http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/editorial/in-the-line-of-fire-760

HELLO, and a very good morning to you. I wish I could begin by saying “may peace be on you” in Arabic but unfortunately, I’d risk being thrown into jail besides having to pay a very heavy fine. So we’ll drop that idea for now.

Within the boundaries of this land, as per the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, I am not by any definition a Muslim. I am a member of the community that came under intense attack by armed zealots on Friday, May 28. And yes, I witnessed the entire tragic episode firsthand.

It was a normal Friday morning, just like all the other Fridays that come and go. I woke up unusually early by my standards, at 10am. Had a decent breakfast, read the paper, took a shower and was off to pray. That was 1:20pm. Fifteen minutes later, I and four or five others were frantically trying to break the lock to a small room. That achieved, I was holed up in a tiny cabinet with an older gentleman beside me, listening to gunfire and hand grenades exploding while praying to God and furiously dialling the emergency helpline 15 again and again. I won’t go into the details of what happened because you already know them by now. I’m going to tell you what you may not know.

One, threats of violence have been being hurled at us for a very long time. Just recently Amnesty International released a report on minority issues in Pakistan and urged the government to take strict corrective action. Two, the government, whatever it may say, did not provide adequate security even though it was aware of the seriousness of the situation. Three, we — Ahmadis — are not agents of the CIA, Blackwater, Israel, RAW, Mossad or any other organisation or network. We are a religious community without any political affiliations, with no history of violence and are engaged in charity work throughout the world. Our official motto is ‘love for all, hatred for none’.

Let’s get back to what happened that black Friday. I witnessed the Model Town carnage and can testify that there were three, maybe four, policemen in all who had been stationed there for many months. I saw them in their dhotis and slippers, smoking their hookahs, whenever I went to pray. That is what the state saw as ‘adequate’ security. What is the point of policemen being there when all they are going to do is smoke and chew paan? We were offered a false, token sense of security.

Most of the security cover on the day of the attacks was comprised of unarmed volunteers from our own community. Friends and relatives who were outside tell me that the police and the Elite Force, on their arrival at the Model Town site, did not even attempt to go inside and showed signs of fear (last time I checked, weren’t all Elite Force jawans wearing shirts inscribed with ‘no fear’?). Seeing this, members of the community who were outside tried to convince them that they had to enter the premises: the clock was ticking and lives were at stake. On the law enforcers’ refusal, some Ahmadis tried to take their weapons so that at least they could go inside themselves and try to deal with the gunmen.

It was only after the worshippers inside had subdued two of the attackers that the law-enforcement personnel found the confidence to go in. The terrorists, by the way, had an easy passage of entry: they came through the cricket ground which is directly in front of what is called Bait-ul-Noor. Five gunmen. Fully armed. Two with suicide jackets. Do unarmed people in their teens and twenties stand a chance against them? You decide. I hope the honourable khadim-i-aala of Punjab takes note of what I’m saying here. Sir, I’ll be direct for your convenience. There wasn’t enough police and please don’t give us lectures on police bravery.

And yes, you need to dial 15 literally 40 times before you get through. And by the time you do, you’re probably on your way to heaven along with the suicide bomber — or in our case, hell. If news channels can reach the spot 15 minutes earlier than the law-enforcement agencies, then I wonder where the billions of rupees set aside for the police force go.

If we are to revisit the history of the Ahmadi community in Pakistan, numerous events and occurrences expose the deep prejudice and discriminatory attitude that the state and religious extremists hold against them. 1953: anti-Ahmadi riots with the call to oust Sir Zafrulla Khan, the country’s first foreign minister and a prominent Ahmadi. 1974: Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the country’s first elected prime minister, ensures the passage of a resolution declaring the community non-Muslim. 1984: Ziaul Haq promulgates an ordinance that specifically prevents them from calling themselves Muslim and from using Muslim descriptions and titles. In a nutshell, they cannot refer to themselves as Muslims.

