How do you describe the Colour of Gold to a Blind Person?

2023: The Year in View

I’d describe gold as the colour of sunshine,

as it shrugs on the Earth’s palate, 

As muted orange trapped in sheets of liquid on the table in a bottle

As a jolt of pleasure-

hot as it prickles the skin,

when the hair on your arm stands on end

not because the yellow is frightening 

But satisfying, and warm

like the first rains of summer.

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I was inspired to write this poem after I saw it in a series “My Life with the Walter Boys” where the speaker asked this question and it stuck.

I paused to muse on this and after months came up with this piece.

The thing is, the expression of this title cannot fully be understood except 

1. You’re not blind 

But you’re trying to explain the phrase to a blind person, who wasn’t always blind but became blind later on.

How would you draft the perfect answer for this question except for the fraction of a minute or several months(as was my experience) wear the shoes of a blind person and try to see?

You infuse a piece with the nostalgia of sight, a frolick with the elements of nature one can touch, and feel and make up for a second one’s lack of sight.

I hope this does it justice. ;)

About 2023

At the start of 2023, much like any year I tried to not enter blind.

I started with heightened expectations and carefully written resolutions I promised myself I’d stick to.

Like a missile out of an improperly launched crane, I started not blind but barely seeing. And I had my wins and losses.

The reason we write resolutions is to guide us, our resolve but this year turned out to be more different than I expected.

I was inspired to begin this mail with a string of emails listing these categorically but as you can see, I’ve tapped out that venture.

I’ll instead share 8 things I learnt from the whirl-win of 2023.

1. I believe I included this in my review of 2022 that ‘Anxiety is the enemy.’ I’d add a twist and say to do it afraid – unqualified, gasping, tongue in cheek, TRY- and don’t stop. Whatever you do, keep on trying.

2. Be Gritty: be ready to put up a fight. Most of the things you want will not come to you easily. When push comes to shove, push.

3. Make good friends

The issue of friendship is one which always leaves me conflicted. My question is ‘how do you make the friends you need to keep?’ Most of my friendships, I’ve realised which have stood the test of time are the ones I made very unintentionally. By this, I mean without any aforethought agenda but which thrives on common interest and mutuality. 

The quality of your friends are what matters, leave the number. Get one or a couple and stick with them.

This year, I also realised that some friends are seasonal. When you needed them they showed up, right? Don’t be hurt when your relationship ends abruptly. Instead learn the lessons the friendship was made to teach.

4. Try Tech: Bro, this is not career advice but really if you can, go for it. If you’re afraid of maths, still go for it. Aside from the juicy paychecks, I believe that tech has the power to change your mind and your belief in your strengths and abilities.

5. Don’t give up on yourself. DON’T.

6. Read more books, preferably fiction

I plunged deeply in the waters of fiction this year and I enjoyed it immensely. Fiction lightens the load adulthood brings. Try it, don’t take my word for it.

7. Be Accountable

I know this is not the meaning that many of us have come to associate this word with but this year unlike many others I came to understand the importance of daily check-ins and weekly pumps of energy.

It can be a book, a blog, a message or even a person (mentor). Whatever your meat, chew it deliberately.

With time, you’ll realise if you haven’t already, that this world is too tough to be navigated solo.

8. Pray: I’d want to give a whole segment to the importance of this but I’d surmise and say that you have a channel of hope in between your storms if you utilise the power of prayer. When you feel like it, when you don’t, Pray. When you need answers, when you’re hurt, Pray.

It works, like play.

Endnotes

Listed below are few of the books that kept me company this year:

Non Fiction

Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

A Grief Observed by C.S Lewis

The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin S. Sharma

The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel

The Hard things about Hard Things by Ben Horowitz

On the Shortness of Life by Seneca

Fiction

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

The Wicked King by Holly Black

The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black

Jack and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

May Everything We Love Find a Way to Us by Kenneth Ilodigwe

Parting phrase:

Like a seeing man, I tend to rely on sources of light that emit giant rays of not just illumination but hope.

Expectations for 2024:

1. Money, jobs, money…

At this juncture, it’s all I can pray for.

2. Less spinoffs and adaptations of movies I grew up with. 

3. Hopefully “Avatar: The Live Action” will not be a flop.

Last year, I started a poll on the need for journaling and the feedback has been nothing short of awesome. if you’d like to join this in this year and journal consistently your thoughts and words, fill the poll below:

For now,

Yours,

Sedo.

Have a very Happy New Year.