Wow! That is so true... there's so much contrast in the world, and in my life. Like I have so many dreams, but my fears get in the way. I know Jesus Christ has brought me into the light, but the darkness is still right there. I'm so getting that hoodie to. I just ordered it monday. I'm really excited about getting it. Thanx for all you do. TWLOHA has really helped change my life.

1 | Left by Michelle | Mar. 5, 2009 at 5:55am

This is a great idea. I've been waiting for a shirt like this from you guys. Contrast is an important stage of my life just right now, as I have just left my hometown, my family, all my friends for a big city and a new school and a new job. So much has changed so quickly, its hard to catch my breath.

2 | Left by Lili | Mar. 5, 2009 at 8:57am

hey... im sorry if im not supposeed to write this here or something but i really need someone to give me some advice...
uhm a while ago i started cutting because i lost a friend. but my attempt for help became a disaster and i was sent to the hospital. i havent cut in 3 weeks. but that doesnt mean i still dont want to. because right now the thing i would want to do most is that. but the problem is that i cant because if i do, theyll send me to the hospital for like 6 months or even a year. and im really scared. and the problem is that its like im addicted to it and i cant stop and i dont know what to do because i dont want to go to the hospital

3 | Left by Anon | Mar. 5, 2009 at 9:52am

I really like the messages the hoodie gives. The white being innosence of life and being pure. And the black is being lost and not knowing how to get back to the white in life.

I'm prolly gonna buy it.

4 | Left by alysin | Mar. 5, 2009 at 10:15am

Anon,

I don't know how much I can help, but I've been there. It's been 21 days since the last time I cut, and sometimes I really want to do it. It releases so much pain from the inside, but it's not worth it. God releases my pain. Jesus took the pain for me on the the cross. Just keep telling yourself that you don't need it. Cutting is an addiction just like drugs or alcohol. It's hard, but you can do it. When you wake up in the morning say, "I'm going to cut tomorrow." If you say this every morning tomorrow will never come. Just hang in there. There's still hope, there always is as long as you're breathing you have hope. You just have to find the light in the darkness. I'll be praying for you and if you need to talk just send me a message... my email is i-heart-jesus@live.com ...

5 | Left by Michelle | Mar. 5, 2009 at 11:51am

anon, try going to the Postsecret blog. its in general. trust me, itll help. its helped me, im now 54 days without cutting.

6 | Left by Rachel. | Mar. 5, 2009 at 6:27pm

Rachel- Hey! Happy day 54. Please come post sometime again :) We love you, and i still think bout you. :)

Jamie:
You always have something good to say about something simple. I love this, thank you, and i hope to get a hoodie :)

7 | Left by Taryn | Mar. 5, 2009 at 6:40pm

I bought this hoodie before I knew the story. I bought it because it was striking and I wanted to use it as a catalyst to get the word out. So far, it's working. :)

8 | Left by Nina | Mar. 5, 2009 at 7:50pm

Anon,

My only advice is to be transparent- tell others, whom you trust, how you are feeling. Let them know what you are struggling with so that they can keep you accountable. Ask for help. Start a conversation about how you are feeling. It's impossible to deal with this on your own- you friends, family, TWLOHA, and most importantly God... we're all on your side, we're all rooting for you. We all want nothing but happiness and good health for you. And your friend who died- they wouldn't want you to cut either. Know that I honestly love you (even though I don't know you) but most importantly, God loves you even more.

Hope this helped... my prayers are with you Anon.

9 | Left by Ana | Mar. 6, 2009 at 6:49am

Anon,

please, just know that you are loved. it may not always seem like it, but it's true. we all love you...

10 | Left by Izzy | Mar. 6, 2009 at 9:59am

Anon... we are here.

i know it's been said already, but i just need to reiterate it. More than anything, i need you to know that even when it seems like no one cares, WE CARE. i have been lost in the dark of my mind alone before, where all the doubts and pain have taken root. i've come out of that place. But more importantly, you can do the same. No matter what you're going through. No matter what everyone else might say. No matter you might want to convince yourself. YOU CAN. There are things more important than bleeding. There is life. There is hope. There is love.

and i'll hold you up in prayer, tonight and always :)

11 | Left by Hannahkin | Mar. 6, 2009 at 12:09pm

Anon, Just wanted you to know that I've been thinking of you and praying for you the last few days. Once again, you are loved.

