“I’d rather die.” This is a sentence many people utter when faced with crises, failures or when life does not respond the way they expected. It is a heavy sentence-one that hints at suicide. Yet most of those who say it do not actually take their own lives. On the other hand, there are those who have never given even the slightest indication, who suddenly end their lives and leave us shocked. Suicides have always existed. But now, as we move through newspapers and social media, it feels as though they are increasing. Suicides are on the rise.
Why is this happening? From ordinary people to celebrities… from those considered failures to those crowned with success… everyone seems to be boarding the chariot of suicide.
For years, we have been saying that suicide is not a solution to anything. And that is true. Yet we mistakenly believe that suicide is the answer to many of our problems. Sadly, why do people take their own lives? Is it financial hardship? Illness? A broken love affair? Fear of humiliation? All of these may be individual reasons.
But underlying all these reasons is one thing: people have lost hope. Suicide becomes the easy path discovered by those who have lost hope. What frightens us more than the darkness outside is the darkness within. The light within us can be called courage; the inner darkness can be called the absence of courage. Haven’t we seen people who walk boldly through pitch darkness, chest out and arms swinging? Looking at them, we often say, “What courage!” It is not that there is no darkness around them-but the light within them is stronger than the darkness outside.
There are even adults who are afraid to enter a dark room in their own house. That means there is a lack of courage within. Courage can also mean hope-the belief that this present darkness will pass or that “I can overcome this darkness.” That courage is what moves people forward. Those who lack it quickly become discouraged and withdraw. In one way or another, they may end their lives. An honest observation is that there is probably no one who has never once thought about suicide. But their life’s victory lies in overcoming that thought and moving forward. I personally know many people who have risen to great heights after overcoming such thoughts.
Suicide may be just a momentary feeling. What matters is whether they or someone beside them are able to redirect that feeling in another direction. Painful experiences in life are undeniably intense for the person going through them. An outsider cannot belittle another’s sorrow or struggles. Yet there are very few who help people come out of those sorrows. The absence of such people also seems to increase the number of suicides. To those who stand in despair, fear and anxiety, let us offer whatever help we can- a word, a smile, a comforting embrace anything.
Life is never exactly as we imagine it to be. Sometimes things happen as we calculate, and we feel joy and pride. But often, life moves beyond our calculations. Unexpected turns. Miscalculations. Then comes disappointment and sorrow. We must remember that a day is half darkness and half light. It is certain that there is a dawn after the night. A tree that sheds its leaves in summer sprouts fresh buds in the rainy season. These are lessons that nature places before us. Let us draw inspiration from them. Let us learn from them.
Then crises, failures, rejections, neglect or accusations will not shake us. We will not be able to end life because of a fleeting feeling. We are not meant to retreat in defeat before a single failure. If we want to understand the joy of being alive, we should look at those who, even while battling incurable illnesses, long to live one more day. We should understand their desire to live. Only then will we realize the tragedy of ending our lives- despite having health, a future and many dreams.
All religions repeatedly say that suicide is a sin, because it is ingratitude toward the God who gave us life and existence. Life is not a clay pot to be smashed and thrown away; it is a crystal vessel to be handled with wisdom and care. Understanding this, let us move forward with courage within. There is light somewhere. Certainly.
Regards
Prof Antoney P Joseph
