Couple of days ago the world brought in another new year with the hopes of bigger things to come and a better future. It seems to happen every year when new resolutions are made, new foundations are laid and many new prayers are said. We ask for trivial things such as losing that stubborn weight to more meaningful such as world peace but does turning the clock at midnight on December 31st eradicate all the mishaps of the past? Does simply popping the bubbly gives us a clean slate for the next 365 days? I personally feel that every day we wake up brings a promise for something new and exciting. Every day presents us the opportunity to do better than the previous day and every day brings in hope that whatever wish remained unfulfilled will be fulfilled.
Last year many good things happened but we also witnessed tragedies on a massive scale. There were mass shootings of innocent children to hurricanes and natural catastrophes but human beings are formidable creatures and we always come out on the other side stronger and more determined to defy the odds. If there are Talibans in this world, there is also a Malala who stands up to them and literally takes a bullet in the head because she wants to go to school. Her story inspired me beyond words and I pray that she makes a full recovery and succeeds in her mission.
There was also a lot of talk of the world ending according to the Mayyan Calendar. Although majority of the population laughed at the possibility, it did make some people very nervous. My personal theory is that the world will not end until there are still good people around. In many religuous texts, it is explained that when good can no longer triumph over evil, the world will not end so based on that we still have a long way to go and it probably won't happen in my lifetime.
I have not made any resolutions for 2013 because past experiences have taught me that while some reolutions are kept, others just never happen until it is the right time and there is no point in forcing it or putting a date on it. After all as I said before, every day brings new possibilities so why wait for another year to be completely happy!
R
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Randomness
I wanted to write about this for a while and finally got the time to sit down and actually give words to my thoughts.
I have been thinking about how judgemental our society has become lately. It seems that everyone is judging everyone else but also very cleverly able to justify it. Politicians attacking each other, conservatives attacking the liberals, straight people attacking the gays and the list can go on and on.
Recently I came across a story about a TV show personality in Pakistan who is going through a divorce and is planning to marry the head of her network. Now, I know that divorce is a very tough thing to go through for anybody but this person, just because she is a media personality, people feel it is their God given right to ridicule and pass judgement on her. They are saying things like she is characterless, a slut and a bad mother but do they really know what is actually going on in her life? Do they even know if it is entirely her fault or not? It is sad to see people who claim that they are respectable say derogatory things about someone they don't even know. Why so much hatred? What difference does it make in their lives if she goes through a divorce and marries someone else? I think it's the culture of social media which reports even when a celebrity sneezes and too many folks with too much time on their hands to analyze such things.
Another issue that is bothering me lately is how rude people have become while driving. There is a street in my neighborhood that usually has several cars parked in front of homes and people driving through there have to carefully navigate their way around it. I remember, back in the day, when you see and oncoming car you would get behind a parked car and let the other car pass. That was the thing to do but lately I have noticed that nobody wants to yield and both cars are racing to get to the other side, no matter how congested the street. The first couple of times it happened, I ignored it and made way for the other car just to be courteous but lately it seems that my niceness is being taken for granted because not only the other driver races by, he or she doesn't even bother to wave as a thank you! So my patience is wearing thin and I am beginning to find myself becoming just like them. Maybe that's not the right thing to do but a person can only take so much!!
Finally, I am hopeful that all the violence and ignorance in the world will be over soon so we can all go back to being good human beings who care about other human beings no matter what the color of our skin or choice of faith. I want us to be rewarded for our minds and hard work at our workplace instead of how our legs look in that fitted pencil skirt. I want so many things but will settle for this for now.
Until next time!
R
I have been thinking about how judgemental our society has become lately. It seems that everyone is judging everyone else but also very cleverly able to justify it. Politicians attacking each other, conservatives attacking the liberals, straight people attacking the gays and the list can go on and on.
