In a world where we’re measured by our doing rather than our being, it is no surprise that we’re conditioned to have a title. A label that we hold dear, because it describes what we are, while who we are hides comfortably behind it. Or so we think. That’s why when I met a man called Fendi a couple of weeks ago, I got hooked by an idea.
Before I share the idea with you, I’d like you to meet the man who created an important “Aha” moment for me. Fendi is a 53-year-old man I met in Langkawi, Malaysia. He was my mangrove adventure tour guide, or as it was written on his label – “naturalist”.
When I asked him what he did before this, as the boat raced away from the beach, his unexpected answer cooled my mind like the morning breeze tenderly brushing my face under the warm sun. With an energy running out of every bit of his tiny body, he said: “My profession is life.” I froze for a second. I was blown away by his simple yet powerful words. “My profession is life,” he said again. “I love to learn, I love people, I love life,” he said, with sparkling eyes.
I spent three hours with Fendi, and he fascinated me as much, if not more, than the scenery and the beautiful green water we sailed through.
He told me about his designs and that he makes his own clothes. He even created shoes using denim to climb up sharp rocky outcrops in the mangroves we crossed. His designs are crafted on hunting knives and in every corner of the house he built for his family. He knew the name of every tree and plant we passed by.
Fendi is a nature lover, a designer, a mountain climber, a swimmer, a learner, a builder, a creator, a husband, a father, a father-in-law, a friend, a guide, a mentor and, most of all, a teacher. Or as everyone calls him: “Cikgu.”
How can I summarise that in a title? How can we sum up ourselves in empty, cold labels: managers, analysts or chief executives? What does that even tell us about the human beings we are? How can we hide our awesomeness and greatness behind artificial, ego-boosting descriptions that are, in my opinion, soulless?
How wonderful would it be to discover the beauty and strength within others and ourselves? How magical would it be to peel away the cold layers and get into the warm, deep essence of the beings we share this planet with?
What I learnt from Fendi is to take everyone I meet for who they are, instead of what they do, and I’m starting with myself.
I’m Deena, the artist, the writer, the reader, the learner, the adventurer, the cook, the daughter, the sister, the friend, the coach. I’m very pleased to meet you. So tell me, I’m curious about who you are, my fellow human.
Deena Al Mansoori is a co-active (life) coach and entrepreneur.
If you have a good story to tell or an interesting issue to debate, contact Shireena Al Nowais on salnuwais@thenational.ae.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
SHOW COURTS ORDER OF PLAY
Wimbledon order of play on Tuesday, July 11
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Centre Court
Adrian Mannarino v Novak Djokovic (2)
Venus Williams (10) v Jelena Ostapenko (13)
Johanna Konta (6) v Simona Halep (2)
Court 1
Garbine Muguruza (14) v
Svetlana Kuznetsova (7)
Magdalena Rybarikova v Coco Vandeweghe (24)
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
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MATCH INFO
Barcelona v Real Madrid, 11pm UAE
Match is on BeIN Sports
ANATOMY%20OF%20A%20FALL
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NYBL PROFILE
Company name: Nybl
Date started: November 2018
Founder: Noor Alnahhas, Michael LeTan, Hafsa Yazdni, Sufyaan Abdul Haseeb, Waleed Rifaat, Mohammed Shono
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Software Technology / Artificial Intelligence
Initial investment: $500,000
Funding round: Series B (raising $5m)
Partners/Incubators: Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 4, Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 6, AI Venture Labs Cohort 1, Microsoft Scale-up
RESULTS
6.30pm: Longines Conquest Classic Dh150,000 Maiden 1,200m.
Winner: Halima Hatun, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ismail Mohammed (trainer).
7.05pm: Longines Gents La Grande Classique Dh155,000 Handicap 1,200m.
Winner: Moosir, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson.
7.40pm: Longines Equestrian Collection Dh150,000 Maiden 1,600m.
Winner: Mazeed, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
8.15pm: Longines Gents Master Collection Dh175,000 Handicap.
Winner: Thegreatcollection, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: Longines Ladies Master Collection Dh225,000 Conditions 1,600m.
Winner: Cosmo Charlie, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
9.25pm: Longines Ladies La Grande Classique Dh155,000 Handicap 1,600m.
Winner: Secret Trade, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
10pm: Longines Moon Phase Master Collection Dh170,000 Handicap 2,000m.
Winner:
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
INFO
Everton 0
Arsenal 0
Man of the Match: Djibril Sidibe (Everton)
Brief scoreline:
Liverpool 5
Keita 1', Mane 23', 66', Salah 45' 1, 83'
Huddersfield 0
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 1 (Gundogan 56')
Shakhtar Donetsk 1 (Solomon 69')
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
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Conservative MPs who have publicly revealed sending letters of no confidence
- Steve Baker
- Peter Bone
- Ben Bradley
- Andrew Bridgen
- Maria Caulfield
- Simon Clarke
- Philip Davies
- Nadine Dorries
- James Duddridge
- Mark Francois
- Chris Green
- Adam Holloway
- Andrea Jenkyns
- Anne-Marie Morris
- Sheryll Murray
- Jacob Rees-Mogg
- Laurence Robertson
- Lee Rowley
- Henry Smith
- Martin Vickers
- John Whittingdale
