Giving Life a Twist To Forget Depression
Posted on Tuesday, 23 September 2014
Giving
Life A Twist
To
Forget Depression
By Apolinario Villalobos
Depression resulting from monotony in life
can kill, literally. It can also result from misfortune brought about by loss
of loved one, job, finances. We sometimes come across items in tabloids and
broadsheets about people who commit suicide because of depression. Highly
developed countries consider it as a disease. Well-earning professions have
sprouted because of it. For third-world countries, however, it is merely
equated to sadness, a feeling which is hoped to pass in time.
In the Philippines, few people go to
Psychiatrists or Psychologists, who as doctors of the mind, are conceived to
treat only the lunatics, this is aside from the hefty amount involved for every
minute of consultation, much more for actual treatment. Those, however, who
understand the real situation and can afford the sky-high fee of these
professionals, never hesitate to run to them at just even a slight detection of
signs of the mental illness.
For the ordinary Filipino, on the other
hand, to check the downtrend of emotion is a simple rest, a new environment, or
a new activity – something that will divert the focus of the mind from a
misfortune. It is like adding a new condiment or spice to a dish to give it a
twist, making it more palatable.
I have a friend who I met after two decades
of interlude, and found him to have doubled in size. When I asked why, he
simply told me that his family has had two deaths in a row in a year. I did not
understand what he meant, until he told me that rather than wallow in sorrow,
he diverted his attention to food. That’s my first lesson in how to fight
depression. I thought, it’s better than drowning his sorrow over bottles of
beer.
Another friend who was receiving six digits
compensation as Finance Consultant has been vocal about his restlessness. He
seemed not happy despite the big pay. Twelve years after, we met in a mall and
found his already youngish face to have looked younger, and he was vibrant, no
longer sporting a sullen look. He treated me to mugs of coffee and over them,
he told me about his job – manager of a small dive “resort” in a far province.
So, that is the reason for his glowing and healthy tan skin, as well as, slim
athletic physique. As close friends, I did not hesitate to ask if he’s happy
with the pay, to which he smilingly replied with a smile and an honest
confession of a figure less than thirty thousand pesos, though with free
accommodation and food for him and his family,
which is a far cry from his former more than two hundred thousand pesos
per month take home pay as Consultant in a well-known consultancy firm in
Ayala.
Still another friend who used to work as a
Vice-President of an Advertising firm now maintains a small vegetable stall
somewhere in Pasay City, but he is happy waking up at three in the morning for
a trip to Divisoria with his son to buy vegetables in bulk, and to be retailed
in his stall at Pasay at seven, after which they would enjoy their simple
breakfast ordered at a nearby carinderia.
I have other friends who have changed their
direction in life before reaching retirement age or even beyond. Some even say
that they took a risk, with the rest admitting that they did it deliberately.
The common result however, is the contentment and happiness that they are now
enjoying.
In my case, when I left the airline to
which I owe so much gratitude, after twenty years, friends asked why. I told
them that I wanted to try another field, that of writing which has been my
passion ever since. Perhaps, that reason, they may understand, but there is one
important passion that I could not share with them at first, as they will
surely not understand…my reaching out to others who are less fortunate. This
advocacy knows no time or day, so I will not be able to do it if I have a full
time job. For the latter, I invested my sincerity as I know with all honesty
that I am wanting, too – inadequate in finances like them. So, what extras I
have, I share with them.
Resigning from my job for which some
friends envied me, is a big twist that I gave my life. But since I was feeling the onset of
depression which I knew would eventually affect my job, I had to do it. It did
me good, as I was able to do many things afterward despite the meagerness of
what was left after the government ate up a big chunk from my separation pay.
I made use of what I learned from my twenty
years of stint with the airline, where I was able to hone my writing and office
administration. Immediately, I got consultancy jobs at my own time, designing
operating manuals for companies and organizations. I was also, able to finish
my first book and be with my friends at depressed areas for as long as I wanted
– listening to their happy and sad stories, eating with them. I also learned to
blog and share what I feel and think through the hi-tech and intricate social network.
At the end, I am happy. And, that is what I
am trying to say now. The twist I gave my life made me realize that I have many
God-given gifts in me that I must share with others. I must not fail Him in
what He gave me as His investment so that I will become worthy of his noble
intention when He gave me life. Simply said, it is my way of paying Him back,
but through my fellow creatures.
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