"The weather is so hot!" I complained.
My family and I are currently at a resort for a 3 day vacation trip. My mother made an effort to arrange a short trip to relax our minds amongst our busy schedules. Yet, it wasn't exactly the vacation we had expected...
Everything was expensive. Every activity had extra charges. The sun was burning like never before, and we were melting. It felt as if we could have used our time better back at home. It felt like a wasted trip. Almost.
On the last evening, we decided to head out of the resort for a cheaper dinner option. We hired a local driver who offered lower rates than the resort's driver to drive us to take us to a restaurant we found online. He was someone who had stuffed his name card at the ferry terminal—not the most reliable way of traveling. Still, he was very friendly to us and introduced us to local places along the way. Soon after, the car stopped as we reached our destination.
However, it seemed very suspicious as he led us through a forest path. Thousands of thoughts raced through my mind, and we were on high alert. We were afraid of being duped or kidnapped. As I immersed myself in these anxious thoughts, imagining countless possibilities, my sister tapped me on the shoulder. I looked up and was stunned. It was a breathtaking view. The sunset shone even brighter against the shadows of the forest trees. The colors of the skies reflected off the clear river waters. The endless nature view, the tranquility and the serenity of a rural life—all of it was mesmerizing. I see sunsets every day in the city, yet somehow, this one left me speechless.
We took a boat ride to a kelong restaurant for dinner. Feeling the breeze against my face, I felt nothing but inner peace. After dinner, the sun had fully set and the surroundings were pitch black – a stark contrast to the view earlier on. We got back on the boat, ready to head back.
"Girls, look up!" My mother's voice cut out through the quiet of the night.
Tears welled up in my eyes as I gazed at the countless stars shining in the dark sky. A sight that I can barely catch in the brightly lit cities. "What a stunning view," I thought. It made me realize what I have always been missing. Rushing for assignments. Rushing for social gatherings. Rushing to prove my worth in competitive environments. The numerous deadlines, the fear of losing out, the fear of not meeting the expectations of others – things that made me overwhelmed seems to have vanished. And for the first time in a while, I reflected on myself. How blessed I actually am. How proud I should be of myself. How beautiful the world actually is.
Just once in a while,I pause and recognize the beautiful things around me—whether it's the sunsets, the brightest stars in the night sky, or the support and love from my family and friends. family and friends. Occasionally, I step away from the cities and it seems perfectly fine to slow down my pace. It seems fine to just take a step back and give myself a breather. Occasionally, I look up at the starry night skies and appreciate what I have. Once in a blue moon, I feel blessed and loved by my family, by the world and by myself.