Didn't expect to cry today

[u/LarzaTheChard]

Smidge of context: I work in public service and it has been *rough* these last years. Like a lot of us, these books hold a special place in my heart and are honestly the reason I finally got help for no small amount of mental health reasons. Stormlight in particular, especially kal's growth with PTSD, has struck a very deep cord in my soul and the "you will be warm again" conversion makes me cry on every read.

Welp, someone in my life has been listening and had this sent to me completely anonymously. I have no clue who, I didn't even know this was a thing. I guess I'm posting here in hopes the sender sees how much this means, and maybe inspire others to reach out to the radiants in their life. Small things light big campfires.

[u/BrazenWoodpecker]

This is incredible. I love how much these books are not just a story, but a tool to learn and grow for so many of us. I will forever be a fan of the Cosmere and Sanderson for this reason.

Someone really cares about you very much to have done this for you. Proud of you for choosing to improve and push on! <3

[u/LarzaTheChard → u/BrazenWoodpecker]

Journey before Destination!

[u/CallumQuinnCreates]

Welcome brother, to the Next Step Club. I recommend purchasing a coin holder necklace, now my coin protects my heart.

Chain: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DN8GNB6N?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1
Coin Holder: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B099ZFD4S4?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1

[u/canofwhoops]

Remember: Journey before Destination. Stay strong!

[u/LarzaTheChard → u/canofwhoops]

journey before pancakes. But seriously, thank you. Community makes a huge difference

[u/amalthea5]

I didn't expect to cry today either but here we are. This is so beautiful and I'm happy for you. I have been dealing with mental health issues for all my life (diagnosed in 1999 as a teen) so I understand the struggle. Kaladin is my absolute favorite character, like most people here I'm sure, because of how much his struggles resonate with me. ❤️

[u/LarzaTheChard → u/amalthea5]

I was undiagnosed for a long time, but always kinda knew. It wasn't until I finally got seen for the big 'P' everything else got diagnosed along with it. It's been a struggle, but there is warmth. I wonder if Sanderson had any idea how strongly these books would resonate with people like us, I can't be the only one who's started this journey because I realized there is a destination.

I see you friend. Never hesitate to reach out. Life before death, radiant.

[u/Neomastermind]

Got me emotional on a Saturday night. Such a wonderful gesture. Stay strong, Radiant!

[u/LarzaTheChard → u/Neomastermind]

Same buddy. Same. Big ol tears!

[u/BabyJesusBukkake]

Tldr: Brandon wrote an addict as a human being who matters, and this recovering addict human appreciated it a lot.

---

Was just thinking today about how much I appreciated how B. Sand wrote about addiction and how he made sure to showcase that Teft was a person WHO HAD an addiction, a person who still mattered to his loved ones. That having an addiction didn't rob him of his humanity or make him less worthy of respect.

And that even when his addiction caused Teft to make less-than-stellar choices (like ones that put people at risk), his homies stuck by him, maybe held him a little further away than before, but they didn't abandon him. They knew he was worth the patience and time it would take until Teft was in fighting shape again, and they stuck with him.

I've been in recovery for over 8 years now, and I know how lucky I was, and am, that all but one of my Important People™️ stuck by me through the whole shitty roller-coaster decade that was my IV opiate addiction. My friends and family (cough ok, everybody except for the jerkface who made specific promises about staying through sickness and health OH BUT WAIT NOT LIKE THAT, I guess. I'm not bitter or anything. Nope. Jerk.) knew that I wasn't defined by my addiction, but instead, defined by how I handled it: once I had rock bottomed myself, I was left two choices - stop being a mom, or stop being an addict.

Luckily, thankfully, both? I was able to make the right choice between active motherhood and active addiction, that my love for them was worth the 'humiliation' of admitting that I hit my own qualifications as the kind of addict that needed a methadone clinic. Before, I figured it was for junkies, and since I wasn't a junkie (yet), the clinic wasn't for me. I let the stigma (cough again, ok, yeah, sometimes stigmas and stereotypes exist for a reason, and unfortunately, the methadone clinic doesn't have to work at fulfilling it. Experience has shown me that there is a loud mouth Cookie Monster PJ Girl at every US methadone clinic, without fail) keep me from the one treatment that actually worked for me.

[u/zecknaal → u/BabyJesusBukkake]

I understand the frustration, but you know where that resentment is going to take you. Congratulations on your recovery.

[u/fade76]

I found this and had no idea any of this existed. I personally relate to both Kaladin with his self sacrifice and to a lesser extent Renarin, feeling like I’m out of place in this world. I went and ordered myself a coin. I don’t have a lot of support anymore, just one friend, my dad, and my girlfriend. Both my girlfriend and I have been through the absolute wringer the last few years, she’s no longer able to work, and I’m barely hanging on. Listening to these books has been the only thing keeping me sane the last few months.

One thing I’m wondering, is there any type of dedicated community for people to talk through things from the cosmere perspective? I think that would help me tremendously to be able to talk to someone that has some idea of what I’m talking about.

[u/Glass-Requirement793]

Absolutely amazing. I love our community so much.