?? ?????? ???????? First-World Happiness

I had some pending tasks to finalize. I kept them all for Saturday. I planned to isolate myself and focus. Since I was in Dubai, I chose the Alserkal District for its artistic coffeeshops and positive vibe. 

I came across this hip and boho place. Awesome, I have found my spot. My perfect spot. Everything about the place portrays positivity and happiness. The music, the art, the plants, and the people. Around me, a spectacular display of the diversity of Dubai. One could almost find every nationality from Australia to America, in one place. Everyone looks, well...clean. Rich and successful, too. 

Generally in life, I'm genuinely happy. I'm particularly excited about the future. Sometimes too excited, I think I will burst. For my soul, I like to surround myself with beauty, and it felt like I found it in this place.

It looks as if every table has an uplifting story to tell, a human story. What brought them to Dubai? What are they doing for a living? My God, they sure are happy. Who wouldn't want to be them? 

Well, I was in luck to find myself a small table. I was in the mood, ready, and fired up. I opened my laptop, and was ready to get to work. 

But, the place was kind of too cosy. Tables were in the vicinity of each other. Truthfully, I meant to isolate myself, but couldn't help but be distracted by the conversations of the tables around me. 

I never meant to eavesdrop, God forbids. But, since I had forgotten my headphones and the place left no personal space. I had no other choice. 

Nosy? Bear with me.

On my right side, two Lebanese ladies, one apparently lives in Dubai, and the other was visiting from Paris. They were excited to see each other, and update one another of their latest news. 

They were talking about their anxiety. How anxious they were about, well, everything. They complained about their insecurities. They wondered if they were beautiful, if they were worthy. Each one of them provided sensible assurance to the other. They implicitly concluded that life wasn't fair to them and they hoped they would be fine. I too hope they would be fine.

Meanwhile. a group of British mid-age ladies joined the table to my left. 

I was still trying to focus at my work. I promise.

The British ladies looked, and acted rich. As if they came to resemble white privilege and colonial confidence. They spoke about their trips around the world. Greece seemed to stand out, for some reason. Then the conversation suddenly shifted to their struggle in life. Their insecurities. "No, you are amazing, so amazing", one would shout to assure her friend. They exchanged names of good therapists in Dubai. After a long series of complaints, they concluded the "fun" they gathered to have, packed their stuff and left. 

Immediately, their table was taken by two American and one Indian men, in black suites. I was quick to learn that they were consultants in a world-class firm. Oh boy. Snobby, was the vibe. Their attitude was unapologetic in showing that they were the best, and the smartest. I almost felt thankful to be in the vicinity of their highnesses. 

They gathered not to work, but to chat. Blow off some steam. They started complaining about everything, and everyone. Everyone besides them was apparently inheritably stupid. Their co-workers, their bosses, their clients. They complained about the whale, they complained about the snail. Then, like their predecessors, implicitly concluded that the universe wasn't being fair to them, and wondered if they could cope through it.

Meanwhile, 80% of humanity lives on under $10 a day (Globalissues.org)

Meanwhile, 1 billion people live under $1.9 a day (World Bank) 

Meanwhile, let us pray and ask the mighty God to give the people of Dubai strength, and empower them through their misery...Amen