The Writer in Me: The Mind Body Connection

I grew up as a child spending lot of time with books. What outcome could you expect in such a scenario? Someone who wants to write. And hence my life is now long years of reading, writing, and more writing. And the best place to visit all time has been the library wherever I lived.

It isn't surprising, is it? My earliest clear memory is of going to the District Library in Jorhat, a small town in Assam, India, where I spent most of my school years. That was the formative period of my life.

For some reason, I wasn't much into games and sports. I wasn't a weak girl. Somehow, that aspect of life never interested me. Later, after passing out from school, I became a yoga enthusiast. and right now, I regularly go to the gym and walk in the park, also bike sometimes. Haven't reached the half-marathon level. But this isn't that bad. It isn't about all head and body care. I do try to live a holistic life, taking care of my physical as well mental well being.

One thing I've learnt over the years is that, one cannot live just the way one likes, especially when it comes to the body, mind and spirit. Eating and drinking anything, at any time, or inputting anything into the mind, sleeping at any hour, no control in life... One cannot abuse any part of it. There is a clear connection between all these aspects.

Life continues because of balance. It's so important to take care of the body if one wants to use the mind. Writing is nothing else but using the mind to produce words from ideas. Dynamic ideas are born in an active energetic body. Just like an oiled machine works efficiently, similarly, a well maintained body (not just aesthetically, it's about health) works better than when it hasn't been cared for.

Health is wealth. I don't know who said this or from where it has come. The older I am getting, I realize the significance of good health more seriously. Everything in life is connected to health. As long as one is alive, health affects that person. It could be good health or bad health. When we talk of bad health, it brings up the image of a sick person, who cannot walk straight and tall, or someone in a hospital bed with pipes everywhere, or coughing an eyes watering.

These are just a few images that I get when I talk about bad health. a person who is in bad health is not in normal condition, is unable to perform optimally, and is a drag to herself and others surrounding her. The opposite scenario applies to a healthy person. She is full of energy and can apply herself to the task at hand with full focus.

Not that good health guarantees the best writing. Many other attributes also go into making a great writer, like life experiences, perception and empathy, power of observation, ability to interpret incidents in a writerly way, etc. etc.

But a writer in good health, and with better than average abilities is a boon to everyone. A society needs writers who write well.

Watching TV serials versus reading books

The problem with television serials is that they are serial. Like Desperate Housewives, or American Idol, or Barefoot Contessa, or Wife Swap. They come on the tube periodically, either every day, or once a week, or twice a week. It makes you follow the story closely. One has to know what happened to one's favorite character, whether she left her house to stay on her own, or got divorced, etc.

But the problem with one kind of a serial is unique. They are the popular comedy serials. I wonder if it is only with me, or everyone else. I love comedy serials. King of Queens, Seinfeld, Two and a Half Men, Reba, are a few that I adore. It is not far to find the reason why. They make me laugh. They make me look into everyday situations with humor, they make me take life a little less seriously.

I love reading books too. I have so many favorite authors that I can't count them on my fingers. And I have read so many books in the past that it will fill up a small library. A major part of what I am is the written word. My sister says that only if I read something do I believe it. That much faith I have on the printed word.

Libraries

The Central Library in Santa Barbara was the first place I went to the day after I arrived here. And I've never regretted that. In fact, one of the main reasons why I've become attached to this place is this library.

Over the months, I've seen new books come on the shelves, old ones being sold off at discount prices. I've seen innumerable events being organized in the three art galleries, and children's reading sessions, non-profit meetings, art competitions being held. I've been a participant and onlooker in many. And the experiences have been wide ranging.

The notice boards at the library are spots where one could gather information about the goings-on in the city, and the public magazine racks are the places where one could pick up something or the other that interests one.

The VCD and DVD/CD section is quite large, but the magazine and periodicals section is even better. I can get my favourite Artists Magazine from here, as I can get Saturday Evening Post, or anything I prefer.

And the reading rooms are welcoming. There are enough chairs to sit on, and tables if one required a flat surface to make notes.

The computer section is most of the time booked beforehand, and one has to wait to get one's slot. But that is ok. The service is commendable. And all this comes for free.

With so many books, magazines, CDs, DVDs, audio books, etc around, I think how different it is from countries that are less prosperous, that cannot provide such an extensive system and facilities to its citizens. I wish things were more equal in the world.