Scenes from the Unseen

The videos I’ve been sharing on Instagram from Beirut and South Lebanon, inspired by the themes in my book “You’re Already Dead,” focus on the beauty of everyday life. My father captured not every detail, but those ordinary moments between family and friends. It’s these scenes that now strike a chord with me.

His recordings showcased our culture and traditions in their most natural form - in the laughter, conversations, and routine of daily life. This approach contrasts sharply with today’s quick, curated social media content, offering a more authentic glimpse into our lives.

In sharing these moments, I aim to celebrate our heritage and encourage others to appreciate and learn from different cultures and experiences. My father’s act of recording these simple, everyday interactions was his way of valuing our existence, a reflection of the kind of human he was by wanting to capture and share it.

Perhaps deep down, I’m sharing these not just to expand on the themes of the book, but also to give people outside of this life or culture a window into our world. Through this, I hope to foster some understanding, empathy, and the idea that all of our journeys are unique and no one group of people is more important than another in this world.

This sharing is also for the future ‘me’ - or anyone in the future, really - looking back at these old recordings. It’s about helping them understand the diversity of humanity and appreciate their own roots. It’s a reminder that every journey, no matter how ordinary it may seem, holds its own unique significance.

Thank you for reading.