Welcome to a new issue of the newsletter. This week is about time and life.
There is something about being on an island. It might be knowing that there are well defined borders -an ocean surrounding you makes the trick- knowing that the space is finite, or just the closeness to water. Whatever the reason, islands are special places.
Besides the geographical constraints, there’s something more. Something intangible. Islands are more relaxed spaces, to the point that sometimes time, and even rules (from time to time) take a back seat. Everything is more relaxed.
I was recently in Sicily, and the above observations remain. A place that is like an alternate reality, in a good way. It is a place with soul. A bit chaotic sometimes, where it would look like rules are suggestions, and where everything is possible.
I’m not sure what’s the driver behind this, or what makes possible to have this kind of relaxed attitude. It might have to do with the abundance of good weather, or the Latin blood (at least in Sicily) but everything seems lighter and possible. It’s a breath of fresh air that invites for the unpredictable and unscripted. Not in a rush way, but in a human speed. Taking the time to enjoy. That’s it. Something, that in the rush of cities, we have long lost.
When everything is planned, scripted, and even scheduled months in advance, we lost the randomness and serendipity. Yes, we gain other things (predictability, among others), but we lost the space and time for encounters out of the ordinary. We let go off a spark.
As I came back to main land, and to the very (some cases overly planned) Netherlands, I’ll try to keep some of the island. Leave some room to allow the unpredictable.
So, I’ll stop writing now, and go for an ice cream, enjoy the weather and the time outside, and who knows, I might even encounter something random. I’ll report back on my findings next week.
That's it for today! If you enjoyed this issue, share it with a friend! they might like this newsletter.
Luis