The Semi-Colon Project;

Much has happened since I was last able to blog… a landmark birthday, navigated successfully albeit with rather more champagne than was strictly necessary...but better to celebrate than ponder the rapidly passing years!

I’ve moved house – challenging and stressful for someone change adverse but the start of a new chapter nonetheless and that’s to be embraced. One consequence has been the lack of broadband for three weeks, which has been difficult – it is though reassuring to see all the lights flashing comfortingly on my hub once again…

Whilst I have been away from the blog, my attention was grabbed by the "Semicolon Project". In essence, the project is a statement indicating that life has been embraced over death.

In essence, people all over the world who have struggled with addiction, suicidal thoughts, and depression are tattooing themselves with semicolons as part of the project.

"The semicolon is used when a sentence could have ended, but didn't.Those having tattoos sometimes add the legend 'The story continues...'. It feels an incredibly powerful statement to make and it puts mental health - especially those struggling with depression, suicide, addiction and self-injury - into the spotlight...often a group easily overlooked.

On its website, Project Semicolon is described officially as a "global faith-based non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and love to those who are struggling ....Project Semicolon exists to encourage, love and inspire." I've included it's vision below - it captured my imagination and hope it offers food for thought...

VISION

The vision is that together we can achieve lower suicide rates in the US and around the world;

That together we can start a conversation about suicide, mental illness and addiction that can't be stopped;

We envision love and hope and we declare that hope is alive;

We envision a society that openly addresses the struggle with mental illness, suicide and addiction; 

We envision a conversation embraced by churches and addressed with love;

We envision a society that sees their value and embraces it;

We envision a community that comes together and stands together in support of one another;

We envision a world where an escape is not found within drugs or alcohol;

We envision a world where self-destruction is no longer a escape to be used;

We envision a revolution of LOVE and declare that our stories are not over yet;

Andrew is an independent celebrant, available to help families in Bristol, Bath and Somerset.