Recently I came across a story about a TV show personality in Pakistan who is going through a divorce and is planning to marry the head of her network. Now, I know that divorce is a very tough thing to go through for anybody but this person, just because she is a media personality, people feel it is their God given right to ridicule and pass judgement on her. They are saying things like she is characterless, a slut and a bad mother but do they really know what is actually going on in her life? Do they even know if it is entirely her fault or not? It is sad to see people who claim that they are respectable say derogatory things about someone they don't even know. Why so much hatred? What difference does it make in their lives if she goes through a divorce and marries someone else? I think it's the culture of social media which reports even when a celebrity sneezes and too many folks with too much time on their hands to analyze such things.
Another issue that is bothering me lately is how rude people have become while driving. There is a street in my neighborhood that usually has several cars parked in front of homes and people driving through there have to carefully navigate their way around it. I remember, back in the day, when you see and oncoming car you would get behind a parked car and let the other car pass. That was the thing to do but lately I have noticed that nobody wants to yield and both cars are racing to get to the other side, no matter how congested the street. The first couple of times it happened, I ignored it and made way for the other car just to be courteous but lately it seems that my niceness is being taken for granted because not only the other driver races by, he or she doesn't even bother to wave as a thank you! So my patience is wearing thin and I am beginning to find myself becoming just like them. Maybe that's not the right thing to do but a person can only take so much!!
Finally, I am hopeful that all the violence and ignorance in the world will be over soon so we can all go back to being good human beings who care about other human beings no matter what the color of our skin or choice of faith. I want us to be rewarded for our minds and hard work at our workplace instead of how our legs look in that fitted pencil skirt. I want so many things but will settle for this for now.
Until next time!
R
Friday, February 10, 2012
The Bond
The bond between mothers and daughters can be so contradictory. Where it can be argued as the stongest, it can sometimes be just as fragile. It begins when a woman realizes that life has begun to breathe inside her body even through it is just a feeling and a speck on the screen while going through the initial ultrasound, this unbreakable bond is created. She suffers through painful labor but forgets all about it when she holds that beautiful bundle of joy in her arms and her heart melts when those tiny eyes open and look at her. She buys cutsie outfits with matching head bands and barbie dolls while teaching her to eat her vegetables and brush her teeth. When the daughter reaches puberty she buys her a training bra and teaches her to close her knees when sitting at the same time feeling anxious that her baby girl is growing up so fast.
Until now the daughter wanted to be just like her mother. She would immitate the way her mother sits and talks, she secretly sneaks into her room and puts on her lipstick and powder, she slips her feet in her mother's shoes and imagines fitting into her beautiful clothes. Then she becomes a teenager and everything changes. She resents her mother for watching her all the time and asking her about her friends. She hates it when her mother barges into her room and tells her to get off the phone and finish her homework. She gets embarrased when her mother tries to act like her sister. Then she meets a boy and her world turns upside down it feels like the sun rises and sets with his name. He becomes the most important person in her life, she thinks she is falling in love and they will be together for the rest of their lives! She hates the fact that her mother questions about him and doesn't think that he's good enough.
The mother knows that her daughter is going through a phase and even though she tries to let go a little it is very difficult for her. She reminisces about the time when her daughter told her everything, shared every detail of every moment of her life even if she did not want to listen. She knows when that "special" boy breaks her daughter's heart. She is there when her daughter cries her eyes out saying that her life is over because she knows that there is so much more life to live, so much more to learn. Years go by and her precious daughter grows up to be a beautiful and confident woman. Their relationship begins to take a new form again. Her daughter is taking bigger decisions about her life and she needs her mother there.
The daughter begins to realize that there is no better friend then her mother and confides in her. She tells her about hopes, dreams and fears and her mother listens and gives advice where appropriate but sometimes she also meddles. When the daughter reaches a milestone in her career, her mother is the first person she calls. When she finds herself drowning in the depths of depression and sorrow, her mother is there to wipe her tears and to give her hope but there comes a time when the daughter just wants someone to listen and not fix her problems. She hates it when her mother minimizes her pain and says that everything will be all right for she can't see that in that moment. Deep down she knows that her mother is trying to help but still lashes out at her, blaming her for not understanding.
