Thank you for writing to me about my last blog #RichardCory. Am glad you liked the interpretation. How different are the realities from what we think of others or how we look at them.
Here's another one which will help us look at ourselves differently and in a way, others.
"A free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wing
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.
But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright lawn
and he names the sky his own
But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom."
I bet when Maya Angelou wrote this to show how racial discrimination was real and the ideals of freedom and liberty meant different things to people of two different colours; she wouldn't have thought that miles away there would be someone who would use this metaphorical piece to talk about mental health.
Our minds are like these birds - free bird which is free from the shackles and looks at life as an opportunity to soar higher, an entire canvas to paint it with all bright colours and make it its own.
And the caged bird, which is longing for freedom from negative thoughts and anxieties and self-hurting and self-constraining thoughts. The mind that is overthinking and bonded itself with not just what has happened, but what could happen or what if what they thought didn't happen. It sings calling for help, it wants to be free and if we pay close attention to our mind, we know what it really needs.
The same person but two different frame of mind at different point in time.
If we pay close attention, we can hear those cries (songs) of help from others too. The key is to pay close attention, to be unassuming and non-judgmental. Towards us, and towards others.
We all can fight mental health but not with just slogans and hashtags but by caring and loving and listening. By being aware and by being in the moment. By knowing that it is okay to not be okay and to ask for help and to give help. To not just be empathetic but be compassionate. And knowing that despite our differences and our uniqueness, we all seek freedom and liberty and most importantly peace - of mind and from mind.
PS: If you like this blog then show some love by hitting the like button or by dropping a comment. Also, help me build my network by subscribing to the blogs and by sharing it with your network and close ones.
Comments