted most suicides are not caused by heartbreak alone, but having a broken heart on top of everything else makes you not want to go on. But take if from me, I sit here 20 years old, I still struggle with heartbreak (a lot) but I am still living. I admit, there are days when I feel like I "can't go on." A feeling of self-loathing, and hatred. Luckily, even with a broken heart, I still have friends and family to stick by my side. Just remember, Love may not last forever, but friendships and family will. Heartbreak hurts yes, but think of the hurt you would cause if you took your life over it. I guarantee, that heartbreak will be twice has painful as what you felt.

My Interview With the Doctor

Suicide Prevention Podcast

Life Is Not A Fairy Tale

So You Think You Are Living In A Fairy Tale? Step Into Reality Princess.

Once upon a time there was this girl…

Yeah, that’s how most fairytales begin, but not this fairytale.    As we all remember from our childhoods, which is not too long ago from some of us, we remember a princess struggling, waiting for her prince charming, wishing for a better life she is longing to live, but doesn’t know how to.  Have you ever noticed that in reality we are also searching for the same things?  Yeah, I know we don’t live in medieval times, with dragon guarded castles, and I am pretty most girls don’t have hair long enough to climb, because then she might have some serious problems in the real world, but most people In the world are searching in hopes to find that lover and true happiness.  Mistakenly, people confuse love and happiness to be the same thing.  One does not have to find love to achieve happiness.  You don’t need love to be happy, but honestly it could help.  Now, I don’t want to be a hypocrite about the whole love versus happiness debate. I too believe finding love could result in a GREATER happiness.  But I have learned without love you can indeed be happy, and many men and woman have accomplished success without a partner by their side.  Proving you can succeed on your own.

Now like I mentioned I am not a hypocrite, at 20 years old I believe love is a big part of life, and I         know for a fact that I am not the only one who believes that. I can speak for myself and possibly half of the world female population, but I don’t think I can truly speak for the male population being I am not one.   But for the woman and girls all over the world, we grew up looking at those princesses, who had evil stepmothers and sisters, or were locked away in towers, not living the way they dreamed, but in an hour they manage to escape their old life and live “happily ever after” with the prince who rescues them.  The young girls observe in amazement at the life they long to live as they viewed on the television screen, but in reality no one lives like that even celebrities.  Girls, love just doesn’t happen because you are waiting for your “prince” to rescue you, and it most definitely doesn’t happen in an hour or less, love takes time, and when you find it, you will know. 

I am in no way a guy, I can prove that, I don’t know the inner emotions of a guy, if I did, I wouldn’t be so worried about what a guy is thinking and wonder why they do what they do, also I don’t have the “equipment” a guy possesses.   This inadvertently, is a reason why guys do what they do.  They think with 3 different things. Their hearts, their minds, and their manly appendage, and for those who don’t understand what that may be, it’s their d*ck. Anyway, as mentioned, I cannot speak for a guy, but there are guys out there who actually want to be that prince charming.  They hope for a chance to fight for the girl they love.  Any girl with a guy like this is quite a lucky girl.  You might even feel like a princess.  In the guys defense, did they really have a princely figure to look up to just as the girls did with the princesses?  I don’t think so. Most of those fairy tales were about the girls, and their struggles.  Boys are rarely represented in fairytales unless they are the ones who save the day, so all guys thought was they were always supposed to be the hero, the Alpha male I guess we could say.  From then on, guys believe they are the most powerful, and they will always get the girl….No matter what.

So, here’s the thing guys, if you really believe you can be a prince, you have to show it. You can get the girl by sweeping her off her feet, but it takes more than that to keep her.  What truly happens after “happily ever after?” We are never really shown.  All you ever see is the prince rescuing the princess; they get married and take off in a carriage to their new happy life.  But are they truly happy?  In a way, we are the answer to that question.   Unfortunately, we live in a world where happy endings are not always fulfilled.  We live in a world of divorce, adultery, and death.  That kind of stuff does not happen to the lovers in a fairytale.  As much as fairytales give us a positive outlook on life, it is not the correct outlook.  We seem to be taught that as soon as one is married, their life is going to be perfect.  Well let me tell you.  Love is not perfect, neither if life.  We all have problems, but no one does in a fairy tale world, thus giving us the wrong impression of what life is all about. We are all given the impression we will all be happy, which I believe most of the world’s population can say it is nowhere near true. 

So here we are back to reality.  We don’t live in a fairytale world; therefore our lives will not be like they are in the fairytales.  We are going to have to suffer pain more than once in our lives.  We live and we learn, those lessons are what we pass down from generation to generation. 

Okay, I know what you’re thinking. I am only 19 years old, so what do I know about love and marriage and living happily ever after?  Well honestly, I don’t. I have never been married, but I have been in love, at least I thought it was love.  And it wasn’t the kind of puppy love that most adults think teenagers have with their partners, it was a legit love, and I was given the wrong impression that we could end up living happily ever after, but as proven by many before me, plans change, people change, and the future is altered.  It happens all the time, sometimes you can control the future, and sometimes you can’t, it’s all matters with what you do with the cards that are handed to you.    Just like in a true game of cards, 50% of the time you will be dealt a bad hand, and if you play your cards right, you can turn something as bad as a pair of two’s to a royal flush. 

