My JourneyChildhood: A Quest for Remarkability
Born in Tripoli, not everyone gets to start their narrative on such a global stage. The city, with its rich tapestry of cultures, histories, and aspirations, becomes the first chapter of a story that's destined to cross borders, challenge norms, and always strive for more. For many, the place of birth becomes a fixed point, an anchor. For me, it was a launching pad. The world is vast, filled with myriad colors, sounds, flavors, and most importantly, stories. Every step in my journey, every new country, every new city, brought with it a kaleidoscope of experiences. There's a kind of magic in being a global nomad. It's not just about the places you see; it's about the people you meet, the stories you hear, and the lessons you learn. But here's the thing about constant movement – it brings with it a sense of impermanence. As I traversed continents, from the sand-drenched landscapes of Libya to the politically charged borders of Afghanistan and Pakistan, and then to the bustling, ever-changing world of Los Angeles, I wasn't just adapting to new surroundings. I was also adapting to new versions of myself. This was about more than physical movement. This was about evolution, growth, and the insatiable human desire to always seek more, to always do more. Yet, conflict, whether physical or mental, kept pace. Life wasn’t a linear path of progressions. It was filled with turns, challenges, and sometimes, roadblocks. The political storms in my homeland were just one part of it. The deeper conflict was internal – a quest for identity. Who was I in this vast world? Was I a product of my past, a reflection of my present, or a seed for the future? From Libya, with its rich history and its deep-rooted traditions, to the tense atmospheres of Afghanistan and Pakistan, every place brought with it a set of challenges and opportunities. But among all these places, Los Angeles stood out. Here, in the land of dreams, where every street echoed with stories of aspirations, I found a new world. A world where the past was a memory, the future was a dream, and the present was a gift, waiting to be unwrapped. However, relocating was more than just a change in address—it was about seeking refuge. Refuge from the external political storms, yes, but also refuge from the internal storms. The storms of doubt, of identity, of purpose. In this new world, I was not just seeking a home; I was seeking a place in the grand narrative of humanity. A place where I could be me, without labels, without judgments, without constraints. Every story needs a setting, and Los Angeles provided the perfect backdrop for this new chapter. It was a city of contrasts. Of dreams and realities. Of successes and failures. Of beginnings and ends. But most importantly, it was a city of stories. Stories that resonated with hope, with ambition, and with the undying human spirit to always strive for more. In the end, childhood is more than just a time period. It's the foundation on which the rest of our life is built. And my foundation, with its global influences, its challenges, and its learnings, set the stage for a life less ordinary. A life that wasn't content with the status quo. A life that was always on the move, always on the quest for remarkability. Teen Years: Making a Ruckus At the heart of every revolution, every major shift, there's a spark. For my family, that spark was my father. He wasn't the sort of person who'd sit on the sidelines, content to let life happen. No, he jumped into the fray, challenging, questioning, pushing boundaries. The politically charged 80s of Pakistan weren’t just a backdrop to our lives; they were the very fabric of our daily existence. And in that tumultuous era, my father emerged not just as a participant, but as a leader. His defiance was both a beacon and a lightning rod. It illuminated the path for those who sought change, but it also attracted storms. Standing up against the status quo, especially in a society teetering on the edge, was not without its perils. And we, as a family, bore the brunt of his choices. Each political rally, each speech, each confrontation wasn't just a political act; it was a personal one. For each stance he took reverberated back to us, echoing in our daily lives, shaping our futures. My mother, in this whirlwind of political activism, was the anchor. A career nurse, she represented stability in our ever-changing world. With every upheaval, every challenge, she was the steady hand guiding us, the calm amidst the storm. The synergy of their personalities - his passion and her pragmatism - became a lesson in balance and resilience for me. However, resilience doesn't mean immunity. The violent repercussions of challenging a military dictatorship were all too real. The personal attacks, the threats, they weren't just stories from the nightly news; they were our reality. When your world is turned upside down, when your very existence becomes a political statement, the concept of 'home' changes. For us, it became about safety, about survival. Los Angeles, in this context, wasn't just a city; it was a sanctuary. A place to start afresh, away from the shadows of our past. But transitions, especially ones borne out of necessity, come with their own set of challenges. New environments bring new labels. In this land of dreams and possibilities, I was branded with tags that I hadn't chosen – Brown, Immigrant, Refugee. Each label was a mirror, reflecting back societal perceptions, biases, and narratives. But amidst these labels, one stood out, shining brighter than the rest: American. This wasn't just a nationality; it was an ethos. It was a continuation of our family legacy, an echo of my grandfather's defiance against colonization. To be American was to be part of a larger narrative of hope, opportunity, and relentless pursuit of a dream. In many ways, it was the culmination of our family's journey, a journey that started with rebellion and led to redemption. Professional Life: Leaping Forward Life is a series of chapters, and each chapter has its own rhythm, its own narrative arc. The professional realm was a stage, a platform where the lessons of the past and the aspirations for the future came together in a dance. From