Where am I? What is this place? It feels far removed from reality, but I don’t really care about that....
THINK PAD
Where am I? What is this place? It feels far removed from reality, but I don’t really care about that. What I care about is that this is where all my dreams, passions, aspirations, and goals can finally see the light of day. It is blissfully pleasurable here. I simply close my eyes and delve into the surreal world where everything bows down in veneration. Here, I am the monarch; this is my dominion, what I’ve wanted all my life… and yet, you call it a bubble? A mere bubble, effortlessly inflated with imaginings, fervors, yearnings, and desires? Can it truly be popped with a single prick of practicality? If the answer is yes, then I don’t want to live enclosed in this fragile world. I don’t believe my pursuits and ambitions can withstand a shattering blow, and I’m certain I wouldn’t survive the impact myself. But despite all logic, I and many others on this planet choose to live in this momentary ecstasy.
Deep within the sanctuary of our hearts, there are hidden passions so overwhelmingly dignified that they guide the course of our lives. Like anyone else, I too have ardent desires that compel me to struggle and strive to transform them from mere imagery into reality. Yes, I yearn for true love; I seek inspiration from the world and aspire to attain recognition and acknowledgment. Is this too much to ask for? Is my bubble being inflated with excessive air? Or are these innocent wishes that wait for the dawn?
Love and affection form the foundation of our existence, without which we are aimless creatures, our lives no more than an odyssey. I crave true love because, in its absence, every other acquisition seems insignificant, and solitude prevails. Love is a mystical and enchanting sensation that engulfs only a fortunate few. Only those who discover love’s true essence understand its essentiality. The longing for love is insatiable and can only be quenched when that long-awaited “someone” is found. To the world, this thing we call “love” may seem like a cliché, something torn from a contemporary romance novel. But for me, it is worth cherishing and striving for. Call me a hopeless romantic or a character from a soap opera, but this is who I truly am. Don’t shun me for holding such exalted views. So what if it’s a utopia? Let me toss and turn in the arms of this dream, but please, don’t burst my bubble.
Next, there’s inspiration, which plays a vital role in making our lives worthwhile. Inspirations are all around us; we find them in nature, in fellow humans, in man’s prodigious abilities, and more. Inspirations allow us to perceive the world from different perspectives and hold the potential for improvisation. They enable us to bring about a renaissance in life and enliven the canvas we call Earth. I want to become a source of inspiration, to infuse life with vibrant colors and bring vivacity to the world. I crave to create an aura of art that will mark the beginning of a wondrous era. Art, for me, is not merely a blend of colors or a pictorial representation of life. It is a means of unleashing hidden passions, liberating one’s emotions, and revealing the non-conformist side of individuals. Only those who understand such intuitions grasp the genuine essence of art, while the rest merely observe it as life captured through the eyes of artists. I’m making sense, aren’t I? Why do you think this is something outrageous or overly ideological? Even if it is… it’s my dream, and I want to see it materialize. Don’t laugh at this naïve thought that I carry with me. Hush! I don’t think I can stomach any more comments of derision.
And lastly… recognition. From the very first day I identified my direction in life, gaining acknowledgment and gratitude has become my ultimate goal. I search for various accepted ways to meet this aim: journalism, performing arts, perhaps architecture—the list goes on. Would you please explain the reason behind that haughty laughter of yours? It’s utterly annoying. Why can’t I dream? Why can’t I sigh with contentment while living in my world? Why do you believe that my secluded abode—my so-called bubble—is blocking my access to reality? Isn’t life about self-fulfillment? As long as I’m gratified and not hurting anyone in the process, can’t I continue the life of a motivated visionary? Or are you scared? Scared that my dreams and passions might blur your supposed rationale? My fantasies might seem out of this world, but they fuel my soul, filling it with zest and zeal. And you? You just stand there, bombarding me with condemnation and doing nothing resourceful yourself. So, my friend, think again. It is you who’s living in a bubble, trying to secure all quarters and demeaning those who pose a challenge or might surpass you. It is you who’s irrational and foolish enough to think life can exist without visionaries and idealists. And that day is not far when your bubble will pop, and you’ll have no flight to the sky, while we prophetic dreamers soar above the clouds like eagles.
