Dear world,

Back in the latter part of 2024, I randomly met someone whose surname revealed to me that things were working out in my favour all along.

Hear me out.

It was in November, and I found myself strolling through Alexandra Palace (Ally Pally), by the pond, in London when a glorious golden hour set in. Naturally, I wanted some photos taken and my eyes met those of a gentleman walking his standard poodle. I said, “excuse me sir, do you mind taking a few pictures of my family and I?”. My mom, aunt, and one of my aunt’s good friends was there as well. The gentleman then said, “sure, just let me allow my dog to get some water and i’ll tie her leash to this fence”.

With the magic of Black beauties, golden hour, and a decent smart phone, the photos came out so well! Before long, it started to feel like a full-blown impromptu photoshoot. I should also say that I used the same phone to take photos and they weren’t all that great 😅. He showed us the photos and what we didn’t like, he retook without any complaints. The good sir then began to instruct us on what angles would work better. It was like a movie, literally.

We complimented him on his directional skills and photography skills.

Would you believe that he shared with us that he’s an actual real-life director and writer who dabbles in photography?! I couldn’t believe it and then he told us about some of his work and projects. I was surprised but also not surprised because in this life, the folks we interact with have amazing stories and lead such different lives than ones we know.

Mr. Everest’s portfolio includes Gunpowder Siege and episodes of various series such as The Nature of Things, Law and Order UK, and an episode of Naked Planet. I watched some of his work and I gotta say 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾. Not too shabby, Mr. Everest!!

Why? Well, I was slated (if all things went well with ongoing plans at the time) to jet off to Nepal in December to see Mount Everest and engage in a Global Voices Summit. I thought that was quite an uncanny experience, but it wasn’t uncanny in an a strange or unsettling way. It was more eerily familar and comforting.

In that moment, I said to myself, “yes…things are working out for me the right ways, in the ways that I had hoped”.

Like, what were the odds of that happening?!

Just before my trip to Nepal, the home of Mount Everest and part of the Himalayas, it was remarkable that I met him. It was almost serendipitous, dare I say. It was one of those moments that felt too perfect to be purely coincidental. I took it and ran with it. At that point, no one could tell me that I wasn’t gonna make it to the beautiful country of Nepal. I just needed to see that electronic travel authorization (eTA).

A few days later, it was confirmed that I would be travelling there, and all felt right in my world. Mr. Everest – wherever you are, if you see this, you were my good luck charm. Thank you for gracing my presence, and thanks for putting up with our shenanigans and taking some photos of us.

Uncanny Life Lessons

I wasn’t sure how exactly I’d pull some life lessons from this experience. However, in true Suburban Girl JA® fashion, I have a few to share! See them below. To be honest, though I separated them, All of them could be lumped into one but I want to emphasise each point! Call me redundant or extra. I don’t care, because I do this for me and those who can relate.

Celebrate Serendipity

Embrace the magic of serendipitous moments. They remind us that life is full of wonder and that sometimes, things happen for a the right reasons.

Embrace the Unexpected

Life is full of surprises, and sometimes the most memorable moments come from unexpected encounters. Be open to new experiences and the people you meet along the way. It just happened that on a really calm and beautiful day, I randomly asked Mark Everest, a director and amazing human to take my photos.

Trust the Journey

Even when things may seem uncertain, trust that everything is working out in your favour. My encounter with Mr. Everest is a reminder that the universe has a way of aligning things perfectly. I really wasn’t 100%

Appreciate the Small Moments

Sometimes, the simplest interactions can have the most profound impact. Cherish the small moments and the kindness of strangers, as they can leave a lasting impression.

Recognise the Signs

Life often gives us signs that we’re on the right path. Meeting someone with the surname “Everest” before my trip to Nepal, where I’d see Mount Everest, is a beautiful sign that things are falling into place.

I get goosebumps every time I think about it. The entire experience reminds me of the poem ‘Desiderata’ by Max Ehrmann. There’s a part of it that says,

“And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.”

A truer statement has never been told! It suggests a sense of trust in the natural order of things and the belief that everything is happening as it is meant to, and that’s exactly what happened.

That’s it. That’s the story this time around.

Do you think I missed any life lessons — redundant or not? Let me know and leave them in the comments.

Signed,

The Suburban Girl JA®