We All Should Care » Cause

“Beautiful More So”

WillowRaine — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 00:44:46 +0000

“I’ve been so tired these days
with loggin’ late night sessions
So uninspired these days
I hardly even try to write my own progressions”

Spencer Bell had a way with words. You only have to listen to a few of his songs before that realization grips you to your very core.
Often his words were blunt, and straight to the point without coddling and that my friends, is in fact something that has drawn me out of a darkened corner more than once.
If you don’t possess any of his music, or knowledge of who he is, please go to The Music Lives On and prepare to be lost in a vortex of talent and emotion.
That being said, I’ve been away for approximately two weeks, and when I returned home, in my email I found the link to a video (Courtesy of Bill Bell – Spencer’s father and Debbie and Shannon of ASCC NOW) that Jackson Rathbone and Will Schmidt have put together, in honor of The Legacy Show in Dallas, Texas on April 24th, 2010…

The vision in the video, and of those closest to Spencer, never ceases to amaze me.
I didn’t know Spencer in life, but I am thankful that I was given the chance to know him, if only posthumously, thankful to those closest to him, who share his memory, with someone, so many someones that used to be strangers, who are now treated as family and friends.
It is because of my respect for his family,friends, his legacy, because of the celebration of his life,and of the talent that has inspired and touched so many in this small, small world, that I will continue to be adamant and passionate in my modest dedications to Spencer.
That being said…

Let the countdown commence!

Thirty Three horribly long days left until the Spencer Bell Legacy show at Trees in Dallas, Texas!
Now, I know I’ve written several posts about this, and as the time inches nearer, as my excitement increases, there will be even more to look forward to.
I’ve informed you of the contests that ASCC NOW is hosting to raise money and awareness for Adrenal Cancer Research, you should have a look at their site and check it out for yourself!

I hope to see you there, because believe me, in the words of Ben Graupner “We’re Gonna Party!” There is no better way to Celebrate the life and Legacy of Spencer Bell, in my humble opinion.

74 Days Until The Spencer Bell Legacy Show!

WillowRaine — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:41:34 +0000

Where are my fellow Spencerians? (Or The Stevedores,100 Monkeys,Drew and The Medicinal Pen, Tin Tin Can,Kissing Club, and Evro Fans?) I’m doing a countdown to the Legacy Show for April!
I started my first post when it was 110 days, my second one came at 90 days and now it is 74 days. It STILL seems far too long to wait to see my “new” friends, to celebrate Spencer’s life, to help raise awareness for Adrenal Cancer.
If you find yourself reading this and you have no idea who Spencer is, or why you keep hearing about him, then inform yourself at: THE MUSIC LIVES ON!

HEAR YE, HEAR YE THE NEWEST ANNOUNCEMENTS THAT SHOULD EXCITE THE MASSES! PASSED ALONG TO ME BY DEBBIE!

#1-
Exciting news for 100Monkeys fans!! They will be playing at Poor
David’s Pub in Dallas on Friday night before the SBL concert. During
Twicon, the boys played there and it was just fun for both the audience
and them.

Show is on April 23rd. Doors open at 8, show at 9pm. Tickets are $14 and
are on sale now. Front gate tickets is the site to purchase tickets.
BUY TIX HERE!

#2- Another exciting bit of news. I don’t know how many people were working
on contacting college radio stations to have them play Spencer Bell and
100Monkeys music, but we have one who posted at chatter (official
100Monkeys music site). Here is what she posted:
Have a hard time waking up in the morning?

Wish 100 Monkeys and Spencer Bell got more radio play??

Tune in Wednesday mornings with me @ wsinradio.org
and listen to my college radio show temporarily entitled : “Wake up with
me”

I will be incorporating both Spencer and The Monkeys into my play list
every week and will play them on air.

I even take requests.

I’ll play other stuff too, and give you a bit of news/weather etc.

Nothing but music and love here!!!!

the show is 9-10 Wednesdays eastern standard time. But this website
streams all over the world so anyone who is awake feel free to tune
in!

#3- Finally, Portrait magazine is having a poll for their March cover and
100Monkeys is on the list. The right hand side of the site,Portrait Magazine has the place to vote. Only one vote per IP address though.

