Alone and Happy

Feeling alone at parties or having nothing to do on weekends. Having no one to hang out with on your worst days or no close friends to remember your birthdays. Having none to talk about life… we all would have faced these kinds of situations at least once in our lifetime. Some people have these feelings as a routine, but they do not cry else express their loneliness on social media. They are productive and happy. Why is that so? What do those people have which we do not? Why are they at peace even in loneliness when we are depressed about being alone?
Well, the reason is, to them being happy is a choice. Those people just realized that being alone is different from loneliness. It might not be possible at first but, it becomes a habit. This pandemic might have curbed our limitations where we can’t breathe. Still, we have been used to it and, we do try to stay happy.

Being alone is not always being lonely. It means that you have fewer people to argue with, you have more “me-time” and a lot more time for self-realization. Take time to think about the boundaries of the universe and the creations of life. Try to understand the stories behind every face and the hidden mysteries about every object. Travel into the pages of your favorite book or sink into your favorite cup of tea. On average, nine out of ten people see loneliness as a monster. This pandemic might have taken lives but, it has also given people chances to think about themselves. Partying at the weekends or being the center of attention at school, workplaces do not work anymore. We have been forced to give a hand to ourselves. Giving this a thought being in a bubble is far better than being with a bunch of people with whom you have to wear a mask all time. Somehow we all have been accustomed to this new normal. Loneliness seems less lonely if you keep your mind healthy.

To all those who still see loneliness as a monster, let me help you make up with loneliness:

Start your day by making your bed. When you make your bed, you take care of yourself. The self-satisfaction you gain in the first hour of your day will last till dusk.
Cook your favorite food or cup of coffee.
Grab a book. Let your mind explore the world between the pages. Romanticize every word. Smile at the little moments and memories through those words of the author.
Create a to-do list.
Go for a walk or exercise. Keeping your body healthy is as much important as keeping your mind healthy.
Take a nap. According to a study, nap time increases your psychological health.
Keep track of your journal. Writing helps one to self realize one’s actions. Write things that you feel grateful for, even if you have nothing to thank, thank yourself for surviving the day.
Listen to music. Music is the best companion.

These new beginnings might seem difficult at first. Eventually, you get used to them. We all grow up and develop ourselves. That is how things work in this world. You will have to find peace in your loneliness. Go find and embrace yourself!

Romeo Juliet – Love Retold

Fanfiction of Romeo and Juliet by wordsoflavanya

On the way to the castle

“Take your hand inside sweetheart, you’ll catch a cold,” said the nurse. The coldness of the night and the beauty of the moon can’t stop Julia from peeping out. She wrapped her warm arms around and lost herself in the view. She was distracted by the sudden fire and cries of the people.

“Nurse, the carriages are set on fire by the Montagues” a stammered and broken voice was heard.

“Julia, come here dear. We’ll be okay” comforted the nurse.

A man who hid in his clothes pulled Julian’s hand. “Dare to harm my child!” the nurse shouted in anger.

“What are you doing…we aren’t here for this” he took his hands off her.

“But these people…they…”

“Romeo…let’s move. They’re here”, Benvolio shouted at the top of his voice.

But they were already lost in their sight. They couldn’t take their eyes off each other but were forced to move.

Tybalt and the Capulet men rushed to the scene and found the carriages and their commodities set on fire. Tybalt took off his sword and tried to tear their face cover. Within a strike of lightning, the men in the black horses disappeared. And Julian was finally able to hear the nurse’s voice.

“Are you okay dear…Speak something?” she asked. “Yeah…I…I’m okay…” she replied.

“Calm and cold was the night

Until the lovers were made to meet

The dreamers had their first dream

Romeo and Juliet – destiny they called

The moon smirked behind the clouds

As if it already knew their fate.”

That night neither the two eyes had a wink of sleep. Both had a question linger in their mind, “Are we meant to be?”

Capulet’s castle

“We are having a ball in a fortnight and Montague is trying to trigger us into a fight,” said Lady Capulet.

“Calm down. We must not react as we shall meet Count Paris anytime” advised the Lord.

“You have promised Julian to me, Uncle,” Tybalt interrupted.

“You are unable to save the people and my Julia…how can I promise my child to you and the connections are more important to us than your feelings” replied Lord Capulet and left the room hastily.

“Prepare the ball and let the Montagues be invited as it is a social gathering” ordered Lady to the servants.

Juliet’s room

“Nurse, I think I’m in love. I couldn’t think of anything else since I met him” she told the nurse.

“Julia, who are you talking about?” asked the nurse with a smile.

“The man we met last night…Romeo”

“Have you lost your mind? This can’t happen. Your father is going to announce your engagement in a fortnight. Better forget him dear” she advised her.

