Sunday, January 10, 2021

Shukran Qatar

The goodbye is here, or at least for now. What is so good about this place? It’s a desert after all. Dry, humid, dust blowing at your face, hot winds that peel your skin off, what’s so beautiful in this place that makes saying goodbye so hard?

There’s beauty in the beasts on the roads, the mighty land cruisers, the music from the modified mufflers of the classic Lincoln’s as they whir past you like a puff of smoke;

There’s beauty in the vast beaches, the humid winds that envelop around and embrace you, the sweat beads that instantaneously cry, the waves that flap so fast, so often on the shore, each flap perhaps has a story to tell;

There’s beauty in the tall dunes of sand, in the four wheels that cruise on and off them at nights, headlights flashing like tiny stars twinkling along a hill;

There’s beauty in every sunrise, as the light rays pierce out of the horizon, bringing promise, bringing light;

There’s beauty in every sunset, not just the million hues, but the exhaustion of each day that brings hopes for the next dawn;

There’s beauty in the moon that rises and sets in the desert, so close, so bright, spreading warmth, reflecting a million dreams, smiling at the secrets each of our hearts carry to bed;

There’s beauty in the bright sunlight, there’s beauty in pitch darkness, there’s beauty in the sandstorms, in the rains that shower once a year, theres beauty in the cormorants and flamingos that migrate, there’s beauty in the prayers, there’s beauty in every breath we take amidst chaos, amidst uncertainties, and yet exhale wishing we take the next one in. 

Thankful for all the lovely people, lively places and breathtaking moments that make saying goodbye so hard today. 

Onwards and upwards.

Cheers,

Hopie



Sunday, January 3, 2021

Welcome 2021

have been reading so many stories of hope, from 2020. Our struggle may not even compare to them, we are all alive, in good health and thankful. In our minuscule world, we have some lessons, very simple ones. Sending this your way, so you find joy in the little things that we never thought mattered. 

- always prioritize your mental peace. This one is going to come lots, but etch this, tattoo this and embed this. 

- there is only one person who can make you stronger and you just have to look in the mirror to find who that is 

- find your comfort food, chocolate/ cream biscuit/ pink salt, and when you are spiraling down, just go for it (and remember to close your eyes)

- find your comfort place in the house - by the stove / by the balcony sipping hot coffee, spend time here, lots, with yourself

- find your comfort thing to do - walk / art / porn /  books / washing vessels and make time for this every day or as much as you can

- bring the judgement quotient really down, everyone is different, so while you are with them, have happy conversations, and if you can’t, just move on

- never try to embrace happy spaces / people, they are like rainbows - transient and out of your life too soon, so just be merry and enjoy the colors while they last

- no one is toxic, it is what we make out of them. Every individual is dealing with a lot, and they have their own means of coping up. If this is hindering with point no 1, then keep away. 

- be kind and love lots, what if the last time you met someone was really THE last time and you wished you had given more of yourself back then

- lastly, love yourself lots. Believe in yourself lots. You are unique, you are awesome, you are you and only you are the best at being that.

In case I haven’t told you enough, I am thankful for you and thankful that you are yourself with me. It means so much. 

2021 is here and together we are better.

Cheers

Hopie