Words about Time
Conflicts are unavoidable, be it in any relationship. It is not the presence of conflict but rather how it is managed that is predictive of a relationship’s success or failure. Managing a conflict does not necessarily mean resolving one. Identifying and counteracting the conflicting issue effectively can change the game for as long as you want.
Continue reading “The Antidotes to The Four Horsemen”‘So, when are we flying then?’ I asked.
‘On the 2nd of May,’ he responded in a casual way.
Life sometimes gives you bolts from the blue. Eid fell in Qatar on the 2nd of May. We knew little that we would be coincidently traveling that day to Pakistan. Our day started with ‘S’ offering his Eid prayer, which usually commences one and a half hours (more or less) after the Fajr prayer here in Qatar. He came back, had a little sleep, and then off we were to the airport at 11 in the morning. Our flight was at 2 pm, so we had ample time to enjoy our Eid lunch at the airport before we boarded our flight to luckily celebrate yet another Eid day in Pakistan with our loved ones who awaited us.
(trans: Grandma’s Home)
It was December 2018 when we last visited Pakistan. It was an 18-day holiday, primarily to attend the wedding of my youngest sister. We were all tied up and employed with the engaging chores that all weddings call for. Time went by and we flew back with a heavy heart. Three years and two months later, fate paved our way to Pakistan again (Covid made traveling knotty). It wasn’t planned until my mother fell and fractured her wrist, the cluster of emotions gushed in, and I along with my kids rushed to Pakistan (she is keeping up well now, Alhamdolillah!).
Continue reading “Nano ka Ghar”
Who am I? The question often ascends like a tide in my mind but remains unreturned. If ever I, willingly or unwillingly, try to dive on a quest for my identity, I’ll be at a distant spot still with the lingering query, ‘Who Am I?’
Continue reading “Who Am I…?”
There is no novelty in me saying that words are very powerful. Likewise, there is no secret too in saying that if words are used correctly, they can uplift, inspire, and nourish souls: but if they spread a streak of negativity, they tend to tear everything apart. Where positive words have a soothing power, negative words have a terrifying one.
Continue reading “Do you Play Your Words Right?”
Living lighter is a liberation of mind, body, and spirit. When you learn to live lighter, you step into a journey of transformation. You learn to heal, nourish, and nurture yourself by creating boundaries and establishing wholesome relationships with things around you.
Continue reading “Finding Joy in Living Lighter”
Being in marital status for 10+ years now, I think my marriage ‘Guru’ instinct has gained some weight. Nor that my marriage has been in perfect harmony for all these years, it has been a very vibrant platter that has so much to offer and so much to remorse for as well. Marriage is hard work especially when one is arranged. You need at least a year’s time to get to know each other. And a good marriage needs the efforts of both partners to make it last longer.
Continue reading “The Four Horsemen that Destroy a Marriage”
Might have heard of the word self-esteem, right? I have, a lot. Since when? I know not. But ever wondered what this word contains? The “esteem” part of self-esteem comes from the Latin verb aestimare, meaning “to value“. Also, this “esteem” part is a verb, and verbs we all know are always the main part of the predicate. One cannot talk of self-esteem without first thinking of self-love. It is a basic understanding, if you do not love or value yourself, you are clearly losing the game of self-esteem. But when your self-esteem meets with your individuality at the crossroad of respect and value, you get self-enriched.
Continue reading “On Lending Yourself to Yourself”
It takes one an inward eye to taste the bliss of solitude. There is this essential unity existing between man’s heart and mind. It works miracles, if not thwarted. It helps one find that inward eye that once revealed promises nothing less than pure bliss. It takes you to a magnified emotional state of solace, let you appreciate it and find the strength that it carries. Voila! You got gifted with this new understanding of everything.
The world is a busy place but can ironically leave you feeling lonelier than ever. No one can help but get too immersed in this modern mundanity because, of course, much of life’s biggest joys stem from our relationships. But once in a while try closing your eyes, and let your senses immerse to find a daub of colors in that pseudo darkness. I don’t know but for me, it’s a fortunate stroke of serendipity when separated from the outside world. It elevates me to think of events that my heart pines to re-live, it reminds me of a kind gesture that my heart yearns to reciprocate, something that brings nourishment to the soul.
Solitude isn’t loneliness, it is the richness of self. It soothes, it teaches, and it nurtures souls. It is a state of being alone by choice. Loneliness becomes solitude when it’s beautifully brushed with streaks of imagination, that allow one to reflect, to learn, and to dream. We perceive things with our eyes open to the world, we imagine and visualize things with our eyes closed to the world, beyond that there is an intertwined universe of thoughts, a silence way deeper. Dwell on that silence, satiate your inward eye. This solitude is a virtuous time to express thankfulness for all the blessings in your life and have joy at just a being. Quietly contemplate, think, and understand.
I know finding solace or bliss in solitude may sound enigmatic, and convincing someone to spend time alone is a tough sell. But there exists truth and beauty to it. Once in a while try enjoying the consolation hidden in solitude. Try relishing your own company! Try being your own friend! The more you enjoy solitude the simpler life becomes. Never forgo a conscious moment of the bliss of solitude. You can never be alone if you like the person or the company you are alone with.
~ QuratulAin Hamza
[The idiom was coined by Shakespeare in ‘The Merchant of Venice’ & refers to a person who is or has been able to wisely settle matters.]
September has been a bit consuming this time. Amidst all the bustle, I got to realize that the month is ready to draw its curtain and I haven’t yet held onto my pen. I am glad to proclaim that I’m a person always trying to stitch my ties with my memories so that they are not lost anywhere in this mundane cycle, not only because they’re so precious but also because they’re so so beautiful. And beautiful things always leave an imprint on my mind (stands true for bad experiences as well).
Continue reading “A Daniel Come to Judgement”
QuratulAin Hamza