I’ve talked two people out of killing themselves.
Whoa, good job. You seem like a great person for even taking that risk!
What kind of situations led them to that place and what do you think the solutions were respectively?
In both cases the conversations took place via texts and calls. First occasion was a friend who was being harassed and had a bunch of other not-so-great things happening in their life and they turned to me, telling me that they had the means of killing themselves right next to them. They were being harassed over an aspect of their physical appearance. I told them not to do it, because with every interaction I had with them, they were always so nice, which left an impression on me, and the opinions of anyone so vile as to harass someone for their appearance is not worth even considering. I said more than that, the conversation went on for quite a long time and then it gradually turned into more casual talk and then “see you tomorrow” at school.
Second occasion was a friend who was going through problems with a relationship. I often ask my friends how they’re doing as kind of a habit, so this time they said they weren’t doing well, and told me about how they felt. They didn’t have a family who would listen so I was just there for them, listened to them and offered my input telling them things would get better, giving them some advice on what I’d say or do in that situation, and if they ever needed someone to talk or game with I’d always be there for them. They’re doing well now!
I self published two books and am almost ready to do a third. No interest in being a famous author or making millions, just glad to get them out of my head and to know they are just what I intended them to be.
There’s a smaller publishing company for small time authors in Florida (if the company is still around) Called witching hour publishing. Their whole schtick is to make publishing cheaper and easier for small time writers. Check it out, might be worth it if you are gonna be prolific.
Thanks. I’ve got two young kids and a busy job so not as prolific as I’d like. Maybe a book every 3-4 years, longer if it’s a grand fantasy. My first one was a quarter of a million words in a world I created from scratch, so that took maybe 6 years.
I saw a comment recently online regarding publishing an indie video game that “nobody played” where people noted you set out to do your goal that very few people ever complete. You published. You’re a winner. You accomplished your feat.
I had similar stuff with music once in my life. It never went where I or others might have hoped. But we recorded and made albums. We played tons of shows. We had a few fans. We opened for big names we loved. I feel like a winner too.
I’m not really saying this to reply to you. I’m not even sure you need to hear it. But someone out there does. Don’t let others define what success or winning is. By setting out to accomplish something, and doing it, that’s a winner already.
Honestly, just where I’m at in life. I’ve been pulling myself up by my bootstraps for all my life.
Grew up in bumfuck poorsville with abusive parents, joined the military, did some cool stuff, left and went to college, bought a house, graduated, sold the house, moved across country, got a job with my degree, and found a solid friendship group who encourage and care for me and vice versa.
This is all while suffering from an unseen disease that I was finally diagnosed with while in college and have been fighting against ever since.
I am proud of my achievements and I can really say to myself that I made it, despite everything, I made it.
Bachelor’s Degree. Not happy with the debt that came with it, and the lack of employment in the field since Covid and AI
Welcome to the truth about university. It gives you more debt than you can handle, and a job that doesn’t pay enough.
Putting up with people and not murdering them.
Honestly, I’m struggling right now. Spent my 20’s waiting for something to happen that never did. Decided to change my life in my 30’s, and while I am a lot happier and more honest with myself in a lot of ways, I have also alienated people who were close to me by adopting new interests that they don’t share.
I try to meet new people, but it’s hard. The ones out socializing tend to be much younger or older than me, and the ones my age are having kids and stuff.
It has been really hard to find a balance between building the life I want to live, and not having changes isolate me to the point of loneliness.
If my wife goes, I may just have to cut everyone off and start fresh, but that terrifies me.
So, with all that, I guess I’m proud that I’m still trying and haven’t just given up completely and moved back in with mom like some of my contemporaries have.
Meditate without moving for 2 hours took a lot of effort to work up to. Couldn’t do 5 minutes when I started.
All these people posting inspirational stories and here I am with my first thought being “Finally saw the northern lights”. Got some decent pictures too.
Honestly I am really proud of everything in my life. I have learned English all by myself and I have always helped people around school with it which made me (plus being good looking and an interesting person) made me “the popular kid” in the school. In high school I was in a boys only school which really made me anxious when I speak with a girl my age. Guess that’s what happens when you don’t talk to a single girl of your age for 4 years. I’m not joking. I really have no female friends.
Another thing I’m proud of is my knowledge on computers. Which I assume is the majority here so I’ll skip that.
I have befriended people of many types. Some were confident, outgoing people. And some were anxious, shy, insecure people. The kind of people that are afraid of making eye contact with you when speaking. I have seen those people change around me. I learned that simply listening engaging in conversation with them opens them up. And now those people are not shy anymore! They engage in activities with other people and are happy. My companionship helped them navigate through their issues and they realized that if a person such as me listens and cares about them, there are people out there that will. And I’m really proud of myself for changing their lives.
I’ve bought a house, got married, published two books, do stand-up and host a small game show, survived two strokes, transitioned, and have a lot of friends who think I’m tolerable.
About 10 years ago I qualified to enter a state pinball tournament.
Of 16 qualifying entrants(or who could be bothered to enter), I placed 6th.
So I see it as, I was the 6th best pinball player in a state of 3million people, for a year. :-)
Woot woot! Congrats on that achievement, fellow pinball person! I scrolled this thread just to see if anyone mentioned ye olde silverball and I am not disappointed!
Own any pins? Top 3 favorite games?
One of the tables at this tournament was Walking Dead too!, unforgiving table angle.
I own no pins at home, except toy size Batman battery operated(Funrise with the ramps)
My top table is Banzai Run (2 games in 1 ;-), can 7x replay
I like Attack from Mars(and just a little less Revenge from Mars).
The original Indy:Pinball Adventure is an all time favourite and one of the first I played(as long as the flippers have enough kick to score jackpots and reach the Path of Adventure).
If I got a table, it would be Judge Dredd.
Grew up only playing 80s/90s video arcade machines. Appreciated pinball later, especially the analog aspect and finding out about basic moves like lane-transfers.
My nonpro-tip: Read the info-card for the word multiball! (c:
Good stuff! I enjoy Banzai Run as well, my buddy and I always get a few rounds on that one at our local pinball haunt. That vertical playfield is super cool!
Never got to clock much time on Indy or Dredd, love AFM though. That’s a game i would consider for my collection someday–that one or Medieval Madness, both are just awesome games. I collect mostly late-70’s/early 80’s solid state games, though i have a particular soft spot for the classic Bally’s and Sterns from that era…
I like that era too.
Aztec(1976) came up recently, and I was very much considering getting it, due to the in-depth detail in these Technology Connections videos. Not sure if the gameplay is any good though.
Medieval is fun, launching cows and all.
The original ST:TNG was great also.