THANK YOU DEBBIE, YOU ARE INCREDIBLE AT KEEPING US ALL POSTED!

Now, I’m going to post the original play by play of what all is going on to get you guys hands on involved, with some newly added information and a contest via the ASCC NOW organization! So don’t just skim over it, re-read it, you’ll catch things you didn’t see before, I assure you!

The when,where,time?

April 24th, Dallas Texas, at a wonderful venue called Trees.
There will be two shows (as per tradition it seems)
An all ages show in the evening and an 18+ show that night.
Trust me, the bands still have plenty of energy for the night show!

It was at the night show that I spent, what, 4 hours or more dancing? And in uncomfortable boots, but I didn’t care! (That’s how wonderful these Legacy shows are, how infectious, and powerful the energy is that fills the atmosphere!)

For this show who do they have lined up? OH get ready!

Tin Tin Can
Drew and the Medicinal Pen
The Stevedores
100 Monkeys
PLUS
New comers to the Legacy Show line up!

Evro

AND

The Kissing Club

But that’s not all. I know what you’re thinking. There’s more? Of course they couldn’t stop there, are you kidding me? These people know how to party, it is for Spencer after all!

There will be contests ( a music video contest, a t-shirt design contest), a special auction, and a raffle with celebrity donated items.

Contest prizes

* The winner of the music video contest will have their video played for the duration of the concerts. (how wicked is that?)

*The winner of the t-shirt design contest will have their design produced and sold through the Spencer Bell Legacy Project. (That would be something to feel honored about!)

Now for the auction, this will floor you, and at the very least motivate you to donate to a good cause!
You have to opportunity to bid on:

* Interviewing the bands prior to the concerts on live streaming Internet

*dinner with the bands between the concerts

-OR-

* a meet and greet with all the bands in a special VIP area

The Raffle Items:

* a guitar signed by Bowling for Soup

* autographed pictures from Simple Plan

* a special designed t-shirt by Kelly Rathbone

* autographed portraits of the bands

Winners of the raffle do not have to be present to win and the tickets will go on pre-sale in February 2010 (so grab yours early!)

NEWLY ADDED CONTEST!!

The Mad Hatter Contest: You have a chance to design a hat for Cancer Awareness (I hear this may or may not have something to do with a certain primate’s love for “ridiculous” hats… a trait which I find both adorable and admirable… I mean come on when one doesn’t care what others think, and they embrace their individuality it’s refreshing)
However when you can do something so artistic and expressive for a good cause? YOU SHOULD DO IT! Details have been posted. See the information at the CONTEST PAGE!

Inspirational New Information:

Kelly Garrett Rathbone will be at the Deep Ellum Arts Festival on April 2-4, 2010 in Dallas, TX. She is creating a collection specifically for this festival and has generously
agreed to donate part of her profits to adrenal cancer research. Know more by clicking:
KELLY ROCKS!

(Kelly you truly are an inspiration and each of us should be so giving. Thank you on behalf of everyone, for being such an amazing soul.)

To learn more about the contests and Artists Supporting a Cure for Cancer be sure to visit ASCC NOW !

Batten Down the Hatches Dallas, here we come!

Is It April Yet? Countdown to the Spencer Bell Legacy Show!

WillowRaine — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 18:44:05 +0000

Where are my fellow Spencerians? (Or The Stevedores,100 Monkeys,Drew and The Medicinal Pen, Tin Tin Can,Kissing Club, and Evro Fans?) I’m doing a countdown to the Legacy Show for April!
I started my first post when it was 110 days, and now it’s exactly 90 days.
NINETY SHORT DAYS, although for me it seems far too long to wait to see my “new” friends, to celebrate Spencer’s life, to help raise awareness for Adrenal Cancer.
If you find yourself reading this and you have no idea who Spencer is, or why you keep hearing about him, then inform yourself at: THE MUSIC LIVES ON!

The when,where,time?

For this show who do they have lined up? OH get ready!

Tin Tin Can
Drew and the Medicinal Pen
The Stevedores
100 Monkeys
PLUS
New comers to the Legacy Show line up!

