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Well, the thing about human nature is that it is both corrupt and innocent. Perhaps that is the paradox we spend our entire lives trying to understand. We are capable of extraordinary kindness and extraordinary cruelty, sometimes within the same breath, sometimes toward the same person. Yet I don’t think that contradiction is a flaw in life. Perhaps it is one of its most profound and fundamental truths.

I've once read that it takes countless lifetimes of fate to meet someone even once in this life. And if that moment brushes past you unnoticed, perhaps it is gone forever.

Yet they also say that if something is truly destined for you, it will find its way back to you, no matter how far you wander.

That is the paradox of fate, isn't it? One suggests that some opportunities are too rare to be given a second chance; the other, that what is meant for you cannot be lost. Perhaps fate brings things into our lives, but what becomes of them depends, at least in part, on what we choose to do.

Perhaps fate is not a promise.

Perhaps it is an invitation.

And that is where I keep finding myself, somewhere between what I can choose and what I cannot. I can choose to be present, but I cannot decide what stays. I can choose to care, but I cannot guarantee that what I care for will last. I can give someone my whole heart and still never know if they were the person I was meant to find.

Maybe that is what makes life worth living: never quite knowing whether we are walking toward something destined for us or simply giving meaning to whatever happens along the way. Perhaps the answer lies not in understanding everything, but in accepting that some things are never ours to understand.

And if we cannot know what will stay, what will leave, or what any encounter will eventually mean to us, perhaps courtesy is one of the few things we can choose to offer without knowing the outcome. Not because it guarantees us anything in return, but because in a life that we cannot fully understand, we can still decide how we wish to move through it.

The intricacy of perspective is undeniable. Within the vibrant heart of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter lies a bustling tourist square, where throngs of visitors pass by daily. Amidst this lively atmosphere, my attention was drawn to a seemingly ordinary sight: a rug, gently swaying on a balcony, stirred by the cold February breeze. Its motion amidst the static surroundings sparked a moment of reflection.

Contemplating this scene, I found myself drawn to the balconies that surrounded it. Each balcony, adorned with its own unique features, reflected the diversity of lives within the community. From curtains drawn tight to shut out the outside world, to shutters closed against the dust, they symbolised the human inclination towards both connection and protection.

The rug, caught in the wind's sway, served as a simple yet profound metaphor. Despite our efforts to shield ourselves from external influences, life's inevitable complexities find a way to seep in, much like dust settling over time inside the room. However, it is through venturing beyond our comfort zones that we undergo true growth. Stepping outside, we shed the accumulated weight of experience, emerging with fresh perspectives on the world around us much like the rug drying off the railing.

I realised, life, is a mosaic woven from the interplay of our experiences, our desires for connection, and our need for self-preservation. In this mosaic of experiences, the essence of reality can sometimes be obscured by the lenses through which we view it, leaving us to ponder the truth amidst the myriad interpretations.

Courtesy, courtesy, courtesy. I'm becoming a little tired of seeking it, with all due respect; for all I seem to get from the people I know is another reason to feel betrayed instead of receiving the courtesy I seek.

It's hard to comprehend, and even harder not to form opinions about others. Yet it's our stupid old mentality of thinking ourselves to be mature that often kills us. Wisdom will constantly remind you that you are never wise enough; perhaps instead, you should simply try to be kind.

Love is something we should all pursue, yet we so frequently choose to disregard it. The world will always be disappointing, I mean people will be, but our love for them is what makes us walk through those seasons of anxiety and disappointment, trying to overcome what we mistake for wisdom. Our love for becoming wiser, our love for becoming kinder, our love for the grace this universe has bestowed upon us to simply exist and be kind, well, at least for most of the time.

There are certain seasons in life when you need to sit down and reflect on your past. Simply ignoring it won't bring change; change only comes when we allow those experiences to teach us something. And one thing we can preferably change is how courteous we choose to be.

This life has been a blessing, yet when our expectations aren't met, we find ourselves searching for the courage to ignore the courtesy we receive from people who may not offer everything our hearts could seek.

Just get over the fact that you can't disregard those who have made even the slightest effort to make a difference in your life. Because of this ignorance, there is never a good time to find the fortitude to treat them with the respect they deserve. There is never a perfect moment to become courteous.

Perhaps you simply have to choose it.

It's probably one of the finest forms of praise you can receive when another soul chooses to spend their time with you. And one of the gentlest forms of love is simply when someone is patient with you.

For me, music can be seen as an evolution of artistic expression through innovation and experimentation, something that doesn't necessarily have anything to do with love or anything else for that matter. When you suddenly feel bad, try to remember the last time you felt truly perfect; sometimes, that only makes the disappointment worse, because no matter how good your life becomes, nothing can completely fill that void.

But that's life. Either things work out, or they don't. And I'm often left distinctly underwhelmed, because the moments we expect to mean the most can sometimes feel strangely ordinary. The world has disappointed me more times than I can count, and perhaps it's because something has always been missing, a little harmony, rhythm, or simply courtesy.

Even if none of it ultimately matters, I still find joy in trying to live a little better than I did yesterday. Life is what it is, after all. Just remember to take a walk sometimes and actually look at the scenery around you.

And don't forget about my music. It may be boring, lacking in openness, and far from perfect, but it's something I've poured a great deal of effort into. And unlike people, it hasn't let me down. So don't exhaust yourself trying to be there for someone who wouldn't do the same for you. Be selfish sometimes. It's okay to step back, to neglect things, and to choose yourself.

For now, I'm completely immersed in these valleys of disappointment. Still, love, hope, faith, and courtesy are the few things that keep me moving forward.