Transforming Lives As We Go Miles
Role of Decision Making In Bringing Change
Decision making can be regarded as one of the mental processes (cognitive processes) resulting in the selection of a course of action among several alternative scenarios. Every time a decision is made, it gives off a choice...the choice to either get action as an output or just to get an opinion. Both the resulting outputs depend on the individual’s choice and state of mind to which he shows maximum grab. He could either get the decision processed or just let it be hanging in the space of anxieties.
From a psychological perspective, it is necessary to examine an individual’s decisions in context of a set of needs, preferences and values they seek. When an individual is up to create a plan and work on a particular project of interest, he has to make a decision about how to start and how to wind it up. He has to get a cool mind to make a very simplified and lucid decision in order to get better results. If the decision is unclear it can’t bear a good required result. Another case would be making no decision which could horribly end up with a zero result. Decision making plays a very massive role in bringing up changes in the process, method, way to proceed and the result of a thought. If an individual gets a fabulous thought, gets top class equipments for its further processing, gets an intelligent staff but makes no decision how to get it started it’s worth nothing at all. All these facilities just turn into a piece of useless rolled paper ball without a proper decision to be made.
Everyone on earth is born to make change. The world although having a lot, desires for more and more time to time. Even if the good things being invented, people want to get the best of all......making good, better or best depends on the inventor’s decision. The way the person brought up his invention, his creation, to make people has it, is just dependent on his decision. A better decision in time leads to the production of a better tomorrow and a bad one can spoil the whole thing. Decision matters a lot in each and every field of life. A bird makes a decision about his direction to fly, to get its food. A student makes his decision for choosing the best interest field for his career building. A teacher makes decision in his teaching field to carry out his duties and plans for his pupils. No one can bear or have a sweet fruit without making a precise decision in his respective field.
A skyscraper can’t be built with the map of a house and a house can’t be made with the map of a stall. Every thing has its own proper background. A decision can bring the change in the scenario of your thought, either to get it to a height or to bang it against a concrete floor. All has to be done with a plan, with a proper way and with a good DECISION. That’s what is all about the difference between humans and animals. The humans can make decision for their betterment but the animals can not. Which is the only reason we live in houses and they wander in the jungle.
Written By: Shehzadi Zeb
Dynamics of First Love
Those who have experienced love are testament to the fact that love is, indeed, breathtaking. If it grips you, it will make you do silly, very silly things. Things one could not imagine of doing in everyday life as the feeling of first love is everything but normal. If you are in love for the first time it is very much expected that your good sense will go out the window, very soon, intentionally. It is for this reason that the following would only be really understood by those who have gone through this wonderfully insane feeling-first love!
THE FALL
The phrase FALLING IN LOVE is the perfect way to describe being in love. As to me, falling in love is like the jump of an immature adrenaline junkie off a cliff. The immature boy is not aware of the potentionally life threatening consequences if something goes wrong. He is too busy being mesmerized by the view of the water (Let's assume that the water is his beloved) below. The boy sees the water (his beloved) for the first time and is mesmerized by the sheer beauty of the view from above. He has never seen a more beautiful view and without thinking the dynamics of the fall, he becomes adamant on meeting the water. He, thus, takes the fall. He is tearing down the air waves to meet the water (his beloved). As he gets near to the water; he is so nervous he thinks his heart may burst out of his chest. But this is excited nervousness and the fall pushes him further towards the water.
THE SPLASH AND THE ADDICTION
He finally splashes in the water. A sense of calms overwhelms him and he luxuriates in that feeling for some time. He feels complete in that very moment. And in no time he gets hooked to the fall, the speed at which he tears the airwaves and the splash. So much so that life outside the fall fails to amuse him. His whole life begins to circulate round the fall to meet the water (his beloved). However, one fine day he jumps and midway through the jump he sees some rocks in the water. He lands safely and ignores the rocks, and that day onwards the rocks keep adding up but he overlooks them every time. His confidence to land safely is immense and he thinks of those few rocks as harmless.
THE BETRAYL
A day comes when the adrenaline junkie is fully addicted to the fall and the feeling of meeting the water(his beloved).He considers this fall as an any other fall but mid way through the fall, he realizes that the water(his beloved) is changing colours. The beautiful clear water is turning in to hard rock ground. A sense of disbelief surrounds him and he thinks that the ground would change in to water any second but this thought quickly leaves his mind as he approaches water and can see the ground more clearly.
The adrenaline junkie cannot figure out as to why would the ground change colours but he has little time to do so. In utter desperation he tries to go back, but where is the poor boy to go. After all, He is in mid air.
