Friends

I think I have been depressed lately. For the first time, I think I really felt for people who had gone through this. I could see and feel how draining it can be. How hard it can get to do the most simple daily tasks. Me, who was full of life and passion, find it hard to put myself together and do my job. I find myself procrastinating.  It takes forever to finish a few charts.

 -"It is hard to focus and get things done these days", I told an old friend and colleague that I admire a lot.
 -"You will have better days gradually. It takes at least 6 months to a year to even get used to the idea of loss".
 I nodded.

 A couple of days ago, I found myself talking and laughing, surrounded by old and new friends in a short casual get-together. Maybe I can get back to my old self. That is what getting out of your routine, good friends and people do. They bring you out of your shell, remind yourself to you, bring you glimpses of hope. Maybe I will be all right again.

زن نوين

"
زن نوين، دختر نجیبی نیست که عشقش به یک ازدواج موفق ختم شود، همسری نیست که در خفا از خیانت های شوهرش رنج بکشد... پیردختری نیست که در حسرت عشق نافرجام جوانیش بسوزد، او قربانی شرایط رقت بار طبیعت سرکوب شده اش نیست... زن نوین قهرمانی است که مستقلانه از زندگی طلب می کند، که اعتماد به نفس دارد، که علیه بردگی جهانی زنان در مقابل دولت و خانه و جامعه می ایستد، که به عنوان نماینده همجنسانش برای حقوقش می جنگد.
"
الكساندر  كولونتاي

Desiderata

"Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.  Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy."

Max Ehrmann,

Lost and found

I am lost,
Find me!

-------------------
Not!  The person who did asked me not to lose track of this short poem.

It is my life

Sometimes we hide behind excuses like work, study, kids, etc, to avoid participating in an event or task, when deep down we know we do not want to do something no matter what.  Sometimes we do not have the courage to admit it to ourselves, let alone to others.  Sometimes we are developed to feel ashamed of our choices by our culture, society, family, or ourselves.  We have the right to be who we want to be and live how we want to, do not we?  Why is it then such a hard battle just to live your own life?