Live Life like a Traveler

Before I knew that my H1-B application was approved, I decided to go back to Malaysia. I started sorting out all my stuffs because I can only bring a few back to Malaysia. I wasn’t planning to ship them because they are not that much to qualify for sea shipment. I gave away most of my stuffs in college when I moved down to North Carolina. I only brought things that essential for me when I started my life here. I brought an air mattress, a folder with all important documents, my clothes, a laundry basket, hangers, a standing lamp, and an iron. I left all my favorite books, winter clothes, and other entertainment things at Tant Aliaa’s house. I made sure that only clothes that I will be wearing are out of my luggage. I slept on the floor, and I was stingy in spending money on clothes, shoes, etc. When I was looking for a car, I was looking for a cheap car, that has good enough condition for me to go back and forth to work. Because I didn’t know how long I will stay in North Carolina, I made sure that I will be able to pay the car as soon as possible. Alhamdulillah, I managed to find a good car, and I finished the payment in 3 months – without interest! To tell you the truth, for 3 months, half of my monthly salaries went to that car (I was on intern salary too!). Alhamdulillah, one of my friends let me borrowed some money to survive until my next paycheck.

When I started to pack for Malaysia, I gave away most of my favorite books, my clothes, and other things. All I was thinking is I can only bring two bags to Malaysia, and I only can bring things that are very important to me. Before, I used to have 5 to 6 jeans (well, I inherited most of them from my friends), but now, I am going to give away all of them except two. I sorted my books, and I only kept a few because they are my most favorite and they fit in my small baggage. I sorted through my clothes, and in my mind, I was thinking, which clothes that I will be wearing OFTEN in Malaysia, and which clothes that I will not be wearing that often. I started to give away my things to my friends as a gift. I want them to have memories about me. Of course, good memory about me. Sometimes, during the weekends, I sat near the lake, just enjoying the beauty of God’s creation, because I didn’t know when I will come back here again. I started visiting people because I didn’t know when I will see them again. I try to refrain myself from creating arguments because I don’t want people to be angry at me after I leave. And I try to forgive so I can enjoy every moment here. Before, I always thought that all special people in my life will be with me forever, but because I thought I was leaving, I started to cherish them, appreciate them, and enjoy every moment with them.

I started to reflect upon my life. I live in the US as a traveler, because I am not a citizen in this country, the government can send me back to my home country anytime, and some other possibilities that will force me to move out from this country. This is how with our life too. Life is not permanent. We all know that we will die one day. But we don’t know when we will die. The only things that we can bring to the next life are our good deeds(consists of charity, and sharing or spreading beneficial knowledge), and the prayers of our pious children. That’s all. Just like the two baggages that I was allowed to bring in the airplane! In this life, we don’t know whether tomorrow will ever come. Thus, we should enjoy every moment now, and also prepare to our next stop – the hereafter. We should enjoy everyone around us – tell them that you love them, appreciate them, and make them happy. You will never know whether tomorrow will ever come. You will regret that you never get to tell them that you love them, you will regret that you spend most of your time together arguing with each other, and you will regret for not trusting them because you misunderstood all their actions.

When I was giving away my books, I felt like crying when I saw people took the books to their homes. Of course, I am happy that my friends get to enjoy all my books, but it’s hard for me to let go my favorite things. Also, because I know, I can only bring two baggages, so, I let them be with my friends. This experience also can be applied to our daily life, in preparing for the hereafter. We always love things in this life. I love my life! I love everything that God gives me in this life. But, we know that we can only bring ‘two baggages’, so we have to let go some of the things that we will not be able to carry to our next stop. We have to let the things go. Enjoy them, but kept in mind, they are not yours to keep forever. With that mentality, we will appreciate everything that we have and it’s easier for us to let them go one day. With that mentality, I believe, we will be more generous, appreciative, and loving.

All in all, live life to the fullest… and live life like a traveler.