Strength

'It's only a little cut,' I think to myself, the first time I pull out a knife. 'That's it, just a little one to numb the pain.'

That's how it starts. That's what we think. 'Just one little chocolate', 'Just another minute', 'Maybe just one more cut'. It's never just one more. It never stops.

Grab a blade, a knife, a sharp object. Put it to your skin. Pull it through. Feel the sting. Pull it across a second time. A third. Watch the blood slowly pool out. Feels good doesn't it?

Now think about your best friend, your boyfriend, girlfriend, sibling, parent. Think about how all they've tried to do is get you to stop. They may not understand what you're going through. What compels you to do such a thing. But do you give a thought to them when you ruin your arm? Think about what it does to them. This is only the beginning. One fine day, you're going to be dead. Think about them crying around your body with blood pooling around you. One day, you're going to cut too deep and that's going to be the end of you.

"I try, I really do," I know you do. I know how hard it is to stop. But let the one boy whose smile you see everyday keep you going. Let that simple action give you the strength to stop. Think about how you have to see it the next day. He may not know he's what propels you on, but to you, he's more than the universe. Let that be your reason to live. The girl who's eyes are brightest, most beautiful things you see. Her incredible laugh. Stop for that. The people around you who love you. Stop for them.

They care for you.

Stop because there's more to life than just that little phase of depression. Yes, it seems like the world is only trying to pull you down and you feel worthless and just want to end it all. But be strong. You'll make it through. And it's worth the fight. The light you see at the end of your struggle will be the most awesome sight. An amazing feeling of freedom. A load off your shoulders. And at the end of the tunnel, you will emerge a better, stronger person.