Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Americans have elected Donald Trump as their next President - what does it mean for the rest of the world?

Today, Americans have spoken. The message is loud and clear. Donald Trump is the next President of the United States of America!

Americans were faced with the choice between a candidate who some considered as self-centered, selfish and who would do anything to get power; a woman some considered to be too ambitious in a male-dominated world, versus a candidate who claimed that you can get anything you want, you can do whatever you want, and can get away with it, as long as you're rich and powerful. Americans chose the latter.

What does this mean for the rest of the world?

The world has come to look up to America as the standard for democracy, the rule of law, the dignity and rights of people, and a country that stands up for the voiceless and protects the weak and vulnerable everywhere around the world. It provided hope to the hopeless, provided protection for the defenseless, stood up for minorities and protected their rights and interests.

But, today, America has decided to elect someone who has suggested that the minorities, the defenseless, are the cancers in their society - that they are the problem. They should be kept out of its borders.

Does this mean that America has lost its place as the world's most powerful nation that everyone should look up to in time of need?

The world is in shocked and in panic mode!


Friday, June 24, 2016

Sad day for humanity: Xenophobia triumphs!

With Britain voting to leave the EU, the US Supreme Court blocking President Obama's Immigration plan, and the likelihood of the US electing a president who prefers to lock its borders from the rest of the world, its a sad day for the free world and for those we believe that all persons should be treated equally, with dignity and respect, irrespective of their gender, race or place of origin.

By focusing on the "Me, Myself and I is what matters", instead of the "We as a people with collective responsibility to be each others keeper", we are distancing ourselves from what makes us human and embracing what divides us - the fear that the next person who doesn't look like us is the enemy.

Xenophobia is gradually becoming the new normal.

How can we get out of this?

We, as humans, tend to be complacent when the going is good. In the absence of external threats, we pick fights with our own. Communities usually come together when they feel threatened by an external force. The moment the external threat is no longer there, they start looking for enemies within. Villages start blaming and attacking other villages. Families start blaming and attacking other families. However, the moment an external threat appears, they will once again rally around each other to ward off the threat.

Today, instead of enjoying the comfort that civilization, technological advancement and development has brought to the human race, we're now bored of our progress and we're looking for some threat out there that will get us to react and get the much-needed adrenalin rush in our systems. We're either picking fights with our neighbors or blaming them for our shortcomings.

Today, xenophobia manifests itself in different forms - either violently through terrorism and hate crimes, or more civil through voting to stay away from others or, rather, to keep others away from us.

Where and when will this stop? What will bring us back to our senses and unite us? Do we need an alien invasion from outer space? Is that the common enemy that we need to bring us back together as humans? May be when some other life-form threatens our human existence, we will suddenly realize that we need each other to survive.

United we stand, divided we fall

What happened to the phrase: "United we stand, divided we fall"?

I still believe that "together, we can stand tall".

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Thanks for the birthday wishes!

As I reflect on my birthday (27 April) and all the good wishes from family and friends, I take a moment to reflect:

How can I smile when everyone else is frowning?
How can I frown when everyone else is smiling?

How can I laugh when everyone else is crying?
How can I cry when everyone else is laughing?

There is nothing more rewarding than giving.
Let people around you feel wanted, respected, loved and hopeful.
Keep hope alive in the pursuit of happiness!

Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, “What are you doing for others?” - Dr Martin Luther King Jr.


Thanks for all your wonderful messages of love and appreciation. Stay blessed!

Sunday, January 3, 2016

Wishing you... HAPPINESS!

It's the beginning of a new year and it is that time of the year when one traditionally exchanges good wishes for the days, weeks and months ahead. It is that time of the year when people reflect on the year gone by, take stock and make resolutions for the days, weeks and months ahead.

At this time of reflection and good wishes, I take this opportunity to wish you HAPPINESS!

I believe that happiness is our ultimate goal. Whether we wish for good health, financial stability, loving relationships, helping others, donating to charity, meaningful and successful work, serving your community, and all the loads of other good things that one wishes for oneself, the ultimate goal is to be HAPPY!

Therefore, to all my friends out there, I wish you only one thing... HAPPINESS. The rest will tag along to achieve this one true goal.

Don't Worry be Happy in 2016!



"Don't worry be happy" by Bobby McFerrin





"Happy" by Pharrell Williams