Saturday, October 9, 2010

Life Lessons via Vacation Pictures

DO YOUR OWN THING
Bringing down the decorated elephants for the Teej Festival [Jaipur, Rajasthan, India]
There's so much drama and negative energy that comes along with paying attention to others and their lives, which isn't necessary at all. Such a waste of our time, really. If elephants can walk on one side of the road without disrupting the traffic, why can't people just keep walking instead of digging their noses in everyones business?

SMILE LIKE YOU MEAN IT
Ladies room at Al-Muntaha Restaurant in Burj Al-Arab [Dubai, U.A.E]
No matter how bad your situation is, there's always someone in a situation that is worse than yours. Be thankful for the blessings bestowed on you so far & smile.

SELF-REFLECT
Connecting with my spiritual side at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque [Abu Dhabi, U.A.E]
Always do something that will make you proud. After all, you're the one who has to live with your actions. If you reflect back on your actions & are not happy with something, then don't beat yourself over it, just use it as a form of guidance to help you in the future.

LOVE & BE LOVED
Getting love from my dolls at At the Top, Burj Khalifa [Dubai, U.A.E]
Tell the people who you care about the most that you love them. Even though I'd encourage you to show someone that you love them first & foremost through your actions, don't rely on just that. At times people just need to hear it as well & you might be surprised at how comforting those words can be.

LET LOOSE
Dubai Museum [U.A.E]
Don't get too caught up with everything to enjoy the little moments in life that you'll most likely remember the most in the future. Relax once in a while because once this time passes you, you won't get it back. Act a fool, laugh, do something silly, & make memories.

STRIVE TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS
Taj Mahal [Agra, U.P, India]
A lot of people make goals or new years resolutions and in a few days, months, weeks the list is... wait, omg, where did that list go?? Do you remember where your list of new years resolutions is? There are still a little over 2 months left..
The point is, don't just make a target but think about ways that you can achieve that target as well. The planning will take up time & energy, but it's the first step to your success in the future!

REMINISCE
Lucknowi kabab with hot parathas & tamarind chutney at Al Afadhil Restaurant = best. food. ever. [Dubai, U.A.E]
Always remember the good times that you shared with people. Even when things turn sour, thinking about the bad times or bad qualities of the person won't do you any good. Instead, bad memories will just put you in a bad mood. Try to focus your energy on the positive.

PUT YOURSELF IN THEIR PLACE
Entertainers at Chokhi Dhani [Jaipur, Rajasthan, India]
Sure, many of us would like to think that we have an open mind & that we're empathetic but are we really? Do we really try to understand a persons situation or their point of view? Try to understand others and their views - they might just get you thinking in a direction in which you had never thought before.
I haven't been able to forget the look on this performer's face when she stepped down from the glasses. She seemed like she was in so much pain, yet in a few seconds she continued performing. To top it all off, there was an infant (the child of one of the female performers) sleeping on the side with the rest of the performers. I don't think I've ever clapped that loud before, not because of the performance, but because of the situation.

DO SOMETHING YOU LOVE
The night before Eid [Dubai, U.A.E]
Next time you're going through a rough patch or lacking motivation, do something you love or used to love that you don't do anymore. Sometimes this can soothe you & lift your spirits in the shortest amount of time.

DON'T LOOK BACK
Desert safari camel ride [U.A.E]
Dwelling on the past is not worth it. Get on with your life & focus on what's next.

CONQUER YOUR FEARS
Para-sailing [Dubai, U.A.E]
I'm scared of heights but maybe I was comfortable para-sailing because I'm a Pisces.
In any case, the only way you'll get over your fear is if you go ahead & face it. Your knees might feel weak before you take the step & you might get butterflies in your stomach but how would you feel after you've faced your fear? Let that thought spark your curiosity & go for it!

INDULGE
Trying on some antique rings at one of the stores in Central Souk [Sharjah, U.A.E]
Unwind in a spa. Go on a shopping spree. Read a book. Eat half a dozen chocolate dipped strawberries.
Pamper yourself in any way you like because you need some "me" time & taking care of your wants & needs is a priority too.

LOOK AT THE WORLD WITH A NEW ATTITUDE
Admiring the view from Hawa Mahal [Jaipur, Rajasthan, India]
Take each day as it comes with a smile because a positive attitude & a strong will can get you through the hardest times. As long as you have an appetite for life, there's nothing that can stop you.

10 comments:

Amina said...

Saimese, I loved loved loved this post!! mashallah you are such a beautiful person inside and out!!!! I enjoyed so much the vacation pictures! thank you for sharing them with us!

October 9, 2010 at 12:38 PM
Katrina said...

WOOOOOW! These photos are BEAUTIFUL! It looks like your vacation was to a fairy tale land! So gorgeous! Thanks for sharing your vacay pics with us and adding in the beautiful text, it really awakens the soul! I want to go to these places!!!

October 9, 2010 at 12:44 PM
Shivani said...

Saim, are you from Rajasthan?

October 9, 2010 at 1:57 PM
fantastic said...

I was so happy to see this post show up! Lovely as always ;)

October 9, 2010 at 5:57 PM
Sabina said...

new follower!! such a fab post xx

October 10, 2010 at 5:34 AM
Azra Momin said...

Loved your post, Saim - and the pics are so amazing - now I'm missing Dubai AND Jaipur (lived there six years as a kid). Thank you for sharing your beautiful thoughts!
X

October 10, 2010 at 7:06 AM
Vanessa M. said...

This is so beautiful love!!

October 12, 2010 at 11:41 AM
Sarah Ali / Glossicious said...

BEST post i have read in ages :)

October 13, 2010 at 1:58 AM
Hijabi Apprentice said...

Brilliant!

October 22, 2010 at 3:13 AM
CRYS said...

I LOVED,LOVED,LOVED THIS POST SO MUCH:) I LOVE TRAVELING AND THIS PICTURES ARE AWESOME!!!

January 4, 2012 at 5:28 PM

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