Say the Islamic greeting, publish your books or give out the call to prayer and you’ll be incarcerated in the blink of an eye. Eid-ul-Fitr last year: yahoos try to disrupt the offering of Eid prayers in the very same prayer house in Model Town. And please take note that these prayer houses cannot be called ‘mosques’ under the law (it’s a shame that it’s even called a law), which is why anchorpersons and other journalists use the word ibadatgah (place of worship).



So, on the one hand, we have the constitution and Article 20 which guarantees the right to freedom of worship and the propagation of one’s religion. And on the other hand, you have the Ziaul Haq ordinance. Notice any contradictions? The state first tells us we are allowed the freedom to pray openly. Then it tells us it’s a crime to do so. Oxymoronic? Moronic as well. Honourable chief justice, if the anti-Ahmadi ordinance does not violate the said article and the very basic structure of the constitution of the country, then what does?

~ADAPTED

INTIMATE WITH GOD

A personal Narrative by a Survivor of Terrorist Attack on
May 28, 2010 in Baitul Nur Mosque, Model Town, Lahore,
Pakistan

The 28th of May was a hot and dusty day. It is my routine to leave home for the Juma Prayers at 12:55 pm. That day due to various commitments I got late and my father-in-law said “should we go?” in other words suggesting tentatively that we may not go. But we then decided to go. We therefore started late and reached Baitul Nur Mosque, Model Town five minutes later than usual. It is always my endeavor to find a place in the main front hall preferably in the front rows. That day since we had reached late, therefore I found a place in the last row just next to the central entrance opening into the rear corridor. My father-in-law went to
the rear upper hall. A few minutes into the Khutba, I heard the sound of gun fire. After some initial commotion, people settled down. I thought that the security people posted at the gate will be able to control the situation. But some time later when the sound came closer, louder and more persistent, I got worried. However, I hoped that the police would be able to react and it would be a matter of time before the situation is brought under control. To my utter disbelief, the firing did not subside.

Instead I heard a few loud explosions and then after laps of a few seconds firing was heard from the court yard of the Mosque. My level of worry and anxiety increased. I thought that probably the attackers were too many and some have managed to penetrate the security curtain. At that time people sitting outside the hall on chairs had been moved in and all the doors were bolted from inside. At that same time the people sitting in the main hall started trickling out of it, and into the basement. And then, some body started firing into the main hall through the windows. From the pattern of fire I concluded that there are two people who are firing.

The bullets started hitting the people who were in the line of fire, most of whom were elderly people who being less agile could not move or take cover quickly. In matters of minutes the main hall started looking empty but bloody. Only the injured, the elderly or a few young able bodied persons now remained in the hall. And all of them were crouching by the walls. Most of the bullets were tracer rounds and the ricocheting bullets created the feeling as if the dance of the death is being performed. I had taken cover behind the wall but kept my head up to have some view of the happenings. One attacker tried a number of times to force the entry from the side wooden door in the front. But he could not do so, because two or three very courageous people foiled that attempt by putting their entire weight behind that door. I saw one of them dying gallantly in front of that door and his body slumped there thus blocking it effectively. The attacker then abandoned the effort to force his entry through that door and came towards the rear door with glass pans. He tried to force it open by firing through it, but did not succeed. He then went back towards the front again and started firing through various windows. Every time he would fire through the window at random he would hit some one. Thus he continued to inflict causalities with impunity. One thing which I noticed was that upon being hit by the bullet, people would neither wail nor cry. They all took the hits and suffered the agonizing pain with remarkable forbearance. This in my opinion is reflective of their conviction and steadfastness of faith.

The same attacker then came towards the rear door, squat 15 feet away from it in my full view and started changing magazines and also took out two hand grenades. I also observed that he had blood on his trouser which was probably due to an injury caused to him in the fire fight outside the mosque. He was preparing for further damage in a very deliberate and cold manner. I watched in utter helplessness and horror for over three minutes. He was a sitting duck of a target, but none of us had
any weapon.

