ANAM CARA

Meaning: A person with whom you can share your deepest thoughts, feelings and dreams with your soul friend

Illustration by Maurice Sendak

My dear Anam Cara, The heart is a vile creature. He/She veils himself with a disgusting arrogance in presence of the other heart but truly reveals in her/his absence to only grow fond, beat and exude warmth for the heart he/she truly loves. Why do we glorify such a hideous creation that only acts in an irrational manner? The worst part is that it is not even alive. Our stupid personification of the heart attaching an abstract quality representing our human connections is the dumbest thing any species could have come up with. This does not even include the pager technology. Our irrepressible stubbornness to confide in humans in spite of the despicable nature of whole species to backstab whatever has a back to it angers the living soul out of me. However, the heart is not a simple and rabid animal. It is as complex as the subtle human expressions. Why does a species such as humans exist that does not have the strength to reveal the goodness within and only knows to scheme, plot, engage and destroy? No other species is nearly deceitful despite the fact that there is no difference in the hearts.

We are a geyser of complex behaviours, thoughts, feelings, emotions, memories, actions, reflections and contemplation. The layers of these abstract qualities densify and there comes a point when there is no place within to take it anymore. At that time, the heartbeats unbearably fast searching for a safe place to let it all out and this is where the danger lies.

The abstract and ethereal entities of emotions are something that resides deep within you and it carries the living essence of your identity. They cannot lie or do not have the capability to be false. They are in essence pure creations of man which can't be corrupted by the brute physical advances of humans. Although these abstracts are untouchable, the one with whom you unbosom yourself becomes a part of you. The biggest mistake anyone can make is to confide in the wrong people. We must be careful about the intentions of the people who we really consider as part of our life. The word "friend" is casually thrown for people who are close to us but the word carries a deeper meaning than that.

Your social connections should not be a function of distance but must be at all times a function of intention. The concept of intentionality forms the basis of any human connection. This is the prime reason that heart should not have the position it does because it fails to understand the intentions being directed towards it and the worst part is that it always and unfailingly manages to exaggerate and misinterpret.

Despite all its failings, stupidity, folly, absurdity, idiocy, denseness, inanity and irrational nature, the heart is the sole thing that can give peace to the rumblings of our being. The condition for that to happen is to find the right heart to whom you can safely pour every inch of yourself without ever feeling naked and vulnerable. A heart that cheers from the sidelines in your happy times and a heart that absorbs and shields against any menace. Our love remains of the soul! - Your Anam Cara