Past, Present and Future

My favorite object has to be the Lion. Throughout my life I have had a lion present. When I was a child I had a stuffed animal lion toy, and as I grew up the lion was still there but took different shapes and forms, I can say that he evolved as well as I was, from a stuffed animal to a small statue, and then to a larger one, on the mantel, a fire place and or on the floor looking at me.

Lion was always so elegant, graceful, and very strong, the earth tone colors were also very comforting. He did have many friends at a young age; I specially remember dolphin and squirrel.

As I grew up he took different forms, the most constant form that I still have is a white stone statue that have been sitting gracefully on my coffee table for quite a while now (see first photo) I have always admired the craftsmanship, how very well thought and detailed he is.

Our relationship was never defined or labeled. It has always been one of respect and admiration. I have always felt a connection with Lion, maybe because I am a Leo, born in August? And maybe because my name, Fahad means panther in Arabic, So we had the wild cat in common.

His eyes always gave me the feeling of calmness, always half closed or asleep almost.

Since he has also been there with me in my life journey we are going to finally have a one on one conversation and I will ask him a few questions.

Dear Lion, what do you think my weak points are?

Fahad, my dear you have always been a good friend, sibling and son. You have always been a source of laughter, trust and thought of others before your self on many occasions. Why are you asking about your weak points first? Look on the bright side and the positive points of you before the negatives. Should I list them for you?

• ·      Kind
• ·      Happy
• ·      Polite
• ·      Social
• ·      Creative
• ·      Strong
• ·      Positive
• ·      Friendly
• ·      Love life
• ·      Determined
• ·      Ambitious
• ·      Always smiling

You do have some weak points; you sometimes have fear of public speaking, but you have been getting over that recently, maybe its because youre getting more confident and mature.

The worst thing about being strong all the time and not showing your weakness is that no one will ask you if you are ok. It’s ok to express you sadness sometimes, although we know you have pride just like I do.

Your kindness is sometimes a bit too much and people will take advantage of you. You have been through lots and I have been watching you from down here. You have done well Fahad, but I feel that you have gotten too comfortable too soon, you have settled down in a comfort zone and soon you will get board of the routine and will have the urge and seek a new adventure. It happened before and will happen again, it’s who you are.

How about the future? I am a bit scared of this step I am going to take in a month.

Fahad, Do it! Don’t be scared of stepping out of your comfort zone and into the unknown, you have done it before when you were younger, imagine doing it now with your life and work experience, you have gained a lot. You will be fine an even if you find it hard at first you will find your path again like you have before. You’ll bounce back up and feel pride again.

And here is the artwork i produced of Lion after our conversation. I went back to the playfulness of art and went back in time to when i was a child and made art out of pasta and coloured it. To have more fun in my art and enjoy it :)