The mother knows that her daughter is going through a tough time and wants to help. She tells her that if it was up to her she would take all her child's sorrows but some things even a mother can't control. She prays that her daughter finds peace and tries to console but is surprised when her daughter accuses her of not undersatnding. Her words cut deep into her heart and leave a scar but she doesn't care about her own wound and only wants her daughter to be happy. She swollows her pride and again reaches out because she knows that her daughter needs her.
When the daughter is done feeling sorry for herself, she realizes that she hurt her mother. She apologizes and her mother says it's ok and the daughter wonders what sort of a creature is this, this mother? She lays her head in her mother's lap and all her worries and pain begin to dissipate. The gentle touch of her mother's hand gives her affirmation that eveything will be all right. She thanks God at that moment for creating mothers who give unconditional love, who take blows from her kids time and again but never forgets her duty, never complains rather prays for her children and always worries about them.
The bond between mothers and daughters is so strong, yet so fragile. Handle with Care.
R
Until now the daughter wanted to be just like her mother. She would immitate the way her mother sits and talks, she secretly sneaks into her room and puts on her lipstick and powder, she slips her feet in her mother's shoes and imagines fitting into her beautiful clothes. Then she becomes a teenager and everything changes. She resents her mother for watching her all the time and asking her about her friends. She hates it when her mother barges into her room and tells her to get off the phone and finish her homework. She gets embarrased when her mother tries to act like her sister. Then she meets a boy and her world turns upside down it feels like the sun rises and sets with his name. He becomes the most important person in her life, she thinks she is falling in love and they will be together for the rest of their lives! She hates the fact that her mother questions about him and doesn't think that he's good enough.
The mother knows that her daughter is going through a phase and even though she tries to let go a little it is very difficult for her. She reminisces about the time when her daughter told her everything, shared every detail of every moment of her life even if she did not want to listen. She knows when that "special" boy breaks her daughter's heart. She is there when her daughter cries her eyes out saying that her life is over because she knows that there is so much more life to live, so much more to learn. Years go by and her precious daughter grows up to be a beautiful and confident woman. Their relationship begins to take a new form again. Her daughter is taking bigger decisions about her life and she needs her mother there.
The daughter begins to realize that there is no better friend then her mother and confides in her. She tells her about hopes, dreams and fears and her mother listens and gives advice where appropriate but sometimes she also meddles. When the daughter reaches a milestone in her career, her mother is the first person she calls. When she finds herself drowning in the depths of depression and sorrow, her mother is there to wipe her tears and to give her hope but there comes a time when the daughter just wants someone to listen and not fix her problems. She hates it when her mother minimizes her pain and says that everything will be all right for she can't see that in that moment. Deep down she knows that her mother is trying to help but still lashes out at her, blaming her for not understanding.
The mother knows that her daughter is going through a tough time and wants to help. She tells her that if it was up to her she would take all her child's sorrows but some things even a mother can't control. She prays that her daughter finds peace and tries to console but is surprised when her daughter accuses her of not undersatnding. Her words cut deep into her heart and leave a scar but she doesn't care about her own wound and only wants her daughter to be happy. She swollows her pride and again reaches out because she knows that her daughter needs her.
When the daughter is done feeling sorry for herself, she realizes that she hurt her mother. She apologizes and her mother says it's ok and the daughter wonders what sort of a creature is this, this mother? She lays her head in her mother's lap and all her worries and pain begin to dissipate. The gentle touch of her mother's hand gives her affirmation that eveything will be all right. She thanks God at that moment for creating mothers who give unconditional love, who take blows from her kids time and again but never forgets her duty, never complains rather prays for her children and always worries about them.
