MannMukti

…a “my way or the highway”, ultra-conservative, and devoutly Muslim sort of man. My mom has been depressed and self-loathing…

Seven years ago, if someone had asked me how my life was going, at the time I would’ve said pretty well. It wasn’t until later…

…but vulnerability is indeed a virtue when it comes to issues of the heart. I could curse everything in the world for my affliction…

… due to several moves, lack of money, and a nasty divorce. From the time I was in 4th to 7th grade, I was also sexually abused by my…

“How are you doing?” people usually ask, whether or not they know I’ve lost family recently. I don’t answer these days. My external…

Although I feel fortunate to have not had any serious mental issues, my mind has certain tendencies that I have found very difficult to address.

…under the veil of a warm smile and a cool, calm demeanor. Hope this doesn’t take too many of my friends by complete surprise.

Growing up, I would watch them sing and dance their way across my TV screen and think about how beautiful they looked, the beauty…

A sharp, stinging sensation disseminates as I run a blade across my forearm. Drops of blood infuse with tears and burn within the wounds…

…just a number, something in the back of their mind, or maybe even something that nags at them every day. For others, like me…

I was happy for 20 seconds, then it was on to the next one. Imagine a kid in a martial arts class, yoga class, or art class. Imagine a kid…

That’s something you’d associate more with the CIA or FBI, and less with the life of a 10th-grade boy living in the suburbs…