Four Important Things Matt Walsh Said in his radical and borderline-offensive article on depression, and Two Important Things he Forgot

In light of a beloved actor's recent tragic death, there has been a lot of talk about depression. The last thing I want to do with this blog post is cause any offense to loved ones in my life who do suffer from depression, but I think that Matt Walsh had some good points and I would like to reiterate them without having to share the article itself alone. Matt Walsh is a man who writes really radical articles that are always blunt, direct, and terrifying to share, and yet I always find myself agreeing with him.

The title of Matt Walsh's article was, in itself, an attack already. "Robin Williams didn't die from a disease, he died from his choice." But what Matt Walsh was trying to say is true. And important.

Growing Up

Growing Up (a poem)

Today, I'm turning twenty-three;
Adulthood has crept up on me.
It's like when you wake up and - whoa -
The world's beneath a foot of snow!
It sits there, heavy, quiet, new,
And you're like, "now what do I do?"
It came from nowhere, so it seems.

Then more flakes fall, like little dreams
That form the white expanse of snow,
A fresh new look of where you'll go,
And deep within, the kid you still are
Looks past the buried, snowed-in car
And hollers:
"Do you wanna
build a
SNOWMAN?!"

Morning Glory

Today I will finish reading a book that has been one of the best reads ever: 33 Days to Morning Glory by Fr. Michael E. Gaitley. In 33 short daily readings I have learned so much and am ready today for an amazing thing called Marian consecration, in which I entrust myself to Jesus through Mary.

On the Cross at Calvary, Jesus said to his beloved disciple John, "behold your Mother," and to Mary He said, "behold your son," and from that day forward John took Mary into his home (John 19:27). What I never really knew or thought of before was how Jesus wasn't talking to just John, but using John to represent every single one of us in all of humanity. Behold, she is our mother, and we too should take her into our homes (/hearts) from this day forward. By consecrating myself to Jesus through Mary, I am allowing Mary, Jesus' mother, whom He has given to all of us as our mother as well, to bring me closer to her Son. It's a very special bond between me and my heavenly mama.

Fr. Gaitley's book takes the reader through the Marian teachings of four great saints: St. Louis de Montfort, St. Maximilian Kolbe, Blessed Mother Teresa, and Blessed Pope John Paul II. Whether or not you expect yourself to be ready to make a consecration at the end of the book, I would highly recommend reading this simple and engaging book about the Blessed Mother's relationship to us, her children on earth. She loves us deeply and wants to be closer to us, like a real mom, and ultimately wants us to be intimate with her Son Jesus, our Lord and Saviour.