The bond between mothers and daughters is so strong, yet so fragile. Handle with Care.
R
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
The Social Notwork!
So I took a bold step this week and deactivated my Facebook account, WHAT?? Yes, my friends I am no longer the social network junkie. For some people this may be like falling off the face of earth or the virtual death. It was a tough decision but in light of many things, had to be made. Now you must be thinking why would I do something like this? One, I was spending way too much time on it, really? Yes, having FB app on your iPhone is like being attached to a ball and chain. Every few minutes when you feel like taking a break, you click a button and there in front of you are all the status updates from the last five minutes. Even though most of them are random and you would otherwise have no interest in them, you read through them anyway and maybe hit the LIKE button on a couple.
When it comes to statuses, there are several varieties of them. Some just post where they are and what they are doing at the present. Some post philosophical and inspirational quotes -- Ok now I don't mind reading one or two of them but when someone posts three or more in one day, it clearly annoys me. What's worse is that they are almost always posted by people who have never seen a dark day in their lives, who have virtually everything in the world and are very happy and they are the ones telling me to be patient, have faith and look on the bright side, GIVE ME A BREAK!!
There are some statuses I really like for example, comic strips or joke of the day. They do put a smile on my face and I will take them rather then an inspirational quote anyday.
Another thing that drives me up the wall is when people post pictures of their children. Now I like children especially babies but must you put a new pic everyday? Do we really need to know when your kid started eating solid foods or pooped for that matter? I realize that every parent is proud of their kids and want to capture every special moment but must you subject the rest of us to it? I feel sorry for relatives of these people who feel obligated to make a comment every time a new picture is posted becuse if they don't, the parent might think you don't think their kid is cute.
My decision is only temporary and I may come back on it in the future but for some reason knowing too much about people disturbs me and makes me wonder how much I have already revealed to strangers and what are the consequences?
To summarize, I feel that Facebook has changed the game of how we interact with people and on some level it is great and as humans we have the tendency to be curious about other people but must we reveal every aspect of our lives in front of our 300+ Facebook friends? Are all these people really our true friends? Will most of them come for our help when we call them in the middle of the night, loan us money when we are in trouble or give us a shoulder when we need to cry? Maybe there are people who can answer YES to all these questions but I cannot say the same and until I am ready to make peace with this I will be living my life in the real world and will not be posting any pictures of it!!
R
When it comes to statuses, there are several varieties of them. Some just post where they are and what they are doing at the present. Some post philosophical and inspirational quotes -- Ok now I don't mind reading one or two of them but when someone posts three or more in one day, it clearly annoys me. What's worse is that they are almost always posted by people who have never seen a dark day in their lives, who have virtually everything in the world and are very happy and they are the ones telling me to be patient, have faith and look on the bright side, GIVE ME A BREAK!!
There are some statuses I really like for example, comic strips or joke of the day. They do put a smile on my face and I will take them rather then an inspirational quote anyday.
Another thing that drives me up the wall is when people post pictures of their children. Now I like children especially babies but must you put a new pic everyday? Do we really need to know when your kid started eating solid foods or pooped for that matter? I realize that every parent is proud of their kids and want to capture every special moment but must you subject the rest of us to it? I feel sorry for relatives of these people who feel obligated to make a comment every time a new picture is posted becuse if they don't, the parent might think you don't think their kid is cute.
My decision is only temporary and I may come back on it in the future but for some reason knowing too much about people disturbs me and makes me wonder how much I have already revealed to strangers and what are the consequences?
To summarize, I feel that Facebook has changed the game of how we interact with people and on some level it is great and as humans we have the tendency to be curious about other people but must we reveal every aspect of our lives in front of our 300+ Facebook friends? Are all these people really our true friends? Will most of them come for our help when we call them in the middle of the night, loan us money when we are in trouble or give us a shoulder when we need to cry? Maybe there are people who can answer YES to all these questions but I cannot say the same and until I am ready to make peace with this I will be living my life in the real world and will not be posting any pictures of it!!
