We Had Time Before Dinner

We had finished swimming and were about to get ready for dinner.

It was around 7pm at Batu Ferringhi, Penang. I was there for a reunion with my former colleagues.

And this was the view.

Looking at the photo now, I think about how much of life we spend chasing tomorrow and replaying yesterday.

What do I need to finish?

What happens next?

Why did I do that?

Even during a holiday, it’s quite easy to carry all of that with you. You’ve left home, but your mind hasn’t quite left everything else behind.

That evening, though, we had finished our swim. We were together, the sun was setting, and dinner was next.

Quite a good arrangement, actually. 😂

Seeing Each Other Again

I like that this photo came from a reunion.

People who were once part of your everyday working life become people you have to make plans to see.

Everyone has their own commitments. You don’t see each other in the office anymore. Getting together takes a little more effort.

And then there you are in Penang, swimming and getting ready for dinner.

I want to keep making time for that.

I spend enough time organising things at work. It’s nice when the next thing on the agenda is dinner with former colleagues.

Remove the Calendar. Remove the Clock.

That’s what came to mind when I looked at this photo.

Remove the calendar.

Remove the clock.

What’s left is life.

Of course, I still have responsibilities. I need to plan ahead. And yes, I still need to turn up to work on time.

But sometimes I catch myself treating life like a list of things to finish.

Sort this out first.

Get that done.

Then I’ll have time to enjoy myself.

The trouble is, there’s always something else.

I don’t want to keep postponing the things I enjoy until everything is settled. I’m not sure everything ever will be.

That evening at Batu Ferringhi was simple.

A reunion. A swim. A sunset before dinner.

When I look at this photo, those are the things I remember. And I’m glad we made the time to be there together.

We’d had our swim.

Dinner was next.

And somewhere between the two, there was this.

Just here.
— Thana
Beyond The Horizon 🌅