We hope everyone will read this. (Possible trigger: mentions of SU)

Sabby-

Thank you so much for your reply and your comments. This is the first time anyone in a leadership position has recognized what we are trying to do. If you have a chance to read the whole thread, you will note the many comments made of how much this idea has helped those who choose to participate. (If you will take note, not one has answered in a negative manner-no one has mentioned their plans to take their own life-what they do mention, is their participation in a plan to save their own life.)

I have been holding my breath for the past couple of days-thinking this thread would be closed, or I would be banned for my radical idea's. I also believe others have stayed away or hesitated to comment for fear of reprisal.

I believe all the warnings are unwarranted. This is an anti-suicide thread and my constant message has been one of hope. I have been surprised at the number of members who have responded, many of them in positions of leadership themselves. While I don't understand why this thread is being moved to the depression forum, I bow to the greater wisdom of those who have been here much longer than I have.

Perhaps it is the right place for us to be, so that those who are truly suffering may find us and allow the healing messages here to help them. Since I have also suffered from depression in the past, perhaps it is easier for others to take my words to heart. Everytime I read that a member has decided to take the pledge for just one more day, it is like a light in my soul and happiness that surpasses anything I've ever known.

Your words are very comforting-to know that we will be allowed to continue without censorship or threat of being disbanded means everything.

I have actually written to DocJohn twice in the past three days and his lack of response did not send a positive message. I understand he is a busy man but his lack of interest in this thread has been disheartening. But since he is the architech of this place, of what I refer to as my safe harbor, I am hoping we will hear from him.

Everytime someone takes the pledge, I believe they are trying to make a positive change in their life. To push the darkness away, to believe in yourself enough to say, I refuse to participate in thoughts or actions that might lead to my own destruction for the next 24 hours, they are allowing hope into their lives, and for many, it is the first time in years.

So thank you, sabby, for putting our fears to rest. I cannot help but believe it was God who brought us all together for this purpose. He has blesed me with the inspiration to share my message of hope, and it would be wonderful if we can continue on.

Peace and love from Tea

I'm not sure why people are having such a time with this thread. It follows AAs "I will make it one day at a time". Those of us who need to be reminded that we can only choose to make it though this day understand what the pledge is about.

I pledge today I will not harm myself in anyway. __________________

Good morning from Riverworld, high in the Rocky Mountains. It's 7:28 in the am I awoke happy and well rested.

It was especially nice to recieve a reply from sabby for she left a feeling of safety and comfort in her wake.

I took the test for bi-polar and the test for depression this morning and my results were very encouraging. The tests said that I am NOT bi-polar and I do NOT suffer from depression. In other words, I am free and truly clear.

I hope everyone had a good holiday and that those who made the pledge were able to ride out the triggers of fireworks and family gatherings. I was especially thinking of you grey matter and hope things were okay for you. I understand about the PTSD! Everytime, and I mean everytime, the phone rings, I jump stright up out of my chair. There are days when I must mute it and just pick up messages later on.

I don't know if that startle response will ever go away, or at least become less severe, but I don't know yet what I can overcome with the power of the clear. I wish I could be Santa Clause and hand this gift to every one of the quarter million people who have passed through this place.

I make my pledge today to keep the darkness away . I will not think about ending this life which has become so rewarding. I will do this for the next 24 hours.

Depression can be a comfortable place. It can feel like a safe place, even with all the dispair it brings. It's easier to stay there-easier not to reach out for a solution or a change. It's like your safety net and venturing beyond might be even more scary than the depression itself.

But I ask you-how long do you want to live this way?

Hopefully, some of our friends who have already taken the pledge, who have experienced that lightness as the weight slips off your shoulders, will return and make their pledge again. And hopefully, some of you that are still afraid will find the courage to join us for a single day .

Peace and Love, Tea Have a great day!

I've read this a couple of times and typed and erased my response a couple of times. I'm in for the next 24 hours. I'm not sure I like giving up that level or control, but I will give it a try

Thanks, Tea!

I am provisionally safe for a bit. After 6 days of hysterical crying /ranting and locking myself in the house, I actually got dressed, got in the car and went to McDonalds for a LARGE strawberry shake. Progress sometimes comes in baby steps!

I want to say thanks to EVERYONE on here for all their posts. Just not feeling alone with this is helping.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Hello from Riverworld, somewhere in the Rockies.

