Yesterday I learned a fact that men are 4x more likely to commit suicide than women. I learned that since 2010 that the percentage of men under the age of 30 that have committed suicide is up 40%.
I woke up feeling grief for these stats, because as a man, I know we struggle with many of the same feelings and social expectations. Yet many of us repress and suppress these feelings, instead of expressing them creatively or to our loved ones.
In this cycle, depression quietly takes root.
"When we repress emotion, we do so because we're afraid of the suffering they'll cause. But the repression itself creates suffering. Emotional repression, long term, can lead to physical illness, mental illness, and spiritual alienation." - Gabor Mate
This morning meditation is for all of the boys and men out there:
What if it was ok to not know?
What if it was ok that the only way to know was to go and find out for yourself?
What if it was ok that you had to repeat the lesson more than once?
What if it was ok to be a beginner?
What if it was ok to celebrate that guy’s contribution to the world?
What if it was ok to not feel threatened by that guy?
What if was ok to be vunerable to a complete stranger?
What if it was ok to say “I don’t know”?
What if it was ok to let go of the narratives you’ve been telling yourself all these years?
What if it was ok to be share what happened to you with someone you trust?
What if it was ok that you bit off more than you could chew?
What if it was ok to say no?
What if it was ok to feel scared?
What if it was ok to sit in that pain you are feeling and learn what it is teaching you?
What if it was ok to recognize that your previous pursuits came from a place of lack?
What if it was ok to take this year to become whole?
What if it was ok to feel discouraged by the state of our society?
What if it was ok to become aware of your own personal cog in the machine?
What if it was ok to feel disoriented by the amount of choices you have?
What if it was ok that yesterday you wanted to build an empire and today you just want to be hugged?
What if it was ok to delete social media without feeling like you’re missing out?
What if it was ok to just do the thing for the sake of doing it?
What if it was ok that you don’t feel good enough sometimes?
What if it was ok to talk to a friend when you don’t feel good enough?
What if it was ok to let people in and experience the real you?
What if it was ok to reach out to your homies and let them know that you are struggling?
What if it was ok to let people know that behind that smile you’re always rocking is actually a sea of sadness?
What if it was ok to let the people who don’t show up for you disappear from your life?
What if it was ok to let go of the people that are sabotaging your growth?
What if it was ok to let go of the people who are contradicting your truth?
What if it was ok to embarrass yourself as you start doing the thing you know you want to do?
What if it was ok to let go of your idea of perfection and recognize that you are enough just the way that you are?
What if it was ok to be exactly who you are today so the people looking for you can find you?
What if it was ok to tell a stranger that you love them?
What if it was ok to let go of your pride and admit that you fucked up?
What if it was ok to say sorry with the intention of doing better next time?
What if it was ok to forgive yourself?
What if it was ok to stop making yourself pay for the same mistake over and over again?
What if it was ok to tell your younger self that it’s all going to be ok?
What if it was ok to express yourself truly and fully without any expectations?
What if it was ok to allow your loved ones to hold you and tell you that it’s all going to be ok?
What if it was ok to ask for exactly what you need?
What if it was ok to let someone show up for you, the way that you show up for them?
What if it was ok to feel how you feel today with acceptance?
What if it was ok to embrace who you are today without shame?
What if it was ok to ask for what you need today with courage?
What if it was ok to express yourself today without hesitation?
What if you knew it was, is, and will be ok? Then what?
Here for you,
Gabe