Annons

Straight to the essence of what you are


Up until now, living in Sweden has for me meant getting in close contact with the essence of things, the most simple and fundamental parts of life that should never be taken for granted. The discovery of the essence of things can be achieved by connecting with people, food and landscapes.
Firstly, people: in a student city, you can meet tons of people. What is interesting in meeting many different individuals each day is learning how many perspectives actually do exist, which is what makes you grateful at the end of the day. It’s not about collecting random friendships from all over the world, it’s about connecting with others, listening to them and their stories, giving them little parts of yourself and receiving the unexpected. The more connections you create, the more you’ll get to know yourself. I recently joined an exhibition by Marina Abravomic. This exhibition consisted of standing, laying, or sitting close to other strangers with one’s eyes shut and listening to songs or poems sang by a chorus a cappella. The aim I guess was to experience something unique with people who were not so unique at all, just strangers, and to understand the fine line that connects all of us.

Another element in my fundamental discovery is food. When you live on your own, far from your comfort zone, some days can be tough and they can lead to confusing thoughts. Most of them are nothing more than superficialities, none of them are very real but merely the confusing labyrinths of our minds. A solution for me is chopping onions, tomatoes or whatever, as a means to be in contact with the mundanity and the simple parts of it. Considering food as one of the basis of our existence could lead us thinking that what is simple matters and apply this principle to our thoughts too. Because sometimes our bad mood derives from what has become complex and troubled for no real reason other than our desire to seek a meaning when there’s just reality. So where? At a nation, or, of course, at home. I like doing it at a nation because you can take care of point one too, you are surrounded by people.

Finally, the natural landscapes offered by Uppsala: whenever I come back home there’s one sure constant: the natural landscapes I go through. In Summer, there were shiny reflections on the Fyris river, now snowy woods, and what stays the same is the surprising effect nature has on me. In fact, it has the power of never being the protagonist but of making the moment lived both intense and eternal.
That said, all these essential elements are tied together through curiosity and an openness to stimuli. I don’t think curiosity is an innate skill, it’s something you can train and practice just by being open to the world and to being surprised. So, get out, straight to the essence of what you are or who you could become.


Annons

Annons

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