The idea for this Strap came up from something I had heard countless times in our community: Typically, those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts are not telling them to others. Instead, they are quietly contemplating what the value, purpose, and point of their life is. That breaks my heart, thinking about a silent cry that is deafening in our communities today. When I thought about it from the viewpoint, I realized that one of the strongest things I could encourage is so incredibly simple: To be a better listener.

I believe everyone has a unique story to tell. The inspiration for Listen was the kaleidoscope of stories I hear from all of you on a daily basis. Similar to the long-form artwork on pieces like Stardust and the original Stay Weird, there is a massive variety of colors used in Listen. This was my way of showing that all of us are different - we each have unique ingredients that make our story our own. My hope for this Strap is that it encourages you to add some new colors from the stories of others - to practice empathy as gain completely new perspectives on life.

Empathy has been the number one guide for me as I strive to make a difference. I hope it helps you do the same. ️

Nick