The Next Best Thing: February 2016

Opinions

Too Many Cooks, Didn't Spoil the Broth.

3:57:00 PM

Opinions

The Do's and Don'ts of Valentine's Day.

2:58:00 PM

Journal Entries

A Friend in Need Is a Friend Indeed.

11:33:00 AM

Journal Entries

How To Get Away From Paranoia.

7:40:00 PM

Who hasn't gone through paranoia?

The society that we live in today doesn't treat introverts that well. It doesn't treat anyone well. If you're walking down to the mart or are running an errand, there might be—might not be—someone who'll notice the shoes that you're wearing or your clothes. That person will form an opinion inside their head. Another might even blurt it out. And when that happens, you'll naturally hear it all too correctly. Each and every word, distinctly.

Sometimes, paranoia is useful. We can use our obsession to better ourselves, to stay safe and away from harm. But it doesn't help all the time. If we become too obsessive, it'll make a worry-wort out of us and we'll be leading ourselves to our own eventual destruction.

I think caring what people think about you is also encompassed by paranoia. The constant fear, the killing curiosity of knowing what that group on the table next to yours in the cafeteria is whispering about. What those people are giggling about. It drives you mad! Is it you? Does your hair look bad? Is there something on your face? There's definitely an embarrassing paper stuck behind you, written on it, awful things...

Not everyone is paranoid. But we might as well accept the truth if it applies to us. And help the others that have succumbed to this monster. But if you are not paranoid, then your mind is as healthy as it can be and I'm sure you have a lot of friends that love and admire you.

Sometimes, it isn't paranoia that we experience. Sometimes, it's just an encounter with a bunch of not-so-kinds, bullies, jealous people...the list goes on.

What then? If it isn't paranoia but real life?

Then, I guess, we better stand up for ourselves.

But if you think that you're a lamb that has come across a whole hoard of hungry wolves, then you better prepare yourself for the emotional distress you'll be making yourself march through. For those wolves might be our own thoughts.

You first need to determine if people really are being mean to you. If yes, then you need to walk up to them and have the issue cleared, once and for all. If that's not the case, then board the train you see below:

How To Get Away From Paranoia.

Welcome aboard!

So you think people are out there to get you? To make the tiniest pieces of you possible and then cook lasagna out of you? You think too much!

I'll acquaint you with the basics of the art.

Talking to a therapist is the best solution there is. When we let 'that burden' off our chest, a wave of relief passes over us. Having another human being to tell things and then receiving their advice might be the best idea for coping with your obsession. If you can't afford a therapist or simply are not into being personal to a stranger, you can ask your friends to help. Tell them to be harsh when controlling you and your paranoia. Good friends can be helpful in so many ways. You can even keep a diary. Go through what you've written. You'll find your obsession absurd after a while and will soon get bored of it.

If you're not a socialist and prefer your own company over everybody else's, people will judge you. But that doesn't mean they want to quench their century-old thirst with your blood. Try getting out of your comfort zone. I can't think of a single reason why making a new friend won't benefit anyone. But if you're totally fine with how you sit in corners, or in a special place frequented by none but you, and have no qualms about your choice and are unaffected by people's opinions, then you're good to go.

You've bought a new shirt, but are too scared to give it that day out it deserves because you think your friends might make fun of you. If yes, then you better put that shirt on, for your life depends on it! Put it on and walk outside, proud as the proudest. People will be amazed at how beautiful you look. Not only because of that brand new piece of awesomeness, but because of the confidence that you're radiating! You might even make a new friend.

It's your first day as freshman. You've been dying to go to this college and have finally been accepted! But you're bad at making friends. Like, really bad. No worries! Just walk to the most approachable person you find and say HI! Just like that. What could go wrong?

If you think there's a serial-killer after you, then I suggest you contact the police, for no amount of positive thinking can help you there.

Point being; you're over-thinking. This world isn't as bad as the down-trodden think. We all are equal in the eyes of God, and he has gifted us with different talents. This gift is still closed shut, if you're obsessing over people. Once you've opened it, you won't have time to dedicate to your tormentors, that is, if you really have any. You'll be, instead, obsessed with the gift that you've opened. You'll spend all your time with it, rather than with your unhealthy thoughts.

Unlike the proverbial cat, we only have one life. It can be whatever we fashion it into. It can be good, great, amazing, and even better if we choose. Or, it can be dark and desolate, if we don't make better choices.

The remote-controller is in YOUR hands. Pick it up! And use it wisely.

Let us never let paranoia get the best of us!

Journal Entries

Are You a Dreamer?

7:14:00 PM

Opinions

Domino Effect.

4:46:00 PM

One, two, three...

A little push, and they all fall.

Every individual of our society has faced—or will— the domino effect. The dominoes being compartments of life; and the push, a wrong decision, choice, or someone else's interference. As soon as the blow has been struck, chaos follows.

The advances in technology have contributed to this effect, too. In fact, they have made its accomplishment easier. Victims of stress, incapability, and expectations are bound to experience this tumbling of everything important.

For teenagers, obtaining straight A's, being the ideal child and the like are a few responsibilities. And if, by some inexplicable reason, these responsibilities don't see the light of day, a domino gets pushed and the perpetual effect takes place; until not a single is left standing.

Adults face far more complicated problems, like paying bills and making sure there's a roof over their families, to mention a few. If they are unable of fulfilling these tasks, the thudding happens then, too.

What we don't know is that we, ourselves are in charge of each and every domino. Also, others, but their power isn't as strong as our own. If applied, that is.

One problem may be the cause of several new ones. It is our duty to make sure that the perils of one domino don't bounce off onto another, making it fall and multiplying the damage. Achieving this feat, isn't impossible. It may seem difficult at first, but once a person gets a hang of it, it becomes natural.

