Life is Beautiful
Experiencing a Festival Alone
Loneliness adds beauty to life. It puts a special burn on sunsets and makes night air smell better.
— Henry Rollins
Life is Beautiful is a festival held in the streets of Downtown Las Vegas — my prior place of residency.
I thrive downtown. I also thrive in Summerlin. I also thrive in Las Vegas. I also thrive in India. I also thrive in Wyoming. Colorado. Utah. Seattle. Austin. Europe. You name it!
But Downtown Las Vegas is a different type of vibe. Here, you are allowed to be your full self, without any judgment (audible or visible, that is). You can be beautiful. You can be a hippie. You can be weird. You can be different. You can be YOURSELF. You can be alone.
So I chose to go to a beautiful festival alone.
Why?
Because, why the fuck not?!
I get to meet people, that way, without the confinement of being tethered to the group in which I belong. Because perhaps I don’t want confinement. I get to go when I want. Leave when I want. Mingle when I want. Drink when I want. Eat when I want. Talk to strangers when I want. Learn people’s stories when I want. Or just enjoy the fucking music alone when I want.
I got to capture moments in time, stilled forever by my camera, by being alone. I got to people watch and listen and observe rather than conversing with my friends. I got to run into people and chat for hours, because I wasn’t held back. I got to make a bracelet. I got to try on rings. I got to scope out the venues and the seating and what best served me.
I got to be freely and fully myself.
I saw gymnasts perform on stage. I saw a gay pride walk by, with glitz and glam and enormous smiles on their faces. I got to watch couples argue, before embracing in a warm, tight hug of forgiveness. I got to FEEL the music in my chest without any interruptions nor distractions. I got to be in my element.
I got to be me.
I’m not saying I love going places alone always. But sometimes? I fucking love it.
Life is Beautiful was a reminder how beautiful life truly is. We create our own reality, and we get to LIVE the way we want. Whether submerged in a crowd of strangers. Or alone. Or perhaps running into old friends. Maybe making new friends.
Life is Beautiful.
Whether you’re alone or not.
But getting to be your genuine self? No disruptions?
I couldn’t ask for a better feeling.
And it gave me the chance to experience life the way I want to — as myself.
So I encourage you to do things alone. Whether it’s grabbing a cup of Joe before work. Or sitting in a two hour long scary movie. Or eating at a place you’ve always wanted to try out, but none of your friends do. Or perhaps you want to go get your a new outfit and wear it alone on a night under the stars, with a wine glass in your hand. Or maybe you’ve always wanted to try yoga. You WILL meet your people, if you want. Or you will meet your true self, if you want.
The simple truth is: we all long to be ourselves. To know ourselves. To love ourselves.
And me going to a huge festival alone?
Wow…
It reminded me how much love I have for myself.
And also how much love is surrounding me, even if it’s not directed toward me.
“When one has a grateful heart, life is so beautiful.”
― Roy T. Bennett
And fuck, am I grateful to just be alive. To breathe in. To breathe out. To move my body. To talk. To dance. To listen to music. To see new art pieces. To chat with strangers. To get to know myself. To dance atop someone’s shoulders. To dance in solitude. To appreciate. To experience. To love. To beat to the own rhythm of ME.
be you
I hope you learn to always be yourself. No matter who is around. Be you. Be happy. Be kind. Be present. Be authentic. Be compassionate. Be patient. Be careful. Be wise. Be observing. Be knowing.
