By: Kevin P. Donaldson

A combat instructor in the HBO miniseries Game of Thrones would ask the little Aria Stark, “What do we say to the god of death?” Her quick response would always be, “NOT TODAY.” The small phrase resonated with Kevin P. Donaldson as he believes the inevitable, such as death that is coming for everyone, doesn’t have to happen today. He believes that in the darkest of moments, it would provide those moments of clarity that need to continue to see the sunrise again. Had Kevin’s co-host of The Suffering Podcast and friend Mike Failace said these words one more time, his friend may be here today. 

As this scene kept replaying in Kevin’s head, he took to social media, and while updating The Suffering Podcast audience about the death of his partner, his echo could be heard loud and clear with the battle cry “NOT TODAY.”

Saying the phrase “NOT TODAY” has taken a tragic loss of life and produced something positive. Although Kevin’s co-host and friend are gone, this tragedy is used in an attempt to try to arrest the epidemic of taking one’s life. Whatever is going to happen doesn’t have to happen today. Triumph can come out of tragedy, and this can turn pain into purpose. Kevin Donaldson, through The Suffering Podcast and Dented Development Project, is on a mission with the NOT TODAY campaign to spread the word, thereby shedding light on mental health while bringing awareness to suicide and possibly stopping all that is possible. 

Every morning, without failure, since the beginning of time, the sun has risen in the east. And without failure each night, the sun falls below the horizon. The darkest nights often show the brightest stars. From time to time, it is often known that individuals in society suffer in silence, but it should not let that silence deafen them to the truth of the acronym of H.O.P.E., hold on pain ends. 

Life is a beautiful and wonderful experience: MOST DAYS! Knowing that the next day could bring about change will give the clarity to either celebrate the victories or not get too stuck in the defeats. During the darkness, it’s easy and comfortable to get stuck there, believing that now may be forever and the sun will never rise in the morning. This is when one must cry out the words as loud as their lungs will allow and scream the phrase “NOT TODAY.” NOT TODAY reminds individuals’ fragile psyche that this too shall pass if they can only just hang on for one more day.

The movement began to gain steam, and the campaign began. In a divided world, the phrase “NOT TODAY” and the meaning behind it were things that all seemed to be in agreement with. Videos began to pour in of people saying NOT TODAY. Those videos were compiled into a single video that was released on May 30, 2024, creating an impact that will have a ripple effect throughout time.

Kevin and The Suffering Podcasts Dented Development Project team have vowed to put the phrase on everybody’s lips in that dark place. Listening to the close of each show or social media post that Kevin Donaldson does ended with a very somber reminder: “When Mr. Death is whispering in your ear over your shoulder telling you to come this way because it’s comfortable here and he can take away your pain, you stare Mr. Death directly in the eyes and say NOT TODAY.”

For further information and to get involved in the #NotToday Campaign please reach out to anyone on the The Suffering Podcasts – Dented Development Project team.

Published by: Holy Minoza