In a few cases, others provide the little energy needed for a domino to fall, either by interfering, intervening, being inadvertent or by malicious intent. Whatever the case, leaving that one domino to the mercy of another person is the mistake most commit. And regret.

Sometimes, we are the sole cause of the downfall.

The factors are many, and the destruction, even greater.

It is up to ourselves to remain in full command and not let ourselves be buried under our dominoes. For erecting them back into their original position can be dreadful.

Opinions

Islamophobia.

4:02:00 PM

Since the Paris attack, Muslims all over the globe have been seen as responsible. They're being mistreated and are being forced to abandon their homes and flee. The Islamophobia that has been allowed to breathe, to feed and grow has become a nuisance for them. And for us.

The human mind knows nothing better than the art of exaggeration. All it needs is some motivation. That and conspiracy theorists. If all the ingredients have been added in correct proportions, the resulting meal carries worldwide consequences.

Terrorist massacres have given birth to a generation of Islamophobes. This generation has been programmed to despise Muslims, whether involved or not in the extremist regime, and make their lives as miserable as possible. In doing so, they form a terrorist group of their own, inflicting misery on anyone they find related to the religion.

Some of these Islamophobes are genuinely scared, scared of what they saw on their TV screens and became incapable of getting over it. They believe that all Muslims practice the same Islam the terrorists do. They can join the club, because the Muslims—the real ones—live in fear, too. These terrorists target not only non-Muslims, but also Muslims that practice and preach the real Islam. For Islam doesn't encourage the heinous acts these terrorists display. No religion does!

This Islamophobia is another trend, just like the ice-bucket challenge or the selifie-revolution. An ominous trend that is hindering the struggle for global peace and the absolute end of terrorism. If Planet Earth is to be saved, and turned into a livable place for our future generations, this phobia needs to be terminated.

We have been surreptitiously forced into a direction of darkness and desolation. We must turn around now, and select the better path. Our minds are being controlled by illusionists, who seek nothing more than their own gain at the expense of global destruction.

Let us all force our way out of their implemented trance and begin the betterment of all mankind. To achieve this, we must know the enemy. It isn't us! It's these terrorists. Let's fight against them, hand in hand. Let's not let race, color and religion blind us. Let's not let it stop us from seeing the truth. Let's all become one.

Let's all become one against the real enemy.

Opinions

Waiting for Freedom.

6:29:00 PM

Journal Entries

The Perils of a Beginner.

8:48:00 PM

In class today, an acquaintance of mine saw me, seated alone and separated from the rest. He came to sit beside me, at the expense of his friends calling out to him, unhappy. They gave up, soon, and this classmate sat next to me for what was an hour.

Before the lecture began, there was small talk.

He asked me why I haven't shown him my poetry yet. I told him that I don't post it online, just show it to people—the ones I want to—when I need. I'll make sure that I do show him one. After a two-second pause, he said that he writes Urdu poetry. I complimented and encouraged him, though he pretended to not have heard my request of a few lines from his work.

I guess he must feel the same way. He must be scared of plagiarism, too.

I, then, said something I now regret.

People value Urdu poetry, and not English.

Thinking about it now, I know that what I said wasn't right. People don't value poetry at all; be it English or Urdu.

Nowadays, no one has time for modern poetry. Our curriculum also bounds our youngsters from exploring new poets and their works, restricting their limit by never being modified. Our teachers studied from the very books we are studying from, and tell us that so did their teachers.

I once asked someone a question: Do you know who Taufiq Rafat is?

That person had no clue.

To be honest, I don't know much about him either. We read a poem of his in middle-school, the one by the name of Children Understand Him. Even though I began writing my real poetry in high school, Mr. Rafat's poem might have been the reason why I started writing. Reminiscing about the old times, I now remember that my fifth-grade poetry was a little like this:

The princess and the pea,

I saw her drinking tea.

And:

Fresh, fresh air,

reaching to my ears,

I can feel the wind,

in my hair.

My siblings and my mom make fun of it even today.

It was childish, but now, it most certainly isn't. I can bet my, well, my Avril Lavigne poster on that!

Whether Mr. Rafat did or didn't introduce me to this art, I'm glad I began writing.

But I know one thing: I can't succeed as a poet here.

In VLM (Visionary Leadership and Motivation), our teachers tell us about how important it is to do what we want and not what we don't. My having chosen CS, I believe, is getting in my way of everything. The courses are too demanding and homework and assignments keep piling up. If I don't get my act together, I might drown.

I only have like, twelve or more poems. That's. It. Whatever I deemed unprofessional, never made it out of my poem diary and to my computer and other devices, since I no longer write on paper. How can I produce more when my attention is needed elsewhere?

A friend of mine gave me this advice when I asked for his help:

Study first, write later.

People send their poems into magazines, which isn't good for them. I've been advised to do the same, but I know that it's bad advice. Two of poems got stolen, when I submitted them to be printed in our school's magazine. They were nowhere to be found. The paper I had written them on were my only copies—stupid, stupid me.

And that's where my fear of plagiarism generates from.

I keep on web-browsing, placing a line or two every now and then of my poems to be sure that they're nowhere on the internet. The search results are always satisfying.

But I am still paranoid.

So, this is what happens to beginners, they just can't do anything. The beginners here, in Pakistan. There's no platform for us to showcase our talents, and we just keep on dreaming of "the day" when our lives will change, when the whole world will know us because of our gifts.

I am on constant surveillance of opportunities, where I can get a chance to make a new name for myself with my poetry. None has arrived yet. There are awards for poets, but I am nowhere near applying for them. I don't even have published anything yet.

So I'm waiting, for my four years of university education to end. No more doing what I don't want!

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