When the attacker was making these preparations, I started evolving various plans in my mind. My first idea was that if the grenade falls close to me and I have enough time to react, I will lob it back at him and the second was to dash away from it, in case I can not lob it back. So when he lobbed the first grenade in the corridor, it came to rest towards my feet, and I was therefore unable to pick it up and throw it back, as I was lying flat with my hands and head away from it . Therefore I chose to dash away towards the northern wall, I had gone a few feet when it exploded and Gen Nasir took the full brunt of the blast on his face and chest and Wing Commander A was hit on his thighs and feet.

The same attacker then forced his entry into rear upper hall and started shooting at the people there. After some time he came towards the main hall, stood near the railing and lobbed a grenade, which exploded in the centre of the hall and caused a wound to my right foot. Then he fired thrice on a person sitting at the entrance. I saw the man fall to a side and lay motion less. At that time I was lying flat on the ground hiding behind a dead man. The attacker then came to the entrance of the hall. As I saw him, he saw me and I imagine that he must have observed my movement as well; therefore he pointed his weapon towards me. I was sure that I will be killed now. At that time no thought about the family or any thing else crossed my mind. The only thought which came to my mind was to communicate with the God. So, I posed this question to my God “God, is it the end? And then in the same breath, I asked the next question, which I addressed to him in my mother tongue and said “jehraye nazarae toun manu wakhai nain, ouh awein san?” Translated into English, it roughly meant that “All those visions which you have shown me about the future
were just nothing?” My caring, loving, protecting and all omnipotent God answered immediately. The attacker aimed and then fired three bullets at me, which did not hit me. I did not even feel the bullets hitting any where near me. I however did not stir. By that time I had observed that any one who moans or stirs, is instantly shot by him. He was firing single shot, targeting people systematically. I thought that he is going to kill us all one by one. Since I had ducked and was lying motionless, therefore I did not see him until I looked up again after hearing the sound of gun shots after some time. People later told me that after firing from the doorway
he had changed magazine and calmly walked to the centre of the hall.

When I heard the firing start again and did not feel the fire coming in my direction, I slightly raised and turned my head and saw from the corner of my right eye that he was facing away from me and firing, targeting people from right to left one by one. He would fire two or three bullets on each person and then select the next target and start firing at it. That was the moment, on an instinctive impulse; I got up in a flash and rushed towards him. He was 24 feet away from me (I measured the
distance later). I don’t remember whether I ran, jumped, flew or I was propelled by the angles or thrown at him by the God, as I have a very vague memory of my movement. But in the space of time, it takes one to press the trigger once, I was upon him. I say so, because in that time, when I was rushing towards him, I only heard him fire one shot. I was moving at such a tremendous speed that when I hit him in the waist region he was thrown off balance and the weapon fell from his hand.
Such was my speed and so great was the jolt to him that one nephew of mine trapped in the basement, was able to see him, thought that the terrorist has been hit a bullet in the head. I grabbed and threw him on ground. He tried to get hold of his weapon but I snatched it from him by pulling it by its barrel. That is when I burnt my left hand. I sat on him and held him by the neck. Since his arms were free therefore he tried to move his arm under his belly. I thought that he wants to pull a grenade out. So I let his neck go and pulled his hand away from his belly and started hitting the base of his skull with ferocious punches. This I believe stunned and
temporarily immobilized him. It is then that I called for help. M F came with a stick and then N also came to hold him down. I then picked up his weapon and directed the others to tie him up with neckties. Later I instructed the people to remove his bandolier and any other weapon that he might still have on his person. An explosive belt was also removed from his person. He had not been able to detonate the explosive laden belt due to my timely action. The country’s interior minister, later talking to the media, said that it has happened for the first time that a suicide attacker was unable to detonate himself and he has been taken alive. The
importance of this person being caught alive and his criticality to the planners of this heinous crime is indicated by the Monday night’s (1st June) bold raid of the terrorist on Jinnah Hospital, which was most likely executed to eliminate him, in the hospital where he was being treated.

that suddenly his mood has turned ferocious and the sign of terrible annoyance are visible on his face and he rushes towards some one in an aggressive manner and snatches some object from him which appears to be a weapon. After he has done that, his face starts glowing and I feel that the face of Mamoon Abdullah is radiating the light of courage and
valor”.

