The Gift You Didn't Want to Open

Ho. Ho. Ho. It’s a jolly time for those waiting for good Ol St. Nick to scale down that chimney. Wrapped presents start accumulating under the ornament-filed tree. Parents rush to the big box store for last minute holiday deals. Snow continues to fall here in South Dakota appearing to host a magical white Christmas. With all that cheer, it’s hard to image anyone being salty about a gift they’ve received. However, just like Holiday calories, mental health doesn’t take a break for the giving season.

There are days when I wake up early, and look forward to my frigid walk to the United States Post Office, anticipating my latest Amazon purchase. There are days when I stay snuggled in bed because the festivities and drama of my day do not excite me in the slightest. There are days when I drink my McCarvile coffee watching CBS This Morning to learn about the tragic loss of an uplifting DJ & dancer, tWitch. The biggest tragedy being that he took his own life. Mental health’s greatest disguise is a smile and if you haven’t unwrapped the metaphorical present yet, it’s our emotional, psychological, and social well-being.

Be Kind

If you spend time on social channels, you see the constant reminder to be kind. “Always be kind; you never know what someone else is going through.” While those facts reign true, they are often forgotten, especially while we fight as residents over city clean up *cough* Tripp County *cough*. Even when people seem grumpy, give them the benefit of the doubt because you never know (even if you think you do) what a person is going through. Personally, I’ve seen great generosity this season. To the people I can only thank with my words and a 6 pack, you will never understand how much a simple favor means to an independent, stubborn woman who is just looking for a breather in all the hustle and bustle. Thank you to the farmer I did not know for pulling me out of the ditch during a white out (yes, Tootie, I should have stayed home.) Thank you to the acquaintence for busting through my snow packed, iced-over driveway with a Bobcat in 30 seconds when it would have taken me 2 hours + weeks of back pain. Thank you to the family friend for repairing my car to a drivable condition in negative degree temps. This is truly the reason I love living in South Dakota and of course, for the SDSU Jackrabbits. Yet, even with all these uplifting moments, I still find hours in the slump. I think we all do, especially during the years end. We look back on the year and reflect upon lessons learned and blessings earned. We start the year with friends and family only to reach the following December without those same souls. If God gave me the Farmer’s Almanac to my life, I would choose 6 feet under instead too. Each year is filled with so much heart break, so much sorrow, so much jealousy, that as an overview forecast nobody would ever live it. However, it’s those “kind” moments that heal a shattered heart. It’s your best friend asking you to be her maid of honor. It’s your friendly brides welcoming their first borns. It’s the warm memories made with friends and family (not necessarily blood) who have proven to love you unconditionally. That’s being kind.

However, being kind is not the scotch tape to hold together our mental health. It’s on the individual themselves to be responsible, seek help, and overcome their hardships. Of course, encouragement and support aids the strength of the wrapping paper but one sharp scissor won’t keep us from peeking. Unless, we practice self-control and heal those battle wounds, we will continue circling in the unpleasant cycle. If your family, friends, or significant others have seemed a bit dark lately, don’t settle for “I’m fine.” They may seem out of the funk now, but have they really resolved their traumas? I haven’t and my big ol’ pearly whites shine brighter than most.

Heal yourself before you hurt others. Stay kind. And, in the green and red spirit, Merry Christmas.