A Matter of Fact...Understanding Robin Williams by Shari Barnes

Robin Williams brought so much joy to us all. No one can ever dispute his raw talent and his unique sense of humor. I can remember my first encounter with him as Mork of the Mork and Mindy sitcom back in the day "NaNu NaNu" (for those of you that can relate). I never missed an episode. Robin Williams became one of the top actors amongst his peers, whether it was his hilarious antics , his amazing ability to alter the sound of his voice or the tear provoking performances; he earned a place in our hearts and his star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. I love every thing about him as a comedian, an actor and a humanitarian. 

While He (God) still has our attention this thing called "depression" is real and it doesn't discriminate. It's at the top of my list because so many of us don't understand it's power to rob, kill and destroy lives. Me, myself and I experience the entrapment of depression. The daily battle with your mind and emotions is more than overwhelming when it's happening to you or someone you love. My bout with depression is my own and I still have to put on the full amour of God to beat it down because as Robin Williams stated repeatedly it comes back. You don't have to be an alcoholic or a drug abuser to be its victim (although it's a fact that the combination makes things worse). Young or old a public figure or a loner you are a target. There are so many ways to get help. Everything isn't for everybody so for me I had to try different things to find out what was right for me, my help comes from my personal relationship with God. Don't be fooled into thinking that it's all in the mind. It's all in the malfunction of the mind and most importantly the battle of mind and spirit. I can only imagine his final thoughts and burden of mental, spiritual and emotional defeat. I must admit tears streak my face because I know the feeling of loneliness that depression promotes. Your family and friends around you are clueless as to what's going on in your head.

Robin William's death by suicide reminds me of how I felt when Phyllis Hyman committed suicide on June 30, 1995. I met her personally after a spectacular performance and I could feel the sadness of the spirit within her. I'm a walking talking testimony of the matter of fact that depression is a very dark affliction. Life is a gift from God and since it is that then He is the primary source to overcoming the pain and suffering of depression. I don't discount the authority of healing that doctors are given because as I say I found what works for me and a team of medical professionals and experts were chosen, hand picked by God just for me. I sincerely understand Robin Williams, Phyllis Hyman and the numerous others that did not survive the torment of depression but believe me when I say life is not ours to take. I pray that all the people that hear that voice that says "kill yourself", just don't listen to it, call on the Lord before you act you will hear His voice and please discern the sound of His voice; a sound that's greater than it all. Someone once said, "The mind is the devil's playground." I say, "The mind is a sanctuary for your relationship with God."

May the all that suffer find peace of mind and spirit and live life

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