Amsterdam

I have been on the Sense 8 Netflix binge lately and one of my favourite episodes is Who am I, where the following quote comes to life.

“Who am I? Do you mean where I'm from? What I one day might become? What I do? What I've done? What I dream? Do you mean what you see or what I've seen? What I fear or what I dream? Do you mean who I love? Do you mean who I've lost? Who am I?

I guess who I am is exactly the same as who you are. Not better than, not less than. Because there is no one who has been or will ever be exactly the same as either you or me.”

For those of you not on the Sense 8 band wagon, firstly please cancel your plans for this evening and watch at least the first 4 episodes because like anything wonderful in life it takes a little patience and commitment, and secondly the context for this quote is where Lito, a gay Mexican actor has just come out and a reporter is boarder line heckling him.

The cinematography, music and words of this quote made everything still around me as my eyes uncontrollably filled up with tears. When something is so on point and articulates something you have been unable to it has that effect, it stops you, it moves you and expands you.

I have for as long as I can remember and probably like most of you fallen to the temptation of comparing myself to others. Comparing my life to those on Instagram, comparing my abilities to my colleagues around me and comparing the validity of my achievements with my friends. On the one hand it is constructive to compare and challenge ones self to reach greater things but on the other hand it is paralysing and inhibits progress. The last paragraph really moved me with this respect. I guess who I am is exactly the same as you are. Not better than, not less than. Because there is no one who has been or will ever be exactly the same as either you or me. Pause for a moment and let that sink in. No one in this world has your exact point of view or has had your exact experiences. This world is waiting to hear and understand them, please don't be fearful to share them.

Here's the vibes for this weeks post. Press play and scroll away.

Amsterdam, Netherlands
52.3702° N, 4.8952° E


FIN.