Always Keep Fighting - inspiration

 

I haven't thought about Jared Padalecki for years - he played a character on The Gilmore Girls, which I watched when it first aired over ten years ago.  Truth be told, I barely thought about him back then.  But he's got my attention now.  To be more precise, 7,000 fans at this year's Comic Con got it. 

It seems that Jared shared news earlier this year about his depression, sharing details & starting "Always Keep Fighting," a campaign to raise funds for To Write Love On Her Arms's mission - to present hope & find help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury & suicide. 

A couple months ago, Padalecki canceled a string of public appearances, explaining to fans that he was in desperate need of his family, asking them to write him because "I need all the love I can get right now."

As he shared with Variety back in March, "I was 25 years old. I had my own TV show. I had dogs that I loved and tons of friends and I was getting adoration from fans and I was happy with my work, but I couldn’t figure out what it was; it doesn’t always make sense is my point. It’s not just people who can’t find a job, or can’t fit in in society that struggle with depression sometimes... Even if there are a thousand small fights, even if every other minute you’re thinking about suicide, or depression, or addiction, or if you have mental illness, I want people to hit it head on and take action. And to be proud that they’re winning their fight, period."

These days, Rory Gilmore's first love chases monsters on Supernatural.  When the cast appeared at this weekend's wildly popular Comic Con in San Diego, they didn't realize what the thousands of fans in front of them were doing.  What Padalecki thought were fans' cell phones turned out to be tiny tea lights, lit in honor of his campaign.  It didn't hit what was happening until he was handed his own candle - then he realized the shouts he was hearing from the crowd was, "Always keep fighting!"

 

Wow!  What tender proof that his message touched countless hearts.  Jared could be open about his depression because of his basic character, but also because he was blessed to have received the right medical care & by a circle of terrific friends & family who were there for him when he needed them most.

I am going to share Jared's story & his fans' amazing outpouring of support with older friends, who are often prone to depression, often feel powerless to handle it.  Depression isn't limited to people facing the problems that often accompany aging.  Consider Jared Padalecki, sitting on top of his professional world with success, friends, family.  It can happen to ANYONE.  

Get good medical support.  Tap into family & friends.  Be open to getting better. Buy a supply of LED tea lights. And always keep fighting!