Just before touching the ground, he closes his eyes and wishes that the ground changes in to water but before he could open his eyes, he is dashed onto the ground, have broken every bone of his body.
THE RECOVERY
The boy is rushed to the hospital. He believes that he cannot survive, not because he has every bone in his body broken but because of the deception of the water (his beloved).Why did the water change colour? Were my splashes too hard? Was I in a dream? Questions and contemplations surround him and he has everything but answers. A heavy dose of patience is mixed with a concentrated dose of time and is circulated in his veins. For time and patience is the best medicine for a heart gone sour. It takes time for the adrenaline junkie to get up on his feet, but he still remembers the deception.
THE REALIZATION
He goes back to the cliff and sees the view and to his amazement it is still as breathtaking as it was. However, he sees those stones in the water and realizes what he missed. He had misjudged some indications that the water (his beloved) had given him as he was completely absorbed in the fall. He smiles, as the adrenaline junkie is no more a boy, he has started his journey towards becoming a man.
CONCLUSION
The above, as I said before can only be understood by people who have gone through this amazing feeling of being in love for the first time. You love the view, you love the fall and you cannot stop yourself. But if you don't pay attention, sooner or later the beloved is going to change colours. Your job is to pay attention to those changes, but if you can't, you must find a way to prevent breaking of bones of your body .A parachute, may be!
Written By: Muhammad Saeed Khalil
Stage Fright Syndrome
How many times have you experienced your head spinning, legs shaking, tongue twisting, voice trembling, lips drying, ears deafening, mind baffled, eyes rolling upwards, the failed attempt to understand the senseless highly-stammered words which you utter yourself, everything going dark and finally blank? This happens quite often when you are asked by your prestigious teacher to present something in front of a whole lot people. At that “nazuk surat-e-haal”, you simply can’t help but ask for forgiveness from your Lord. This, my friends, is called “Stage Fright Syndrome”. And believe you me; the situation is even worse than Madam Firdous Aashiq Awaan holding a degree of medicine!
A wise man once said and I quote, “Sir Ghumay Chakkar Khaaye”. I believe the quote was said for this very purpose and later used for Bollywood. The wise man must have had his say once before the thousands of couple of eyes. In fact it’s the “couple” of eyes which bothers me. The eyes looking at you from the top most strand of your hair to the lower most sole of you shoe with observation more minutely than a surgeon. And if the people with very eyes are asked to perform surgeries, they tend to forget their gloves WITHIN the patients. Talking of eyes reminds me of the dumb looks. If at all you succeed in overlooking the eyes, the dumbness is always there to welcome you. So even if you have the nerve to say something gallantly, the response shall pull you back on the earth. And suppose; literally SUPPOSE they are not dumb, the continuous winking always does well in raising your agony. The feeling at that time is worse than of a dejected Romeo, who keeps on waiting for Juliet the whole day; and “bijli” the whole night. That makes it fair enough for all.
The therapists say it is not hard to overcome it. Once you take a step towards the stage, forget the world behind you. Believe that your audience is nothing but a set of dummies who know nothing and you having the supreme knowledge of all. (I have to admit the sentence makes us all feel “HIS/HER HIGHNESS”). In short they want us to live in the world of pretentions. And here lies the problem. First they ask us to face the real world and when we do, they tell us not to. I would rather believe Raja sahib planting more power plants than this.
Recently, a medical cure to HIV AIDS was introduced by the scientists. And as far as we humans are progressing, one day they shall find the cure to this disease as well, caused by a hazardous parasite. So let’s keep our hopes high.
Written by: Komal Chaudhry
Increasing Rate of Suicides in Youth
Suicide! Even the word gives us Goosebumps. For those who don’t know it is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. It’s said that, males are more likely to commit suicide then females. Just a few months back, I heard the news of some teenagers committing suicide. Suicide is usually caused due to certain mental disorders, economic instability, misunderstandings in interpersonal relationships and the list goes on and on.
Every other teenager complains about being misunderstood and that might be the truth. One of the cases which were highlighted by the media had the same situation. The relationship between the parents and the child was not the way it should have been. If they were close enough, maybe the boy would still be with them now. One of the reasons I believe, is the pressure of getting good grades in their class. It’s understandable that every parent wants their children to be successful and to be able to stand on their own feet but in some cases some parents especially fathers get violent at times and that depresses the child. He feels completely lost. He needs to be having a sense of belongingness to his family, to be able to be loved by them for what he is, but at times parents forget that. The teenager is just a child. He’s fresh blood. He has dreams and aims to be achieved but along with that he’s still a kid. He still is indecisive at times. He still makes mistakes. After all nobody is perfect.
