Love to the People in London

We are more than meets the eye!

I did not think this would work. In fact, the only reason I even tried was to remove the ‘what if’. You know how annoying the ‘what if’ can be? Well, I didn’t want that. In short, I did this expecting it to be an epic failure, but I did it to say that I tried. I was wrong! — happy to admit!

About a year ago, I got this idea to make a unique document, a book of some sort about how people in London feel. I wanted to show that we’re not just faces moving through the crowded streets, shops, train, buses, or whatever. I wanted to show that each of us is a HUMAN! That there is more than the eye sees.

I think it all started with me being a bit annoyed with the whole

‘Hi, how are you?’

‘Fine, thanks. How are you?’

‘Fine thanks’

I know we’re busy, but goodness, there has to be more than this automated response, or prerecorded reply. And I think we need to strive to find it, show it, promote it. But, I did not think anyone else thought that. I thought most people were perfectly ‘fine’ with the ‘fine-thanks’ routine.

I had the journal I created printed, got the few copies of it that I ordered, and the moment I looked at them I saw myself asking people to fill in a page.

When I wrote to the independent bookshops about the journal, I offered them a free sample copy. I didn’t write anything about this idea that people fill in a page for a ‘collection of us’, but I thought I could mention it when they reply. Unfortunately, only one bookshop replied, and it was the one that I knew would reject it because it’s not in line with the kind of books they sell. I had to contact them because I like their shop. I know that sounds silly, but it was the only silly email I sent.

Last night, I went to Leicester Square, put up a little table, and a few hand-made signs — I was badly organised, I will fix this.

Now that I know I’m not alone in my way of thinking, I will do better. I thought I’d spend about 2–3 hours there, just sitting and watching people pass me by, throwing confused and pitiful looks my way. That’s not what happened.

People came to ask what was going on, and as soon as I told them, they wanted to fill in a page — I need to make a poster about why I’m doing this.

People were happy to fill it in, and a number of them said they felt relieved. I was so happy, like I was doing a service to my community.

First guy didn’t speak English very well. I told him to fill it in in whatever language he wanted. I was actually excited by the idea of different languages. He didn’t do that. Bless his heart, he used the translator to fill in a page. So, from the first person onwards, it was just an amazing experience.

I need to bring in more than one copy of the ‘journal’ so that people do not have to wait, or fill in a page as a team — I had both just last night. People waiting for someone to finish, and two young, beautiful girls filling a page together, they were like “We’ve spent the whole day together so it’s the same for both of us’”— LOL

I also need to tell people that the pages will be shared on Social media, and probably through other means as well. The idea is to show London as it is beyond the surface. It may not be perfect, but it has a soul, we bring that soul into it.

I need to make a poster about how to fill in the page

People were very patient to hear me repeat the steps, but they should be informed before they get to the table.

I need to fix the leaflet — I had only the journal leaflet, just so people can at least find the journal, find me, know that I am not a fake. But I didn’t bother even writing about this project because I didn’t think anyone will take any notice. My bad! I am so sorry.

I need to create a hashtag so people can see their own entry — you will not know who wrote what, but the person who wrote it will. One person even said that it feels nice to know that someone will read it.

The lesson I learned was that ‘what if’ is annoying only when it’s about the past. Asking ‘what if’ about the future (and with our plans) is a very good idea, very helpful. If I had asked ‘what if’ before I went there, I would have published this kind of article before, I would have left info on my website, I would have had a nicer table, informative posters and leaflets. I would have done things differently if I asked ‘what if people think like me and they want to create this document about London’.

I am fixing it all now. Destiny of this journal is not to be sold, but to be used for a greater good. I should have known that. In my life, this is how most things turn out. So, in some ways, I feel really blessed.

It was getting dark when I was approached by some religious people who asked me to do an interview about humanity. I’ll write about this in another article — one thing led to another, I ended up screaming at a woman from that team, returning their booklet back to them, and storming off furiously. But it is just part of London. I still love it. She made me furious, I am not proud of the way I lost my temper, though I stand by everything I said. But, that topic is for another article.

Thanks to everyone who took part in creating a document about ‘OUR LONDON’! It brings tears of joy to my eyes.

I hope you’re all having a great day, and only better to come along.