Evro

AND

The Kissing Club

But that’s not all. I know what you’re thinking. There’s more? Of course they couldn’t stop there, are you kidding me? These people know how to party, it is for Spencer after all!

There will be contests ( a music video contest, a t-shirt design contest), a special auction, and a raffle with celebrity donated items.

Contest prizes

* The winner of the music video contest will have their video played for the duration of the concerts. (how wicked is that?)

*The winner of the t-shirt design contest will have their design produced and sold through the Spencer Bell Legacy Project. (That would be something to feel honored about!)

Now for the auction, this will floor you, and at the very least motivate you to donate to a good cause!
You have to opportunity to bid on:

* Interviewing the bands prior to the concerts on live streaming Internet

*dinner with the bands between the concerts

-OR-

* a meet and greet with all the bands in a special VIP area

The Raffle Items:

* a guitar signed by Bowling for Soup

* autographed pictures from Simple Plan

* a special designed t-shirt by Kelly Rathbone

* autographed portraits of the bands

Winners of the raffle do not have to be present to win and the tickets will go on pre-sale in February 2010 (so grab yours early!)

Inspirational New Information:

(Kelly you truly are an inspiration and each of us should be so giving. Thank you on behalf of everyone, for being such an amazing soul.)

To learn more about the contests and Artists Supporting a Cure for Cancer be sure to visit ASCC NOW !

Batten Down the Hatches Dallas, here we come!

“Beautiful Soul,That Spencer Bell.”

WillowRaine — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 01:16:55 +0000

It was that sentence which led me into the vortex of love, inspiration, and talent that is known as Spencer Bell.
A young man taken from this world,far far too soon because of Adrenal Cancer.
Never would I have imagined he would affect my life in such a huge way, never would I have guessed he would save me on more than one occasion, and pull me from the dark back into the light. Yet, he did just that.
I may have found Spencer courtesy of Jackson Rathbone, but he touched my heart on his own accord. My passion for his Legacy burns and is fueled by the emotions he himself evokes, and for no other reason.
Because of Spencer I have changed. Because of him I have been inspired, hopefully inspired others. I have been introduced to new music and bands that I knew nothing of before, I have made friends that I know will last a lifetime. Because of Spencer, I have remembered not to take life for granted, it’s something that we all tend to forget on occasion.
Before Spencer there were many things I thought I believed in, but he has helped me to reinforce those through his words alone.
No, I did not know him in life, and that used to sadden me. Now I just consider myself blessed to know any part of him at all. Seeing him through the eyes of his family and friends, those that did know him, it’s something I treasure, hold very dear to my heart.
I cannot thank them enough for sharing him with the world.
I wrote a poem for Spencer quite some time ago, and it rings so true, I’ll share it again. From one poet to another, it is a piece of my soul, where only he resides.

BEHOLDER
Never ceasing to give a view of this world that only you could see, for
it was your canvas,to destroy or beautify, by your hand as you saw fit.
You chose the latter.
You were the sole creator.
You alone, were your pilot, but your destination was never as important as your journey.
Sketching the world in black and white with your words, painting it vibrant colors with your passion for life.
Signing your name to your masterpiece, in brilliant light, so that no matter where anyone went, they could always see that beacon. They could always know that home, is within the heart,the spirit, the soul, not within the confines of four walls, or even, ones physical body.

Now that I’ve said some of my piece, I wanted to share what others have said to me about him. I asked people to help me, so that you weren’t just simply reading my clumsy words.

Taylor Blue: I learned about Spencer through Willow. She had a passion in talking about him. She had made her so happy that I knew I had to go check him out. I went to the memorial site and really dug in to everything there. And what I found out was amazing. His music, his words, and his art. Spencer had an amazing heart. He has changed me in so many ways, giving me hope through my dark days and making me laugh when I hear a silly song by him. I’m so glad that he’s able to live on through us all by talking about him. Willow sent me a Spencer Bell bracelet months and months ago. It has never left my wrist since that day. So whenever I play with it or look at it I think of him and smile.

