Although I don't comment I listen and consume every post thank you for that . This certainly hit home in my 66 years I've lost countless friends to suicide 2 of my husband's sisters , brother in law and my godaughter and several good friends. As I reflect trying to find a common denominator I cannot some were outgoing some quiet some athletic some artistic all heartfelt loving people. On a very personal note I've been in a dark place and if it wasn't for art I'm not sure how dark it would of become. My 2 daughters are both in the mental health field 1 an emergency mental health nurse and 1 a counselor . I hear countless stories of young men and women suffering it's heart wrenching sad beyond words.
My brother in law was found by my sister 10 years ago I went to elementary school with Gary loved him like a brother and still the wound is raw. Tyler life is hard and I think it's the hardest for people who strive to be loving . I feel people miss the love people have sometimes it's disguised because they are easily hurt . I am at peace with myself now I am different we all are . Tyler you have offered me such love and honesty through your posts and videos thank you so much 🥰
This came at the exact moment I needed it. It feels like a sign. I have spent the last two weeks with my beautiful, radiant, extraordinary friend Anna on my mind, after hearing a song (Matt Costa’s Sunshine, which she put on every mix cd she made me in high school), and then having a picture of the two of us pop up on my Facebook memories three days ago. She took her life last year and it was so unexpected and earth shattering. I still wish I could’ve done something, known she had lost her hope. But even though I can’t change what happened to her, maybe I can be there for others in a way I wasn’t for her. Thank you, Tyler. Thank you.
First off, that is a fabulous photo, shadow and light together, thank you. I have a friend who, when speaking of these times, said, "it's going to get worse and better at the same time". I have taken her wisdom as a survival strategy for this time in my life, when cumulative grief and chronic losses have landed me in a place of utter shock and brokenness. I have no control over what life hands me. Some days, I do have control over what I choose to look at and listen to. I am learning to listen to my body with honesty and tenderness and, one day at a time, find the balance between grieving/sitting in the dark - and letting the dark be dark, and turning towards the light, to look towards people like you who keep making beauty and connectedness out of hard things. Shadow and light together. Both are true. I am also asking myself, now, what hope is. I still don't know for sure. Maybe that if I keep showing up with honesty and making more room in my heart for both shadow and light, life will still surprise me with beauty sometimes. Maybe that we are all learning more about how to be good companions in darkness and light both. Thank you as always for the true inspiration of your words and images.
Your words today were exactly what I needed to read. Life is always hard, but lately it has been piling on and yesterday I found it very hard to find hope. I tried yoga, and the teacher used this mantra: “Everything is as it should be.” But that just made me angry, because I thought, what if everything isn’t as it should be? This can’t possibly be how things “should” be. I much prefer your view that life is hard, and sometimes it’s a real struggle to keep fighting, but we have to find the reasons to keep fighting. Even when things are screwed up and we wonder if things will ever be “as they should be.” Thank you, as always, for your words, and honesty.
Thanks for this Tyler . I recently blew my knee out, literally blew out everything in my knee. Ended up having 3 operations to fix everything. It was a long recovery and I’m still not over it. It’s a year recovery. Anyway, usually I’m happy go lucky - but being bed ridden the first ten days threw me for a loop. I was not prepared and did not see it coming . The post op period had some dark days. I could not find the light - saw nothing to chase. I pulled through with the help of my Physical Therapist. Your words help, trust me. I kept a few poetry books on the nightstand and yours being among them . Honesty is good and I always appreciate you being direct. Keep on…
This speaks to me probably the most from anything else you’ve written. I don’t know how many times hearing so piece of advice like hit the gym or take a walk has been given to me with dealing with my depression and PTSD. None of it works like people think it does. And it sure doesn’t work when you are eye balls deep in the dark murky water of it. You are looking to bob up just enough to take a damn breath as you keep treading water. Sorry that got negative quick lol 🤷🏼♀️ but I feel you and you are right.
This is so beautiful. Totally agree. Thank you.
This hit me like a ton of bricks. It is not easy at all to keep waking up every day. Your words are one thing I have to look forward to.
