Some friends emailed me asking what the meaning of catharsis is, and why I chose this title for my blog site. Here’s a cut-and-paste meaning of the word courtesy of Encarta Dictionary:

catharsis ca•thar•sis [kə thrsiss] n

1. emotional release: an experience or feeling of spiritual release and purification brought about by an intense emotional experience

2. THEATER emotional purging through Greek tragedy: according to Aristotle, a purifying of the emotions that is brought about in the audience of a tragic drama through the evocation of intense fear and pity

3. PSYCHIATRY purging of complexes: the process of bringing to the surface repressed emotions, complexes, and feelings in an effort to identify and relieve them, or the result of this process

4. MEDICINE purging of bowels: cleansing or purging of the bowels [Early 19th century. Via modern Latin from Greek katharsis , from kathairein “to purge, cleanse,” from katharos “pure, clean.”]

Source: Microsoft® Encarta® Reference Library 2003

I am not sure when and where I learned about this word but I have been using this since time immemorial. I used it as a title for my editorial column for my English class school paper project. I also used it as pen name in college when I had to write articles, essays, and oratorical pieces.

The word itself is not appealing since not everybody knows its meaning. It isn’t catchy for a title. Neither does it give you an immediate picture of what the content is all about. One has to dwell on the word itself before you get its meaning.

And this I guess is a reflection of myself. I maybe unknown to many. I may not catch your instantaneous interest. But once you get to know me better, you’ll find a best friend in me (I hope, Hehe!).

The word’s meaning has also something to do with the purpose of my writing. By expressing my thoughts and ideas into words, I am able to release my inner self and I am able to reach out to another person and touch somebody else’s life. The process gives me a sense of emotional release, a feeling of joy, and a certain degree of fulfillment.

I hope that through my blogs, I will be able to express myself better, creating a clearer and better impression of who I really am. I also want to touch more lives in this world. I do not want to walk on this planet, then just leave. I want to leave an imprint. This blog could be it.