- Ally/ @electriclife:Admittedly, I only even know about Spencer and his music because of 100 Monkeys and their involvement in the legacy shows. I’m a huge fan of the Monkeys, and out of curiosity over what the shows were all about lead me to google, which lead me to the memorial site. I read a little bit and listened, then left it at that for awhile. A couple months later, I bought Feudal Brutal off of iTunes in another round of curiosity and was kicking myself for not really listening sooner. It’s rare that you find a voice as pure and genuine as Spencer’s. With most music these days, everything is so polished, over produced, and listening to Spencer gets me back to the reason I love music: the raw emotion behind the words and the guitar chords. I like music that can take you somewhere else, remove you from your setting but still make you feel at home. Spencer’s music does that for me. I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing the guy, but I’ll always cherish just being exposed to his music and his talent.

Angie: Contrary to some curious Marmosets, Spencer didn’t felt he had to sneak into life.
My thirst for music was all he needed to know where to strike. One word, and my entire life was shaken.
Was it in the way he soothed my worst fear away?
Was it in the way he showed me I wasn’t the only one of my kind?
Was it in the way he reminded me of myself, in his doubts and beliefs?

I don’t know. One thing is sure though.
Now I know I’m not alone.
And I will never be alone anymore.

Spencer will always be inside my heart.

The emptiness I had inside was made just for him.

I’ve started writing and drawing personal art. Though, Spence’ isn’t the only one to blame for that. He had a faithful help for this. Cause, to shake me out of my numbness, it needed so much strength. First, his friend, Jackson taught me how to cry again. All those months, trying to be stronger, and tougher, cause I thought it was the only way to survive, crushing my feelings and creativity in the mold of what is acceptable for our world. Biting your tongue until the metallic taste blood seems to be your own saliva.
And it was the mix of Spencer and Jay, in the masterpiece “Made Of Gold” who finally made me cry, like a torn mother, like a scared baby.
Thank you Jay. But i guess you’ll get it if I say: I wish so fuckin’ hard you didn’t write this song.
Hope i’l lfinally get the chance and the guts to tell you that for real!

I remember the first time I heard it. A beautiful voice, singing on a simple guitar.
Beth was the first song I heard. I laughed so hard .
And when Reading ” It wouldn’t be so bad”, I felt stalked.
But with music, he gave me peace and this state of Zen, I had tried to reach via aikido.
And never succeeded.

“I have faith [..].that all I need,[...] is just music”

But what Spencer did was not just give me inspiration.
He gave me the friend who’s now the only person to know me completely, honestly.
Every little eclectic side of me. I’m a jigsaw of pieces, not supposed to fit together but somehow, it clicks and makes me. I’m not whole, but I don’t care anymore.
Each hole inside, is a little place for another soul

Spencer didn’t change me, he didn’t save me .
He just showed me it i was okay to be me.

Spencer allowed to meet some of his friends.
And i discovered warmth, for the first time, I discovered I wasn’t a freaky weirdo, some monstrous alien who didn’t belong. Meeting Spencer, and Willow, and Ben, was like finding my way back to old friends.
One look, one shared thought, and they got it perfectly.
Cut from the same cloth and so different.

Even my mother noticed, that I am calmer, more peaceful, not quieter, god never ever!
But it’s all about music. So forever, your voice will ring my head.
I LOVE YOU SPENCER BELL, and I promise to stay true and LOUD in that!!!!

Jessica Ridgway: I was unknowingly brought into the world of Spencer on February 7th 2009. I was invited to the Legacy show by a friend but had no idea of what I was actually going to. All I knew was that i was going to see the band of that guy from Twilight. (yea I know… I was one of “those”…lol) but when I got there that all changed. I watched the Tribute video and hear some stories about Spencer and what an amazing guy he was and it was just one of those things you don’t just forget about when you leave. One of those things that sticks with you. Spencer was a genius when it came to music and poetry, and from what i’ve heard he was just an all around amazing guy. Learning about Spencer has changed my life in a way that i never knew was possible. I never met him but just knowing of him i learned not to take life for granted, and don’t sit around and wait for life to come to you. If you want something go out and get it, because sometimes you don’t get a second chance. Because of Spencer i went back to school. I had set up a meeting for February 9th at Specs Howard to go and check out the campus and see if maybe that was something i was interested in doing. I had no intention of signing up at that meeting or making any kind of commitment, because I “had time” to do it. I had my whole life ahead of me to do as i wanted. WRONG! Spencer’s story taught me that tomorrow is not promised and i can’t live like it is. So I went to the show on the 7th rocked out a day of amazing music and met a ton of great people! Sunday passed and I was all ready for my meeting Monday. I went in learned about the school, got a tour, and then we sat down for the financial part. The entire time I was there I had Spencer in the back of my mind, like he was pushing me to just go for it. So I did, I was handed an opportunity to follow a dream and I jumped in head first. I was enrolled into a class that started that day and I never looked back. It was probably the best decision i have ever made in my life and i am thankful to Spencer for just being Spencer and to everyone there on February 7th 2009 for keeping his legacy alive for people like me to learn about and continue to spread the word.

