Prison Break actor Wentworth Miller was recently the target of a cruel body shaming meme (posted above).
And his powerful, dignified response taught many people a valuble lesson.
Here is his full response below.
Wentworth Miller
March 28 at 4:10pm ·
Today I found myself the subject of an Internet meme. Not for the first time.
This one, however, stands out from the rest.
In 2010, semi-retired from acting, I was keeping a low-profile for a number of reasons.
First and foremost, I was suicidal.
This is a subject I’ve since written about, spoken about, shared about.
But at the time I suffered in silence. As so many do. The extent of my struggle known to very, very few.
Ashamed and in pain, I considered myself damaged goods. And the voices in my head urged me down the path to self-destruction. Not for the first time.
I’ve struggled with depression since childhood. It’s a battle that’s cost me time, opportunities, relationships, and a thousand sleepless nights.
In 2010, at the lowest point in my adult life, I was looking everywhere for relief/comfort/distraction. And I turned to food. It could have been anything. Drugs. Alcohol. Sex. But eating became the one thing I could look forward to. Count on to get me through. There were stretches when the highlight of my week was a favorite meal and a new episode of TOP CHEF. Sometimes that was enough. Had to be.
And I put on weight. Big f–king deal.
One day, out for a hike in Los Angeles with a friend, we crossed paths with a film crew shooting a reality show. Unbeknownst to me, paparazzi were circling. They took my picture, and the photos were published alongside images of me from another time in my career. “Hunk To Chunk.” “Fit To Flab.” Etc.
My mother has one of those “friends” who’s always the first to bring you bad news. They clipped one of these articles from a popular national magazine and mailed it to her. She called me, concerned.
In 2010, fighting for my mental health, it was the last thing I needed.
Long story short, I survived.
So do those pictures.
I’m glad.
Now, when I see that image of me in my red t-shirt, a rare smile on my face, I am reminded of my struggle. My endurance and my perseverance in the face of all kinds of demons. Some within. Some without.
Like a dandelion up through the pavement, I persist.
Anyway. Still. Despite.
The first time I saw this meme pop up in my social media feed, I have to admit, it hurt to breathe. But as with everything in life, I get to assign meaning. And the meaning I assign to this/my image is Strength. Healing. Forgiveness.
Of myself and others.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Reach out. Text. Send an email. Pick up the phone. Someone cares. They’re waiting to hear from you. Much love. – W.M. #koalas #inneractivist #prisonbroken
www.afsp.org
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
www.activeminds.org
www.thetrevorproject.org
www.iasp.info
www.facebook.com/notes/wentworth-miller/flour-or-wheat/1653559881523614
Now you are probably wondering why I have chosen to post about something unrelated to marketing.
It actually is related, and it is about Massive Value.
This is because we are human beings first, and marketers second.
The lesson here is we don’t ever really know what is going on in another person’s life and so we should try to not judge them.
Depression is the biggest liar, and some people need help to eliminate the lies they can’t help but tell themselves on a daily basis.
And anti-depressants are NOT the answer – often have more deadly side-effects than positive ones (google ‘SSRI side effects’)
The way Wentworth answered this meme was all class, his response was of a higher vibration, defined by love and care for others.
Love is the highest vibration energy we as humans can share together . . . all lower vibration behaviours stem from a lack of love and self respect.
Miller lent his high profile to the fight against a tragic, ugly and unnecessary scourge on the human race – the senseless tragedy of Suicide.
When you face the status quo with higher vibration and massive value truth – people resonate.
They are drawn to you like a moth to a flickering flame . . . they can’t help it.
Wentworth Miller literally DOUBLED his fan base overnight with one powerful post – I am sure this was not his intended goal when posting his response to the meme . . . yet it is not only well deserved, he now has raving fans for life!
It was also great to see The LAD Bible issue Wentworth what I felt was a genuine, sincere apology.
Everyone grew from this experience.
When you act and live as a ‘Massive Value Human Being‘, the world stands up and takes notice.
My full respect to you, Wentworth!
I look forward to reading more of your wise words.
MASSIVE VALUE MANTRA: Become a Massive Value Human Being and Success is Inevitable!
Massive Value to the last breath,
Ben