Parents need to understand the mind of the child, especially at their teenage. In this stage, the child is full of energy but he’s also full of adventures. He’s full of doubts. He doesn’t know what to do and what not to. It’s the parent’s duty to make him realize what’s right and what’s wrong but in a very appropriate manner. Some parents have the habit of scolding which leaves a bad impact on the teenager’s mind. Scolding and spanking him often would make him hate his life. He’d feel completely incomplete like he has nobody.
Another reason might be the excessive use of Facebook, Mobile phone packages and the presents given by the parents rather than their “presence”. I saw this picture a few days back and this is what all the parents out there should think about.
Stress, confusion, pressure and worries about self-worth are common problems in many teens. Suicide at a young age is also due to a thing called inferiority complex or due to being bullied for dark complexion, short height, over weight and etc. The teenager starts to believe what the bullies say to him and he falls for their trap. His mind starts to accept the fact that he’s worthless, of no use and a piece of nothing. This acceptance makes him feel inferior to other people and thus he becomes the victim of inferiority complex which if not treated at the very start, will make the child depressed and as a result of this prolonged depression; he will commit suicide.
Another factor which is usually the cause of our youth committing suicide is the unhealthy relationship of parents with themselves. If the child always sees his parents fighting and shouting over little issues, he will obviously feel neglected and left out. He’ll start to develop the fear that he might lose them. In some cases, the parents usually end up getting a divorce which is the major factor in destroying the personality of the teenager/child. Though some single parents have been successful with parenting but usually the child gets badly affected by their decision. The child obviously requires both of them to grow, to learn, & to explore the world to know him but without one of them it becomes hard for the child to adjust himself completely with the going on situation. This leads to unhealthy habits and ultimately he gets fed up of his life and decides to end it.
Another cause is maladjustment or not having friends. Being lonely can lead to being depressed. If a person has no friends he’s likely to be maladjusted. Which causes violent behaviour, depression and illegal or harmful habits or activities which are not good for the child and in severe cases the person might commit suicide. Physical and mental abuses are also the major reasons for the suicides.
Change in family dynamics can also be the cause for the youth to commit suicide. For example, a new sibling is born or an elder sibling or some other close relative moves in. The teenager feels like someone entered his personal space. When a relative moves in, he doesn’t like their interference and so on. This usually irritates the person because he has own habits, his own way of doing things and he wouldn’t like anybody else making him change his ways. Some people have a very bossy nature which causes the teenager/child to over react and remain angry or upset.
Another important reason is also unemployment. Young graduates find it very difficult to get a job. Most graduates remain out of jobs. In the end, they get a job whose remuneration is quite low than their qualification. Being jobless in this period of inflation is not something a normal person can afford. Then the family pressure of sitting at home and doing nothing all day long, the feeling of worthlessness and the anger stored up inside due to it. All of this adds in making the person more depressed and as a result ending his sphere of life.
Our motto should be to make them able to avoid all the above mentioned problems and to make them capable enough to face them alone. Parents should be more cautious at the teenage because that is when the person is emotionally unstable and he demands emotional security and if it’s not given at home or school he starts using other means and they are certainly not what parents would want their child to use. This age is very special and thus very hard for both the child and the parents. The teenager/child should be raised in a very positive and clean environment. Parents should keep an eye on the child and his activities, his social circle but in a way that the teenager/child doesn’t mind. Some parents have the habit of going every with the child and being with him 24/7. This is not a good thing and should be avoided.
Parents and teachers should always motivate the child and make them understand the worth of life. They should make them realize the blessings that they have and what the underprivileged don’t. They should be taken to an old house or to an orphanage to make them realize the blessings and worthiness of what they have and what they are capable of doing and thus they will raise a blessing for the society.
Written By: Aisha Hamza
Malala’s Issue
I chose to write on one of the hottest topics of the recent months. It’s the hottest, whether people know the whole background of the issue or not. Just like the free people of a free country, the “welas” and the “aazaads”-we are talking on and on about the girl named Malala Yousafzai. We are talking about what really must have happened. Was it a conspiracy or a real thing? Was it a drama or something else? Why is this girl really being given so much prominence? And so many talk shows with epic geniuses whom the nation loves to see have near cat-fights.
Just try and pull your brakes for a while.
How many of us highlighted the girl named Malala Yousafzai before this incident-at the time when she achieved? How many of even knew this girl and her achievements?
The government did. They awarded her. She got an international award too. But what about the “awaam?” Yes, the youth intellectuals did. Yes, they appreciated her too. I myself consider her an influence for every Pakistani. But then, we are…Pakistanis.