These are their raw words, that they so willingly opened up their heart to share with me, with each of you, about Spencer Bell. He hasn’t been, nor will he ever be forgotten.
There isn’t a day that goes by, where he isn’t contained in at least one thought for me, and I know that is multiplied by dozens for each of you who knew him, and loved him, who always will.

If you don’t know who Spencer is, then please I ask of you to do yourself a favor and visit THE MUSIC LIVES ON;THE SPENCER BELL LEGACY. You have nothing to lose, knowledge, inspiration, and awareness to gain. Share that with your friends and family, have them do the same!
This is important, it’s an outreach of love.
If you have time to check your email, or forward those lovely chain letters I seem to get so many of these days, then take five minutes to do something worthwhile with your time.
Besides who doesn’t need inspiration, or want new music? That’s what I thought.
My friend Jenn recommends his song “Big Blue Sun”, it’s amazing.

WE LOVE YOU SPENCER BELL!!

Spencer Bell Legacy Show!

WillowRaine — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 19:59:02 +0000

Alright ya’ll gather round and listen up! I want to tell you about something AMAZING.
Comfy? Good.
Since you read this site, you know who SPENCER BELL is by now, beyond any doubt. If you don’t, then please, after you read this, click his name and prepare to be whisked away into a vortex of memories, love,friendship, and pure, raw talent.

That being said, the Spencer Bell Legacy Show is coming up! April 24th 2010 and I’m literally counting the days, don’ t believe me? It’s exactly 110 days from today!

Why am I so excited about it? I’m glad you asked.

Because I was blessed enough to attend the Legacy show in Michigan – August 15th 2008 – and let me tell you, it was beyond words!

The people that I met were so sweet, it was like everyone knew everyone, and I guess in a sense most of them did, thanks to the Legacy site. Spencer may not be with us physically but his art, his music is STILL bringing people together, and through us, the Music Lives On.

The bands, that I didn’t know much, or anything at all about before I went? They ROCKED so hard, that I’m still dancing. My mind was blown!

Check them out!! (Their names are clickable so you can see for yourself, although, anything recorded is great, it doesn’t do them the JUSTICE of how awesome they are LIVE!)

Tin Tin Can
Drew and The Medicinal Pen
The Stevedores
100 Monkeys

This show promises to be every bit as good,if not BETTER, as these bands come together to show their love and support for their friend Spencer Bell, and by token raising awareness for Adrenal Cancer Research.

I know, I know, you want to know the details, be patient I’m about to hit you with them!

The when,where,time?

April 24th, Dallas Texas, at a wonderful venue called Trees.
There will be two shows (as per tradition it seems)
An all ages show in the evening and an 18+ show that night.
Trust me, the bands still have plenty of energy for the night show!

It was at the night show that I spent, what, 4 hours or more dancing? And in uncomfortable boots, but I didn’t care! (That’s how wonderful these Legacy shows are, how infectious, and powerful the energy is that fills the atmosphere!)

For this show who do they have lined up? OH get ready!

Tin Tin Can
Drew and the Medicinal Pen
The Stevedores
100 Monkeys
PLUS
New comers to the Legacy Show line up!

Evro

AND

The Kissing Club

But that’s not all. I know what you’re thinking. There’s more? Of course they couldn’t stop there, are you kidding me? These people know how to party, it is for Spencer after all!

There will be contests ( a music video contest, a t-shirt design contest), a special auction, and a raffle with celebrity donated items.

