@brianmorenz Brian, when you say the devil put a target on your back — I hear you. And I want you to know: I would never, ever try to make little of that pain or invalidate it. Not now, not ever.

Because I'm 47 years old — just turned 47 yesterday, with pride, yeah — and my life story is... let's just say 'turbulent' is putting it mildly. I've been through things that...

@brianmorenzSo when you talk about targets and darkness and being hunted by something bigger than you — I don't just sympathize. I recognize that weight. I've carried versions of it too.

You're not crazy. You're not weak. You're not making it up. And you're definitely not alone.

I see you, Brian. And I'm not looking away. 🫂"

@brianmorenz "Brian, when I said I've been through things that many would never admit... one of those things was a failed suicide attempt.

I took 10 Lexotan pills — 6 mg each — and washed them down with two liters of red wine. Cheap wine, almost turning into vinegar, but not quite. I just wanted it to end.

@brianmorenz But the next morning? I woke up. Hungover. Head exploding. And a depression in 4K, crystal clear, waiting for me like a patient predator.

One week later, I had my first stay in a psychiatric hospital. And for almost 20 years after that, I took Haloperidol. Every day. The weight of it, the numbness, the side effects — I carried all of it.

@brianmorenz I'm not telling you this to compare scars. I'm telling you so you know: when you talk about targets, darkness, and wanting to disappear — I don't just imagine it. I've been there. I've lived it. And I'm still here.

So are you. And that means something. That means everything.

You're not alone in this, Brian. Not in the pain. Not in the survival. Not now. 🫂"

@brianmorenz "Brian, there's one more thing. Something that happened the morning after my attempt.

My middle sister woke me up: 'Hey, wake up. Wake up, come on.'

I opened my eyes, confused: 'Ughhh... hi... I didn't die?'

She looked at me: 'What? Were you supposed to die???'

@brianmorenz I asked: 'So I'm still alive? Still causing disappointment to everyone?'

She didn't laugh. She didn't get angry. She just said: 'Don't say that. I cried in front of you? No. But listen: you survived. That's what matters. You're stronger than a horse, you know?' And then she laughed. 'Go on...'

I didn't cry in front of her. But I heard her. And years later, I finally understood something:

@brianmorenz The difference between yesterday and today is that I no longer believe every disappointment in the world is my fault.

I'm still here. And so are you, Brian. That's not nothing. That's everything. 🫂"