The Panacea

We all know what a great writer Virginia Woolf was and I absolutely loved her ‘A Room of One’s Own’, but not many of us know how she conquered her severe depression that she had fallen into after her beloved brother Thoby died in 1906. I will come to that later, for now I would love to share with you all a real story of one of my friends who suffered from obesity. Now, most of you must be by this time thinking that I am writing some medical journal but these separate mosaics will soon give you a clear and coherent picture of what I wish so earnestly to convey. So, the obesity of that girl took a toll on her confidence and she started to avoid social gatherings like plague. This made her have more junk and this cycle made her even more overweight. Now, being a close friend I knew what was at the root of this issue. It was not weight; the problem was deeper and obesity issues were mild tremors of a constant quake going on inside, silently. She had had a bitter breakup and was feeling cheated and used. On top of that, she could not even discuss this matter with anyone as this would have fuelled nasty gossip. Then, she decided upon a solution that cleansed her mind and body and now, after two years, she is out of her weight issues as she has conquered her inner frustration.

Remember the movie ‘Pinjar’ in which a helpless Puro’s story and her rapist Rashid’s love for her moved us. The movie was based on a novel by the same name by well known writer Amrita Pritam but not many of us know that she had lost her mother at a very young age and fell into depression but the way she overcame it put her in the club of Woolf and my friend. By now you must have guessed- the panacea I have been talking about is writing. Woolf overcame her depression by writing and produced literary gems like ‘Mrs. Dalloway’, ‘Waves’ and ‘To the Lighthouse’. There are many writers as well as common people who have won over their inner demons by pouring it all in their writing and that is why every worthy piece of writing has its origin in some pain.

There is also a very clear link of obesity and depression, for people who are sullen and unhappy within especially tend to over eat junk and sweets in order to spike their energy levels and mood, and this junk creates havoc for the body in long run. Later, after few months when they realize how deteriorated and shapeless their body has become, they fall even deeper into the pit of darkness. This cycle can claim lives too; suicides because of depression are common. Medical researches claim that more that 60% of all diseases are psychosomatic, that is, physical disorders stemming from emotions and manifesting themselves in deadly ways like TB, Cancer and the like.

So, Virginia Woolf and Amrita Pritam made diamonds of the dirt life threw at them and their shine still allures readers the world over. If you suffer from any such thing like a bitter breakup, some old abuse, some relationship trauma or an unfulfilled desire, it is far better to vent all emotions in a personal journal rather than telling the whole world about it and create further troubles or inevitably become an object of unwanted sympathy.

It is Right to Write!

There is a certain joy in interacting and communicating. After all, no man can live in isolation or in a state of complete silence. Psychology often warns us about bottling up our feelings, for it can cause a plethora of health issues, mental as well as physical. Some introverts will frown at this and will state that too much communication is so taxing on their nerves while extroverts will rejoice at the idea of interacting with almost any one they meet! It is important that we share our feelings, but it is also equally important who our audience is. In these days of rising crimes, we women cannot afford to share our deepest emotions and plans with any casual acquaintance. As Warren Buffet says “Honesty is a very expensive Gift. Do not expect it from cheap people”, and who knows what one may devise while fooling us with a smiling face and compassionate words? So, what is the way out? How can we find that balance? The perfect solution lies in befriending our own beautiful selves and venting it all in a personal journal. 

Yes, a personal diary or a journal- that will indeed be the most loyal friend. After a few months or journal keeping, we will also have a record of what and how we sailed through. I would like to share below a little story that we all women will, I am dead sure, be able to relate to and after that, I am going to reveal the most beautiful thing I have come across in journals!

Today I will tell you a story, neither old nor new

That we need to learn from follies of others too

Better be alert and not allow inanity to stay

That can damage us in more than one way

There was a young girl whose story I will tell

Her hair was curly dark and eyes soft hazel

She loved to write and think and converse

But alas! Could never find an eager audience

She would speak all day to leaves and snails

To her pet cats, lazy bums with furry tails

To her friends and neighbors and cousins,

Tired to core of her incessant musings

So, she would roam alone here and there

Singing her songs and poems she prepared

And would talk all about her ideas and beliefs

But no keen ear she found to give her relief

Then! One day, she was ranting on and on

And caught the fancy of a young gentleman

Lost in her words, in all her unheeding ways,

She talked to anyone willing to share her craze

He gave her a patient ear with a smile

One most gracious, charming and agile

They met every day and she would talk and talk

Of life, love and hands in hands they'd walk

Thus he gathered a lot about her, much enough

To lay his trap and be sure that she will rush

He knew what she loved and what she hated

And what made her tick and he slayed it!

She was in a vile trap which she did not ask

Slowly, that gentleman removed his mask

He turned out a wolf in a sheep’s clothing

She was deep in trouble of her own making

But at moment last she was saved

Her father set that villain straight

And kicked him out of her sight 

          And then, gifted her one slap tight!

Father then repeated his golden advice

“Ideas are wealth, never scatter in wild!”

Views and thoughts make up a being

They deserve the most reverend landing

Hence, dear women and all my friends 

 One who looks inside, surely awakens

Please save yourself from such a trouble

It’s good to speak half and write double!

Her Quiet Gaze

Her

Quiet gaze

Carried

Mists of mountains,

Secrets of forests

Whiff of wild roses

Whispers of seas

Fire of the sun

Calm of the moon

Elusiveness of zephyr

And, that lull of storms;

All enmeshed neatly in a

Silence,

Peculiar,

Intimidating

But

Fascinating;

Striking,

Enticing

But

Devastating…