Contest prizes

* The winner of the music video contest will have their video played for the duration of the concerts. (how wicked is that?)

*The winner of the t-shirt design contest will have their design produced and sold through the Spencer Bell Legacy Project. (That would be something to feel honored about!)

Now for the auction, this will floor you, and at the very least motivate you to donate to a good cause!
You have to opportunity to bid on:

* Interviewing the bands prior to the concerts on live streaming Internet

*dinner with the bands between the concerts

-OR-

* a meet and greet with all the bands in a special VIP area

The Raffle Items:

* a guitar signed by Bowling for Soup

* autographed pictures from Simple Plan

* a special designed t-shirt by Kelly Rathbone

* autographed portraits of the bands

Winners of the raffle do not have to be present to win and the tickets will go on pre-sale in February 2010 (so grab yours early!)

To learn more about the contests and Artists Supporting a Cure for Cancer be sure to visit ASCC NOW !

Batten Down the Hatches Dallas, here we come!

Rants by Damien: “Made In China”

WillowRaine — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:12:11 +0000

This rant is brought to you by Damien, Spider’s 6 year old son. He is the most passionate, caring person that I know. Young and old alike.

Out of somewhere (he has a train of thought, I can’t say nowhere) he says to Spider and I quote:

“Everything is made in China, and although stuff made in China is cute,the way they treat kids and other people is NOT cute.”

Do you ever think to pick up a product and look at the label, to see where it’s made?

Do you even know how badly people and especially the children, who work in those “sweat shops” making a lot of these products that we frequently buy, are treated?

Have you ever even given a second thought to it?

Damien has.

So, look forward to more posts from him, “Rants By Damien” is the newest addition to We All Should Care,next time under his name.

His mom may have to help him type it, but the tangent will belong solely to him.

Damien, you ROCK.

Suicide Isn’t Exclusive

WillowRaine — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 20:43:04 +0000

Rid yourselves of the preconceived notions that you have about suicide, and just try to read this objectively.
I know how hard that is, but please try.

I have often heard that suicide is a cry for attention.
Perhaps, in some rare cases, that is true.
More realistically? For those that honestly intend on taking their own life, it is a lot more involved than just wanting a hug.
And it happens among all races, sexes, and ages.
It is not exclusive to one type of person.
It’s only requirements? That you’re broken, scarred, hurting, aching, agonizing and wanting OUT.
You want the pain to stop.
You don’t stop and think about what will happen in the morning when the sun doesn’t rise for you, all that matters is that hollow in your chest will be gone.
You’ll no longer have to put forth effort to merely breathe, and put one foot in front of the other.
No more auto pilot.
No more pretending.
You’ll be free.
So see, there is someone who DOES understand.
But you know what?
It’s not true.
It won’t make the pain go away, it will only cause more. It will hurt people that love you, and I can promise you, even if you don’t talk to them daily, there is someone that can’t live without you.
There is someone that loves you so much, that their lifeline is connected to yours.
Do you want to be responsible for THEIR hollow? Their pain?
If you’re reading this and you’ve been there, I may not know you (or I may) but I CARE.
If you let me, I’LL REACH BACK when you’re extending your hand.
Nothing may ease your pain, but by damn, I’ll share it with you.
But ending your life? Stupid, inconsiderate, selfish, cowardly.
You’re above that.

Statistics to back up what I’ve said:

• Males take their own lives at nearly four times the rate of females and represent 79.4% of all U.S. suicides.1

• During their lifetime, women attempt suicide about two to three times as often as men.5

• Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death for males and the seventeenth leading cause for females.1

• Among males, adults ages 75 years and older have the highest rate of suicide (rate 37.97 per 100,000population).1

• Among females, those in their 40s and 50s have the highest rate of suicide (rate 7.53 per 100,000population).1

• Firearms are the most commonly used method of suicide among males (57.6%).1

• Poisoning is the most common method of suicide for females (39.1%)
Among American Indians/Alaska Natives ages 15- to 34-years, suicide is the second leading cause of death.1

• Suicide rates among American Indian/Alaskan Native adolescents and young adults ages 15 to 34 (21.7 per100,000) are 2.2 times higher than the nationalaverage for that age group (10.0 per 100,000).1

