Usually I like to start my entries with a thoughtful quote. A quote or a saying that I come across wether through a book, a sign, in a fortune cookie or film. A quote or saying that feels like a message directed directly at me, so relevant to what I’m going through in life. A wise person once said that there’s no such thing as ‘random’ or a ‘coincidence’ and that everything is intentional and serves a purpose, I believe these quotes and sayings are no exception. 

Here it is, the last entry of the year. Yes 2020 hasn’t failed to surprise all of us and take us completely off guard. As frustrating as this year has been for all of us it has also been a year of self reflection and self discovery. For me personally this was the year that despite several lows has also lead to the birth of this humble website of mine. 2020 has re-ignited in me my passion for reading and written expression and I do look forwards to elaborating on those passions of mine in the coming years… Perhaps this site will be a stepping stone on to something wonderful, something I can look back on with a sense of accomplishment. So as a tribute to my last entry of the year I would like for it to be a positive one cause gosh do we need some positivity right now and some fairy dust…

First, looking back at 2020 and all that we’ve endured this year it’s safe to say it hasn’t been easy for anyone. During hard times it is easy to become a victim of anxiety, depression and pessimism. It is easy today to pinpoint the unjust actions humans inflict on one another and on this earth. It is easy to get frustrated at the bewildering influx of negative news which we receive on an hourly basis. It is also evident that we are being bombarded by misinformation through endless channels of social media which instead of guiding us are making us more lost and confused. Add to that a pandemic and it’s easy to sum up the world we live in today and call it a disaster. However just as terrible things may seem, last week, towards the end of our short family staycation at Dubai Parks resort, I experienced a small unconditional act of kindness. The kind of kindness that reminds you that decent human beings still exist in this world and hence the quotes I’m about to share:

 “The World Is Full Of Nice People. If You Don’t Find One Be One.” 

“A Simple Act Of Kindness Creates An Endless Ripple.”

It was towards the end of our short family trip and we had already walked and played around most of the theme parks for hours. We decided to make one last stop at the designer outlet mall next to the theme parks before heading home. At the mall we spent even more hours in and out of shops, finding and fitting endless clothes on the kids. Towards the end of our shopping spree I felt exhausted and light headed. It had definitely been a long and very active day and my body was finally giving in. I signaled to my husband that I will find somewhere to sit until they were done and I headed to the nearest cafe and just crashed on one of the chairs. I felt nauseous and breathless and faint (I partly blame the face mask for that too, when can we get rid of those??). Within minutes an Indian waiter suddenly appears and he looks at me with concern and asks if I was alright. I told him I was alright and that I was just a little tired and if it were okay to just sit there for a while till my family comes. The waiter says of course and insisted on rushing to get me some water. When he returned with the water he also had a glass of what I thought was lemonade next to it. He tells me to have the water and to also try his lime with honey remedy which he prepared especially for me so I could feel better. I thanked the kind waiter and I had some of his chilled honey lime drink which was delicious I may add and I did start to regain some energy. I think it was a mixture of both the drink and the waiter’s kind gesture that made me feel better. When my family came I got ready to leave and went to pay for the water and the drink however the waiter firmly refused to take a dime. I asked him why he was refusing and he insisted that he saw how tired I was and just wanted to help. I didn’t know the price of the drink as he whipped it up for me himself however I placed what I owed for the water along with a small tip for him on the counter and I hurried to leave before he could reject the money once more. All the way back home I felt humbled and grateful to this kind, generous waiter who knew nothing about me. All he knew was that I was a tired person and he didn’t hesitate to offer help in the best way he could without any conditions and without any expectations in return, he just chose to be kind. The waiter could have easily told me that in order to have a seat I had to order something from the menu. The waiter could have easily recomended a drink for me with a price printed next to it, however this waiter chose to go out of his way to offer assistance and for that I am truly humbled and grateful. I wish I could see see more people act like that. The world would be a better place if we chose to be more kind to one another. I would also love for good things to happen to that simple waiter who was ready to spend on my drinks from his very own simple paycheck. I returned home feeling better inside and I slept with complete gratitude in my heart. When we stop and try to pause amidst our chaotic lives, just like I had paused at that cafe, we can truly find beauty, love and kindness all around. It only takes a pause, a moment, a presence. And with that note I say thank you and goodbye to 2020. Thank you 2020 for challenging me and pushing me to discover more about myself, my family and my life. Thank you for bringing me closer to my faith and for finally encouraging me to go live with my writing. Thank you for making me appreciate my country so much more and finally thank you to my few loyal readers who encourage me by reading and commenting on my simple entries. To conclude this entry I leave you with a final quote from the great teachings of Islam which again signify the importance of kindness:

اَحْبِبْ لِغَیْرِکَ مَا تُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِکَ وَ اکْرَہٗ لَہٗ مَا تَـکْرَہٗ لِنَفْسِکَ

“Love for others whatever you love for yourself and dislike for others what you dislike for yourself.”

So the next time you’re out or amidst family or at work try to pause and reflect and if you can’t find kindness then you be the kindness. Don’t hesitate to share a smile, a helping hand or a word of encouragement… be the reason someone believes that the world is still alright, especially now, let’s make this world we share a kinder place for all 🙂