Just think for a moment. What if a daughter of one of us had these achievements, these awards? How’d we treat her? Would’ve we liked that anybody said, “So what?”
Just think for a moment. What if a daughter of one of us got shot in the head by anybody, and the “awaam” said, “Why’s she being made so prominent? Why’s the issue being highlighted so much?”
And here I admit that it’s not only Swat or any area like that where girls are suppressed. It’s the whole Pakistan. Each and every one of us is suppressing that 14 year old girl, who is the daughter of Pakistan. The 50+ years old “tajziya-nigaars” are sitting on TV shows, talking about whether the 14 years old girl deserve this much coverage or not. The rest of the awaam are sitting in front of the idiot boxes, commenting on the comments of those who never even mention Malala before this incident. The awaam is being the best, showing how much damn they give. “We’re bored of this drama,” they say. “Bring something else.”
Let’s ponder. Our behavior, to me at least, shows that we are a nation that never ever appreciates its achievers. If something goes wrong with them, either they are shunned, or defamed. Let's stop with the conspiracy theories, for if a debate has started over education for girls and girls standing up for their rights, lets welcome it with all our heart. Let there be a hundred Malala's more. Period.
Written By: Hijab Minahil
Khudi Ko Kar Buland Itna
There
are many names written in golden words on the pages of history, spoken with an
air of inevitable gratitude and remembered fondly. But indeed, one name that
outclassed others with utmost consideration is Allama Muhammad Iqbal. Iqbal
was not only a great poet, by virtue of his being a great poet, but a great
artist, an exceptional philosopher, a dependable leader and sincere scholar
whose literary work always reflected purity and honesty. His poetry is a blend
of philosophy and emotions with all the arts demonstrating natural beauty. Just
like a single color of many shades, a single face of many expressions and a
single soul of many emotions.
Iqbal,
the poet of all time presents his world beautifully and elegantly. His words
flow with rhythm, his expressions come out with vitality and his views
superimpose all that he has in his world. The world created by Iqbal is not an
imitation in any sense of the real world we live in, but an improvement on it,
presented so purposely that the reader will wish to imitate that improvement.
This aspect of Iqbal’s poetry is also due to his perception of the beautiful in
nature and art. Iqbal’s poetry is indeed “The Universal Collection.” One can
see many shades of Iqbal’s poetry. From a true patriot who always tried to
justify his passionate thoughts via his words to the sincere and honest leader
whose main motto is arousal of enthusiastic zeal in his nation. From a devoted ”Ashiq-e-Rasool (S.A.W.W)” to a
learned scholar, from being an ordinary soul to an intricate philosopher, from
the worldly love bits to the piousness of virtues and faith, Iqbal covers every
single aspect in his poetry.
“Bang-e-Dara”, “Zarb-e-Kaleem”, “Baal-e-Jibril” and “Armghan-e-Hijaz”, are few of the wonders to
Iqbal’s credit. One noticeable element of Iqbal’s poetry is power. His views
are so strong and powerful that the words fortify them. In addition to that,
his imaginations and views are so natural that the words dotted in thoughts
when jotted together, seems to dance in the flow of lyrical chant. Iqbal’s
poetic skills are versatile. The actual spark of his poetry lies in the
daintiest use of metaphor, myth, simile, metaphysical approach and unique
imagery. Iqbal is adept at using different metaphors. He so profoundly relates
different things via metaphors, which the reader feels like being among those
numb things echoing and speaking in day-to-day life. Shaheen-the bird and
philosophy of “Khudi” are two distinctive features of Iqbal’s
poetry that separates him from the line of other ordinary ones. Iqbal has
talked of ”Khudi” as a nascent bridge for connection between a
soul and his Lord. At many places he has asked the readers to connect their
faiths and beliefs via the force of Khudi.
