Next week, I’ll be celebrating my 30th birthday. It's a milestone that has me reflecting deeply about the next decade of my life—my "30s era". Hence, lately, I’ve been intentionally opening myself up to experiences that might help me define the direction and vision I want for the next ten years. Lessons from FolkloreThis weekend, I took the opportunity to join a reading group led by Egyptian-Filipina writer and curator, Farah Fawzi Ali. We dove into Eastern Heathens: An Anthology of Subverted Asian Folklore, a collection of stories that puts a unique twist on folklore from across Asia. Our group—a mix of people from different backgrounds—came together to learn about cultures outside of our own. I loved being able to connect the themes in the book to cultural contexts from the Philippines. It was exciting to share stories about Filipino folklore, and even more so to see how fellow participants in the group enjoyed learning about them. Despite our differences, it’s incredible to see how these stories share common teachings, beliefs, and lessons that transcend borders. It’s a reminder that human experiences often overlap in ways we don’t always realize, and those parallels can be a powerful way to connect with others. Branding and CommunityI also spent the latter part of my weekend attending a branding workshop specifically for artists and creatives led by Emirati jewellery designer Alia bin Omair. With my experience in branding, I could have easily worked on my personal brand alone, but there was something special about going through the process alongside fellow artists and creatives. Sharing ideas and receiving feedback from both Alia and the group added a layer of insight that made the experience invaluable. It was an afternoon that helped me clarify my personal brand, and in the process, I discovered new brands and places in Dubai I hadn’t heard of before. The workshop not only helped me focus but also reminded me of the importance of being around like-minded creatives. Creativity Thrives on Human ConnectionsThis whole experience reminded me of the importance of stepping out of my comfort zone, trying something new, and being intentional about expanding my network. Sure, we can do professional development from the comfort of our homes, and yes, AI can help us plan and strategize. But there’s something irreplaceable about going out there, meeting new people, and building relationships in person.
It's easy to get stuck in our bubbles—scrolling on our phones, working in isolation—but that doesn’t really push you forward as a creative. Art, ideas, and inspiration have to be shared and discussed. Building human connections and engaging with your community is something we should actively pursue, no matter how digital our world becomes.
2 Comments
10/16/2024 07:06:17 am
Hi Krishna, I hope you had a wonderful, memorable 30th birthday. It's truly a milestone year, being that we've lived 3 decades long already. I just had my 30th birthday, too, last month. I made sure to make it something I would remember. My mom and I celebrated my birthday in London, and we watched for the first time, a live concerto of Beethoven's 9th Symphony at the Royal Albert Hall. Hehe, I'm not sure if you remember me, but I was the one who interviewed you in AIESEC when you were planning to go on an internship exchange abroad. I'm so happy you're living your dream of living abroad and traveling. It's always good to know someone I know is taking active steps to take control of their lives and does proactive choices to improve their overall health and lifestyle. I'm happy for you, Krishna, and I dig your new website. Might even take cues from yours to improve mine too. Hoping we can chat sometime! See ya!
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Krishna Dela Paz
10/27/2024 10:10:00 pm
Hi Billy, I just saw your message—thank you so much for reading my blog and leaving a comment! I really appreciate it. I actually didn’t remember that you were one of the people who interviewed me for AIESEC (thanks for the reminder that I’d tried for an internship abroad with them!). And yes, I saw on Facebook that you were able to bring your mom to London and celebrate your 30th with her—that’s amazing! I’m glad you like my new website, and I’d be happy to chat anytime!
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