Now is the Time to be Courageous
Dear Reader,
It is the first of February, a month I do not have much relationship to other than that it is the month my sister Shayma was born. It is a cold month for me and one that passes by unnoticeably. I do not recall any significant events that have happened in February. But today, I can be proud to say that it is the day I make it memorable, by starting this new page that will carry some of my writings and my creations.
I have returned to Jordan after a six-month journey that was initially planned to be two weeks. I started in Europe, crossing the Atlantic about a month after that, and then I spent my time traveling around the country seeing family and friends. I am now at a stage in my photographic career where I have a growing body of work that needs to be shown to those interested in seeing it. I am also at a stage where I am figuring out how to make income through my own skills rather than relying on a full-time job.
We are entering the fifth month of the war in Gaza in one week.
The television hypnotizes me everyday when I watch the news with my grandmother. What freedom can I feel when those who live right next to me cannot?
The first step to freedom is to be free from the inside. The first step to freedom is a change in the heart. What powers do I have in my hand to change in the name of freedom, in the name of my people?
Now is the time to be courageous. Now is the time to work hard and be the best I can be. To be as gracious and as giving as can be. What of myself can I give? With the camera in my hand, I have a strong voice, stronger than my words.
This letter serves as a reminder to myself of the burn that I feel inside of me, and a reminder that there is nothing that you cannot do. That is why I have decided to work on projects that I care about. I hope that this page will allow me to show my different visual and written experiments, and to document my growth over the years that I think would be hopefully beneficial for others to see.
With love,
Suhayb
Probably one of my favorite moments of last year. I hope this boy gives you the joy he gives me every time I see him saying hi to me.