Islamabad taught me things about myself that I never would’ve living in Lahore
Life in Lahore is so intricately woven in lights, food and busy roads that Lahoris usually forget what it’s like to live in a peaceful and quiet place. Life can sometimes become so chaotic that you can’t keep a hold on everything that’s going around you. You’re juggling through so many things that you are unable to catch a breath. We still need to be reminded that there is more to life than making connections and making money. I know it’s important but hear me out first.
When I moved to Islamabad three years ago, it was something that I thought I’ll enjoy because of the freedom it allowed me
I expected I’ll be partying all over Islamabad but after a while I found that the city started to reflect in me in so many ways that the Lahori in me started to feel betrayed. Well, I love Lahore, without a doubt. But, swayed by the beauty of Islamabad, I put the Lahori in me to sleep and tried to connect with the city which awakened my very soul.
So, moving to Islamabad was something that a proud Lahori like me was pleasantly surprised with, in the beginning. All the fresh air, quiet and peace. I loved it all.
Mountains calling on and off and you answering their calls by getting your legs in excruciating pain because obviously Lahoris are not that adaptive to all the walking and trekking. Exploring a city while living there is something entirely different rather than making back and forth trips and going to the same places that you know from the beginning.
All of it, was so much fun for me.
Islamabad taught me to look up at the sky at night and count the stars and make constellations out of them.
Islamabad taught me to stay up till three in the morning and stare at the one brightest star and marvel at the vastness of the universe and reflect on my mere, tiny existence. This city taught me to get scared of the approaching clouds like an army ready to wreak havoc on the city. Islamabad showed me lightning being struck at a place from afar and how majestic the beauty of this world is.
Islamabad displayed all the shades of sunset having hues of purple, orange, pink, blue and whatnot that a sunset has to offer and that being in that very moment and appreciating little details is what makes life worth living. Islamabad taught me that trees hold more memories because so much life happens by them and they are witness to all of it.
At times, when life felt overwhelming all I needed was to sit by a tree, read a book and revel in the Islamabadi air – the kind of thing that makes me focus and reflect on life’s intricacies
Islamabad made me realize that trivial stuff like holding a hot coffee mug, on a cold January night, gazing out at the city lights can be the prettiest moment in the universe. Islamabad taught me that you can find shades of sunset in your swirling cup of evening tea. Islamabad taught me that watching fireworks from a great distance can make you teary eyed because you find those fireworks reflecting in your heart.
Islamabad taught me that if you’re standing at the top of a mountain, looking down at the city, your life and your problems can be distant and meaningless if you try hard enough.
The city taught me how to connect with every living soul around me, that’s what make life magical and that is where I realized that life is in fact a miracle. Islamabad taught me that music is not just a distraction but the reason why human emotions and feelings are transformed and channelized into a whole new form of energy which is so sublime that you’ll feel yourself dissolved in your surroundings.
And finally, Islamabad taught me a whole new side of making human connections by discarding all the labels attached to them and embracing every person for who they are
Look at them how much the same form of energy as you. I’d never have been able to notice small things in my surroundings if it weren’t for Islamabad. I’d never have been able to experience a shooting star if Islamabad never taught me to look up at the sky at night whenever I feel stressed out or disconnected from the material world. And if it weren’t for Islamabad, I’d never have been able to realize that it’s better to be at peace with yourself than forcing yourself to be out and about with people who drain the life out of you.
Thank you Islamabad for showing me a life that I never thought I was missing out so much.
Cover image via: wikimedia.org