A Leap of Faith

We all have our own personal demons. Whether it comes from our past experiences or what we’re dealing with today, life can take a toll on us. Chances are you are fighting a battle most people wouldn’t be able to tell just by looking at you. It might even be at a point where you don’t even know what has you constantly so drained, exhausted, down, and out of it. It’s so much easier to keep our demons inside no matter how hard they’re taking a toll on us. 

I’ve been on the fence about sharing this but after a recent conversation with a close friend, I need to share my testimony. I only know a couple people who go to counseling and none of them are men. As men, we’ve been taught to deal with whatever we’re facing on our own. Asking for help or being vulnerable is seen as a weakness. Well, that fear of being vulnerable is killing us mentally. This is not specific to just men, this is for men and women all around the world. Many people within the black community are suffering because we don’t know how to cope with what we are facing on a daily basis. 

For the past month, I’ve been going to counseling at New Life Counseling Services. My decision to go to counseling was just to be able to talk & vent to someone professionally trained about my life and solely to unpack the “baggage” I’ve always felt I’ve been bringing and carrying with me throughout life. Ever since I’ve been going through counseling, it’s really been helping me rediscover myself and understand the demons I’ve been running away from. I’ve found out so much about myself through this short amount of time. For the first time in my life, I feel like I have the necessary tools to truly work on myself! I’m not writing this to be celebrated or congratulated for this decision or for people to be concerned or question my mental space. My purpose is to challenge my loved ones. To all my friends, family, and those who I influence, I am challenging you to take a leap of faith like I did and try counseling. As a friend once said to me, going to counseling is about “taking the time to actually realize your problems and see how they’ve affected you so you can act accordingly in the future!” Take care of yourself and watch the blessings that come with it!

- NM