We all have horcruxes...

 

Horcruxes! Those who have read Harry Potter know what I’m talking about. But for those who haven’t I’ll give a little background and then I’ll share why the word has been constantly buzzing in my head to the extent that it compelled me to open my laptop and scribble about it first thing in the morning.

So, the bad guy of the Harry Potter series, Voldemort, who is the greatest and most feared wizard of his time, had divided his soul into seven parts - those were called horcruxes - in order to attain immortality. So, even if someone, somehow, manages to destroy one horcrux, or a part of his soul, there are six more horcruxes to keep him alive. And he kept the horcruxes at distant places - guarded and safe.

The author of the series, J.K. Rowling – whom I consider the biggest literary genius alive today – has mentioned in her Netflix documentary that most of the references in her book are from real life to which she gave a magical twist. And suddenly I felt I know how she must have thought about horcruxes.

Out of the blue, I suddenly had the realization that we all have horcruxes. Yes, we do. Now, why do I think that? What I’ve recently realized that in life there are times when we undergo extreme trauma, loss and pain. Something that feels unbearable, as if we are going to die. The thought that death would have been better than bearing the pain oozing out of every pore of body, and the chest feeling so heavy as if it’s going to burst open, fogs the mind. As time passes, you realize you have managed to remain afloat somehow but you don’t feel the same anymore.

You can’t put it into words maybe but you know something within has died. And, you are right!  One of your horcruxes has been destroyed. The trauma has taken away a part of your soul and destroyed it. So, the hollowness you feel afterwards is real. The pain is real. And because the death is internal and not visible on the surface, most of the time, we don’t allow ourselves to grieve the loss and acknowledge the pain. We put a brave face in front of the world knowing that’s the only option we have. To all the people carrying a part of their dead souls, walking like zombies on the roads, facing the world with a smile each day, and trying to fiercely protect the remaining horcruxes - I know what it feels like, I know your pain. Can I share a few things that helped me a bit during this time – music, dance, travel, writing, and being in nature, whenever I could. Find the things that give you solace and rebuild yourself brick by brick. The bricks might fall again and again but don’t give up. Keep going brave hearts, keep going…