Chester Bennington's suicide has shocked me. Everyday there are people who take their own life and each time it is shocking and tragic. We hear about the "famous” suicides, but I know there are more than I can count that go unnoticed to me.
I didn't know Chester personally and I knew very little about his personal life and his struggles. I did have the pleasure of seeing him live on stage twice which I will never forget. His energy was unbelievable.
The band Linkin Park is one of those bands for me that was a huge influence during my formative years. They immediately changed the shape of my music taste when they burst into the scene in my early adolescence. Along with Offspring, Grinspoon and Blink182, Linking Park formed the soundtrack of my youth.
It's easy for me to sit here and ask how could such a talent, a superstar, a "wealthy" person who lives what he loves arrive at a place where he saw no way out, no other option, or did not care enough to make a different decision? Any kind of judgement on my behalf requires far too many assumptions. Who am I to judge?
So, I'm left with sadness. Sadness that it's an all too familiar headline. An amazing, creative, talented individual who I have listened too in the background of my life for so long is just gone.
His songs, numerous videos and his energy will live on, and will be experienced for years to come, but I'll never be able to stop thinking about the why. Why did he opt out?
Every time I hear Chester's unique "sing like an angel, scream like the devil” vocals or even catch a glimpse of an Autobot symbol on the back of a car I'll be reminded of the temporary nature of this world. That thought brings to light a perspective of what's really important and where my care and focus should be directed.
Life is made up of seasons. Seasons of highs where you smile, lead, inspire and nurture others. And there are seasons of darkness where the battle with your own inner demons seems all consuming. And of course there is many in-betweens.
Whether this is a season of hope or despair please share that with the people around you. For me right now I was thinking it’s neither, a somewhere-in-between. Life right now is busy and tiring. But the best part is I can take steps today that will determine what the next season looks like…So that’s hope after all!
I read that he may have been murdered.:( r.i.p.
Well I guess that's what I meant by making assumptions. I doubt I'll ever know the real story, but the official narrative still has me framing it this way. RIP...
Did you read the New York Times feature they did on him? I thought that it was particularly good, if you haven't.
I had a similar experience with Linkin Park; they definitely make up a lot of the soundtrack to "coming of age" for me (I started listening to them around 7th grade?).
I just wanted to throw something out, though:
It goes beyond not judging. Mental health issues, especially major depressive disorder or depression, don't discriminate based on class, success, family, or talent. The second that we start saying who is and isn't worthy of having a mental illness is the moment that we start insinuating that only some people are deserving of care, that mental health problems are preventable.
They aren't. <3
Sounds like you're having a bit of a rough time—though I like the note you ended on. Life will always be busy and tiring, though, so be sure you have systems in place to take care of you.
Thanks for the reply @rachelburger, I think it was 9th grade for me.
You're right that it is beyond judgement, I certainly take your comments on board. Though I do believe there is a lifestyle element to all diseases that shouldn't be overlooked.
I'm a positive person and life is good, so it was probably just reflecting on this topic at the end of a long week that was coming through rather than me currently having a rough time.
Thanks
Congratulations @grateful123! You have received a personal award!
Click on the badge to view your own Board of Honor on SteemitBoard.
For more information about this award, click here
Congratulations @grateful123! You received a personal award!
You can view your badges on your Steem Board and compare to others on the Steem Ranking
Vote for @Steemitboard as a witness to get one more award and increased upvotes!