Millennials and depression can seem like an internet trend, or joke. We have books, movies, games, and thousands of ways to hide from the “real world.” Yet, happiness and joy remain fleeting feelings.

Different families have different traditions when it comes to finding dimes on the ground. But, one trend in all the stories is that they represent hope. Everything will be alright, someone is watching out for you.

The first story I was told was that butterflies, and dimes, both represent someone watching out for you from heaven. This could be a family member who had passed away, or just a friendly spirit or angel, they weren’t specific. The main thing was that you were being watched over, and whatever challenge you are facing, you can overcome.

The second story was that dimes represented the grandmother, and she was reminding them that everything would be alright. For this person, a shiny dime (sails up from the grandmother, heads from the grandfather), meant that they could persevere.

Dimes of Hope:

I struggle with random depression. It’s illogical, silly, and often tied into feeling like I’m not accomplishing anything creative. The last two times that I’ve walked into work feeling depressed, I found dimes both times.

The first time, I was walking and first found a penny. I’m in Canada, and we phased out the penny. So it was strange to find a shiny, American, shield penny on the ground on my route to work. It gave me a smile, since I remembered the old penny saying: “find a penny, pick it up, all the day you’ll have good luck. Find a penny, give it to a friend, and your good luck will never end.”

A few strides later, on a corner where I’ve scanned the gravel a lot due to shiny metalic bits, I spotted the dime. That was when I remembered the first story of the dimes of hope. While my mental state was still low, I at least now had a smile to help me fight forward.

Just yesterday, I was again headed to work and having a mental fight with feeling worthless. By the bus stop, just outside of my workplace, it was there. A single, shiny dime, in the middle of the sidewalk. Oh, and it was sails up.

Find Your Hope:

I don’t know what you’re facing, or what you’ve gone through. Maybe a dime is just a little thing. But, whatever it is you’re facing, someone still cares about you. You can persevere, you can overcome. You are loved, and someone cares.

Watch for the dimes, or the butterflies and find joy in something small. This moment is not the end, it can be your moment to take a breath and focus. You can do this thing called life.