Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Thank you Mr Ayers

The need to be overwhelmed with something. The need to feel so strongly that you find the ability to move someone else in turn. Years back, perhaps this is what made want to pursue journalism. I earnestly believed (and part of me still wants to) that a story could be told with such intensity that it would make the audience want to think and want to act.

However a few years down the line, I find myself far far away from noble intentions of changing the world through the medium of broadcast news and trying to edge closer to the motion picture industry. I am sure I am an escapist at some level for not sticking it out to an earlier conviction, but in my defense, my basic endeavor is to be able to tell incredible stories to people. Entertain; make someone laugh so hard they almost pee in their pants. Or make them cry so much they need time out to take a breath.

Watching 'The Soloist' today made me rethink of that first conviction. Lopez told the rest of the world  an ordinary homeless man's story rendering him a stranger no more. Today Nathaniel Mayers has been immortalized in a book, a film and has a foundation in his name dedicated to bringing more attention to mental illness.

And all this makes me realize I am so very grateful. I realize how important it is to be thankful for a healthy mind and to be able to make the most of it. I realize that my neighbour is playing his or perhaps her guitar and I am so lucky to feel the way I do when I hear music. And this is where I must stop and simply listen.