• Hispanic female high school students in grades 9-12 reported a higher percentage of suicide attempts(14.0%) than their White, non-Hispanic (7.7%) orBlack, non-Hispanic (9.9%) counterparts

• Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 25-34 year olds and the third leading cause of deathamong 15- to 24-year olds.1

• Among 15- to 24-year olds, suicide accounts for 12.3% of all deaths annually.1

• The rate of suicide for adults aged 65 years and older was 14.7 per 100,000.1 Nonfatal, Self-Inflicted Injuries*

• In 2005, 372,722 people were treated in emergency departments for self-inflicted injuries.6

• In 2006, 162,359 people were hospitalized due to self- inflicted injury.1

• There is one suicide for every 25 attempted suicides
In 2007:

• 14.5% of students, grade 9-12, seriously considered suicide in the previous 12 months (18.7% of femalesand 10.3% of males).4

• 6.9% of students reported making at least one suicide attempt in the previous 12 months (9.3% of femalesand 4.6% of males).4

• 2.0% of students reported making at least one suicide attempt in the previous 12 months that requiredmedical attention (2.4% of females and 1.5% ofmales)

You can read the full post of statistics HERE

Remember, when you think you have nobody, that nobody is there.
Look a little harder, a little deeper.
If you can’t talk to someone you know, if you can’t talk to me, then please ASK FOR HELP HERE
It’s a site with all the numbers you’ll need to find someone to help.

“Please Hear What I Am Not Saying”

WillowRaine — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:33:42 +0000

I notice the things that so few do.
I go about my daily life in a plethora of emotions because I can honestly almost feel what others do. I call it extra empathy, in reality, I have no idea if there is a name for it.
I know that there are so many people that are perceived incorrectly by society.
They are thought golden, untouchable, happy, simply because they hide behind a facade. A mask of smiles, though it never truly reaches their eyes. You never see their soul, because it’s dark.
I know that look because I have that look.
That “empty, longing, soul searching, I’m never going to be fixed, but I wish I had someone that could relate, and accept me no matter how many neuroses I may have” look.
Sometimes, it isn’t a matter of being fixed, but merely, of having someone hold your hand in the dark, and walk quietly alongside you, to quiet the shadows, if only a bit.
Sometimes, we just want someone to hear what we aren’t saying, but we’re silently screaming.
I think Charles C. Finn can sum it up better than I can, so I’ll let him:

“Please Hear What I Am Not Saying”

Don’t be fooled by me.
Don’t be fooled by the face I wear
for I wear a mask, a thousand masks,
masks that I’m afraid to take off,
and none of them is me.

Pretending is an art that’s second nature with me,
but don’t be fooled,
for God’s sake don’t be fooled.
I give you the impression that I’m secure,
that all is sunny and unruffled with me, within as well
as without,
that confidence is my name and coolness my game,
that the water’s calm and I’m in command
and that I need no one,
but don’t believe me.
My surface may seem smooth but my surface is my mask,
ever-varying and ever-concealing.
Beneath lies no complacence.
Beneath lies confusion, and fear, and aloneness.
But I hide this. I don’t want anybody to know it.
I panic at the thought of my weakness exposed.
That’s why I frantically create a mask to hide behind,
a nonchalant sophisticated facade,
to help me pretend,
to shield me from the glance that knows.

But such a glance is precisely my salvation, my only hope,
and I know it.
That is, if it’s followed by acceptance,
if it’s followed by love.
It’s the only thing that can liberate me from myself,
from my own self-built prison walls,
from the barriers I so painstakingly erect.
It’s the only thing that will assure me
of what I can’t assure myself,
that I’m really worth something.
But I don’t tell you this. I don’t dare to, I’m afraid to.
I’m afraid your glance will not be followed by acceptance,
will not be followed by love.
I’m afraid you’ll think less of me,
that you’ll laugh, and your laugh would kill me.
I’m afraid that deep-down I’m nothing
and that you will see this and reject me.

So I play my game, my desperate pretending game,
with a facade of assurance without
and a trembling child within.
So begins the glittering but empty parade of masks,
and my life becomes a front.
I idly chatter to you in the suave tones of surface talk.
I tell you everything that’s really nothing,
and nothing of what’s everything,
of what’s crying within me.
So when I’m going through my routine
do not be fooled by what I’m saying.
Please listen carefully and try to hear what I’m not saying,
what I’d like to be able to say,
what for survival I need to say,
but what I can’t say.

