So, despacito...?

I am sure you have heard of the song “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee by now.

It’s catchy, it’s popular, it’s sensual.

I love the song.

What??!! I know, I know, just continue reading and give me a chance to illustrate my point will you?

The lyrics is provocative but it’s not grotesque. For a start, in contrary to many other popular songs, the lyrics of “Despacito” does not mention any physical beauty standards that a girl should uphold. Besides, let’s put on our mature thinking hat for a second: in the future, if my husband expresses his affection towards me in ways like the song says, I would honestly enjoy his love languages very much.

But that’s not the main reason why I am attracted to the song.

The music, the lyrics, the rhythm, the vocal, the sunny Puerto Rico and the suggestive dance in the music video, I think the song as a whole is vividly demonstrating a deep passion towards life. The type of passion that burns inside every selfless lover and devoted worker.

The passionate people would know, they are allured to challenges and discoveries like metal is attracted to magnet.

Those who love life would know, they enjoy the fast heartbeat that accompanies accomplishments and conquers; yet they have learned to slow down, to cherish the process, to make every moment counts.

The dedicated hard workers would know, they want to comb through every inch of the details; they desire to leave their mark all over their area of expertise, like a writer owning a manuscript, so that the whole world would recognize their contributions, even when they are gone.

Despacito. It’s not just an love act; it’s an attitude.

.

.

.

.

.

.

I believe that my ongoing journey of Teach For Malaysia fellowship and my love for the nature have helped me to conceptualize the “Despacito” type of attitude.

I am constantly swamped by work; I keep telling myself that I need to slow down, to reflect, to focus, to act on the right things, yet I never actually make the time to do all these. And recently whenever I got the chance to escape to nature, instead of feeling calm and relax like I used to, I felt conflicted and tense.

Initially, I was going to let things brew longer in my brain before I pen it down; however, after listening to “Despacito” and going through all the pictures that I have taken during recent trips, I feel compelled to share these with you.

The contrast between the still, breath-taking nature and the moving, breathing people made me anxious. 

I found myself asking a lot about where I am heading and how fast should I move. 

I have the constant fear that I am not good enough. 

Furthermore, I charge myself guilty because rather than working harder to put my fear at ease, I choose to dance around with my fear because I am addicted to the adrenaline rush that associated with it.

So, whenever I listen to “Despacito”, it sends me back right to the moment of man VS. nature. The picturesque scenery, the hyped crowd, and a mind with racing thoughts, thinking of where to go next.

 @ Blue Lake, Pasir Gudang / Desaru, Pasir Gudang / Sekinchan, Selangor