I’m known for being emotional. It’s been this way since class 7 or so. Back then we lived in an industrial township. Every time a friend from the compound moved out because their dad was transferred to another location or something, I shed the most tears. They used to flow unchecked those days. Some of the boys used to smirk at my “waterworks”.
I haven’t changed much I realize. I can cry over a complete stranger’s obituary of her dad as I just did two minutes ago. I got a lump in my throat and the sniffles and everything.
What I’ve learned is it doesn’t help to be this way at all. It’s good to rein in those feelings and be very selective about one’s interactions with people. ‘Coz people can sting you and hurt you if you let them.
Photo by Regina Victorica on Unsplash
I remember reading about Performance artist Marina Abramovi: ‘I was ready to die’ in an article by Emma Brockes in The Guardian.
“In Belgrade, audiences cut her; in New York, they came in their thousands and wept”
.Initially, people looked at her gingerly and did not trouble her much. Later, though, all hell broke loose, as it does when the bestial nature of human beings is revealed. The Lord Of the Flies by William Golding also teaches us about mob behavior and bullies. There is a lesson in here for all of us. But who’s listening? Who’s learning?
2 Responses
A sincere probe into human sensitivity. Whether it’s possible or not, we don’t have to rein in our feelings. Of course, we don’t cry out with total energy and freedom as we do while we laugh out. We exercise restraint with crying, at least for the sake of others, for it’s never musical for one thing.
I must say I am disappointed about the brevity of the piece. I expected YOU to expand on the emotion, and not resort to quotes.
Thanks for reading the piece and for your feedback.