Writings
As a six-year-old, I eagerly waited for Saturday evening dinners with my grandmother. Not only did she serve me delicious tamarind rice with soaked buttermilk chilli, but she also regaled me with beautiful stories. However, one particular Saturday was different. Despite singing religious songs, no one in the family was happy, and my grandmother was holding back tears. I felt upset and confused as I didn't understand what had happened while I was away.
When my mother took over feeding me, I sulked and made a mess, missing out on the storytime that I cherished so much. My grandmother noticed my mood and sat beside me, asking me a thought-provoking question: "Kowsik, do you know Ramayan?" I nodded eagerly, and she continued, "Okay, tell me whose suffering is the biggest, Rama's or Sita's when Ravan abducted Sita?"
I answered without hesitation, "Sita, because Rama was surrounded by people to console him, Devi Sita was surrounded by people who were pestering her to accept Ravan's proposal." My grandmother smiled and said, "Both of them suffered equally. It doesn't matter if you are alone or surrounded by thousands of people, no one can take away the pain and suffering you are going through. You have to deal with your own pain and your own suffering.
Have you ever felt like your suffering is something no one else can understand? That the pain you feel is personal and no amount of consolation can take it away? My grandmother taught me a valuable lesson - that suffering is indeed personal. And so, I started writing down my thoughts and emotions on the pages of this website. It has become my safe space, a sanctuary where I can express myself freely without any judgment. Join me on this journey of self-discovery and healing, and let's explore the power of personal suffering together.