Lakshmi Kothaneth -
lakshmiobserver@gmail.com -
The World Health Day is around the corner. It is celebrated on April 7 every year. This year it is a theme that would be familiar to most of us — depression. The theme says — “Let’s Talk” — Depression.
It is one of the most important themes because there are people suffering without ever realising they are depressed. Many consider depression as a weakness. They judge too fast because depression can hit anyone at any time. Some others believe it is boredom that leads to depression.
I am neither a psychiatrist nor a psychologist. I have talked to people who are depressed, have interviewed psychiatrists and psychologists and might have felt the strains of it myself. It is a subject that is so vast that
it would require expertise but most people never reach the experts because of the stigma involved.
It is natural to feel low. Many times it is a good thing because I have noticed that this is when you begin to tune in to yourself and this is where the creativity begin. What is important is to quickly come out of the zone of low mood. Lingering there can be tricky.
Let us think about it — most of the time we are responding to our surroundings and meeting expectations. There is hardly ever an action plan. At the same time there are many of us who will never dare to dream. Soon life catch up and one feels the suffocation. There is hardly any space even for communication.
I was walking through the latest beauty parlour in town that caters to the little ones. With all the glamour around there were also a few important messages that was being conveyed — ‘Dare to Dream!’ We have come across achievers all the time.
Recently it was the team of innovators who have come together to form the first innovation factory in Oman. Of course they have had the grooming of Information Technology Authority and now the backing of the investors.
But it all began as a dream. The dream took place around the beginning of the second decade in the millennium. It felt great to see the factory and the lab which is awaiting many more innovators.
Imagine that — anybody who has an idea can go and explore the possibilities by registering with them. So it is not just their dreams but they are helping others to achieve their dreams too.
Dreams are powerful when you add action to it. However there are people who have not been able to accomplish their dreams. It could be lack of resources or lack of opportunities. There are many who sacrifice their ambitions for others sake.
The fear of the unknown make a few people hesitate to take even the first step forward to achieving what they really want in life. That is where the internal conflict occurs at times never knowing the depression is just a result of an unfinished dream or a hope that never come true. In other words could disappointments cause
depression? We need to find out from the experts and we will do that @omanobserver facebook page live on Wednesday 5 pm.
The whole of Oman experienced a feel good story this week when we heard about Haitham Rafi’s victory in the reality show held in India on Star Plus called ‘Dil Hai Hindustani.’ In his early twenties, it must have been a major decision for Haitham to walk
away from a secured job to pursue a career in music.
Imagine a music completion all the way in another country and a singer all the way here in Oman. A personal banker who likes to sing decided to participate. The story of Haitham Rafi has all the ingredients of a movie and especially the ending. There
were plenty of songs, dance moves, magical moments that could bring tears to the eyes.
And to top it all there have been plenty of actors and celebrities starting with judges and guests. For the banker it has been a wonderful musical journey that has seen him walk away with not just the cash award and trophy but millions of hearts and fans.
So let us celebrate life! Good things do happen.
Our mind is a network of thoughts — thoughts that move in such speed that it does not often gives us time to reflect. Let us make them all positive!
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