Today wasn’t easy. Not gonna lie.
My mom & I drove to the police station that held my younger brother, Danny, belongings for nearly 10 months after he took his life a week after turning 26 last June.
Upon opening the container of his personal belongings, I was greeted with his phone covered in his own blood.
Although I thought I was prepared for this moment, I wasn’t. It was another slap in the face of reality that my little brother is no longer here with my mom & I. What’s worse, I can’t do anything about it. Of all the years growing up protecting my best friend, I wasn’t able to this time.
I have a ton of thoughts of regret for being so hard on him over the years as others just enabled him & allowed him to play small in life. I battle against those thoughts with my belief that I was doing what I felt was right in challenging him to live up to his potential from a place of sincere love.
I often get asked “how are you always so positive”?
I’m not. But, I also know that the mind is like any muscle in the body & daily practice, exercise, & recovery are required to ensure we have a chance at becoming what we desire.
I’m human & experience all the ups & downs that we all face but my perspective to be alive and have a chance at changing my tomorrow & sharing it with all of you is what keeps me moving forward.
The people I choose to surround myself with plays a huge role in giving me the courage to be vulnerable, not give up or feel sorry for myself, & allow me to be who I set out to become.
These people in the photos have become brothers from other mothers to me & I’m incredibly grateful for all of them & Jackie
Danny & I both cherished our friends equally as much as we cherish each other. We don’t believe family is solely blood related.
I want you to share your love for those you care about & know your life is what you choose to make it.
Inside & out.
Always strive for happiness but don’t ever think you have to be happy every day or that your broken.
Josh P. 💚🧠✌️