“If people sat outside and looked at the stars each night, I bet they’d live a lot differently. When you look into infinity, you realize there are more important things than what people do all day.”
– Bill Watterson
Original photography by Mervin Harif.
Author: Ajmal
‘The Border of a Mind’ – Studios
This is sort of a prelude of my concept of kind of a “studio of the mind” vision, let’s put it that way for the time being. In the note about the intent of the blog, I had mentioned that these would a personal repertoire of my deliberations. Today, I’m postulating my thoughts on The Border of a Mind Studios. Au fond, this is my vision of a virtual studio of arts, ideas and minds built on the idea of embellishment of childish curiosity that we’re born with and to manifest it through fine writings, arts, visuals, and moving images. It’s to articulate that novelty visually in the best way possible without any slack of any form. It could be a photograph that would paint a beautiful story from a timeless memory in its attributes or it might be an illustration that conveys an intent in its subtlety. I’ve been running this on the backdrops over the past several years as a private project with visual gifts crafted to delight my friends and loved ones. Personally, I’m enamoured by the repose it instills within me and also the gratification of using this craft as my signature to put a smile on their hearts. Here we emerge! (chuckle!)
God bless you!
Original photograph by Nasna Nassir.
Serenity
A mosque near university city, Sharjah that I frequent for evening walks and occasional prayers. I’m just drawn into the silence and serenity at this place during non peak hours. If you think about it, regardless of wherever we are, chances are that there’s some sort of noise that plays an extra in the background. It’s difficult these days to get yourself a taste of some pin drop silence. Walking here with some calm music is a penchant and pastime now =)
Sharing & togetherness
Sharing a beautiful post by Emirati blogger Khalid Al Ameri.
Sunlight is Painting!
Couldn’t agree more =)
Beams of light could be captured and crafted well to transform chores and normal subjects to be a ‘painting’ in the realm of our mind. Haven’t we ceased to be in awe of such simple luxuries when we are engrossed into our routines? May your day be beautiful.
Original photograph by Nasna Nassir.
Money!
Found this interesting piece while reading. Sharing = )
” Money rules our lives. You can rail against it. You can claim to be above it or indifferent to it. You can do all the moral and intellectual gymnastics that you will. But when all is said and done, money is at the very center of our existence. Yet money is not of central importance. It has nothing whatsoever to do with the lasting values that make life worth living. This is one of our great dilemmas. How are we to reconcile ourselves to something that is not important but is at the very center of our lives?
People who measure their money against their desires will never be happy, because there is always another desire waiting to lure them. People who measure their money against their needs can gain control over their life by gaining control over their needs.There are certain needs that have to be met. If the burden of poverty comes over you, do not look for money. Look for work. The money will follow, and you can begin to move money out of the center of your life and return it to its rightful place as a tool that helps you live a meaningful life.Financial well-being is nothing more than a balancing act on the back of circumstance. You can be thrown off at any time.
If you know how to be poor with dignity and grace, nothing short of massive financial disaster can disturb your peace of mind. Knowing how to be poor means developing an unerring instinct for the difference between what is essential and what is desirable. It means knowing how to take control of your life–how to repair and maintain the things around you, how to purchase wisely and well, how not to purchase at all when you do not have the means to do so, how to take joy in simple pleasures of life. It means not getting caught up in what is lacking, but finding meaning in what you have. It means knowing how to live with style and creativity without basing your life on money. “
[Source: Simple Truths by Kent Nerburn]
Havelock
Flying over Andaman Islands. Havelock is literally a paradise with its white sand shores and lush, untouched landscapes. Visual treat for the soul.
Beautiful People
” The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”
– Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
This is generously true about many souls whom I’ve come across in my short life that I’ve felt a sort of veneration and admiration for. I’m a great admirer of deep rooted friendships devoid of any recklessness and noise. I graciously stand in awe of the warmth and serenity they instill. I’m ever grateful to Almighty for making the universe conspire with a divine plan of blessing me with a solacious spouse and a few group of great friends around. And I also strive my best to embrace them with serenity and in my wings of love . There are lot of things to be grateful for. God bless! =)
Painting Memories
“Painting picture by picture, I followed the impressions my eye took in at heightened moments. I painted only memories, adding nothing, no details that I did not see. Hence the simplicity of the paintings, their emptiness.”
– Edvard Munch
A photograph from my visit to Istanbul.
Wisdom from 100 Year Olds
I believe this’d be worth your time.