In a world where we’re measured by our doing rather than our being, it is no surprise that we’re conditioned to have a title. A label that we hold dear, because it describes what we are, while who we are hides comfortably behind it. Or so we think. That’s why when I met a man called Fendi a couple of weeks ago, I got hooked by an idea.
Before I share the idea with you, I’d like you to meet the man who created an important “Aha” moment for me. Fendi is a 53-year-old man I met in Langkawi, Malaysia. He was my mangrove adventure tour guide, or as it was written on his label – “naturalist”.
When I asked him what he did before this, as the boat raced away from the beach, his unexpected answer cooled my mind like the morning breeze tenderly brushing my face under the warm sun. With an energy running out of every bit of his tiny body, he said: “My profession is life.” I froze for a second. I was blown away by his simple yet powerful words. “My profession is life,” he said again. “I love to learn, I love people, I love life,” he said, with sparkling eyes.
I spent three hours with Fendi, and he fascinated me as much, if not more, than the scenery and the beautiful green water we sailed through.
He told me about his designs and that he makes his own clothes. He even created shoes using denim to climb up sharp rocky outcrops in the mangroves we crossed. His designs are crafted on hunting knives and in every corner of the house he built for his family. He knew the name of every tree and plant we passed by.
Fendi is a nature lover, a designer, a mountain climber, a swimmer, a learner, a builder, a creator, a husband, a father, a father-in-law, a friend, a guide, a mentor and, most of all, a teacher. Or as everyone calls him: “Cikgu.”
How can I summarise that in a title? How can we sum up ourselves in empty, cold labels: managers, analysts or chief executives? What does that even tell us about the human beings we are? How can we hide our awesomeness and greatness behind artificial, ego-boosting descriptions that are, in my opinion, soulless?
How wonderful would it be to discover the beauty and strength within others and ourselves? How magical would it be to peel away the cold layers and get into the warm, deep essence of the beings we share this planet with?
What I learnt from Fendi is to take everyone I meet for who they are, instead of what they do, and I’m starting with myself.
I’m Deena, the artist, the writer, the reader, the learner, the adventurer, the cook, the daughter, the sister, the friend, the coach. I’m very pleased to meet you. So tell me, I’m curious about who you are, my fellow human.
Deena Al Mansoori is a co-active (life) coach and entrepreneur.
If you have a good story to tell or an interesting issue to debate, contact Shireena Al Nowais on salnuwais@thenational.ae.
