Life is good with a capital G

Let's flush Xanax, Lexotonil, Lubrex, Prozac and Lamictal down the toilet! To overcome depression all you need is a positive attitude and a willingness to embrace life

At times life seems to lose its mojo and everything appears so dull. Once so high, things become monotonous and lose their charm. Maybe today is one of those 'blue days' when your mood is running low and you are ready to snap at and pick fights with everyone who crosses your path. Relax; you are not alone. We all go through hard time once in a while.

I have compiled a list of few of the things and lessons that I learnt that make my life easier and lift my low spirits.




Lesson #1

Boycott the wagging tongues

To enjoy a healthy and successful life, be content with your ideals and goals. Stay at least 20 miles away from goony stalkers. It's the unnecessary interference by some people (usually relatives in our part of the world, who you sre related to you whether you like it or not). They are the cause of many mood swings.

You may be happily dating someone but an aunty will often barge in and start to describe the merits of an 'acha larka' whom she has in been saving just for you - even though she has four daughters of her own!

My advice: Grin and bear it.

Lesson #2

Family is a blessing (most of the time!)

Families are people who are always there for you when you need someone to hug.  Family life is good, you get free cooked food, clean bed sheets, fresh and crisp towels, shopping allowance, unlimited supply of Mars bars, CK bags, Marshall shoes and a galore of  Calgon colognes.

It's good to share, fight, shed tears and then have makeup dinners with your family. They are a bunch of people you know you can always rely on, rant and share your happy hours with.

Lesson #3

Work: Be independent

Work gives you an energy and helps you discover the 'new you' that may even surprise you. The feeling of making your own living is empowering as you don't have to look at others with a puppy face to buy that new outfit at Ego. With too much time being consumed in solving logistics and marketing issues, one is hardly left with enough time to get depressed. My worst days are when I am free on week days and have nothing to do.

Lesson #4

Indulge

I like indulged - McDonald's, OPTP, Gelatto Affairs, chocolate, shopping, coffee and DVDs. These are the antidepressants that lift my spirit in mere seconds and make me feel like I am on top of the world. The very excitement of tasting a new bar of Lindtt, opening up a warm McDonald's deliver bag and nibbling on fries slowly while watching a movie - these experiences make me feel light-headed, delighted and spirited . Try aroma therapy  or a chocolate bath for pure indulgences (but then you need to be a big shot to avail these luxuries!)

Lesson #5

Make a difference

We live for ourselves, whatever we do is usually focused to make our lives more comfortable. I know it's very difficult to take some time out from a hectic schedule and do something completely generous and unselfish but believe me once done; the amount of happiness felt is immeasurable. It's always good to bring a smile on a sad face and to do something unexpected for a disappointed soul. Who knows - a small act of kindness may change someone else's life  ?

Lesson #6

Love with all your heart

Don't just marry for the sake of marriage. There is no need to buy in to the myth that you will fall in love with your partner eventually! Take all the time in the world to find the right person. Don't judge him or her on the basis of material things like looks or money, rather he or she should be the one who makes you feel that gravity doesn't exist. Once you find that person stick by them through thick or thin. Make your partner feel important, treat yourselves, celebrate being in love, appreciate each other and express love for each other openly through small gestures, don't be stingy when it comes to giving and don't be overzealous about taking. Yes, you two as a couple have a right to be the first copy of Brangelina!

Lesson #7

Increase the size of your friend list

Spend some time, at least one Saturday a month with people who know how silly you are but are still willing to put up with you in public. Scribble on walls, post their funny snaps and videos, make their worst nightmares come true by tagging them in the horrible pics of bad-hair year, update your status telling them how important they are to you, chat with them on MSN occasionally and talk over the phone often. Also try to meet new people from diverse backgrounds on Facebook like journalists, political analysts and tech savvy bloggers. This helps you increase your horizon and opens your eyes towards the more dire circumstances faced by the nation.

Lesson #8

Drive to the old neighborhood

Ever since I have learnt how to drive, I often take a trip down memory lane by visiting my old neighborhood and stealing a glance or two at the old house where I grew up. It brings back so many good memories that I am unable to do anything but grin. There are a few streets of Karachi that look amazingly beautiful during the wee hours of morning.

I roam them aimlessly, absorbing the beauty of the green gardens, the elegant houses and the peaceful silence that looms over these areas during the broad daylight. The green and yellowish hues of the autumn trees that make a canopy on the side with a straight clear road leading to an unknown destination, assures me that life, despite all its atrocities, is still beautiful!

Lesson# 9

Spend time with yourself

Begin with spring cleaning, try fancy recipes by Chef Zakir, make up the much needed closet and rearranging the contents of your handbag. You can also organize your DVD bin and book collection which will eventually help you later. Also cleanse and polish your face with exotic herbs and lotions, indulge in a spa treatment and French manicure your nails while Mandy Moore or  Phil Collins plays in the background.

If you are married take a break from kids with runny noses, fastidious  in laws and a boring husband. You need to spend time with yourself alone (probably best to limit this to 2 hours a day) more than anyone else, because you are the super woman who multi-tasks with perfection!

Lesson#10:

Reconnect with the divine:

We've been through the eating and loving part, now let's concentrate on praying. For Muslims this is an integral one. Observe your prayers enthusiastically five times a day, ask Allah sincerely to answer all your prayers and read the Holy Quran too (no matter how small a portion you get to read).

Do lots of Zikar and ask Allah for forgiveness every minute. Remember this world and all its sorrows are temporary, it's the life after death that is permanent, so why not struggle to make that life worth living and successfully complete our tenure in this world?

Above all, fall in love with the most important person in your life that is no one else, but you!

I don't mean to imply that you become over confident or a narcissist, but learn to value yourself, make your strengths stronger and start to nip your weaknesses in the bud. Eat healthy, refrain from drinking and drugs, work out regularly, enjoy small things in life and be grateful. So let's flush Xanax, Lexotonil, Lubrex, Prozac and Lamictal down the toilet because from now onwards life for us will be good with a capital G!