Impressions~

Given the universality of emotions, I would have expected myself to have the ability to recognize them anywhere and almost instantly. At least happiness, grief, anger, envy and disgust..well, those are supposed to be the most basic ones right? Today as I saw a friend of mine collapse before me in a fit of tears, I looked on blankly for a second and a half until I realized she was actually crying. It was almost as though as my instincts had failed me. As I watched foolishly and others around me began to comfort her, I sprung into action and took on the role of an empathic observer. A late recovery; but it served the purpose, nonetheless. I tried with conviction to explain the reasons for her confusing feelings and asserted that she would surely get through it (as would we all).

What was astonishing though, was the fact that the incident prompted a five hour long impromptu male-bashing session with lots of wine and laughter. There we were on the kitchen floor speaking unabashedly about our needs and wants and how men were never able to fulfill them! We did have a few male spectators, who of course, were completely flabbergasted by what they termed as the usual ‘feminist ramblings’. They attempted to defend their species, failing which they ran away, leaving us in our element. It was an insightful discussion on so many levels and one that rung loud and clear, the message that we are all bound by a common thread. It is almost oxymoronic to say that this sense of belonging is ‘uniquely common’.

A few tears helped invoke an amazingly evocative talk. It reiterated the idea that be it Asian or European, sick, poor or hungry, disabled, man or woman, the human species (in fact I would like to argue that animals too!) are connected by this overarching universality of feeling. Emotions bring us together in powerful ways. It is good to know that there are at least some commonalities that transcend all divides. And needless to say, the sense of agreement or understanding that we reach in these moments are impressioned in our memories for life.