Take and Give
25 Nov 2010 2 Comments
in Daily Encounters Tags: reflection, thanksgiving
Dear Reader,
I woke up this morning around 5:30am because I was thirsty. Yet after a glass of water, I couldn’t fall back asleep, so I lied there and listened to the hush-rush of air as I breathed. In. Out. In. Out. As I took in oxygen and gave out carbon dioxide, I realized that breathing is the simplest mechanism of give and take. But I wasn’t giving and taking. I was taking, then giving.
When we are born, the first thing we do is take by breathing in. When we die, the last thing we do is give our final breath to the world. Life in between should follow that pattern – take and give.
Like I said exactly a year ago in the post A Cup of Wisdom, life is all about transactions. In line with that thought, rather than giving so that we may take, we should take so that we may give.
Breathing happens unconsciously. Only when we’re underwater do we notice how much we need the abundance of oxygen we live in. Similarly, it is so easy to continually take without realizing how much other people have given us. I need to thank my family, friends, and teachers today, and I hope you do too.
Happy Thanksgiving.
With love,
Salma
Live Like You’re Traveling
21 Feb 2010 2 Comments
in Study Abroad Tags: fashion, life, reflection, Travel Writing
The first time Leanne and I explored Swansea’s town, we found out that the local mall is called The Quadrant. It sits in the middle of a web of winding streets lined with shops. I was blown away by the fashion. What we would call “dressing up” is everyday casual wear in the UK. Girls walk into class with a mask of make-up, earrings the size of a quarter, a large handbag hanging by the elbow, and heeled boots. Besides the heavy make-up, I love the way people dress on a daily basis.
Since my suitcases were nearly full when I arrived, I have to remember that I don’t have room to take too many things back home. Walking from store to store, I saw so many clothes I wanted to call my own, shoes I wanted to walk in. But I kept reminding myself that it was only the second week and if I started buying stuff then, I would need a third suitcase by June.
Overall, I have to limit the amount of material things I accumulate while I’m in Wales because my trip is temporary. I should only buy things of value or that will be used up.
I realized that a constant awareness of a temporary state of being is how I should live at all times, even at home. Life is temporary. We move into our bodies the way I moved into my dorm room. Eventually, I’ll have to give it back and move on. There is freedom in owning less, having fewer things to keep track of and lug around. Things weigh your life down like an anchor harboring a ship that wants to sail away.
Travel [life] lightly.
That is officially my new motto. =)
~Salma
