HAPPINESS AND DEPRESSION

HAPPINESS and DEPRESSION

An apocryphal story

By

VIKRAM KARVE

A certain man made an appointment to see a renowned psychological counsellor.

He duly arrived at the psychotherapist’s clinic and said to him, “Sir, please help me. I always feel depressed. No matter what I do, I always feel depressed and dejected. I just don’t know what to do.”

The counsellor looked at the depressed man and said to him, “Come with me to the window.”

The patient followed the therapist to the window. 

The counsellor pointed outside and said, “Do you see that huge tent over there in the distance?”

“Yes, I can see that tent,” the depressed man answered.

“Well, that is a circus tent. In that tent there is a circus and it is really good. 

There are lots of acts to watch, especially the clown acts. 

And there is one clown in particular who is extremely funny. 

He wears all sorts of costumes and masks and performs hilarious antics. 

His masquerade acts are really fantastic. 

He will make you rock with side-splitting laughter over and over again. 

Go to the circus and see that clown perform and I guarantee you that your depression will disappear,” the psychotherapist advised the depressed man.

The depressed man turned to the counsellor and looked at him with sadness in his eyes.

“What’s wrong?” the counsellor asked the depressed man.

The depressed man said, “Sir, I am that same circus Clown...!”

MORAL OF THE STORY

What is the moral of this story?

Well, I can see three morals in this story.

Moral of the Story No. 1

The Inside and the Outside may be vastly different and deep inside things may not be as they seem from the outside. 

Especially in the case of judging  human beings one must not rely too much on external appearance alone. 

On the surface a person may look cheerful, calm and composed but deep inside he may be suffering from inner turmoil. 

Many persons who outwardly always joke and laugh may actually be quite unhappy and depressed deep inside and their outward cheerfulness may be a way to mask their inner unhappiness.

Moral of the Story No. 2

He who makes others happy is sometimes sad himself. 

Maybe the effort of making others happy creates stress and depression within you.

Moral of the Story No. 3

Don’t wear a “mask”

Yes, never hide your true emotions under a mask, especially the mask of happiness.

Be genuine in displaying your true emotions. 

Hiding your inner emotions and putting on an act for the outside world can cause enormous stress within you. 

The constant masquerade of Image Management may adversely affect your health in the long run.

Tell me, Dear Reader, which of the three morals of the story do you agree with? 

Or do you agree with all the three?

Please comment and give us your views and feedback on the dangers of masking your true emotions and on the hazards of image management.

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 

Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work. 

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

NB:

All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)

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About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer and blogger. Educated at IIT Delhi, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and an anthology of short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional  and academic research papers in journals and edited in-house journals and magazines for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing and blogging. Vikram Karve lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

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