R
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
The Year That Was...
It's that time of the year again!! Another year is coming to a close and many of us are already looking forward to the year that is on the horizon. Most of us have already made our new year resolutions while some will stop and reflect on the time that flew by at break-neck speed. Amidst all the planning to bring in the new year with a bang there hopes, dreams, wishes....expertly woven in the celebrations with people ready to move forward and achieve bigger and better things for themselves. When I look back at the year that was 2011, I also had hopes, dreams and certain wishes that needed to be fulfilled; some by sheer hard work and some left to destiny and although destiny was not completely on my side, I have not let go of that hope, for those unfulfilled dreams have spilled over my new wish list.
As I glance over some of the websites that have devoted themselves to looking at the year past, I can't help but realize that there was a lot that has happened. From revolutions in Egypt that led a dictator to step down to relentless pursuit of Libyans to rid themselves of the terror of Ghadafi. From "Occupy" movements in Washington, New York and Oakland to end of the war in Iraq, this has certainly been the year that belonged to the common man and it is my belief that these types of movements will only strengthen in the years to come.
We also lost a lot in 2011. The first person that comes to mind is Steve Jobs. A man who revolutionized the world not by wars but by simply making the computer a fundamental part of our lives. His contribution to this century is immeasurable and only God knows how far Apple will go in the years ahead. His recent demise also opened our eyes to Steve Jobs, the man who could do anything in the world but was no match for a deadly disease. According to Amazon, Steve Job's biography was the best selling book of 2011 (just thought I'd share that :). Then, there was Osama Bin Laden, The Public Enemy #1. I still remember the breaking news that came on sometime after 10pm that sent shock waves and a sense of relief throughout the world. He was killed by some very skilled and very secret Navy Seals in Pakistan. Now being a Pakistani I was not happy about the location because it meant more negative propaganda by the media about the country and its people. I don't deny that the government of Pakistan is less then perfect but the actions and greed of a few politicians always reflects bad on that country's entire population. In the new year I certainly wish that Islam and Muslims who work very hard to live an ethical life be recognized and the West would finally stop persecuting all Muslims for the actions of a corrupt few.
So what are your new year resolutions? I know that like most women in the world my no.1 will always be to "lose weight", then there are other personal goals but what I wish for the world is tolerance, better understanding, open mindedness, less frivolity(please someone get rid of the Kardashians and Snookie), more charity, acceptance and World Peace!!!
Hopefully we'll achieve all of them in 2012 because beyond that we have nothing to look forward to, or do we?;)
R
As I glance over some of the websites that have devoted themselves to looking at the year past, I can't help but realize that there was a lot that has happened. From revolutions in Egypt that led a dictator to step down to relentless pursuit of Libyans to rid themselves of the terror of Ghadafi. From "Occupy" movements in Washington, New York and Oakland to end of the war in Iraq, this has certainly been the year that belonged to the common man and it is my belief that these types of movements will only strengthen in the years to come.
We also lost a lot in 2011. The first person that comes to mind is Steve Jobs. A man who revolutionized the world not by wars but by simply making the computer a fundamental part of our lives. His contribution to this century is immeasurable and only God knows how far Apple will go in the years ahead. His recent demise also opened our eyes to Steve Jobs, the man who could do anything in the world but was no match for a deadly disease. According to Amazon, Steve Job's biography was the best selling book of 2011 (just thought I'd share that :). Then, there was Osama Bin Laden, The Public Enemy #1. I still remember the breaking news that came on sometime after 10pm that sent shock waves and a sense of relief throughout the world. He was killed by some very skilled and very secret Navy Seals in Pakistan. Now being a Pakistani I was not happy about the location because it meant more negative propaganda by the media about the country and its people. I don't deny that the government of Pakistan is less then perfect but the actions and greed of a few politicians always reflects bad on that country's entire population. In the new year I certainly wish that Islam and Muslims who work very hard to live an ethical life be recognized and the West would finally stop persecuting all Muslims for the actions of a corrupt few.
