5 learnings from Dubai to apply to your writing
Believe it or not, Dubai is not only about luxurious experiences and properties, along with great shopping and dining. One of the chances to see it differently is to attend the emirate during the holy month of Ramadan. But the best way to discover its layers, one after another, is to live and work here, keeping your eyes and heart open.
Below are 5 things I have learned from the amazing Dubai after 5,5 years living there. You can easily apply those to your writing or any other project.
Learning 1. Be proud of your roots and national dress/traditions.
Have you seen locals in their beautiful national dress considered to be the most appropriate option both for a luxurious reception or as formal attire at government and official events? Or have you ever heard in Dubai an azan calling for prayer in a mall or at a world star show on the beach?
How to apply this to your writing? Well, it is easy. Your writing style, your roots, and your experiences are worth cherishing and beautiful as they are. If you choose them to be.
Have you seen locals in their beautiful national dress considered to be the most appropriate option both for a luxurious reception or as formal attire at government and official events? Or have you ever heard in Dubai an azan calling for prayer in a mall or at a world star show on the beach?
How to apply this to your writing? Well, it is easy. Your writing style, your roots, and your experiences are worth cherishing and beautiful as they are. If you choose them to be.
Learning 2. Listen to and learn from others, but always stick to your own vision and values.
In his book H.E. Sheikh Muhamed, the Ruler of Dubai, shared a story from back a few decades ago, when the ambition was to make the desert land in Dubai flourish. The most renowned consultants from all over the world were saying it is impossible. So local rulers found other renowned consultants who helped to make their own vision a reality. I guess this approach applies to everything breathtaking we see in Dubai today.
It is crucial to learn from the best and actually to listen to the feedback you receive, both in your writing and career. But never forget why have you started this all over and which goals have you set for yourself as an author or as an evolving leader. And let the flowers grow.
In his book H.E. Sheikh Muhamed, the Ruler of Dubai, shared a story from back a few decades ago, when the ambition was to make the desert land in Dubai flourish. The most renowned consultants from all over the world were saying it is impossible. So local rulers found other renowned consultants who helped to make their own vision a reality. I guess this approach applies to everything breathtaking we see in Dubai today.
It is crucial to learn from the best and actually to listen to the feedback you receive, both in your writing and career. But never forget why have you started this all over and which goals have you set for yourself as an author or as an evolving leader. And let the flowers grow.
Learning 3. Invest and believe in yourself, and don’t be afraid to change and become the best.
I think it speaks for itself with Dubai. Can you imagine that Dubai Marina was constructed only a few decades ago and almost the whole Sheikh Zayed Road after Downtown was a desert before then? Another example is the construction of the second airport in the city in 2010, not needed at all at the time, just in anticipation of possible traffic growth in the future and possible lack of the current capacities. Are you surprised that Dubai is the number one aviation hub in the world now?
Well, at least you have to invest a lot of time in reading and writing and buy off this time from your other duties or leisure activities first. It is you who should believe your writing is worth it and work hard before you receive any social approval. Don’t be afraid to evolve and change your writing, too.
I think it speaks for itself with Dubai. Can you imagine that Dubai Marina was constructed only a few decades ago and almost the whole Sheikh Zayed Road after Downtown was a desert before then? Another example is the construction of the second airport in the city in 2010, not needed at all at the time, just in anticipation of possible traffic growth in the future and possible lack of the current capacities. Are you surprised that Dubai is the number one aviation hub in the world now?
Well, at least you have to invest a lot of time in reading and writing and buy off this time from your other duties or leisure activities first. It is you who should believe your writing is worth it and work hard before you receive any social approval. Don’t be afraid to evolve and change your writing, too.
Learning 4. People are different, let them be as they are.
There are only 15% of actually Emiratis living in Dubai nowadays, the rest 85% are expatriates from all over the world. And while Emiratis are very particular in preserving their own traditions and ways the community interacts, they also leave a space for others to have in Dubai whatever is important for them (even if this is pork or alcohol which is an integral part of some other cultures’ leisure time and fun).
Focus on what matters to you. Don’t be upset if your personality or writing may not fit other peoples’ models of how it should be, and don’t try to make everyone accept your way of doing things, too. Anyway, as a writer, you may find an impulse or raw material for your story in any person or an idea, even the most controversial.
There are only 15% of actually Emiratis living in Dubai nowadays, the rest 85% are expatriates from all over the world. And while Emiratis are very particular in preserving their own traditions and ways the community interacts, they also leave a space for others to have in Dubai whatever is important for them (even if this is pork or alcohol which is an integral part of some other cultures’ leisure time and fun).
Focus on what matters to you. Don’t be upset if your personality or writing may not fit other peoples’ models of how it should be, and don’t try to make everyone accept your way of doing things, too. Anyway, as a writer, you may find an impulse or raw material for your story in any person or an idea, even the most controversial.
Learning 5. Give back, pray, and trust God.
While spending five Ramadans in Dubai, I was amazed by a Muslim tradition of Sadaka, giving a certain share of your annual income to those in need at the end of the holy month. This is to thank God for what he has given to you and to assist him a bit in helping others, too. I was also surprised to what extent everything here is based on trust in God and for the better in general. And it works somehow.
So please give back and trust :)Our life is usually very generous to us, let’s be thankful and help those who are just starting their way in writing or in another profession you have already mastered your skills in.
While spending five Ramadans in Dubai, I was amazed by a Muslim tradition of Sadaka, giving a certain share of your annual income to those in need at the end of the holy month. This is to thank God for what he has given to you and to assist him a bit in helping others, too. I was also surprised to what extent everything here is based on trust in God and for the better in general. And it works somehow.
So please give back and trust :)Our life is usually very generous to us, let’s be thankful and help those who are just starting their way in writing or in another profession you have already mastered your skills in.
And what is your experience of living somewhere different from your hometown? How did it affect you and your writing?
Have you been to Dubai? How did you perceive it if yes?
Photo by Daniya
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