If there’s anything that imbues in me a sense of intoxicating glee, it has to be the occurrence of abundant colours especially in the natural world. Drinking in all those glorious hues is the best antidote to sadness. It never fails to cause a sense of rapture in my mind. It is the perfect medicine for moments of melancholic withdrawal from society. For me, colours in the natural world speak an unspoken language inviting me to not surrender to despondency.
No doubt, there are many colourful places, things or situations which can actually be quite ghastly. One example that comes to mind is the phenomenon of clothes mountains in places like Chile. Despite being able to see the full spectrum of the rainbow, clothes mountains are examples of humanity at its worst – where people are flagrantly unashamed of the price nature will pay for their insatiable greed and ephemeral desires. In these situations, the feeling of despondency can’t be shifted by looking at colours alone.
Alhamdulillah, for the most part though, being able to see life in colour is usually a positive experience which leads to a deep gratitude for the gift of sight itself. The blessing of vision in full colour is the gateway to other euphoric sensations. Again, I can think of another lucid example. Anyone who has had the pleasure of ambling through a spice market, in cities such as Istanbul or Cairo, will know that moment when their eyes are greeted with a carnival of colours. This is the precedent to a heightened consciousness of wonderful aromas and flavours – all introduced from that first visual awakening.
Then there are the seasons which each bring their hues. In springtime, the world reawakens from a deep slumber and an almost monochromatic landscape is brought back to life with blossoms on trees. Then summer takes over and sees nature at its most vibrant with flowers in full bloom. Not wishing to be outdone, autumn summons colours to return to hibernation and retreats with them but not without a grand exit of warm earthly tones. It seems winter’s job is to make us appreciate the spectacle of colour we have enjoyed for the rest of the year and yearn to see them again.
This is at least my interpretation of a life of seeing colours. I don’t necessarily have to see a riot of colours to find beauty. Sometimes, even the monotony of one colour against a backdrop of white or black can be enough to stir wonder. Here, I am picturing the island of Santorini (which I hope to visit one day inshaAllah) where houses with whitewashed walls support their iconic blue rooftops – so distinguisable from other places. The simplicity of the combination in a sun-drenched land is an awesome sight even if it’s only in photos so far that I have been able to appreciate it.
When I lived in Saudi, I struggled to adapt to the all black dress code. There were a few reasons for that. The first was that black was so inappropriate in a hot country where it would only encourage heat to be absorbed. Secondly, being a maverick somewhat, I have never been able to accept to blend in and become indistinguishable. I needed to stand out. Lastly, the idea of all black was something culturally endoctrinated and it was not a cultural ideal that I subscribed to. It was for this reason, that when I went to work out there, I was the only one who would switch my hijab (scarf which covers the head and upper body) to a different vibrant colour each day. It was an audacious act of defiance but I have no regrets. I need colour in my attire. I need colour in my life. I need to feel I am an individual.
I need to feel alive. Being able to exist in a kaleidoscopic world gives me ample opportunity to do just that.
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