“That is why it is so important to let certain things go. To release them. To cut loose. People need to understand that no one is playing with marked cards; sometimes we win and sometimes we lose. Don’t expect to get anything back, don’t expect recognition for your efforts, don’t expect your genius to be discovered or your love to be understood. Complete the circle. Not out of pride, inability or arrogance, but simply because whatever it is no longer fits in your life. Close the door, change the record, clean the house, get rid of the dust. Stop being who you were and become who you are.”
Paulo Coehlo
The sound of the Straits of Melacca, sea breeze blowing gently against my sunkissed skin, a comfy beach chair, the beautiful Saturday sun escaping from the gaps between the leaves of the huge tree above me, couples doing God knows what at the far end of the beach, serenity.
This is by far the most beautiful beach I've ever seen. Pictures don't do it justice. Not even close. They say Phuket has the bluest oceans, or maybe the Maldives. Phuket, I've seen, the Maldives, if they look exactly like what we see in edited travel brochures, Emerald's Bay wins. Hands down. Times like this, my Christmas wish is a pair of eyes that can take pictures of whatever I'm seeing. Exactly what I'm seeing.
The water is sapphire blue at the horizon, and it fades into a gorgeous shade of baby blue then aqua blue before it turns jade green, and then pale, lime green before it hits the beach in white bubbles. It shines brighter than any precious stone with the complement of the scorching hot tropical sun.
I had lunch by this beach an hour ago. Sizzling lamb. Magnificent.
Being in places like this, it gives me assurance of what I plan to do with my life. I know, people coming to stay here is not exactly the best thing to do to the ecosystem here. Every single air conditioner, every bottle of water, every time we go to the bathroom and flush the toilet, we are destroying this beautiful island inch by inch. They obviously don't have a sewage plant here, and how do they dispose of the daily garbage the visitors produce? The bleach they use to clean the room towels, at least two per room, where does the water go to? The mere existence of humans means destruction. It's the ugly truth.
But it's coming to places like this, I know what I really want to give to the world. It inspires me to just go for it, and forget about job prospect or society appreciation. It's seeing the insanely rich part of the society that makes me realize half the sources of the problems. To be honest, I don't aspire to stay in the most exclusive sea villa and have access to the private yachts and have overpriced cocktails by that exclusive seaside bar. If I have this and that happy bunch of people riding on public banana boats, staying in the cheap three-star Sea View resort over in Pangkor main island, I'd choose the later. Mom says I'm pampered, I've seen and experienced the best that I can forgo whatever chance of luxury I come across. But really, I just enjoy good company and fun more over superiority.
I admit that I once wished that my dad could afford to buy me a Cooper for my 18th birthday, that he'd take me skiing in the Alps in December, that I'd never have to glance at scholarship brochures in my entire life. There was a phase in life when I wanted everything the world has to offer, but right now, I just don't anymore.
I'm still greedy as ever, but now greedy for joy and blessings and love and laughter. I don't care if you own a spaceship. You make me laugh, you're one of my favorite people on Earth. To me, I just need to care more, and to be cared for more, then life is almost complete.
If only I could spend the rest of my life on this beach.
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