Smiles are magical!

I love the way a smile can make your day. A really cute young chap greeted me with a smile at my Yoga instructor’s place. In exchange, I too shared a smile, thinking, if we knew each other. Some gestures are so pleasing that they make you talk to the person instantly. And there we go. I said Hi...and the conversation started. We discussed why we were there and how long we had been doing Yoga? While chit chatting, he shared that he got operated for Hernia a month back and came back to India for the same only. He looked so energetic but there was some kind of dullness in his voice. He seemed an intelligent and responsible boy but at the same time sounded depressed. While we were having a good conversation, he shared; he had a bad time and had to fight depression because of health issues. I said, “At this young age? Don't worry, you will recover soon”. He said, “Not because of physical health but more of mental health.” I could relate to what he said instantly, maybe I have seen something of that sort very closely.

For him, Hernia was the extreme point of his life, where he actually wanted to quit. This young boy, who looked so bright and promising, told something which made me realize 'Life is actually beyond what we see superficially'. It seriously made me think, everyone at some point in life hit the lowest. And this boy has seen everything so closely. A boy who was bullied a lot all through his life for whichsoever reasons. He was bullied by friends, classmates, relatives, neighbors, colleagues and almost everyone. More than understanding the reason (Why was he bullied), it was more important to listen what he was trying to say. May be he needed a good listener. He was bullied to the point that he suffered from anxiety and mental agony. And Hernia operation was his breaking point.

The conversation brewed and he asked, 'doesn't everyone deserve to be happy'? I said, 'Of course'. And then he said, “This was the thought which made me surrender to anti antidepressants”. But fortunately those medicines did not go with his Hernia treatment and he stopped taking them after a week only. Currently he is studying abroad and is happy there. Reason, people don't understand mental health here. He said, “I have suffered a lot because of it. It had shattered my physical, mental and emotional health. And where I stand in terms of my physical and emotional health is because no one bothered to understand my mental health”.

I usually hate waiting, after prior appointments, especially after office hours. But today, time flew, and important part was, I enjoyed talking to him. There was something positive about this young boy. It made me forget my problems. I mean the one who has undergone so much on a personal front, is so calm and composed. Commendable!! Rockstar You Are! I would love to meet you again. But one thing which caught my attention is 'People don't understand mental health here'. Really! This is something to think about! Mental health is something which can make or break the person completely. We all are always up with advice, but at this stage what the person needs is ‘understanding’.

Wounds and physical illness heal with time but mental health is something which can take years and years. Just lend an ear, understand and give someone some confidence not sympathy. This will help for sure. At least it will make someone smile. I can say that because I’ve experienced it. And trust me, smiles are magical.

So, Let’s Create More!

Cheers!

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