To Live is a Verb
While on my sunrise walk, an elderly Canarian man stopped me in the streets, took me by the hand and said
“La Vida es Vivir”.
Sometimes I get too anxious to order my meal in Spanish at restaurants. But, I speak enough Spanish to have understood this philosophical conversation because of one universal principle: we are all living. The urgency of his message signalled to every cell in my body - that I see them. Life is to live, and this man stood in front of me on cobbled streets in Vegueta to proclaim it so. These moments are those for poetry, scripts, films. Yet, isn't that what life is? If only I take time to walk in the morning sun, without intention, without headphones, and let the world present itself to me. I will find that life is living.
With his kind face and gentle but urgent eyes, he told me, no matter if you are alone or with people, life is to live. The day before was my first day of solo exploring in Vegueta, and it was shaky - like a child riding a bike without training wheels for the first time. I had sat alone at lunch surrounded by Canarian collegaues chatting during their lunch break. It took adjustment, particularly given that I chose to do it on the fourth anniversary of my brother’s passing.
Pero, la vida es vivir, and this phrase has ever more urgency when our favourite people cannot partake in the act of living alongside us.
Since this morning in Vegueta, I make it my daily fight to combat the negative thought patterns, perfectionism and apathy that plague my mind.
I let myself wonder in awe at the gift that is life, thankful that I no longer hold apathy towards my existence.
Instead, I gently prod myself in the direction of living.
I tie my shoelaces, close the front door, and move my body.
Take out my headphones, walk to the hills, listen to the birds sing.
Watch first light fade to rose and tangerine streaks, patiently wait as the sun rises,
casting gold rays on my skin, letting warmth and life source wash over me.
Life is living, even on days that my brain tricks me into believing it isn't so.
How will you live today?
