To Write Love On Her Arms.

[bruiser]

I don't know how many of you guys know about this organization or their goal, but with how things are progressing on this forum, I've noticed that there are more and more people coming out with issues like my own with periods of depression and hardships in life.



MISSION STATEMENT:

To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery.

VISION:


The vision is that we actually believe these things…


You were created to love and be loved. You were meant to live life in relationship with other people, to know and be known. You need to know that your story is important and that you're part of a bigger story. You need to know that your life matters.

We live in a difficult world, a broken world. My friend Byron is very smart - he says that life is hard for most people most of the time. We believe that everyone can relate to pain, that all of us live with questions, and all of us get stuck in moments. You need to know that you're not alone in the places you feel stuck.

We all wake to the human condition. We wake to mystery and beauty but also to tragedy and loss. Millions of people live with problems of pain. Millions of homes are filled with questions – moments and seasons and cycles that come as thieves and aim to stay. We know that pain is very real. It is our privilege to suggest that hope is real, and that help is real.

You need to know that rescue is possible, that freedom is possible, that God is still in the business of redemption. We're seeing it happen. We're seeing lives change as people get the help they need. People sitting across from a counselor for the first time. People stepping into treatment. In desperate moments, people calling a suicide hotline. We know that the first step to recovery is the hardest to take. We want to say here that it's worth it, that your life is worth fighting for, that it's possible to change.

Beyond treatment, we believe that community is essential, that people need other people, that we were never meant to do life alone.

The vision is that community and hope and help would replace secrets and silence.

The vision is people putting down guns and blades and bottles.

The vision is that we can reduce the suicide rate in America and around the world.

The vision is that we would learn what it means to love our friends, and that we would love ourselves enough to get the help we need.

The vision is better endings. The vision is the restoration of broken families and broken relationships. The vision is people finding life, finding freedom, finding love. The vision is graduation, a Super Bowl, a wedding, a child, a sunrise. The vision is people becoming incredible parents, people breaking cycles, making change.

The vision is the possibility that your best days are ahead.

The vision is the possibility that we're more loved than we'll ever know.

The vision is hope, and hope is real.


You are not alone, and this is not the end of your story.



If you want to know anymore about this organization you can ask me or simply go to www.twloha.com.

LOVE IS THE MOVEMENT.

[queenaravis707]

Wow... that's a great network... I know a person who is depressed and is struggling really hard to get their life together... and knowing this site could help them and others struggling with the same thing is a wonderful thing.
Thanks for bringing that to my attention!

[Copperfox]

On the whole, sweetheart, that sounds like a good outfit indeed. I reserve only my right to own a gun.

[bruiser]

lol... Papa Joe.
You can keep your guns... Second Amendment wills it so.


QA. Reasons like yours was the reason I posted this on here. I hope this will help many and help many helping many. :p
Just spreading the word.

[queenaravis707]

I hope this does spread... there are a lot out there that need this help desperately.

[bruiser]

True that.

I'm working on trying to spread it as much as I can. When I can.
I want others to do the same.
There is hope. There is help. Some just need the links to that help and hope before they get it.

[theorangejello]

i checked it out, it seems like an awsome site.
:D

[bruiser]

Thank you for looking.
It really is awesome.
:]

[Princey]

Wow, that's so inspiring :) Thank you for posting it, Amanda. I'm sure it helps a lot of people.

[bruiser]

Sure, sure.

All I'm asking is to Pay it Forward. Help those that need the help, and help yourself.

[umbrellaxscenexcore]

Who is this by again? I mean, how did it start? Some band's member commited suicide?

[bruiser]

BEGIN:
This began as an attempt to tell a story and a way to help a friend in Spring 2006. The story and the life it represented were both things of contrast – pain and hope, addiction and sobriety, regret and the possibility of freedom. The story’s title “To Write Love on Her Arms” was also a goal, believing that a better life was possible. We started selling t-shirts as a way to pay for our friend’s treatment, and we made a MySpace page to give the whole thing a home. Our friends in Switchfoot and Anberlin were among the first to wear these shirts. In the days that followed, we learned quickly that the story we were telling represented people everywhere. We began to hear from people in need of help, and others asking what they could do to help their friends. We heard from people who had lost loved ones to suicide. Many said that these were questions they had never asked and parts of their story that they had never shared. Others were honest in a different way, confessing these were issues they knew little or nothing about. It seemed we had stumbled upon a bigger story, and a conversation that needed to be had.

There is a story that goes into more detail.... just go to the link given in the first post, click on the vision link at the top and scroll down to where it says 'THE STORY'. Can't miss it. Promise. :]

[Starkissed]

I joined TWLOHA a few weeks ago. I have TWLOHA shirt and it came with like 5 Relient K pins. I'm give my full support to this organization and those that need the help.

Oh and Hayley is wearing a "Love is the movement" shirt which is also from the organization. Just wanted to point that out. ;)

[SongsofLife]

Amanda, you ROCK!!! You are so great to have shared this. I actually learned about it from someone/somewhere on this forum, and shared it with my niece Leia who has struggled (successfully, so far) against feelings of suicide.

Thank you for being a shining light. You have a big heart. May I send you gugs?!?!?

[Solya]

I love this initiative and plan on supporting it real soon. :) It's a very inspiring movement which I support with all my heart because I recognise the feeling described in it, and have friends who're going through this same struggle.

[bruiser]

I really want to join, but I'm afraid that I'm going to have to wait.
goshdang.

hehe. Hugs are always nice.

[Starkissed]

I would love very, very much to join the TWOLHA street team. However, it can be a little expensive and I'm not financially stable at the moment. :( I will as soon as I can. I want to help people who face the same issues that I face.

