Hold On

          A single moment, a single action, a single hastily-made decision – that’s all it takes. That’s all it takes to sum up your life.

          I won’t pretend that life isn’t difficult. It is. Every day holds struggle, toil and trouble. You are going to get knocked over. Things aren’t going to go your way. People are going to do horrendous things.

          At some point in life, you are going to feel it- you’re going to feel that inexorable pull towards the abyss, that dark and empty place devoid of life. At some point, life is going to look bleak and unpromising. You’re going to feel like the whole world is against you and the universe is plotting your downfall. At some point, you’re going to feel like everyone is turning against you and no-one will offer you any help.

          Don’t give up. Don’t give up. Don’t relinquish all willpower; don’t give in to the pull. Don’t miss the silver lining on every cloud in the sky, or the stars that twinkle even on the darkest of nights. Don’t let anyone tell you that you’re worth nothing. Don’t let grades define your intelligence. Don’t let rumours change who you are.

          Fight. Fight for yourself. You’re the only one that can – only you understand your struggles perfectly. Only you understand how far you have come, how much further you have to go. Only you are good enough to fight for yourself.

          There is a rainbow after the storm. The sun is waiting to peek out from behind the clouds. There are happier days right around the corner. You just have to wait for it.

          You are unique. You are the only person like yourself. No-one else can walk your walk, talk your talk, or act your act. No-one else can be you. Believe in yourself. Your life has meaning to it. Your presence affects a lot of people – your friends, your family; people you’ve seen at the shops, regulars at your favourite bookstore; people you’ve never met before, people you’ve never even heard of – you affect them all. You affect me too.

          Don’t make hasty decisions. Please. Life is a highway. You’re going to travel along some dark and twisted paths, but they won’t last forever. I can’t explain what’s happening to you right now. I can’t rationalise any of it. But just hold on for a little while longer, and you’ll see the valleys and lakes that make life worth living. Hold on a little while longer, the sun will rise again tomorrow. Hold on a little while longer, I promise you’re going to be okay.