Lately, I’ve been preoccupied with the idea of hope—what it means to different people, and how each of us defines it in our own way. I began asking those around me about their understanding of hope. But because of language barriers, I couldn’t quite reach the depth I was searching for. Still, the idea lingered: a short reel, something simple and honest.
Today, I asked the owner of Hotel M & D Suites, where I’m staying, what hope means to him—especially in the context of running a business in Nepal. Honestly, I thought it would be just a brief question—but it quickly unfolded into a full interview.
And between sluggish internet, relentless heat, and my MacBook freezing every two minutes, I nearly gave up. Talking about hope. Nothing went as smoothly as I’d imagined or hoped for. I didn’t break my laptop, and I didn’t lose my mind—but my personal blog creation will have to wait. I haven’t posted anything new since the beginning of May, as I’ve been fully focused on preparing for Move with Intention—the retreat I’ll be holding from October 20–27 in the sand dunes of Morocco. (There will be a few adjustments to the program soon.)
Anyway, back to my interview, here’s the result: another unfiltered interview, born out of curiosity, edited in frustration, and shaped by the kind of conversation I hope inspires you—wherever you are, whatever you’re occupied with—to create.
What does it mean to be a businessman in Nepal—where there’s little government support, no safety net, and success depends almost entirely on your own resilience and resourcefulness?
From dream to strategy
He shared a little of his journey. As a young boy in a small village, he dreamed of learning English. Something about the language sparked a fire in him. When he later moved to the city, he had to start from scratch—washing, cleaning, doing physical labor. There were no shortcuts. Every rupee came through effort. Yet even then, he saved what little he could and spent it on English lessons.
He also spent it on time with friends—on small joys, shared laughter, and evenings that didn’t need a plan. The lightness of youth. When the present moment is everything, and the future feels far away.
Then life shifted. He got married. He had a child. Suddenly, things carried more weight. There were responsibilities—mouths to feed, futures to consider. Dreams had to take form and that required strategy.
What struck me most wasn’t just his story—it was the way he moves through life. He doesn’t wait for perfect conditions, nor does he dwell on what’s missing. Instead, he makes a plan, adjusts when needed, and keeps going.
And that truth stretches far beyond Nepal
Even with experience, there are no guarantees. Plans unravel. You can fall. The world is more interconnected than we think, and decisions made in faraway rooms—political, economic, environmental—can ripple into the daily lives of people like him, in places that rarely make headlines.
But that truth isn’t only his. It’s ours. No matter where we live or what we do, we are all part of something greater. And the only way forward—for any of us—is often the same: stay steady, adapt, and keep showing up.
This is a quiet salute—to him, a kind and thoughtful man building his dream with steady hands, and to everyone who carries their life forward one day at a time. Not with certainty, but with intention. Not with perfection, but with persistence.
Grit. Strategy. And the courage to begin again.
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Nice interview! I enjoy following and reading about your adventures Parisa – you lead such an interesting life!
Oh, thank you so much, Todd. I truly appreciate every single one of your words. I hope that the inspiration I draw from the everyday lives of people wherever I go can encourage others to see how deeply connected we all are. Even though the rhythm of life, daily routines, and relationships may vary—shaped by the unique structure of each society—we all, in one way or another, grapple with the same challenges, dreams and hopes of everyday life of human existence .
That is very true and those messages do come across in your writing and videos. 🙏😎
Very interesting story Parisa. And I can share your conclusion : …the courage to begin again!
Thank you. The world is full of stories like that, isn’t it? I find them all so inspiring. By the way, have you moved back to Italy for good, or are you just visiting?