I don’t like hiding.
I don’t like playing superficial phony games.
I want to stop playing them.
I want to be genuine and spontaneous and me
but you’ve got to help me.
You’ve got to hold out your hand
even when that’s the last thing I seem to want.
Only you can wipe away from my eyes
the blank stare of the breathing dead.
Only you can call me into aliveness.
Each time you’re kind, and gentle, and encouraging,
each time you try to understand because you really care,
my heart begins to grow wings–
very small wings,
very feeble wings,
but wings!

With your power to touch me into feeling
you can breathe life into me.
I want you to know that.
I want you to know how important you are to me,
how you can be a creator–an honest-to-God creator–
of the person that is me
if you choose to.
You alone can break down the wall behind which I tremble,
you alone can remove my mask,
you alone can release me from my shadow-world of panic,
from my lonely prison,
if you choose to.
Please choose to.

Do not pass me by.
It will not be easy for you.
A long conviction of worthlessness builds strong walls.
The nearer you approach to me
the blinder I may strike back.
It’s irrational, but despite what the books say about man
often I am irrational.
I fight against the very thing I cry out for.
But I am told that love is stronger than strong walls
and in this lies my hope.
Please try to beat down those walls
with firm hands but with gentle hands
for a child is very sensitive.

Who am I, you may wonder?
I am someone you know very well.
For I am every man you meet
and I am every woman you meet.

Charles C. Finn
September 1966

If you feel this way, even if you never contact me, understand, that when nobody else does, I hear what you’re not saying, and I see YOU, not your mask. I try not to pry, but oftentimes I can’t help what I see without looking.

For everyone else? Please, do everyone a favor, never place anyone on a pedestal. We are merely human, no matter how pretty and golden we are, we are not made of marble, we cannot sit still for an eternity, and we will fall.
The higher the pedestal, the harder the fall.
Remember that the one hurting, may atypically be you, but genuinely wounded will be the one you chose to deify.

Spencer Bell Day on Twitter

WillowRaine — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:07:49 +0000

Alright, where are my fellow “tweeters” at?
That either sounds dirty, or like we’re druggies. Either way lol
Come join me on Twitter today, as I have declared it Spencer Bell Day!
We are going to get the trending topic to be #spencerbellislegendary, and tweet about how incredible his legacy is, all day.
With bouts of humor, probably dreadful jokes mixed in, and lots of heart felt emotion.
My Spencerian Army thus far?
Add us all.

@SpencerBell

@Willow_Raine

@taylor_blue

@hello_jodie

@Damij

@pconway6

We’d appreciate the help, love,and support for Spencer, and Adrenal Cancer Awareness.

U.C.A.R.E

WillowRaine — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 22:53:12 +0000

I met an amazing man today, but forgot, like the winner that I am, to ask his name. He had been sitting in front of the Walmart entrance since 9 A.M (it was 5 p.m by the time I made his acquaintance) taking up donations for a remarkable organization.
One that I didn’t even know existed, but since hearing about it, I can say that I am beyond proud to be a residence of the Charlotte metro area.
The organization? U.C.A.R.E (United Cancer Alliance Reaching Everyone).

Their Mission Statement as taken from U.C.A.R.E:

“United Cancer Alliance Reaching Everyone, Inc. (U.C.A.R.E.) is a non-profit organization, founded in Concord, NC and is based in Charlotte, NC. U.C.A.R.E. was organized to provide financial assistance to individuals and the families of individuals receiving cancer treatment in the Charlotte, North Carolina Metropolitan Area and vicinity.”

How can you help? Well, I’m glad that you asked!

* You can DONATE to the cause

* You can Volunteer to help spread the word and collect donations

* If you own or operate a business, you can become a Sponsor

You don’t have to live in or around the Charlotte, NC. Metro area to help, donations are accepted from all over.
The only requirement is that you have a giving heart.

It’s beautiful when people reach out to help those in their community, see, there IS good in this world, you just have to look a little closer.