the outside, it might have seemed like a series of jobs, roles, and titles. But delve deeper, and it was a quest. A quest for impact, for meaning, for change. Starting at the grassroots, with odd jobs and roles that many might overlook, gave me a ground-level view of the world. It taught me humility, the value of hard work, and the irreplaceable lesson that every role, no matter how seemingly insignificant, has its part to play in the larger scheme of things. But it also instilled in me an urge to strive, to reach higher, to challenge myself. Entrepreneurship, then, was a natural progression. It wasn't about business; it was about creation. Creating value, creating impact, creating change. Every venture was a learning experience, a new chapter in the ongoing story. Some ventures soared, becoming tales of success, while others stumbled, offering lessons in resilience and adaptability. The startup ecosystem is more than just a business environment; it's a crucible. It tests you, pushes you, molds you. Being part of a startup that journeyed to an IPO was like living a lifetime in fast-forward. The highs, the lows, the challenges, and the triumphs – they were all magnified, each moment a lesson, each decision a potential turning point. However, the true essence of this phase wasn't in the boardroom strategies or the financial charts. It was in the connections made, the relationships built, and the lives impacted. Collaborating with brilliant minds, sharing visions, and building together – these were the real rewards. The titles and roles, they were just signposts, markers on the journey. The beauty of the entrepreneurial spirit is its adaptability, its constant evolution. From founding companies to mentoring the next generation, the journey continued. Teaching, guiding, sharing – these weren't just roles; they were responsibilities. A way to give back, to contribute to the ecosystem, to ensure that the cycle of learning and growth continued. In essence, the professional journey wasn't about the destination; it was about the journey itself. The experiences gained, the lessons learned, and the impact made. It was a testament to the power of perseverance, ambition, and the relentless human spirit. Purpose: Tribes and Connections Life is a quest. A quest for meaning, for purpose, for connection. It's in our DNA, this need to belong, to understand our place in the grand tapestry of existence. As the years rolled on and as my footprints marked places far and wide, I began to see patterns. Patterns of humanity, of stories waiting to be told, of lives intertwined in a dance of destiny and choice. I've been fortunate to have journeyed through diverse landscapes, both geographical and emotional. From the bustling bazaars of the East to the sprawling metropolises of the West, each location was a canvas, each person a brushstroke, each story a color. And as these stories unfolded, a realization dawned – stories have power. They heal, they connect, they inspire. They bridge divides, transcend boundaries, and create tribes. Tribes bound not by geography or ethnicity, but by shared experiences, emotions, and aspirations. "BMH (Bald Man & Humans)" wasn't just a project; it was a mission. A mission to uncover these stories, to shine a light on the often overlooked tales of humanity. It became my compass, guiding me to places and people, urging me to listen, to understand, to share. Every story, whether of triumph or tragedy, of hope or despair, added a layer to this mission, making it richer, more profound. For isn't that the essence of life? It's not about the milestones or the accolades. It's about the moments in between, the connections made, the lives touched. It's about finding our tribe, our community, our purpose. Every person I met, every story I heard, was a reminder that we are, at our core, storytellers. And through these stories, we find our purpose, our place, our tribe. But here's the thing about purpose – it's not static. It evolves, grows, shifts as we journey through life. And as I navigated through the labyrinth of experiences, of stories, I realized that my purpose was multi-faceted. It was about sharing, but it was also about learning. It was about giving, but also about receiving. It was about connecting dots, building bridges, forging bonds. And at the heart of it all was kindness. A simple, profound, transformative force. A force that could change narratives, heal wounds, and create ripples of impact. As I now traverse the streets of Washington DC, the city is more than just a place of residence; it's a hub. A hub of stories, of lives, of connections waiting to be made. The urge to explore remains as strong as ever, for every journey brings new insights, new perspectives. Every place visited, every person met, is a chapter in the ongoing story. A story that's not just about me, but about all of us. Our shared humanity, our shared purpose, our shared journey. In this dance of life, there's a rhythm, a beat that connects us all. It's the heartbeat of humanity, of stories waiting to be told, of tribes waiting to be formed. And as I journey on, with every story shared, with every connection made, the mission becomes clearer – to leave the world a little better, a little kinder, a little more connected than I found it. As the pages of this narrative continue to unfold, there's an invitation to all. An invitation to join this journey, to share your stories, to find your tribe. For in this shared tapestry of life, every thread matters, every story counts. The quest for purpose, for connection, for meaning continues. And in this quest, every voice, every story, every heartbeat is valued. So, come, let's write this story together. |
“Sit down before fact as a little child, be prepared to give up every preconceived notion, follow humbly wherever and to whatever abysses nature leads, or you shall learn nothing. I have only begun to learn content and peace of mind since I have resolved at all risks to do this.”
"It is futile to judge a kind deed by its motives. Kindness can become its own motive. We are made kind by being kind." - Eric Hoffer
|
Wishlist• Iceland
• Spain • South Africa • Italy |
Recently Traveled• Portugal
• Morocco • Netherlands • United Kingdom |
Interviews
|