Wellness - 1 - Preamble

I just finished my dinner with my family and then checked on some articles that discussed India’s prospect in the next world cup cricket—after the debacle in South Africa and New Zealand. As I sat down comfortably to write this blog post, my little daughter came around and jumped on to my lap; I was about to say “don’t disturb me”, when she lovingly put her hands around my neck and looked at me with a radiant smile. I closed my laptop, realising that she is just about the best 'laptop' I can ever have!

“Are you busy Papa?” she probed. 

“Yes dear, but I can do this later” I said. 

She needs a haircut, my clinical mind remarked. 

“What were you doing, anyway?” she probed further, as if feeling guilty for disturbing me. She was smart enough to notice that my eyes were still on my laptop.

“I am writing an article, dear”.

“On what subject?” she looked intrigued.

“On Wellness”.

“Oh! What is ‘Wellness’ Papa?”

I was about to give her an answer quite reflexively—but I checked myself and gave her a deep stare—she had indeed, quite accidentally, asked me a very profound question. She got off my lap and ran away jumping as if she had springs in her toes.

Did I hear her thought “Papa doesn’t have the answer?”

I closed my eyes. I felt swamped by the torrent of questions that started to flood my mind. The place became disconcertingly quiet but for the slight whirring of the fan that seemed to be working in overdrive, as if to reduce the heat that was steadily building up inside my head.

 

Is Wellness the same as good health or fitness? Is it the same as happiness? Is it real or perceived? Is it a mere emotion or feeling?

I slowly walked to the balcony and noticed that a construction worker was blissfully sleeping on a pile of stones and sand in front of my house. I quickly recalled my rich friend telling me that he is unable to sleep since many years albeit on a cozy bed! 

Who is enjoying Wellness between the two? 

By now, I was getting visibly jittery on the subject. 

The awesome challenge that i have picked up dawned on me quite startlingly. I cannot afford to merely scratch the surface on this subject; especially not with the audience I am addressing—I certainly have to dive deep. A thought hit my mind, as I slowly walked back to my reading room.  

“Wellness is actually simple; it is only the lack of it that gets complicated!”

(… to be continued)