The 2020 Jar of Thoughts

The 2020 Jar of Thoughts

We all get bombarded with quotes and positivity messages at the turn of a new year. Where in my eyes, December 31 and January 1 are days just like any other day, one quote I got to read a couple of times within the 24 hours, not intentionally mind you, got me thinking... It read: "Today is the first blank page of a 366-page book. Write a good one". Hmm. Stumbling upon the same quote several times within 24 hours sounded to me like too much of a coincidence.

And so, I started wondering what initiative could I start to make proper use of those simple words. Writing a book could be an option. However, not for this year. It is still on top of the bucket list of things I want to do, just not yet. So how about a page that is NOT going to be another collection of positive thoughts? This Jar, since I found the idea of a jar cute and in a way resembling the jar I use to collect wine bottle corks, will simply be a selection of thoughts, events, and maybe some feelings too that will cross my path during 2020. If you know me a bit, you certainly have heard me say: "I don't like even numbers". I really don't. And 2020 is too much of one. I'm surely not going to spend it ranting every day. I promise to keep it to one idea at a time. Well, mostly that is. Curious to find out more?

UPDATE: Dec. 31, 2020 This year has turned out to be a far more challenging and interesting year for me, on all levels. The only even thing about it was ... the number. In the end, I didn't keep my goal of publishing small writings in the Jar of Thoughts daily. I did my best to keep the "How Can I Help You Campaign" going on my personal FB page and I am currently thinking of ways to connect all those ideas. Stay tuned!

January 24. Road Repairs

2020/01/24

It's wintertime. And it has been raining heavily in the past couple of days.

Our infrastructure lacks maintenance and proper outlines in general.

Here is what happened today...

January 23. The Piano

2020/01/23

Music.

What an elevated way to reach the soul!

And some instruments, ah...

January 22. Wanderlust

2020/01/22

It's time.

Again.

To plan for some traveling...

January 21. Moon Hours

2020/01/21

Sometimes I ride out at night and try to immerse myself in the mysteries of the skies, away from people and light pollution.

In those moments, the moon looks sort of magical...

January 20. Birthday Dinner

2020/01/20

My friend wanted to take me out on my birthday.

I said yes. And so we met in Ashrafieh after we both finished our sports training.

Read on for the review of the dinner.

January 19. My 2020 Vision Board

2020/01/19

It's my birthday.

I'm turning 42 today. Yey!

What special activity can I undergo today?

January 18. House Deco

2020/01/18

True. I am interested in beautifying spaces.

No. I didn't study architecture or interior design. I almost did and then went for something totally unrelated.

What I actually found out about decorating my home, which is an ongoing project still, is that I enjoy it and that my visitors mostly want to know more about my ideas...

January 17. Writing

2020/01/17

This evening, I let my mind wander. And I end up thinking about... writing.

Quite interesting. I don't write professionally. I haven't written an academic paper in ages now.

So what about my writing activities?

January 16. Astrophotography... And A Calendar

2020/01/16

I met Maroun Habib, aka Moophz, in 2019 to buy his Astrophotography calendar.

This highly talented artist is actually a cyber security specialist by day and an astrophotographer, obviously, by night.

It is important to note that he was featured twice in 2018 on NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day.

January 15. Sa3ed or Helping Out

2020/01/15

Talking with a friend about the current situation in Lebanon made me realize that I wanted to do something more concrete for my people.

Yes, I do consider myself a Lebanese, even if I can't hold a Lebanese passport.

And it pains me to see how much suffering there is around us. That's how tossing ideas back and forth got me to this initiative that will be hopefully launched soon.

January 14. A Day At The Spa

2020/01/14

With age, not that I'm getting old, just older, I just want some time to relax, away from work, home, and the daily routines.

What better gift could I offer myself than being pampered at Kimantra Spa?

January 13. A New Initiative Is Born

2020/01/13

As my birthday approaches, I think more and more about a new campaign to be launched on my personal Facebook page.

It's like a contribution of some sort, for having the privilege of adding one more year to my experience of the school of life.

Now, what shall this input be?

January 12. Making A Stand

2020/01/12

Born a rebel, and having a high sensitivity to causes related to the environment and the protection of local heritage, are enough to have me take a stand on what is happening in the Bisri Valley, in Lebanon.

This is a beautiful spot in Lebanon that its government is endangering with its Water supply project of a dam. Submerging this area is a man-made natural catastrophe and needs to be countered.

January 11. Music, Language Of The Soul

2020/01/11

I frequently express how music makes me feel. It transports me to another world, a spiritual one, where I am absolutely free. And light.

The concert "Vienna in Beirut" that I attended the previous night was more than delectable nectar. It simply infused me with happy vibes...

And tonight, since friends are coming to have drinks, what music are we going to discuss and listen to?

January 10. The Full Wolf Moon

2020/01/10

It's Friday evening. I just enjoyed a very nice music concert and I'm driving home.

I can't help but notice how beautiful the moon looks and wish I could take some pics of it.

I call up my friend who is into astrophotography and find out he is already up the mountains with some friends to shoot the beauty!

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