Slow Down, Look Around
“You know public spaces are a source of free entertainment. And honestly, I love this aspect of public or outdoor places. But what is entertainment and why is it important? Entertainment generally means “an event, performance, or activity designed to provide amusement or enjoyment to others.” So basically, it’s an act that gives you joy and some good time.” Peacemakers Pakistani.
Photo: Helga Wigandt/Unsplash
Have you ever noticed yourself rushing from one destination to another? Being in movement not only physically but also mentally. Picturing your next destination and chores you have to do and people you have to see and meeting you have to attend, or presentation you have to give or lecture you have to attend… This kind of rush???
Like in real desperation to be where you want to be… To just reach there and the crowd fades away… The traffic, “Oh my God, why are there so many cars on the road” “I am in hurry, let my car pass through” “Get out of my sight you lazy drive”… Ahh! These slow drivers! “Where are you coming man, let me just go through” “Oh my, is it time to fight???” “Is it time to block the road?” “Oh man!” This signal! “Why are there signals?” “I am going to be late, definitely”. Like the real deal to just get out of your vehicle and get your chores done… That tick tock kind of thing on your mind…
Have you ever noticed? Well if you did, it’s okay. You are normal. We all do have same tick tock situation because we live in real busy urban world…
But what if, today, you just slow down… To observe! To not rush! To breathe! To just look around! The term slow is a movement or action at a relaxed or leisurely pace. Drop that fast pace of yours! And slow down to take in the essence of happenings around you… In the city you live… About the people you share common traditions with… About the environment we all breathe in…
At hawkers with colourful objects, or kids either going to Madrassas or playing out at streets, or a family on a bike, or an old man passing by, or at shop owners setting up, waiting for customer or laughing together at regular jokes…
Maybe you will reach your destination a moment late… But you might be less stressful or a less frustrated… Maybe you will find yourself smiling or maybe your forehead crease will be a little smoother… And trust me, you will feel good, certainly! I am saying it because I do… every time... When I slow down & observe & feel!
Look around! You may find different stories happening around you. And why you must do that? When you have so much work to do. Well…
You know public spaces are a source of free entertainment. And honestly, I love this aspect of public or outdoor places. But what is entertainment and why is it important? Entertainment generally means “an event, performance, or activity designed to provide amusement or enjoyment to others.” So basically, it’s an act that gives you joy and some good time. That’s why it is important because it’s a matter of your joy in daily life. There are various methods of entertainment & various types of entertainers. We all may have different interests and thus different memories.
One of my favourite childhood entertainment memory is a man with a monkey (Bandar aur Dugdugi). A monkey which does acts on his trainer’s command & makes people laugh & admire its intelligence. I can still remember that dugdugi’s tuktuk in my mind… An exciting & cheerful memory! I have happened to see a tamed bear in my street as well!
Oh... But how come you have not seen the funniest incident of monkey jumping onto people’s car on traffic signal while its trainer asks for some money. Oh my! All those screaming passengers!!!
Then, there are those musical entertainers we see in television & movies performing in squares & streets. Even though, in Pakistan, we don’t have this culture. But how can you forget the “Dhol wala group”??? The drum beaters checking their instruments or practising along green belts is such a delight. Just hearing the beat of familiar sound makes me smile… I often come across this type of entertainment at Ferozepur Road & Wahdat Road intersection and Allaho Chowk.
And if you can hear that sound & visually recall dhamal and bhangra moves, then credit goes to you. As you had paid attention to your surroundings, once & then it was stored in your memory…
Hey, do you recall the loud vendors passing through the streets? Then you must have realised that your street is a public space and it doesn’t belong to you alone but to all and thus you got to bear noise of people moving, kids playing or fighting, vendors calling out “gheeya, tinday, aalo, tamatar le lo….” “Machine theek kara lo…” “Loha raddi de do…” And some real time entertainers actually having punch lines to seek your attention to their stall or they might even sing a complete song to sell their items or maybe to enjoy while they sell what they have to… I recall this:
لسی ٹھنڈی ٹھار اے
لسی دی بهار اے
لسی مزے دار اے
I have another reason. Have you ever find yourself reading & loving the messages your city has to tell you? Well, of course by city I mean its people - who else will write or display those messages – it’s by people indeed. People who got enough of time to do something that can entertain or make others feel joy. Not all are here to entertain you or give in their time & thought for you. You know.