12 | Left by Ana | Mar. 7, 2009 at 4:35pm

Anon, Just wanted you to know that I've been thinking of you and praying for you the last few days. Once again, you are loved.

13 | Left by Ana | Mar. 7, 2009 at 4:40pm

where does all your money go? and do u have records? because im sure you dont. you lying money hungry bastards =]

14 | Left by Chanse | Mar. 7, 2009 at 10:04pm

I've experienced both light and dark, as of most people. People like hearing about the light, but once you bring up the dark they get uncomfortable and change the subject. Though what's the point of rejoicing the light you've found when you don't share the darkness? It's like watching the beginning of a movie and skipping all the struggles, confusion and pain of the middle to the happy ending. Wouldn't the light of the movie mean more when you've experienced the darkness?
You guys understand that the dark is just as important as the light, and that's amazing. Thank you.

15 | Left by Marlie | Mar. 8, 2009 at 8:23pm

Anon,
A lotta people know how you feel because so many of us have been there. We know pain,we feel it, and we try to make it go away through cutting.I have friends who cut and it kills me that they do. I used to but its been about 8 months since I last did it and honestly God has been doing amazing things in my life. I mean, look at Renee. God saved her from a life of darkness. He loves you and wants the best for you. There is so much to live for. I know its addicting and hard to stop but if you just surrender it all to God he will help you to stop.
I'll be praying for you

16 | Left by Stephanie | Mar. 9, 2009 at 11:33am

Me being a hopeless romantic, I just love the thought that there is love out there.
And What you have to say is amazing!
I am currently saving up my allowances to buy this hoodie!
I am spreading the new about TWLOHA all to my friends, which they think it is amazing aswell!
Keep up the outstanding work!

-Leah

17 | Left by Leah Soroka | Mar. 11, 2009 at 6:37am

This was posted on my birthday. I'm going to buy this hoodie ASAP. I love what we stand for, what this has grown to be. I experience light and dark in a very real way... I'm a very pale girl, and my boyfriend of four years is of dark skin. Most of my family has disowned me, except for my Mom, and its hard for me to stay strong, because its been years of mental abuse from my "family" towards me and my love. TWLOHA is inspiration for me to stay strong<3.

18 | Left by Alexis | Mar. 18, 2009 at 5:24am

I like the thought process that went into choosing the colors for the logo and the designs for the clothing. I have a poem I wrote about a year ago. It's called Oneness, but it relates to the duality of life. That something exists but it has a counterpart and in the whole - there is One. Here's the poem:

I am learning to unlearn. I already am Oneness.
I am darkness, but I am light. I am day and I am night.
I am everywhere and no where. You say, "What?! that can not be!"
I already am Oneness, you see. Therefore, there exist no polarities.
I am high but I am low. I am stagnant but I can flow.
I am rich and I am poor. I am Oneness just as you are.
Therefore, there exists no hierarchy. I am a queen and a peasant. I am dead but I'm alive.
I am Oneness.

Hope people enjoy this poem. It was sitting in my journal along with many other thoughts I hadn't shared with anyone. I'm glad I crossed paths with TWLOHA. I feel I have a place more and more.

19 | Left by Josie | Mar. 18, 2009 at 1:10pm

Hi, I just wanted to share my story with you all. I have to say yes it takes awhile to find out who your true self is. I am a 34yr old mom to a 16 year old and I think I got it down now - but who knows.

I started at a young age. I always knew something was wrong with me. I was depressed all the time, so I drank to mask all of those feelings. My drinking was outta control and it effected my family. I started cutting to take the pain that I had caused upon my family. I went into rehab for awhile - it did help but I still didn't know exactly what was wrong with me. My attempts for suicide I would average 5-6 times, always ended up in the hospital having my stomach pumped. I went to a mental doctor and was diagnosed bipolar was put on so many different meds I couldn't even count. At that point it really hit me hard and so I drank even more - blacking out and waking up in the hospital completely clueless as to what I had done. Another attempt of suicide and also seeing my arms bandaged from the cutting and burning my arms with cigarettes.
I finally thought to myself this has got to stop. I was hurting everyone around me and mostly myself. So I tested myself. I started to go to therapy. It helped - I religiously take my meds on a daily basis. I am a recovering alcoholic and intend on staying that way,(it will be a year on may 28th.)

I have hurt my son the most - he has witnessed the worst of me and I regret it. However, when we talk, he tells me "It has only made me stronger Mom" - He is the bravest person I know.