Hi Folks-

Welcom to the party, Shadowdove. Happy to hear you are okay and hope today will be a better day for you. Maybe when you feel a little better, you can take the pledge with us, promising not to harm yourself and kicking suicide to the curb for the next 24 hours. Or you can just come here to talk-or rant-but someone will always listen.

Meanwhile, I must take a break for a couple of months. This has nothing to do with this thread or PC or any particular person. It is because I spend so much dam time in here that my characters are getting disgusted with me and threatening to revolt if I don't go back to the book. I figure two months and I'll be back.

In the meantime, Gaylegg has graciously offered to help out, so please be kind to her and don't forgeet to make your pledge every day. I will be making mine via email.

Please keep in mind the things we have talked about-both mental and physical. Take the pledge and don't dwell on suicide-you will find that making that promise to yourself will lighten your load considerably.
Eat healthy, get off sugar, and exercise. I intend to keep a chart so that when I check back in with you, I can share how hard I've been working. (And I do intend to work hard!)

Remember that recovery is possible if we just tap into the power we already have inside of us. I have not been depressed, manic or anxious for almost two months now, and I will let you know if I have continued success with that. (And I will!)

My contact info is on my profile page if you need to reach me.

I am so proud of each and every one of you. None of us is perfect-all we ask is that you just try.

Riverworld-over and out.

Love and Peace, Tea

I hope no one minds me jumping in with this, but it's in reference to regarding the option of suicide as a comfort or coping mechanism, and what some of us noted about there having to be something to replace that mechanism prior to pledging to give it up. Well, I was reading the forums and I noticed another thread called "What are you going to do tomorrow" and I thought, that would be a good replacement for suicide: "I pledge to live another day, because tomorrow I want to/will .... - that kind of thing?

Just thought I'd suggest it for those who felt they couldn't participate, in the absence of a coping mechanism. It may also make the pledge easier to get through for those already pledging.

its hard living with a mental disorder like bipolar because if people know they will look at you different

My son and my wife keep me going every day.

HELP I AM NOW IN THE HOSPITAL

I called 911 and I'm in ER now.

Hi, Shadowdove. I certainly hope you are getting the help you need. Hang in there. I've been through the hospital ordeal a couple of times and know it is not easy. Even though, I did like not having to cook. I hope you are better soon and able to go home in a better place mentally.

I make my pledge today to remove suicide as option. This pledge does not come lightly or easily for me. I've always used planning it as a way of putting myself to sleep at night. I've had to change my thought patterns to achieve this pledge. I'm trying aromatherapy to help ease my anxiety at bedtime and make choose better thoughts. My psychiatrist will be glad to hear this as he is worried about me. He knows plans I've already taken care of just in case like my funeral has been planned and paid for along with my tombstone.

So when I say not today, it is one less burden I carry with me. Am depressed and am at risk, so I'm happy to be accountable to all of you. I don't go back on my promises, so I'm okay until tomorrow.

Sorry. Didn't mean for this to be a running off at the mouth but wanted to let everybody know how their support is helping me through the day, one day at a time.

It's OK. It helps to hear others stories. I need all the support you folks can give me

I don't even have a way home if I wanted to go

(((((((( gayleggg ))))))))
Thanks for your heartfelt sharing. I can relate... For the past almost 2 years I've been in much the same place. So I also take this pledge seriously. Thanks to all here in this group (thread) for helping to keep me safe. For the next 24 hours. It/he won't harm me.

I guess that's what I dud when I called the squad.

Thank you!! I've been reading through everyones pledges and just didn't think I could do it. But I love this idea!!

I can take the pledge today

I can take the pledge for today. I choose to be safe today.

I replace the thoughts when they rise up, with "I can live through this until tomorrow".

(((((((( gayleggg )))))))

That's a real good way of putting these thoughts, especially for me as I think about it far too much, infact daily.
I'm going to try it maybe break it up at first, put it in the back pocket for an hour and so on
Thank you!
J

I'm a little late posting today. It's already half over, but I still wanted to come make my pledge for the day. Especially, since my ideation gets worse at night anyway. I will stay safe until tomorrow.

I'll take the pledge - for my wife and my son - daily - they keep me going...despite the sadness and me being on the verge of tears...

I need to take it again......