I was reading news where actress Gwyneth Paltrow revealed about her post natal depression. Opening up the fact that show she felt disconnected from everything. Many people are not able to know the fact that they are undergoing symptoms of depression. And those who do realize this take it as a stigma and deny that that can suffer from depression. I have heard people say things like I am mentally healthy and I cannot get depression. But the honest fact is, anyone and everyone is prone to depression. Just like we have our stomach liver or muscles that may suffer, brain is also a part of the body and any imbalance in brain juices can result in depression.
With the amount of general pollution and stress filled lifestyles makes us more venerable towards depression. I have seen that many times simply acknowledging that you have the symptoms eases the tension and brings a certain amount of relief. In my personal experience I have seen that many people with mild to moderate symptoms of depressive disorder can experience major relief with just cognitive behavior therapy and group support. Anti depressant medicines are not required all the time. Things like running, exercising and a healthy nutritious diet can considerably heal the depression.
Yet another poem that made the biggest impression on my mind is H.W. Longfellow’s “Psalm of Life”. It was not easy to understand the full crux of the poem as a middle school kid. It was only when Miss Dorothy explained the full meaning of the lines that we were able to grasp the poem. And till today, the lines from that poem inspire me in my darkest times. The opening lines
“Tell me not in mournful numbers Life is but an empty dream,
For the soul is dead that slumbers and things are not what they seem.
Life is real and life is earnest and grave is not its goal,
Dust thou art to dust returnest, was not spoken for the soul. “
These lines inspire me whenever I am down. It is a long poem which I my readers can find out by searching its name in any major search engine. Mr. Longfellow shakes us from our depressive slumber. He reminds that we are approaching our end with each heartbeat and therefore must utilize this time to achieve and pursue our goals. I make it a point to share it with some of the people who come to me for counseling.
Yet another poem that made the biggest impression on my mind is H.W. Longfellow’s “Psalm of Life”. It was not easy to understand the full crux of the poem as a middle school kid. It was only when Miss Dorothy explained the full meaning of the lines that we were able to grasp the poem. And till today, the lines from that poem inspire me in my darkest times. The opening lines “Tell me not in mournful numbers Life is but an empty dream,For the soul is dead that slumbers and things are not what they seem. Life is real and life is earnest and grave is not its goal, Dust thou art to dust returnest, was not spoken for the soul. “These lines inspire me whenever I am down. It is a long poem which I my readers can find out by searching its name in any major search engine. Mr. Longfellow shakes us from our depressive slumber. He reminds that we are approaching our end with each heartbeat and therefore must utilize this time to achieve and pursue our goals. I make it a point to share it with some of the people who come to me for counseling.
Books are life time friends and are always there to entertain us or give us advice whenever we want. One time you pay for them and they are yours. (Not if you get them from the library). Some books are reflection of the current times. I recently came across a book like this on my visit to Ealing. The book is called ‘Parenting Well in a Media Age: Keeping Our Kids Human’. Even when I do not have any teenage kids I brought the book, as I liked the theme of the book.
I was surprised at the aspects of media impact in our teenager’s lives which are investigated intelligently in the book. I can feel the depth of her observation as our lives are getting more de-personalized. The best part I liked is that it does not present an idealist view or does it involves in blame games. It presents definite solutions and result oriented actions for parents who wish to protect children from the evil effects of excessive indulgence in any kind of media. I have decided to present this to my elder sister who’s daughter is turning thirteen this February. Hope she likes it too and benefits form it as well.