“Why can’t you understand nurse, Count Paris isn’t a good man…”

“But that’s what the Lord wants my child” she replied. Julia sighed and went outside the room to watch the stars or it was the silly reason she gave herself to get lost in Romeo’s thoughts.

“Oh, Romeo! Thou art a Montague?

You and I are foes but I love you

I don’t care about the rest if I have you

Will I ever hear a word from you?”

She questioned looking at the sky.

“Juliet, Oh my love!

And a sudden yet familiar voice hit her ears.

Will you be my bride?

Our name is the pain

Our love is the cure”

“I recognize your voice, Romeo?” “How did you come here?” she asked.

“Didn’t you want me here, Julia?” Romeo jumped into her balcony from the dark.

“Your eyes are the lanterns of my night sky. I would get lost in the depth of your eyes and never wake up. You are the sun that lights up my world and the serene moon which makes me calm. You’re my life, my love!”

“Don’t you feel the same, Juliet?

“I do, my love”. Her eyes gleamed in the moonlight.

“Come inside Juliet” her nurse called.

“Go. Otherwise, they’ll find you Romeo” “Let’s meet at the square tomorrow at noon. I’ll wait for you,” she said, holding his hands unwilling to let go.

“I’ll wait for you there…come soon. Good night love. Let’s meet in our dreams” he kissed her forehead. It’s been a perfect night for the lovers, the nightingale sang their love story and the sky blushed.

“Where have you been my dear friend, I find something mysterious in you…?”

“Mercutio, I met the most beautiful woman in the world. Her eyes teach me new words and I wish to be hers’ forever. I’m in love with her, my friend”

“I’m in love with Juliet Capulet”

“So, Romeo Montague is in love with Capulet” “But do you know that Count Paris is suited to Juliet?” Mercutio asked.

“It doesn’t matter when love is the only language we know” he smiled and took his departure.

At the Square

It has been their longest wait. They craved to see each other, hold hands, and to get lost in their world. Julia was on the way riding a black horse to meet the love of her life.

“You look more beautiful in the day than at night,” he said, resisting himself to adore her.

“Finally, I see your hair color,” she said smiling.

A week passed in a fraction of a second. Their love grew stronger and greater as days passed by. They lived an eternity every time they met. They decided to marry in the presence of Friar Lawrence as they knew it would be impossible to convince their parents.

Two days before the ball

On a bright sunny day, at the holy church, the lovers exchanged their marriage vows. Their meeting wasn’t an accident. Their paths are meant to be crossed and now they are two bodies and a soul. It was the happiest moment for the lovers. They weren’t lovers anymore. After spending the entire day together, they had their goodbye kiss as husband and wife.

“I’ll sort everything out very soon. Don’t you worry my wife” he said.

“We will,” she said.

Some stories last for a lifetime

Some are just made to cross paths

But there are some which are

meant to be – the eternal one

Romeo and Juliet.

At the ball

The Capulets, the Montagues, the King and the Prince all were gathered for the ceremony. Lord Capulet was very eager to inform his daughter’s engagement with Count Prince. Tybalt was filled with anger. Romeo and Juliet were in mixed emotions. It is the last opportunity to expose their relationship to their family.

“You’re beautiful Juliet Capulet, my wife,” said Count Prince.

“I’m a loyal wife of Romeo and I have the same second name as him” she confronted everyone in the hall.

Everyone in the ceremony was speechless. Lord Capulet and Montague started to argue. Tybalt, who was full of anger, took out his sword and tried to attack Romeo. But he wasn’t ready to fight as Tybalt is his family now. Mercutio tried to convince Tybalt but was triggered by his anger. He took out his sword and started fighting. Within a moment, Mercutio was hurt. There was blood and he was on his verge of death. Romeo was crying beside him, unable to control his emotions.

“You must live, my friend. Violence won’t end violence; only love will. My love wasn’t meant to be and I want you to live. I want your love to end this war” he said. He smiled at a woman in the crowd. He knew she was the only one who could give him peace even in the pain.

Mercutio died.

The Prince lost his temper. He ordered Tybalt to leave the country. He also ordered the Capulets and the Montagues to accept Romeo and Juliet. Juliet was crying. Romeo consoled her.

“We won’t accept you,” said Lord Capulet.

“Neither will we,” said Montague.

But the lovers were sure. It’s them or nothing. They started their life hoping it will grow beautiful someday.

Ten years later

“Wake up kids. We need to pay a visit to your grandparents” Jula said to Catherine and Harry.

Romeo entered the room.

“You’re beautiful my love” he kissed her.

Julia held his hands and smiled at him.

On a beautiful morning
At our home filled with
our children’s laughter
With you by my side
I would still tell,
“You’re beautiful”
And you’ll smile back at me.

