If you’re still with me, I want you to hear this clearly—your story isn’t over. Even if it feels like you’re standing in the dark, even if you’re exhausted from the fight, even if the lies you’ve been told still whisper louder than the truth you’re trying to believe—you’re still here.

And that’s leadership.

Not the kind the world glorifies, but the quiet, courageous leadership of choosing to stay. Of choosing to breathe. Of choosing—just for today—to believe that something more is possible.

Leadership starts there. It starts in the moments no one sees. When you say, “I matter enough to ask for help.” When you say, “My Knowing deserves my trust.”

This isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about taking one brave step toward hope. And then another. And then another.

So if you’re standing on that edge, wondering if it’s worth it—hear me when I say: It is. You are. And the world needs the light only you can bring.

Trauma is blocked emotional energy that is trapped inside of your body. You need to process it and you need to feel it.

What I have learned is that when I repress and deny my feelings and my Knowing, I’m blocking my connection with God and I’m hurting myself… and I’m hurting others.

At more than one point in my life I thought it would be easier to leave this world than to feel my feelings, follow my God given Knowing, speak out against those I considered to be in ‘control’ and to share my truth.

I was drifting towards suicide because I cared more about what others thought about me than I did about myself. I believed the lies that I was being taught about my being, instead of trusting my Knowing.

Trigger Warning - I want to share that this is another ‘explicit’ episode as this part of my story contains content that may trigger some survivors. In today’s episode I will be talking about suicidal ideation and attempted suicide. This is a topic that nobody wants to talk about, but we desperately need to talk about. I’m dedicating this episode to all those struggling with mental health challenges and to the incredible services that The Trevor Project provides in the US and that Kids Help Phone provides in Canada to help support young LGBTQ lives.

Hold on. Reach out. Take the next small, loving step.

And when you’re ready, I’ll be right here walking with you.

You are loved. You are needed. And you’re already leading—just by choosing to stay.

Until next time, take care of your heart, trust your Knowing, and keep your light shining.

If you are a survivor of religious trauma, sexual abuse or assault or are a person facing mental health issues related to today’s conversation I strongly encourage you to be extremely gentle with yourself and to reach out to a mental health professional that specializes in trauma.

There is no shame in asking for the help that you deserve.

You are loved

James.

https://www.humankind.work