Depression - The New Age Virus!!!

Depression! We hear a lot about it these days. Irrespective of age and gender, everyone is falling prey to it today. People these days have become so intolerant to things and situations, so much that they cannot take it and fall into depression. But I am not here to write about how silly people are ( is what generally people think about those in depression) who easily get affected by it. I am writing this to tell you, why it happens! I remember a friend telling me during a conversation about depression; ' I feel sorry for those who fall into depression. Such weak souls, such stupid people, such cowards, do not have the strength to face situation/challenges/problems.' I kept mum for a moment. I felt like screaming, but I kept quiet. Why? I did not have the strength.... to waste my time and energy on this. I know of some people who also consider this to be a trend among people these days. Something to flaunt about, gain pity and sympathy from people. Sounds cool to some people and hence, they criticize about how today everyone wants to be affected by it. There are people who laugh about it, laugh at you in fact and your inability to help yourself. Like really, how silly and stupid are they who say they are in depression.

But, but, but, you know what? People in depression will never come to you and say " I am in depression! " They wont come to you at all in fact. All they want is to be alone, sit in a corner and not think anything about the next moment. They sit and feel broke, useless, alone, clueless, confused, betrayed, fragile, on the verge of tears, anxious, rejected, hurt, good for nothing and a burden to family, friends, colleagues and peers. They have issues with sleeping and once they manage to sleep, they pray and wish they don't have to wake up. If they manage to wake up, they have no idea what to do next. They stop meeting people, they become physically dull and weak, they withdraw themselves from everything regular in their life. But there are also the kinds who look happy and good to the outside world, but are dying inside,each and every day. These are the hard ones to identify. Depression is like a bruise that is hidden and doesn't go away easily. Its a bruise in your mind. You cannot see it.

The reasons for depression can be anything. It depends on the resilience of an individual. But it usually is because of relationship problems, medical problems, financial issues, work issues, loss of loved ones or some other traumatic incidents or accidents. Again, some of it might look like, "oh, this can be sorted. What is there to worry about it?" Like I said, what you can sustain, may not look the same to the others. It varies from individual to individual.

"Depression is not a joke! It's a real illness that doesn't discriminate. No amount of money or fame can fix it. The funniest man on Earth couldn't just think positive and be healed. Support those who are battling depression and other mental health issues. It takes lives!" - RIP ROBIN WILLIAMS ,A famous stand up comedian and actor (Remember Jumanji?). Robin Williams committed suicide because he was suffering from a kind of dementia. The man who made others laugh and entertain, who could have thought he would have mental issues.

Coming to my motive behind writing this article, this is a letter to the ones who need help. How can we help? Talk them out and just listen to them. Just listen. No judging, no advising, no suggestions, nothing. If they say they are okay, then don't just leave them there thinking they are actually okay. They will not admit it easily. Stop! Look into their eyes, hug them tight and tell them " I know you are not" . If they want to cry, don't stop them. If they want to talk for hours, let them, just listen to them. Assure them, they can talk to you about anything at anytime. Make sure you are available for them. Take some time out for them. You are saving a life. The actual reason for people falling into depression is when you don't have people around you to listen to you and talk to you. If only, we had time to spend it with our loved ones, no one ever would become a victim to this.

I know there is a lot of awareness today about these prevailing mental health issues. There are institutions and helplines coming up for the ones who need help. But I wanted to write this for the ones who couldn't reach out to these institutions and NGOs for help. People wont come out easily to cure themselves. Because our society considers them to be sick, seriously sick. And nobody likes being called sick. So, if you are reading this, and if you feel familiar to this, then talk to me! I may know you or may not know you, but I will listen to you and just listen to you, as long as you want! And this is going to be just between us, I promise!

Someone who truly cares for YOU!

Healing Energies of a Smile

At 7.30 pm I started packing my bag and booked an Uber to go home. I usually listen to songs while I am in the cab on my way to home just to relieve myself from the tiredness at work. And today was a little more disturbing and strenuous day compared to the other days. I was thinking about so many things which didn't go right in my life, both personal and professional . I was lost in deep thoughts and then the honking of vehicles in the middle of a bad traffic pulled me back from my trance. At the Kothaguda junction, when my cab was waiting for the vehicles to move forward, I started observing people in the standstill traffic. Everyone in a hurry to go back home just so they can relax and prepare themselves for another strenuous tomorrow. Amidst all of that chaos, I saw a small girl, must be 5-6 yr old, in very shabby clothes sitting at the pavement near the temple which was located at the signal. She had a water bottle in her hands and she was swinging the bottle in a way like a mother would swing her toddler to put it to sleep. She was busy swinging or rather playing and it looked like she was humming to the bottle as I was busy observing her. While she was busy doing that she lifted her head and looked straight at me. As she saw me staring at her, she smiled very sweetly at me. Her smile was so infectious that it brought smile to my lips. She continued smiling at me as if she knew I was so badly in need of a warm gesture from someone. A gesture that would make me feel good, make me feel special , make me feel wanted and important. I realized the cab started moving slowly as the traffic started clearing . While I continued looking at her , she saw my cab moving. She waved at me very sweetly and I could feel the love while she was waving at me. I waved back to her and kept that smile on my face even after reaching home. But even after going home that little girl's image was very fresh in my mind. I cannot forget how happy and content she looked. She was sitting near the temple, unaware of things happening around her, unaware of her tomorrow, unaware of any problems in her life. She looked very relaxed and joyful in those ragged clothes and almost no toys to play with but just an empty plastic water bottle but very excited about what she had with her. And I was in an AC cab, sitting comfortably in my best clothes with a phone in hand going towards a place called home where I was looking forward to cook some good food to eat and sleep in my comfortable bed so I can get up tomorrow morning to go to work which pays me to buy all these luxuries. Yet, I am unhappy and unsatisfied with life. Ironical right?

At times we always forget what we have and we are always running after what we do not. Selfish beings we are and will remain to be so. We always forget to take out time from the race that we are trapped in, so much that we forgot to thank Him for everything that we have, forgot to feel blessed with all the luxuries in life and forgot to practice the attitude of gratitude. A small girl helped me realize to be thankful to the Universe for everything that I have and also taught me the impact of a smile. Always spread that smile, someone needy is out there for one. And trust me, that genuine smile with pure feelings from heart has healing energies. I wish I could get to see her tomorrow again because I enjoyed smiling. It felt like she was there for me, waiting for me to pass by so she could remind me that I am being looked upon and taken care of by.

Thank you God and Universe.
In awe of you!