Although I don't comment I listen and consume every post thank you for that . This certainly hit home in my 66 years I've lost countless friends to suicide 2 of my husband's sisters , brother in law and my godaughter and several good friends. As I reflect trying to find a common denominator I cannot some were outgoing some quiet some athletic some artistic all heartfelt loving people. On a very personal note I've been in a dark place and if it wasn't for art I'm not sure how dark it would of become. My 2 daughters are both in the mental health field 1 an emergency mental health nurse and 1 a counselor . I hear countless stories of young men and women suffering it's heart wrenching sad beyond words.
My brother in law was found by my sister 10 years ago I went to elementary school with Gary loved him like a brother and still the wound is raw. Tyler life is hard and I think it's the hardest for people who strive to be loving . I feel people miss the love people have sometimes it's disguised because they are easily hurt . I am at peace with myself now I am different we all are . Tyler you have offered me such love and honesty through your posts and videos thank you so much 🥰
Yes, to all of this. Being there for people in whatever form they need is so important. ♥️ I am starting to think the Sunday Edition is my favorite.
This came at the exact moment I needed it. It feels like a sign. I have spent the last two weeks with my beautiful, radiant, extraordinary friend Anna on my mind, after hearing a song (Matt Costa’s Sunshine, which she put on every mix cd she made me in high school), and then having a picture of the two of us pop up on my Facebook memories three days ago. She took her life last year and it was so unexpected and earth shattering. I still wish I could’ve done something, known she had lost her hope. But even though I can’t change what happened to her, maybe I can be there for others in a way I wasn’t for her. Thank you, Tyler. Thank you.
Ridiculously beautiful. And so true.
First off, that is a fabulous photo, shadow and light together, thank you. I have a friend who, when speaking of these times, said, "it's going to get worse and better at the same time". I have taken her wisdom as a survival strategy for this time in my life, when cumulative grief and chronic losses have landed me in a place of utter shock and brokenness. I have no control over what life hands me. Some days, I do have control over what I choose to look at and listen to. I am learning to listen to my body with honesty and tenderness and, one day at a time, find the balance between grieving/sitting in the dark - and letting the dark be dark, and turning towards the light, to look towards people like you who keep making beauty and connectedness out of hard things. Shadow and light together. Both are true. I am also asking myself, now, what hope is. I still don't know for sure. Maybe that if I keep showing up with honesty and making more room in my heart for both shadow and light, life will still surprise me with beauty sometimes. Maybe that we are all learning more about how to be good companions in darkness and light both. Thank you as always for the true inspiration of your words and images.
Your words today were exactly what I needed to read. Life is always hard, but lately it has been piling on and yesterday I found it very hard to find hope. I tried yoga, and the teacher used this mantra: “Everything is as it should be.” But that just made me angry, because I thought, what if everything isn’t as it should be? This can’t possibly be how things “should” be. I much prefer your view that life is hard, and sometimes it’s a real struggle to keep fighting, but we have to find the reasons to keep fighting. Even when things are screwed up and we wonder if things will ever be “as they should be.” Thank you, as always, for your words, and honesty.
Thanks for this Tyler . I recently blew my knee out, literally blew out everything in my knee. Ended up having 3 operations to fix everything. It was a long recovery and I’m still not over it. It’s a year recovery. Anyway, usually I’m happy go lucky - but being bed ridden the first ten days threw me for a loop. I was not prepared and did not see it coming . The post op period had some dark days. I could not find the light - saw nothing to chase. I pulled through with the help of my Physical Therapist. Your words help, trust me. I kept a few poetry books on the nightstand and yours being among them . Honesty is good and I always appreciate you being direct. Keep on…
This speaks to me probably the most from anything else you’ve written. I don’t know how many times hearing so piece of advice like hit the gym or take a walk has been given to me with dealing with my depression and PTSD. None of it works like people think it does. And it sure doesn’t work when you are eye balls deep in the dark murky water of it. You are looking to bob up just enough to take a damn breath as you keep treading water. Sorry that got negative quick lol 🤷🏼♀️ but I feel you and you are right.
Thank you for sitting with us when we're in the dark, Tyler. I'm so grateful for this community. This really resonated.
You are so damn spot-on. Thank you for this post and for this safe “place”.
Thank you Tyler. As always you are so eloquent, so accurate and so human. This world needs more of people like you 💙
So true!! Thank you for the complete honesty. I am truly sick of “just do this”, etc. 🙏💚
So great as always - JZ 🫶
BEAUTIFUL.