Welcome to the From the North podcast. It is a podcast where a few brothers come together and share our masonic experiences with each other. Have a good time and share some brotherhood.
I know it has been a while since we have talked.
AC, Jason, and I are doing well. A week ago, we were able to catch up and see each other face-to-face for the first time in many years at our lodge’s monthly breakfast. It was good to see them both, and it was just like we had never been apart. Good times and good brotherhood—that is what our fraternity is all about.
But I have something very important I want to discuss with you today. I want to know how you are doing?
Today you have made it! You have made it through one more day. I am proud of you. I really am and you should be proud of yourself. It is a big accomplishment.
A lot of guys like me and you didn’t wake up today, but you did. I am proud of you. I know it has been a long couple of months. I know it has been a long winter. Brother, it has been a long year. Several of them in fact.
I know what it is like to go from being able to take on the world, to not even being able to take on yourself, but you are getting through it. You are! I can see it. And you are going to be alright, my brother. I know you will.
You are taking the right steps in the right direction every day by just waking up and showing up. You are doing it, man. You know, because the pain is inevitable. Unfortunately, it is. But the suffering is optional. You are not going to be like this forever. This will pass. I know it will because it has happened to me many times. It did last time and the time before that. Don’t underestimate yourself. You got this, brother.
Make sure you come back. I like seeing you. I need you and your brotherhood.
Are you OK?
If you are struggling, reach out to me. I will help and will do my best to find you some assistance.
If you feel you can’t go on and want to end it all. You don’t want to wake up tomorrow morning. Don’t end it. I need you. Lets get you some help. Pick up the phone right now and call 9-8-8. There will be someone on the end of the line that is dedicated to help you get the help you need. So don’t hesitate. Make that call.
I need you. Your loved ones need you. Society needs you. you are making a difference and life would not be full without you. So please make that call.
If you are not struggling right now and want to help someone who is, there is a way. There is a course called QPR. It is training given by the National Alliance on Mental Illness that helps lay people learn and have life-saving critical conversations. Gives you the confidence and resources on how to have these conversations with our brothers and sisters. It is just like CPR training, and like CPR, QPR saves lives. It is free to take in many states. The training just takes an hour and a half of your time during a lunch break. This training is well worth it.
I went through this course. It has changed my way of thinking and the way I see those around me. As many of you know, I am an EMS volunteer in my community. I manage a group of dedicated individuals who serve my community in their greatest time of need. Those emergency responses wear on us, first responders. Life and death are a daily reality for us. This wears on our mental health and we lose several of our brothers and sisters every year by suicide because of this immense pressure. I took the QPR training so I could help reduce the loss of my friends and family.
My unit recently had a bad call. It is the one all first responder’s dread. An infant not breathing. Two of my best EMTs responded to the call. Both of them are mothers. They both did a great job. Their training kicked in, and they worked the call with the ambulance staff. They did their best to ensure a good outcome. Unfortunately, the little one still succumbed to their illness. I knew how these two mothers were feeling. I have little ones (well, not so little now) myself. I knew the thoughts that would be running through their heads that morning after the call. So I reached out to both of them, asking how they were doing. It is such a simple question, but it starts the healing process and lets those we ask process their grief. Both responders texted back, I’m going to be OK. Thank you for reaching out. It helps.
Are you OK? Such a simple question to ask. It lets someone know you care. That they are needed, valued, and not alone. Such a simple thing we can all do, and it makes such a tremendous difference. It can save a life.
I challenge you to make a difference in someone’s life today. Ask someone how they are doing.
https://www.namiut.org/our-programs/for-families-caregivers/qpr-suicide-prevention-training
https://www.deseret.com/lifestyle/2024/03/24/male-loneliness-depression-mens-groups/