I wanted to share my story to help others and to let them know that there is hope and help. I wish I had know about TWLOHA when I was younger. I used to be disgusted when I looked at the scars from the cutting and the burn marks. But I look at them now and its a reminder to me that I can make it through this - and so can you all. I was afraid for people to see my arms but now I dont care any more. They are a part of me now. A reminder of who I am now - A BETTER MENTALLY HEALTHIER PERSON. I want to share TWLOHA with everyone. I want to get the word out to all of those that are going through what I went through. You are not alone. There is gonna be the people that dont understand, you gotta brush it off. We clearly know that those people aren't open-minded. Just always know that WE are all worth everything! I was always told by most of my family that I was making it up to get attention. They didnt know how I felt. My Mother is my biggest supporter and always has been.

When I wear my shirt people always ask "what is that about?" and I crave to tell people. Just please know you are not alone.

Sincerely,

The Black Sheep <3

20 | Left by Kristin | Mar. 19, 2009 at 12:57pm

Jamie, I love this hoodie.
My closet is currently packed to the breaking point with all of your shirts. I may need to start giving some away. Almost tragic. Oh well.
I believe strongly in everything that you do. I believe strongly in everything you say and everything you've done.
You should really work on expanding northwards(Canada).I know that my self, and a lot of my friends have been moved greatly by everything that you've done. You've changed a lot of lives up here, and inspired others to help others.
Thank you for everything.
If anyone needs someone, I'm always here.
robert.clend_42@hotmail.com
I put it out there because when I needed someone, they were there. But I know that there isn't always someone out there ready for you to talk to.

Robert

21 | Left by Olibert | Mar. 22, 2009 at 5:25pm

This is incredible. I felt something so profound while reading this blog. The other day, a thought came to me. I was having one of my "bad days," you know, the days when you just can't find the motivation to crawl out of bed? And I was thinking about how afraid we are of our own emotions. How we shy away from talk of darkness, when the only thing that can chase the darkness away is light, light and love. Contrast is one of my favorite things in life. In my photographs, my friendships, my moods. It's all about finding a way to make opposite things work together, in a beautiful, messy, crooked harmony.


Thank you, thank you, thank you, for giving me reason to live. For giving me (forgive the cheesiness), a purpose for the pain.
:]Love and gratitude always,
London, 15 yrs old, Oklahoma.

22 | Left by London<3 | Mar. 22, 2009 at 10:59pm

This hoodie really describes a lot. How we go through the darkness, to find the light. How we love and we hate. How we are alike and different, and the pain and the hope we all go through. I can easily relate to everything you guys have said about the meaning of this. When I was 12 or 11, I cut like a maniac. A lot too, in a lot of different places. You get the point. Sometimes, I still face temptation a lot. Anyways, my April chorus trip is coming up, and I have 50$ saved up, getting more soon, for it because we are stopping at the Orlando mall. So, I am going to buy this along with a few of your shirts, and other things. Thank you for making this, so we can express ourselves in a simple way, that everyone should be able to understand. Peace, love, music-
Allie~

23 | Left by Allie | Mar. 24, 2009 at 2:36pm

i think these hoodies are amazing

they explain so much =]

24 | Left by melissa | Mar. 27, 2009 at 4:32pm

I love this website mt teacher at church told me about it and i wanted to see what was about. I feel like my world is so stupid. i started to cut myself when i was younger. my mom thinks that i am crazy but i dont know how to stop. please help

25 | Left by kelly | Apr. 9, 2009 at 9:52am

Did they stop selling this?? I really wanted it and I was gonna get it for xmas now i cantt find it on the shop list for the merch :( and it doesnt say its soldout anywhere

get back to me someone plz
tea

26 | Left by Tea. | Dec. 1, 2009 at 1:44pm

i bought one. i think its amazing
i think you guys are amazing :)

27 | Left by corey | Dec. 31, 2009 at 3:47pm

i absolutly love this hoodie :) i bought it when TWLOHA came to our local high school to talk to the students about what the organization is about and how there is someone out there to help...

i wore this hoodie to work the other day cuz i work at a convient store. a customer walked in and told me that it was "loud". that got him more curious as to why i had LOVE written across the front with black and white. i told him about the organization and he looked at me and said, and i'll never forget this, "I wish i had someone like you that believed that their is hope when i was a teenager." this hoodie isn't just a hoodie. it's a piece of hope. thank you TWLOHA.

28 | Left by Krysten | Jan. 2, 2010 at 12:22am