He says:
Tu Raaz-e-Kun Fakan hai, apni ankhon par ayaan hoja
Khudi ka Raazdan hoja, khuda ka tarjuman hoja
Khudi mein doob ja ghafil yeh sirr-e-zindagani hai
Nikal har halqa-e-shaam o sehar mein beiqaran hoja
Strength, dedication, selflessness, devotion, patriotism, struggle
and art these are the prominent aspects among many eye catchers for a reader in “Kuliyaat-e-Iqbal”. Masjid-i-Qurtuba, an embodiment of beauty and grace, flows
into the eye and ear and a reader or a listener of this masterpiece in Urdu
literature invites a taste for beauty and decency. Iqbal has beautified it via
the charm of his words and crunch of his thoughts. It is yet another important
feature for a reader in Iqbal’s poetry. He has adorned this masterwork of art
with the shimmering dust of his great views. The poem written on it,Masjid-i-Qurtuba is
considered as the greatest piece of poetry, which deals with that gist of Time,
the difference between pure duration and serial time, mortality of the world,
permanence of a piece of art, love with its roll in which Masjid-i-Qurtuba is
based, nobility of the mosque, heritage and stories of Islamic creativity,
emergence of reformation, French Revolution, renaissance and confidence in-
life, these are those exalted features which a reader’s eye can catch while
going through this gathering of verses. Indeed, Iqbal has covered almost every
aspect in it that clearly depicts his strong grip over the pen and command of
his skills. He has mentioned the spark emotions and feelings too, saying:
Millat-i-Roomi nayad kuhna parasti se
peer,
Lazzat-i-tajdeed se woh bhi bui phir
jawan
Ruh-i-musalman men hai aaj wuhi iztirab
Raz-i-Khudai hai yeh, keh naheen sakti
zaban
Dekhyey is behr ki teh se uchhalta hai
kya
Gunbad-i-neelupari rang badalta hai kya
“Talu-e-Islam”, a poem considered as a masterpiece in the
history of literature has been embraced and created by Iqbal, the poet of a
whole decade. Motivation, khudi, faith, beliefs, very perfectly blended with
the delightful words, and Talu-e-Islam originated.
In its verses one could see, the face of a zealous patriot, a glimpse of the
devoted scholar and presence of Islamic history coalesced with the feelings and
emotions thrived and felt if traced back.
Here
is couplet from this poem in which he says:
Ai haram-i-Qurtuba ishq se tera wujood
Ishq sarapa dawan jis men naheen
raft-o-bood,
Rang ho ya khisht-o-sang chang ho ya
harf o-saut
Mojza-i-fan ki hai khoon-i jigar se
namood
Qatra-i-khoon-i jigar sil ko banata hai
dil
Khun-i jigar se sada
soz-o-suroor-o-sarood
Teri faza dilfaroz, meri nawa seena soz
Tujh se delon ka hazoor, mujh se dilon
ki kushood
Arsh-i-mualla se barn seena-i-Aadam
naheen
Garchi kaf e-khak ki had hai
sipihr-e-kubooc
Tera jalal-o jamal mard-i-khuda ki
daleel
Woh bhi jaleel-o jameel too bhi
jaleel-o jameel
A
new poem, a fresh piece, innovative thought, unique picture. This is all
Iqbal’s poetry is about. It is only he who has given innovative creativity and
new aspects for pondering over in each of his piece. To be remembered fondly is
his most delighting creation, “Shikwa Jawab-e-Shikwa”, a
literary work of every time for everyone. The beautiful mixture of
interrogative and declarative pattern followed in this poem has no parallel in
the history of literature. It has all in itself. Emotions, feelings, bewilderedness,
piety, sinfulness, metaphors, epitome, there isn’t any aspect uncovered in this
magnum opus. One feels like flowing in its rhythm, moving in its tone and lost
in its imagery. It is one of its kind and an example for all, for it won’t get
any other literary piece to beat its standards. He has awakened many dead souls
by the magic of his verses in this poem, a piece which would be remembered for
ages. We’ve hearts but dead, eyes but not wet and feelings with no warmth, this
is only the power of Iqbal’s words that blew some breathe in the dead and
mislaid nation of his time. As he mentioned in it:
Ummaten aur bhi hain un men gunahgaar
bhi hain
Ijz waley bhi hain mast-i ma-e pindar
bhi hain
Inmey kahil bhi hain ghafil bhi hain
hushyar bhi hain
Saikron hain ke tirey naam se bezaar
bhi hain
Rahmaten hain teri aghyar ke kashanon
par
Barq girti hai to becharey musalmanon
par
Iqbal
was the man, who of all the greatest poets had the most comprehensive soul. He
has described everything in his lyrical words. Every aspect of life seems to be
highlighted. He doesn’t only describe through words but also feels them,
realize the true emotions and then sketch them via words. The way he sense his
words is directly passed to the reader due to their purity. Masjid-e-Qurtuba, though being a statue, is
explained in such an exceptional way by him that the reader sees it in
imagination, feel its incredibility and sense its actuality. It is indeed
standard of a great poet like Iqbal who can do such wonders. List of the
miracles done by his words follow no end. He was the soul that felt things
around, sensed them in true words and captured the spark of every second. He
jotted every moment in letters. The dust of his creativity sparkled on pages
and miracles resulted. His poetry is a perfect blend of emotions, feelings,
inspiration and enduringness. His words were the only ray of hope for the
nation living in misery in his time. His views are simply actuating hopes for
the youth. He won hearts, won souls, won lives. He won the word via the charm
of his words. His poetry won him every nation of every time, every person of
every class. No matter young or old, every single being has something for
himself in his collection. His words are still the only spark of a promising
future for a dangling nation like we are. He did wonders in literature. His
poetry keeps no parallel. It has covered every aspect, every desire, every
feeling, from ordinary to extraordinary. Indeed, Iqbal’s name comes among the
top in the history of literature, a person who initiated a new style of
writing, a new trend of expressing and a new pattern of blowing people’s lives
via the fortified words.
