Our world has often divided itself into two major archetypes: leaders and followers.
The leaders come up with ideas, take charge, and guide others. And the followers stand behind them, supporting their ideas, sometimes building a cult-like allegiance, so strongly that they’ll do whatever it takes to spread and defend their cherished beliefs.
They have always tried to reveal themselves to me in fragments, but my own expectations have often warped my interpretation of their intentions. I’ve seen them as malevolent at times, and indifferent at others. But this year, I guess I was able to see that it was all beyond good and bad, and about shaping me into someone better.
You see, every word we speak is laden with meaning. It is the stories of people captured in syllables. It’s events that have happened over and over again. And the experiences of my friends, no matter how unique they might seem (to them or even me), are ubiquitous to humanity. This is also true for my experiences, your experiences, or the experiences of anyone really…
I’m a beginner photographer, albeit obsessed. At the time of writing, I don’t yet own a camera, but that hasn’t stopped me from copiously ingesting photography content and consistently regurgitating them on my WhatsApp status. I probably spend more time sharing striking photographs and photography memes than I do taking actual pictures, which sometimes makes … Read more
We all embody experiences. When we interact with others we create even more experiences. From the way we look and communicate to the way we move and make love, there is a ripple of gestures and feelings that can generate delight or displeasure. And, at the extremes of these experiences, there is love and hate. … Read more
I think and feel life is absurd. Though, as a kid, I never thought of or felt this way. Back then, life was all about waking up, eating, playing, sleeping, and doing it all over again. In my little world, that was all there was and all that mattered. But, then, I was sent to … Read more
Distance has a way of testing you in ways that no amount of effort can fix. Miscommunication happens. Timing feels off. Sexual needs can strain the bond. Circumstances beyond your control create cracks where none existed before. It’s not because you didn’t try hard enough. It’s because love, as beautiful as it is, doesn’t exist outside reality. And sometimes, reality can be against you.
All my life I have been single. Friends have often labelled me as shy, afraid of commitment, or just unserious. None of those descriptions has quite felt right. Maybe beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, but I have often ended up being friends with one of the hottest or most intelligent ladies wherever … Read more
If your dreams start to fall apart, people may offer the conventional “It’s well” reassurances, but deep down, we know it’s not that simple. You can’t patch up a broken heart and dreams with words of affirmations, cliches or platitudes. Quick fixes and generic advice do not provide real help either.
What I’ve found is that understanding core principles, and timeless truths, is far more practical and helpful. These truths give you a framework, something to lean on when things fall apart.
The whole of humanity is mostly ignorant of the marvellous reality we find ourselves in. From the very functioning of our staggeringly complex brains to the existence of our incomprehensibly large universe, all we have are mostly clever, yet very broad assumptions of how things are and function. Assumptions that if you poke hard enough … Read more