In both the visions narrated above, I think I have been portrayed as Abdullah, which means a man of God. I am just that and no more. When I recollect the events of that day I often wonder as to why I stayed in the hall and did not go into the basement with others? No thought of escape ever occurred to me. Throughout the period when the great tragic event was taking place, not for a moment I thought of my wife and children. It never occurred to me that I should try to save myself. I stayed in the position where I had found the place initially at the start of the congregation and watched all the happenings with trepidation from the same point. When the grenade exploded next to me I ran and positioned myself at point from where I was subsequently able to find the opportunity to attack the terrorist. When I thought that I will be killed as the attacker aimed and fired three bullets at me, I was saved and remained fit to execute the task destined to be performed by me. When Apa M (Gen Nasir’s daughter) praised my action which saved many lives and sought the details from my wife. She narrated the joke I had told her about a Sikh, who had jumped into the river to save a drowning boy and when people asked him to explain his heroic effort, he said “first tell me who had pushed me”. She commented that “It was God who had pushed him” I entirely agree with her. While the perpetrators of this heinous crime were planning the murder, Khiar-ul- Makreen was planning his own remedy, unknown to any one or to even myself. Who was to be used just as an instrument, a pawn in the hands of God. I therefore deserve no credit.

There is a personal aspect also, which relates to my immediate family and I would appreciate if you bear with me for a few more minutes and know about that too. That is about my wife, daughter and the son. Their comportment at the time of the crisis must also be shared with you. While the events related to the attack were being telecast live on the TV channels, we were not in communication with each others. My daughter on hearing about the siege of the Model Town Mosque was worried and weeping too. Her colleague tried to reassure her by saying that do not worry, uncle has proper training and he will save himself by taking cover. To that, my daughter replied “You do not know my father, I know my father better, he is not the one who will take it lying down and that is the thing which worries me the most”. She said that, she was however confidant that nothing will happen to me. She derived her confidence from those visions about my future which I had shared with my wife and the children. My son remained calm throughout this gory episode while he was in the school, but broke down when I talked to him after the event. His tears were the tears of relief and gratitude. My wife maintained her composure and remained calm. She was sure that I shall remain safe.

That is reflective of her unflinching faith in the protective hands of the God. The maids in the house said that “we fear for the Sahib’s safety because he is not the one who will sit back”. I thank my God for giving me the courage and wisdom to come up to the expectations of my near and dear ones. Each word which I have written is true and is from the core of my heart.

After the event till the time of writing this short narrative, I have received innumerable calls from friends, relatives and persons unknown to me. The calls came from far away and diverse regions and countries such as Waziristan, Kashmir, USA, UK, Germany, Canada and Zambia.
They called to appreciate my action. I have individually thanked all of them and now I once again gratefully acknowledge their concern for my well being. I say to those who are fighting the ugly menace of terrorism that, I now know the perils they face, therefore I pray for them all the time, because they need our prayers. I request you to also render strength to them through prayers and expression of support for them publicly.

I send this brief description of the events of that fateful day to my sister, brothers, cousins, nephews, nieces, friends, colleagues and all others who are close to my heart, in the hope that they will remember me in their prayers. Names of living people have not been mentioned due to the security reasons.

~Adapted

When things in your life seem Almost too much to handle

i was going thru this article and felt lyk sharing it with all;

When things in your life seem Almost too much to handle,
When 24 Hours in a day is not enough,
Remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class
And had some items in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly,
He picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar
And proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students, if the jar was full.
They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured
them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.

He then asked the students again
If the jar was full... They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand

And poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded
With an unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced Two cups of coffee from under the table
And poured the entire contents Into the jar, effectively
Filling the empty space between the sand.
The students laughed.

'Now,' said the professor, As the laughter subsided,
'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life..
The golf balls are the important things - God, family,
children, health, friends, and favorite passions –

Things that if everything else was lost
And only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter Like your job, house, and car.

The sand is everything else --
The small stuff.

'If you put the sand into the jar first,' He continued,
'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.
The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff,
You will never have room for the things that are
Important to you.