So what are your new year resolutions? I know that like most women in the world my no.1 will always be to "lose weight", then there are other personal goals but what I wish for the world is tolerance, better understanding, open mindedness, less frivolity(please someone get rid of the Kardashians and Snookie), more charity, acceptance and World Peace!!!
Hopefully we'll achieve all of them in 2012 because beyond that we have nothing to look forward to, or do we?;)
R
Friday, November 11, 2011
Writing for real!!
I have been writing for fun for a very long time and have received quite a few compliments on some of my work but when I read my own work, I find lots of flaws, I compare myself to the authors I read. I marvel at their ability to use metaphors and similes and to make their characters come alive. It's always a challenge for me to describe physical attributes of a person or paint a picture of a room in great detail so I dicided to enroll myself in a creative writing class. I pitted myself against the Journalists and aspiring novelists of this world. Honestly it was a bit intimidating at first because I felt completely out of place. I sat in my corner when they talked about reading the classics like Anna Karenina, Moby Dick and brilliant works of Shakespeare. I was also impressed by their literary backgrounds and their ability to quote famous authors. Now, I also find myself to be an avid reader and have read works of Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Jane Austen and Harper Lee but only as school assignments. Today I read what I like and what I like is not classics but contemporary works that are written in language we speak, about the world we live in; about family, love, life and society. After attending a few classes and completing a few assignments, I have realized that it's not about how much you have read but it's about what you have gotten out of it. Did reading change your life? It certainly changed mine becuase by reading I found my love for writing and after joining this particular class and reading my material out loud it has given me confidence that I can do this. I may not be as good as others yet but no one is saying that I am bad either!
R
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Mean Girls
Why do people spend so much time and energy in being mean to others. I think that being mean drains your energy becuse you surround yourself with negativity. Doesn't it take more effort to frown than to smile? My recent encounters with certain people have made me wonder, what is it that the other person does not like about me that makes them behave in such an unprofessional way? Maybe it's not about me at all. Maybe this person has her own demons she's dealing with and my entrance in her life is seen as an interruption and a hindrance. Never mind that all I have seen her do all day is gossiping and looking at pictures on Facebook and when I need something that is actually related to work, there is a sigh and the infamous eyeroll. What is the matter with you lady? Why are you being such a bitch? It's not like I am imposing on you. I was placed here by an agreement between your superior and mine and as I don't have any control over the situation, neither do you. So shouldn't we all just try to get along and make the best of the situation?
My opinion is that we should all act like grownups and most importantly professional. We don't have to like each other but a welcoming smile wouldn't hurt. I am not about to make you my Facebook friend or share my deepest darkest secrets with you. All I want is a little courtesy and acknowledgement that the things I need done should be done at the appropriate time.
Anyways,I was just wondering if people can be fundamentally mean where they are rude to everyone they meet or do they pick and choose their target? I think this type of behavior is petty and childish and does not have any room in the workplace.
There, I have let out my frustration and actually feel good about it, tomorrow I will work on facing the person in question and giving her a piece of my mind if the opportunity presents itself.
R
My opinion is that we should all act like grownups and most importantly professional. We don't have to like each other but a welcoming smile wouldn't hurt. I am not about to make you my Facebook friend or share my deepest darkest secrets with you. All I want is a little courtesy and acknowledgement that the things I need done should be done at the appropriate time.
Anyways,I was just wondering if people can be fundamentally mean where they are rude to everyone they meet or do they pick and choose their target? I think this type of behavior is petty and childish and does not have any room in the workplace.
There, I have let out my frustration and actually feel good about it, tomorrow I will work on facing the person in question and giving her a piece of my mind if the opportunity presents itself.
R
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