Sabaq Phir Parh Sadaqat Ka, Adalat Ka,
Shujaat Ka
Liya Jaye Ga Tujh Se Kaam Dunya Ki
Imamat Ka
Yehi Maqsood-E-Fitrat Hai, Yehi
Ramz-E-Muslamani
Akhuwat Ki Jahangeeri, Mohabat Ki
Farawani
Written By: Hira Nazir
Pakistan and India (Poem)
Different
from each other we are,
Beliefs,
values, language, culture
All
different but we are neighbors
Fought
war three times
But
both suffered a loss
Several
times we broke our ties
And
disturbed our own public life
Banned
trade, broken ties, war fears;
For
how long this will continue
We
are one once but two now
Yes
our theory stands between us
But
it not forbade us to be friends
If
not good friends we are
Neighbors
we can
You
can change your friends
But
neighbors you can’t
Peace
is the only solution between us
We
cannot bear any other war
Written by: Nouman Akram
Peace
WHY NO
PEACE IN LIFE WHEN ALL FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE?
If we want
to find out the answer of this question than we have to look on three important
aspects;
- How we own facilities?
- How we use facilities?
- Are we contented?
After being
a part of this materialistic world we are also in the race to avail all
facilities of life. Now days a child doesn’t say that I’ll become a doctor,
engineer or a businessman but wish to be a rich man. It’s a bitter reality that
we just focus on earning to facilitate or life style as much as we can and
forget about the source of earning. Today our motive is to earn not to discern.
We take short cuts to get progresses. I’m not highlighting illegal means to
earn money because everyone doesn’t earn money through that means. And that
illegal means always end up with anxiety, depression and frustration. Those
people who avail those means already knew what would be the result of their
steps. I actually want to talk about those good ways of earning that we all
avail but still find no peace in life. Hawkers, shopkeepers, employees,
businessmen and people related to all professionals are somehow deceiving their
professions. They aren’t loyal anymore as they suppose to be. Even in the
respectable profession of teaching we observe so many flaws. Than whatever we
earn thou its Halal but because of our disloyalty it doesn’t remain Halal. And
this causes a peace less life.
But some
people used to earn money after a lot of hard work. They always stay loyal
towards job and avail all facilities of life after great struggle but they also
don’t have peace in their lives. Than we have to look on the uses of
facilities. We should think that how we use our facilities. Either we are using
it in bad way or good way, if we use it in bad ways than it will surely end up
with bad results.
Another
aspect which is very important to discuss is about our satisfaction. Are we all
satisfied to have all facilities or still we are longing for more.
A child ask
for a bicycle to his father later on when he start going to college he demands
for a motor bike and finally when he went to university he longing for a car.
After meeting all his wants still he isn’t satisfy and desire something more
and else.
Life is
full of such desires. In olden times people worked hard to meet their
necessities but today people are working day and night to have a life style
full of luxuries. And still they don’t get satisfy and wish for more. Desires
have no limitations. The more you dream the most you want. We are ungrateful
for all what we have, got or achieve.
In Quran,
Allah Almighty says,
“Which then, of the favours of
your Lord, will you deny?” Surah Ar’Rehman (verse: 25)
Ignoring
all the blessings of Almighty Allah we keep on dreaming for more and more. And this
leads us towards a way which has no destination but desires, desires and
desires. In such situation how can we have a peaceful life even with all
facilities? Sometimes
it happens that we lost what we already have in the want of something else. So
we left behind with nothing.
Dreaming
and desiring aren’t bad but longing for more and more is itself a sick desire.
We should learn to be contented. We should let our self realize that what we
are what we belong to and where we have to go back. We should not compromise on
our rituals just for sake of facilitating ourselves or fulfilling our endless
desires. This world
and man himself is mortal than why are we getting into it too much like we have
no back.
