A couple of years ago, on my 25th birthday, I was naive enough to take an oath to not to be sad. I laugh at my inexperienced decision as my life really, intensely started at 25 and was a rollercoaster. I have been having a fair share of ups and downs and there were many days and nights I wallowed in the whole situation, doing nothing. Much akin to the majestic dance of ocean highs and hows, I have seasons of moods in a day. Amidst my sincere basking of my sadness, I get an unanticipated urge to do something productive. I then write or choreograph a dance piece or put a perpetual idea in my head to practice.

I agree and strive to have more balance of emotions but I also like the passion and intensity of my emotions. Because, as a rebound from my negative emotions like grief, I did new things. Good things. Little did my 25-year-old self know that sadness is good. Going by the book’s definition, sadness is a temporary emotional response to various situations such as loss, disappointment, or stress. It is an authentic emotion that helps us grow resilient.  We develop resilience, only when we don’t fall into the downward spiral of resentment and not being able to let go, which in turn leads to bitterness in life. Bitterness is like losing hope in ourselves and the goodness of humanity. It is like giving up on the beauty and purpose of life. No calamity is worth losing hope in life. I have learnt it in hard way. I am sure, there are millions of others who are far more resilient than me and I can always look around to get inspired. On that note, I would to share the lyrics of a beautiful song from the “Wizards of Oz” that I recently heard which gives us hope and life.

Somewhere over the rainbow

Way up high

There’s a land that I heard of

Once in a lullaby

Somewhere over the rainbow

Skies are blue

And the dreams that you dare to dream

Really do come true

Someday I’ll wish upon a star

And wake up where the clouds are far behind me

Where troubles melt like lemon drops

Away above the chimney tops

That’s where you’ll find me

Somewhere over the rainbow

Skies are blue

And the dreams that you dare to dream

Really do come true

Somewhere over the rainbow

Bluebirds fly

Birds fly over the rainbow

Why, then, oh, why can’t I?

If happy little bluebirds fly

Beyond the rainbow

Why, oh, why can’t I?

Immerse in your distress as much as you want, relish it, completely feel it but then come out of it. Make art with it. Write poems. Dance your way out of it. Sing your heart out of it. Cook. Eat pizza. Sleep. Don’t bathe. Do all the unhealthy things for a while if you want. But come out of it without resentment. Own your scar like a proud warrior. And become a better person dreaming of a better tomorrow. After all, that is the essence of human life. HOPE.

PS: I am totally in wallow mode savoring a failure situation on my professional front. Now, that I started writing, I can say, I am almost out of it 🙂 😀