So...

Pay attention to the things That are critical to your happiness.
Play with your children.
Take time to get medical checkups.
Take your partner out to dinner.

There will always be time
To clean the house and fix the disposal.

'Take care of the golf balls first --
The things that really matter.
Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'

One of the students raised her hand
And inquired what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled.
'I'm glad you asked'.

It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem,
there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'

Give another look to your perception!

A young couple moves into a new neighborhood. The next morning, while
they are eating breakfast, the young woman sees her neighbor hang the
wash outside.

That laundry is not very clean, she said, she doesn't know how to
wash correctly. Perhaps she needs better laundry soap.

Her husband looked on, but remained silent. Every time her neighbor
would hang her wash to dry, the young woman would make the same
comments.

About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean
wash on the line and said to her husband: "Look! She has learned how
to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this."

The husband said: "I got up early this morning and cleaned our
windows!"

And so it is with life: "What we see when watching others depends on the purity of the window through which we look. Before we give any criticism, it might be a good idea to check our state of mind and ask ourselves if we are ready to see the good rather than to be looking for something in the person we are about to judge. "

Difference in Cultures

Blue --> Westerner Red --> Asian

Punctuality

Queue when waiting

Way OF Life

Party

Transportation

Contacts

Moods and Weathers

The Boss

Handling of Problems

Three meals a day

Anger

Opinion

Travelling

In the Restaurant

Sundays on the road

Elderly in day to day life

What's Trendy

Selfless Love

My wife called, 'How long will you be with that newspaper? Will you
come here and make your darling daughter eat her food?

I tossed the paper away and rushed to the scene. My only daughter,
Sindu, looked frightened; tears were welling up in her eyes. In front of
her was a bowl filled to its brim with curd rice. Sindu is a nice child, quite
intelligent for her age.

I cleared my throat and picked up the bowl. 'Sindu, darling, why don't
you take a few mouthful of this curd rice? Just for Dad's sake, dear'.

Sindu softened a bit and wiped her tears with the back of her hands.
'Ok, Dad. I will eat - not just a few mouthfuls, but the whole lot of this.
But, you should...' Sindu hesitated. 'Dad, if I eat this entire curd Rice,
will you give me whatever I ask for?'

'Promise'. I covered the pink soft hand extended by my daughter with
mine, and clinched the deal. Now I became a bit anxious. 'Sindu, dear,
you shouldn't insist on getting a computer or any such expensive items.
Dad does not have that kind of money right now. Ok?'

'No, Dad. I do not want anything expensive'. Slowly and painfully, she
finished eating the whole quantity. I was silently angry with my wife and
my mother for forcing my child to eat something that she detested.

After the ordeal was through, Sindu came to me with her eyes wide with
expectation. All our attention was on her.

'Dad, I want to have my head shaved off, this Sunday!' was her demand.

'Atrocious!' shouted my wife, 'A girl child having her head shaved off?
Impossible!'

'Never in our family!' My mother rasped. 'She has been watching too
much of television. Our culture is getting totally spoiled with these TV
programs!'

'Sindu, darling, why don't you ask for something else? We will be sad
seeing you with a clean-shaven head.'

'Please, Sindu, why don't you try to understand our feelings?' I tried
to plead with her.

'Dad, you saw how difficult it was for me to eat that Curd Rice'.
Sindu was in tears. 'And you promised to grant me whatever I ask for.
Now, you are going back on your words. Was it not you who told me the story of King Harishchandra, and its moral that we should honor our promises no
matter what?'

It was time for me to call the shots. 'Our promise must be kept.'

'Are you out of your mind?' chorused my mother and wife.

'No. If we go back on ourpromises, she will never learn to honour her
own. Sindu, your wish will be fulfilled.'

With her head clean-shaven, Sindu had a round-face, and her eyes
looked big and beautiful.

On Monday morning, I dropped her at her school. It was a sight to
watch my hairless Sindu walking towards her classroom. She turned around
and waved. I waved back with a smile. Just then, a boy alighted from a car,
and shouted, 'Sinduja, please wait for me!' What struck me was the
hairless head of that boy. 'May be, that is the in-stuff', I thought.

