World Affairs And Beyond

One fine afternoon, I decided to meet Baba Jee. I went to his humble abode, but his caretaker informed me that Baba Jee was sitting by the stream, approximately half an hour away. So, I walked all the way and found Baba Jee sitting under a tree by the stream on a fine rug. He was happy to see me and jokingly asked, "Is your friend from Lahore still around?" "No, Baba Jee," I replied, "he left for Lahore right after leaving your place yesterday." Baba Jee then asked me to sit on the rug and offered me some green tea and sweets. He said, "What brings you today, my child?" Sobia: Baba Jee, you know I am a kind-hearted person who finds it hard to hold grudges or take harsh actions against those who have wronged me. People often see this as a weakness and believe I lack courage. I forgive even when others have offended or hurt me unjustly. They think I do this because I am weak. Is it true? Baba Jee: My child, true strength lies in the heart that can ...

Journey through life's unpredictable twists, Discover the power of forgiving mists. In the steaming dance of time, Compassion's rhythm, a soothing rhyme. Explore the realms of hearts set free, Release the burden of enmity. A poetic tale of forgiveness' art, Healing wounds, a fresh start. Embrace the love, let grudges fade, Life's brief moments, in kindness laid. © Sobia Nosheen (13th December 2023)

Amid life's busyness, we often find ourselves dedicated to nurturing the well-being of others. Like diligent gardeners, we water the plants in other people's lives, ensuring they bloom and flourish. Yet, amidst this altruistic endeavour, there's a tendency to overlook the garden we call our own. The metaphorical concept of tending to our own garden is a powerful reminder of the importance of self-care and self-nurturing. It echoes the wisdom that sometimes, in our eagerness to help others thrive, we inadvertently neglect the well-being of our own emotional, mental, and physical landscapes. Consider this: we water the plants in another person's life by offering support, lending a listening ear, and providing comfort. These actions are beautiful expressions of empathy and compassion. However, the danger lies in consistently directing all our energies outward, leaving our internal garden parched and neglected. Just like a garden requires a careful balance of sunlight, wate...

There was a bird, A delicate and beautiful  Little bird; but Injured and hurt Seeking shelter, from the vultures Looking for protection Flying here and there Had wings gone weak It saw a man Sitting under a tree A bored man, Waiting for entertainment. To the bird  He appeared to be kind From a safer distance He was calling out For the bird; It not seeing, What his intentions were