Almighty
Allah says,
“And worldly life is nothing but a play and amusement. And undoubtedly,
the last abode is better for those who fear. Do you not then?” Surah Al’Inam (Verse:
32)
So let’s
thank to Almighty Allah for His benevolence and keep working hard to achieve
great heights instead of taking short cuts or wrong means and use all the
facilities positively. This will surely make our life peaceful.
JAZAKUMALLAHU
KHAIRAN.
Written By: Qurat Anna
Social Discrimination against the Senior Citizens
Not for nothing did James Surdi, Margate opined,
“A society that does not honor its seniors is nothing more than barbaric”
People have a general desire of getting old and enjoying their retirement life by making the most out of it, but the bitter reality is: life is just not that easy and fair. Older generation who went through hard times to build up the basis for the welfare of the younger generation are sadly met by the selfish individualism, which acquires only one’s own good and leaves no room for the solidarity of a society. The senior citizens who are suppose to be entitled to retirement favors and are worthy for the high respect by the society, are sadly one of the most violated class around us. Discrimination against older people is a concern that is hardly brought into the light in this part of the globe. Aged people hardly ever report a violent behavior in a family, which ends up in a likewise higher number of unrecorded cases. Violence against the elderly often arises in the public spheres as well as in close social or private relationships.
There are varieties of reasons responsible for this social discrimination. Lack of support, personal problems, social environment where the old age is depicted with negative stereotypes such as mentally ill, physically ill, useless etc., All unanimously contribute towards this insensitive behavior. Besides, financial exploitation, loneliness, negligence, psychological aggression; for instance treatment in a disregarding way and disrespectful communication are some of the many different forms of inequity amongst the elderly of the society. I really felt the anxiety running down my nerves after coming across these words of Phyllis Diller,
“Maybe it's true that life begins at 50 ... but everything else starts to wear out, fall out, or spread out."
Discrimination against the senior citizens has many faces. In social-economic sphere, older employees may be forced to phase out of their employment positions much earlier. A number of employers disapprove hiring the seniors because of an ill-conceived notion that seniors are incapable of performing efficiently than the young. Nevertheless, researches expose that seniors are actually less likely to call in sick or quit and are generally more dependable. This biased and discouraging attitude of the public compels the seniors to lose their independence and self esteem. They start to see themselves as useless, worthless, and feel unnecessary and unrewarding.
In spite of the highly publicized examples of ill-treatment at care homes, the elderly are oftentimes abused at home by their own family members. In domestic life, some family members resent their presence in their homes. They face unfairness in communication, decision making, recreation activities or right to engage in family activities. Though usually hidden from the public eye, it is very common. Even some of the care homes are reported to have employed staff who have robbed and even beaten seniors for their pension money. Moreover, highly immoral and disrespectful incidents of discrimination against the elderly people have been reported via the media, which occasionally take place in different public places, public transports, public offices etc.
The issue has taken its worst toll in developing countries such as Pakistan where elderly people are not only discriminated but are treated as second rate citizens. The report by The United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) underscores that forty-seven per cent of older men and nearly 24 per cent of older women participate in the labor body. So far, despite their share towards the progress of a socially and economically prosperous society, many older people face intolerant social abuse. Unfortunately, Pakistan has not yet adopted steps to assure sound and healthy lifestyles of the senior citizens. The National Policy for the health of the elderly proposed by the government in 1999 intended to train the primary care doctors, provision of domiciliary care, dental care and a multifunctional system of health care for elderly, still awaits its implementation.
The need of the day is hence to formulate extensive medical and social agendas for seniors to reinforce the framework of conditions to protect the rights of the senior citizens and provide them with a comfortable, satisfied life. It is a high time to start investing in our aged population by boosting up their number of jobs and pensions, accepting their roles as caregivers and intellectuals to youngsters, improving easy access to quality healthcare etc. To help confront the abuse against the elders, seniors should be encouraged to speak up for themselves. On the other hand, people who are involved in the mistreatment should step back and reflect upon their immoral behavior. The concerned third parties can put themselves in a position to be more aware of what’s happening so they can respond to it. There should be awareness campaigns among families, employees in homes and institutions, nurses and the general public. Management of old people's homes must ensure that all legal necessities are met and there is no occurrence of physical or mental abuse against elderly people. National Policy for the health of the Elderly proposed in 1999 by the Pakistani government should be practiced just like The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations declared in 2006 in Britain that provides protection against age discrimination in employment, training and adult education, for people of all ages. Senior citizens must be given freedom to shape their own life affairs.
Value old people, for they graduated without Google or Wikipedia!