So, the messages! Yes. Yes. Exactly... Those behind the trucks & rickshaws... Let's have a look at some awesome messages...
"ماواں ٹھنڈیاں چھاواں"
"Mother as a cool shade"
"یہ میرے ماں باپ کی دعائیں ہیں"
"These are my parent's prayers."
You see, the sense of gratitude towards parents. It's constant reminder that one needs all time... Haven't you ever felt gratitude towards your own parents when you come across such messages?
Some sort of self expressionism is also evident in these displays. Like:
سڑک سے دوستی سفر سے یاری دیکھ پیارے زندگی ہماری
I befriend the road, my companion is the journey. Look at my life, dear.
آغازِ جوانی ہے ہم جھوم کے چلتے ہیں لوگ سمجھتے ہیں ہم پی کے چلتے ہیں
I swagger because I am young; the world thinks I reel because I'm drunk.
They are also used as mobile or moving advertisements on public transport. It makes one journey on road - thoughtful, interesting & fun. And the reason why I like to see them is...
I highly appreciate the penmanship of people belonging to Pakistan. Like real time thing, real talent! Similarly the truck art is also an artist exhibiting his talent leaving it onto road. Not preserving his masterpiece but letting it get dirty or scratched or worse but fulfilling its duty of carrying loads to its place while amazing people with its colours along the way. Well, don't think I am distracted I am just highlighting an important part of Pakistan here.
Photo: Bruno Emanuelle/Unsplash
Not all sources of entertainment require money or debit card, some only requires your attention, sensory involvement and an appreciation to the entertainers. They need you to see, hear, feel, think and respond. So are you willing to be attentive in the present moment?
You see how Pakistani or Desi people just express even serious things in funny ways… Well, for me, I see them as a sign of optimism & happiness. It sparks joy in me & make me feel love for such messages. And I find kind of comfort in them. Like assurance by my own people and something I have been seeing my entire life and its never outdated. Doesn’t it move you that how people are sharing their creativity in amazing ways & also for free??? Aren’t they all entertainers??? Who doesn’t need such entertainment for free?
It makes me able to put my guards down. I am not alone on the road, there are other people as well, and they are communicating in different ways. It also makes me feel good because at least some people are confidently owning & sharing what they are, in real & they aren’t insecure to let the world know what they want to say out loud. What if we all just recognise our power of sharing the words of wisdom, joy or creativity, and communicating with others?… How interesting this world can be…(some personal sentiments included consciously)
But, hey! This is not the only form of how our people share messages with us…. Ever noticed, flowers & vines in the balconies & terraces & lawns and flowers on the greenbelts??? Like, people sharing their love for nature & its beauty with the world rather than material bricks, paints alone or rigid facades… Do they not add calming effect to your mind? I see it as a good deed – providing comfort to someone just passing by.
You like it what I just shared with you, right? So just slow down! Start enjoying life by being conscious of sensory plethora. Let public place activate your senses to full potential so it can store incidents in memory & make you smile even if it’s not physically there anymore. Or that memory shall invite you to visit the place again with its sound… And if you can recall any sound while reading this, you are truly amazing!
May this happen all in goodness… May you have a good day today & tomorrow. May your journey be a cheerful one. May you not risk your life while rushing today. Amen
Have wonderful time & memories while noticing the world around you! May you find interesting & soulful entertainers out there… Remember! You can find real joy around yourself… If you are ready to find it for free.
And ending with a quote... Sharing with you what’s popular lifestyle trend in the world nowadays: “Slow Living”
“It’s about knowing and passionately loving the things we value. And designing our lives to spend the most time possible enjoying them. It’s about having intention and consciousness in our activities. About escaping the mindless scrolling and unproductive multi-tasking and focusing on purposeful action.” –Kayte Ferris
Be the part of right trend because Now is the Time! Fall in love with your surroundings and yourself. Will you?
Photo: James Lee/Unsplash