THE GASP OF LONELINESS DESPITE THE HAPPINESS

I really don't know why but I feel loneliness in the photograph. I mean despite the colorful light post and its beautiful and dramatic design it still sends a gasp of loneliness to me. Its like feeling empty despite all the things going on around. That feeling of being alone in a party of a hundred people. Or that feeling of invisibility in an MRT ride during the rush hour. The feeling of sadness despite a success. That moment you want to cry even after hearing a good news. The thought of being loves but suddenly is unloved. The rejection. The feeling of not having direction. The hopelessness and sadness. The thought of struggling to get out of such feeling but you don't know how.

One way or another each one of us may have felt something like it. But what really bothers me is the thought that those exact same feeling are what those people with depression are going through. That smile on their faces that sends us the signal they are okay but deep inside its not. The small talks that we thought they are not just in the mood but they are actually dying inside. Feeling alone and struggling despite their productive efforts. How it must have felt that leads them to do something out of the ordinary.

If only they have the courage to talk out loud. If only they are brave enough to battle it out. If only we can see depression through the naked eye. If only theres another way of making them feel secure and loved to fight. If only.... Actions that we can only hope will happen to save a life, help conquer an already defeated battle and outshine the darkness days of their lives. But depression remains one of society's biggest battle in the generation of the so called millennials.

I had heard stories of depression. I am happy to be a listening ear, an assuring warm arm and an understanding heart. I am happy to be trusted by some who had chosen to speak out, tell their stories and pour their tears out. Then I ask, is my listening enough, does the hugs died down the coldness inside, and is my heart big enough for them to see that at one point I was on depression but I chose to fight and get out of that shell. Do you have your own story to tell? Fight! Talk! Share! Don't be afraid life is about loving and yes you are loved!

Let us all be of help. Lets listen to our friends, colleagues, students, family members and even strangers. Sometimes a tap in the back is a start and it can save a life.

happily yours,

@mcamayra