“Our society must make it right and possible for old not to fear the young or be deserted my them, for the test of a civilization is the way that it cares for its helpless members.” Pearl S. Buck
Written By: Saman Arif
Jokes Apart
Once after a Juma prayer in a mosque, the Imam raised his hands to pray and said “O Allah! Cause destruction on those who are conspiring against the Muslims. Destroy America. May their tanks stop working. May their jets stop flying. May worms eat away their canons. May they all die the death of dogs. Oh Lord! Wipe them of the face of this beautiful earth of yours! Burn them in hellfire!”
The namazis were enthusiastically adding “amen” at the end of each sentence. The imam continued against America, then India, then Israel and then also Britain. Now when it was time for much awaited Public Demand, he said “Oh Allah, give health to Chaudry sahib’s father.” Amen. “Grant employment to Khan sahib’s son.” Amen. “Bless Chandio sahib’s daughter with a happy married life.” Amen. “May the soul of Mari sahib rest in eternal peace.” Amen. “Oh Allah, please solve the Green Card problem of Butt sahib…” Ameeeeen.
In a 10th grade classroom, students belonging to different nationalities studied. First day, the teacher asked all to introduce themselves with their name, nationality and a specialty of their nation, which they feel pride in.
First said, “I am Martin John from the United States. Our country is famous for its diversity. U.S. is like a mini-earth. People from almost all cultures, races, religions and ethnicity live there. We feel very proud of the fact that we are broadminded enough to let other cultures adjust in our society.”
The teacher appreciated Martin and moved on to the next student, who said, “Hey everyone. My name is Sapna Patil and I belong to India. We, the Indians, feel pride in the natural and also manmade scenic beauty our country is blessed with. We have Taj Mahal, we have Goa beach, we have Shimla Mountain, and we have Ganges River to name a few.”
“That’s very good, Sapna. Now class, let’s move on to our next student. Yes, kindly tell us your name, then where are you from and then the thing your nation feels pride in.”
The boy sitting next replied “I am Adil Mansoor from Pakistan. And we got ATOM BOMB!!!”
A Frenchman, a Russian and a Pakistani were traveling in a tram together. To kill time, the Russian suggested all to one by one cut a joke each. He himself went first: “Once a 2-seater aircraft got crashed in a graveyard somewhere in the U.S. After three hours, the Americans had dug out 500 bodies and were still searching for more!”
All laughed loudly. Next was the Frenchmen’s turn. He said after thinking a little “a British once said to another British: won’t you go to the doctor today? The other replied: no, I’ll go tomorrow; I’m not feeling well today.”
Again all three laughed their lungs out, before the Pakistani’s turn came, who began enthusiastically “Once there was a Pathan…”
“Pakistan was made on the name of Islam!” a 7th grade schoolteacher was passionately digressing from his Islamic Studies lecture. “The problem with us is that our leaders are corrupt! In fact the whole nation… everyone of us is corrupt. We are a nation of insincere, dishonest and deceitful people! Only the system of Allah can save Pakistan now! The only hope now is Khilafat, which could save our dear Islamic Republic!” he said.
A student suddenly stood up and shouted, “Master ji, which country do we import our Khalifa from?”
A man was lying lazily in his couch on a Sunday evening and aimlessly switching channels on the TV. “Did you see Katrina’s last soap advertisement? She looks so pretty in that skirt, no?” he said to his wife, sitting in the nearby sofa.
“Oh you said the same about the Capri she wore in that juice ad.” she rolled her eyes.
The husband smirked and replied “maybe she really has an intelligent dress sense.”
Suddenly the doorbell rang. No sooner than the man got up and opened the door of the apartment, than he shouted “where do you think you had been in such indecent dress?”
“Papa, I went to my friend’s home, I had told you. What is wrong with my dress?” the 17-year old replied.
“Wherever you went, why is your hair visible out of your abaya?” the father yelled.
“Maybe because I’m not bald like you.” the daughter said and squeezed inside the house.
In a scorching May afternoon at Makah, the crowd of the pilgrims at the Holy Kaaba was more than usual. A huge number of people had gathered around the Black Stone (hajar e asvad), all desiring to kiss the stone only once. Just when an elderly Arab got the chance to insert his face inside the silver-bordered opening reserved for the purpose, a ‘healthy, wealthy and wise’ Pakistani held him from his hair, threw the Arab back, tucked his head inside, kissed the Stone some dozen times, took his head out, exclaimed “Alhamdulillah” loudly while twisting his wrist in the air and ran back towardsBaab al saee, pushing and punching anyone who’d been in his way. He had just successfully got all his sins washed away.
Written By: Ali Suleman
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