 I guess a lot that I have said it kind of negative, but it is the truth. You can’t have something positive, and lie, that gives people the wrong idea.  Fortunately, there are things in life that we do sometimes see in the movies or the fairytales.  Friendship; in everyone of those fairytales, those “princesses” had some sort of friend whether it be a human or an animal, the one in trouble was never alone.  I believe something to learn from these misleading stories is there is always a friend nearby to help you through the problems no matter how hard times may be. 

Well at the age of 19, I am still kind of a child when it comes to some things, but in other ways, I am an adult, I have  learned a lot from those who came before me, those who came after me, events in my own life, and yes even those unrealistic fairytales.  In life you learn something new every day.  Well I am young, and have a long life to live. So lets let the learning begin.  And who knows, maybe one day we can teach those princes and princesses a thing or two about reality.

Confession of a Profiler

Grab your wands and jump into the tardis. This is Megan Foster.

Megan is currently a senior at Hofstra University, studying Publishing.
Megan comes from Olean, New York.Megan is probably the BIGGEST fan of Harry Potter I have ever seen. She has ready all seven books more than once, more than twice, and seen the movies probably just as many times. In fact, Megan has attended just about ever Harry Potter movie premiere. And no, not just as some fan, she goes above and beyond and dresses like a certain character from the film. Megan of course resembling  much like Julie Walters, who plays Molly Weasley in the films, Megan goes as the perfect doppelganger. Although she LOVES Harry Potter, she is also very much into "Dr.Who" A television series first originated in the 60's, now a very popular television series 40 years later. Megan doesn't necessarily dress like the characters, but she does have a hand made tote bag that resembles the Doctor's time travel tardis. Speaking of hand made, Megan enjoys crocheting, as well as baking, and of course reading. Remember when I said that Megan goes to all the Harry Potter movie premieres in character? Yeah, even before she goes, she prepares all these Harry Potter inspired deserts for her and her and her friends. Megan is as you can see very unique, and when I say unique, I mean in the most awesome sort of way. So just two months away from graduating, Megan is not too sure of what she wants to do, but she knows she wants to do something in publishing, and after that? A family perhaps? But not too soon. So above all Ms. Megan Foster, a girl from a small town in upstate New York, a Harry Potter/Dr. Who Super Fan, a reader, a baker, (a candle stick maker) just kidding...it just went with the flow of things. And Above all, one of the most interesting people I have ever met.

Flowers

Radio

Listen to What You Say, It Could Be the Last Thing They Hear

YouTube is now being used to promote awareness to Self Harming.  In today's age, where people all over the world view YouTube videos, are now viewing videos of depressed children and adults of all ages.  In the last 6 months or so, those who are suffering from bullying make videos of themselves, explaining why they are doing what they are doing.   The people in the videos aren't talking. They have index cards.  They Start off by introducing themselves. Then card by card explain what is going on with their lives. Not even a year ago, a young boy posted a video about how he was being bullied, and how he was on the verge of death.  Please take a look at this video, and come aware of what bullying is doing to these people.   What is terrifying about this, is that the people in these videos are children, and young adults. And they are being bullied to the point where they feel like there is no way out. So they post a video, getting the attention of those who might listen.  And thankfully, this video went viral. And this young boy was recognized and is starting to get the help that he needs.  Bullying in one of the top reason that people begin to self harm. Statistics show that most cases of self harm, are kids as young as 7 years old.  The young boy in the video, was 13. And there are many just like him, but unfortunately some of those videos are the last time you ever seen their faces. So Once again. Stop bullying. stop suicide. stop self harm. And start listening to what you are doing. Because your words could very well be the last thing they hear.

Be The Change

Today is March 1st, 2012. Every year on this day, the world begins to become aware of the horrors of Self Harm and Suicide. These topics are very risky to talk about, because no one really knows how to react to it.   An estimated 2 to 3 million teens, adolescents and adults behave in self harming. And within those millions of people, many result in suicide. People usually result in self harm because they figure there is no other way to get through it. A Deliberate Self Harmer is usually someone who is already attempting suicide, who are uncertain whether they want to die, and those who do not really want to die. The main means of self harm is the act of cutting. Which can take three forms. Deep wounds that were made with the intent of suicide.Self mutilation, and superficial wounds that show a sign of someone who is cutting.http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/depression/suicideanddeliberateselfharm_000600.htm
Anyone can suffer from Self Harm, whether you are young and old, men or woman, and those who are unemployed.Woman often suffer from self harm more because it is a self esteem issue. Woman who suffer in relationships have a tendency to self harm. Suicide is 100% preventable. You should never be afraid to speak up. Whether it's yourself or someone you know, or someone you just met on the street.

Self Harm has become a top issue in the world. There is now a way that people who think they are ready to end it all, can take a step back and think. It is called the "Butterfly Project." The is simple. The person who is self harming draws a picture of a butterfly on the place they usually harm. As the butterfly fades from your body, and eventually disappears, it means the butterfly has lived, and thus so have you. If you cut, you killed the butterfly and unfortunately in some cases have killed yourself. With this simply drawn butterfly on your body, you could just about save your life. And continue to fly just like that butterfly.  http://www.recoveryourlife.com/index.php?categoryid=148
Everyone needs help once in awhile. So speak up. Don't create statistics, create a better life. Don't be the statistic, be the change.