STOP Body Shaming

Have you ever hated yourself for being called thin, fat, tan, or textured? Have you ever wanted to become the celebrity who hides behind those makeup products? Have you ever tried to tear yourself apart for being you? According to the statistics, 91% of n are unhappy about their body image. Cases of teens having suicidal thoughts are increasing as body-shaming is becoming quite common among peers. So is this thought real else is it just an illusion that threatens us? No matter what it is you and your body, it is your responsibility to show utmost affection and positivity.

Reasons for body-shaming:

Setting the imaginary bar high. (For example, Textured skin is normal. Being obese is normal. Acne and breakouts are just a part of your body. Social media and filters blinds people.)
Ignorance (You are not beautiful if you are obese, you will not get a date being this tall, you will get rejected just because you are tan)
Low self-esteem (Feeling inferior about their body, in turn, they end up criticizing and judging others.)

We might even body shame others without our knowledge, but those words hurt them to an extent they want to kill themselves. People start to feel unworthy of themselves when they hate their body and affect their psychological well-being. The Mental Health Foundation, which commissioned the survey, said the issue could affect anyone at any age. Words have the power to kill and heal, so we must choose them wisely. If you ever come across a person who feels inferior for being overweight or underweight, listen to them. Assure them positivity. Stand by them whenever they need you.

Thin or fat, dark or white, clear or textured – you are beautiful; you are adored.

Tips for loving yourself:

Have a positive attitude. Life is beyond people’s criticism. Don’t bound yourself in their words.
Have a supportive circle. Being with positive people lifts your daily mood.
Distract yourself towards life goals. When you are successful, literally no one would ever talk about your body image but about your success story.
Have a healthy lifestyle. Exercise, meditate, journal. These habits will make you develop yourself.
Be worthy of yourself. Appearances are not everything. A beautiful heart is more important than a perfect figure.

Confronting negative comments is the only way to stop body shaming. Let us normalize our tone, skin, and textures. We all are beautiful and blessed, and having a healthy mind and heart are more important. Love others irrespective of their figures and numbers but never forget to love yourself first.

It all comes down to who’s by your side.

Fifty-seven-year-old London Carter takes us back to his teenage life in North Carolina, where he still lives. He is a son of a Congressman and a complete stranger to his father. Jamie Sullivan, daughter of Hegbert Sullivan, is misunderstood by all the kids of her age. Fate brings them together through unexpected turns and events. The religious fanatic falls for the young naughty Landon and changes him. Eventually, they promise to accompany each other in life’s walk. Nicholas Sparks does not fail to make the readers cry. Jamie Sullivan is found to be ill. Did death steal her else did a miracle save her? Either way, their walk is to be remembered forever…

“First you will smile, and then you will cry — don’t say you haven’t been warned.”
– Nicholas Sparks, A Walk to Remember

Youth is never fun without mistakes, but there comes a time when incidents strike your heart so hard and make you feel regret. Nicholas Sparks does magic through his words and takes the readers forty years back through Landon’s voice. By this, the readers get to see the development of Landon over the years and his eventful seventeenth year in North Carolina, “one of the beautiful places in the world.” A Walk to Remember is not just a book about love. It is a story about growth and forgiveness in which the protagonist undergoes a massive change after a turbulent youth. Jamie Sullivan is boring and seem to have an uneventful life. As the plot progresses, her real character is revealed, her interests make the readers develop respect for her.

When the universe decides to make hearts collide, there is not a single thing that could stop it. In such a way, Landon and Jamie are thrown together and made to take chances. Even the smallest of the incidents in one’s life make way for a change and how one reacts to the changes is all about growth. Decision-making plays a role in shaping the future. The author reminds the readers that one must listen to his heart while making decisions. Life’s surprises make the heart suffer and heal, but importantly it makes you believe. Love makes one grow a belief in his soulmate, his friends, his family, and himself. The themes, logic, and love must not be missed out while analyzing the text. Landon always tells himself that Jamie is just a religious fanatic. Yet he finds her strangely attractive and, it is all the heart takes to fall in love defying logic. A walk to remember makes the readers smile, love, and weep at the same time.

“I’m sorry she never got her miracle. She did get her miracle, Landon, her miracle, was you.”
– Nicholas Sparks, A Walk to Remember.

A Walk to Remember revolves around love and friendship. This book will strangely attract anyone irrespective of age and specific genre reader. Readers will want to finish the book in a single sitting and get lost in the pages to find themselves. It might be a bittersweet love story, but you will definitely fall in love with the book. I would strongly recommend anyone to read Nicholas Sparks, A Walk to Remember and never forget. Happy remembering!

To all those who still see loneliness as a monster, let me help you make up with loneliness:

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On the way to the castle

Capulet’s castle

Juliet’s room

At the Square

Two days before the ball

At the ball

Ten years later

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Reasons for body-shaming:

Tips for loving yourself:

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