[Lila]

I think depression is a really serious issue that's been plaguing not only our country, but the whole world. If everyone were loving and caring and actually took the time to think about how someone else is feeling, rather than only worrying about their own desires, the world would be a much better place. And I'm not saying this to sound fake. I really mean it - there are people who need help. I've felt like there were times in my life where nobody cared. I was convinced that the friends that I had were only pretending to care. Then, I made new friends, and let me tell you this: THEY CARED. They made me felt like I was worth something. A heartfelt smile, hug or conversation can completely change someone's day. So many people - teenagers especially - waste their time gossiping and putting others down. Imagine what it would be like if EVERYONE did ONE sincerely nice thing for another person everyday. Imagine what it would be like if we resisted the urge to talk behind each other's backs. Kindness can do a lot, and I think TWLOHA is really something to get involved in if you believe that.

That came from nowhere... wow.

[bruiser]

Preach it Lila.
My 'new' friends do care more than my old ones.... and by god am I thankful that they do. I was seriously bad off and I'm better, but it'll be a while before I'm whole again.

[SongsofLife]

I think depression is a really serious issue that's been plaguing not only our country, but the whole world. If everyone were loving and caring and actually took the time to think about how someone else is feeling, rather than only worrying about their own desires, the world would be a much better place. And I'm not saying this to sound fake. I really mean it - there are people who need help. I've felt like there were times in my life where nobody cared. I was convinced that the friends that I had were only pretending to care. Then, I made new friends, and let me tell you this: THEY CARED. They made me felt like I was worth something. A heartfelt smile, hug or conversation can completely change someone's day. So many people - teenagers especially - waste their time gossiping and putting others down. Imagine what it would be like if EVERYONE did ONE sincerely nice thing for another person everyday. Imagine what it would be like if we resisted the urge to talk behind each other's backs. Kindness can do a lot, and I think TWLOHA is really something to get involved in if you believe that.

That came from nowhere... wow.

Wow. What a beautiful post, Lila. You are wise for your age. I admire you!

[Starkissed]

Lila, I 100% agree with everything you said. It kind of reminds by the "If Everyone Cared" by Nickelback. It's completely true. I've actually started to try to not gossip. It can be difficult for people because let's face it, everyone's done it at one point in their life whether it's about a celebrity or someone they know in their personal life, we're only human. With a little effort and at least one small random act of kindness a day, we can help others as well as ourselves.

[bruiser]

All you have to do is smile.... you don't even have to talk to someone to make them feel better. Just a small, simple smile.

[Copperfox]

In fact, even when it's hard to force a smile, it can still help the other person to know that you're THERE for them.

[bruiser]

true that.
There's this random guy in the hallway after my lunch and every day he makes a face and tells me to smile. I have no clue who he is or anything... but it makes me laugh.

[Starkissed]

You're right. One smile can mean the world to someone. In fact, a few days ago I was really down. I didn't see a point in trying to act happy because I didn't think my efforts would amount to anything (this was when we thought my grandmother was going to die much sooner than we think she will now). I was walking down a corridor at work and this woman made eye contact with me and she just smiled the biggest smile I'd seen all day. It cheered me up a little bit.

[Solya]

One smile can change the world, because it expresses so much and our eyes shine with love when it's a genuine one. :) I say that we should attempt to really smile at somebody at least once a day, or at least to show one another some kindness. That's really what "To Write Love On Her Arms" seems to be about. Love is the movement.

[Starkissed]

I agree. I agree with TWLOHA's statements. Love is the movement and resue is possible.

[Starkissed]

Tomorrow (November 13th) is the 2nd Annual To Write Love On Her Arms day. The point of this is to write LOVE in big letters on your arms. Be creative spread the word. This is for all the survivors and all the innocent. All of the people who are hurting and who think that suicide is the only way they can turn.

Please show your support, if you can. This is a big deal.

[bruiser]

I was about to post that Star, thanks for doing it for me though.

I wish that everyone that can to participate. You know that I will.

[Starkissed]

You're welcome. :) I wasn't sure if anyone was going to and to me, it is a big deal.

I will also be participating. I strongly encourage everyone to spread the word.

[bruiser]

Manda has love on her arms, in purple. lol. I attacked several people already this morning and I know that they have attacked people too. ^^

[Starkissed]

I have no one that I'm able to attack with a marker but I wrote "LOVE" on my arm and wrist three times in blue marker. I wrote "Love!" in cursive on my hand in red permanent marker. :p

[*IOWW the Iasc*]

I wish I would've known about this today! I definately would've written love on my arms.

Well, there's always next year. I never really understood what it was all about, but now I get it. Thanks for making this thread and informing the uninformed, such as myself. :)

[Starkissed]

It's always good to raise awareness. :)

[bruiser]

True that.

[Starkissed]

I'm so excited. At the store on the official website you can buy rubber band bracelets for a dollar. They're black and they say "To Write Love On Her Arms" on them. I bought one. I wear it every day.

[bruiser]

Sweetness.
I'd buy one for Christmas, but I'm saving up for a prom dress just incase dad decides to be a jerk and not help me out.... ugh.

[Starkissed]

That makes sense. I just thought I'd share. :)

[bruiser]

Oh... I was just saying... that I would get one if I could.... you know.... I didn't mean for it to seem any different... o.0

[Starkissed]

LOL no! You're fine. I know what you meant. :) No biggie. :D I want to buy more of the merch. I don't have the money either...

[bruiser]

yeah... it sucks...
not having money...
go middle class...!
lol

[Starkissed]

Yay! Go us! *high fives*