'Sir, your daughter Sinduja is great indeed!' Without introducing herself,
a lady got out of the car, and continued, 'that boy who is walking
along with your daughter is my son Harish. He is suffering from...
leukemia'. She paused to muffle her sobs. 'Harish could not attend the
school for the whole of the last month. He lost all his hair due to the
side effects of the chemotherapy. He refused to come back to school fearing the
unintentional but cruel teasing of the schoolmates. Sinduja visited him last
week, and promised him that she will take care of the teasing issue. But, I
never imagined she would sacrifice her lovely hair for the sake of my son!
Sir, you and your wife are blessed to have such a noble soul as your daughter.'

I stood transfixed and then, I wept. 'My little Angel, you are teaching me how selfless real love is!'

The happiest people on this planet are not those who live on their own
terms but are those who change their terms for the ones whom they love !!

Life is Changing

Life is Changing
By Lou Wilkinson


Life is changing; rearranging.
News brings cataclysmic aging;
Tremors driving, fear is thriving,
Memories fading - reaching, dying.

Friendships questionned, loved ones tested.
Seeking truths and never rested.
Old wounds healed while others festered,
Some are lost and never quested.

Eyes that watch, that judge too soon,
Quivering lips recite a tune,
Body's shaking much too soon,
Dancing dances, before noon.

Soul survives, the limits drawn,
Finding faith to right the wrong.
Each new day that presses on,
Silently waits and then is gone.

Veil that drops and never rises,
Life so seldom brings surprises.
Peace that quietly surmises,
Sleep - the final answer rises.

Loved ones feelings are still fresh,
Suffering ended, gone the flesh
Time replaces, left to mesh
The empty void that's always left.

**This is one of my favorite poem and is too close to my heart !

Love simply is...

Love is not a habit, a commitment or a debt. It isn't what romantic songs tell us it is - LOVE SIMPLY IS !
That is the testament of Athena or sherine or Hagia Sofia - LOVE IS.

No Definitions.

Love and dont ask too many questions. Just Love!

~From The Witch Of Portobello by Paulo Coelho

Love & Forgiveness

How can these two words, love and forgiveness change your whole perspective on life? First, you must put your trust in something bigger than yourself. You may call it God, Spirit, Budda, whatever your faith is, trust that it has a bigger plan (could it be a lesson in forgiveness?) than your everyday troubles. What is the most important lesson you can learn while here on earth? Love and Forgiveness. But how do you get to the Love part if you have hatred in your heart? Forgive. It sounds so simple and yet it can be the most difficult thing that you can do in this lifetime.

You were wronged or someone betrayed you, how can you let that go? Forgive. Forgive and it will set your heart free. Here are some steps that can get you there. Feel your anger, feel your sadness, feel whatever it is you need to get all those emotions out, write it down and then throw it away. Give yourself a certain timeframe in which you will no longer continue to go on with those emotions. Now comes the hard part, trying to convince yourself that the other person deserves to be forgiven. Every time this hurt comes into your heart, say to yourself "I forgive "name" for what they have done". Every time you start to go over the scenario, and start to get angry or sad, instead replace it with "I forgive "name" for what they have done". You might not believe what you are saying at first. But sending that message out into the universe will eventually help break the chain of black energy that links you together with an invisible line of hate.

Hopefully it will hit you one day. You can let it go, the hate, the anger, the betrayal, how you were wronged and in a peaceful loving moment truly feel that forgiveness. The best possible way to break the chain of hate that connects you by an invisible link, is to stand and face this person and truly believing and feeling in your heart what you are about to say to them. "No matter what you have done to me, I forgive you" It is truly disarming, and can break that link that binds you. That's it! It may be a long and hard task to get to that one simple line.

What does it feel like? Once you have set each other free, your heart feels lighter, you have an overwhelming feeling of peace. You suddenly understand it all, the reason you are here, the lessons that you need to learn while on this earth plane. You will never be the same, because in every situation you can begin to feel compassion, humility and gratitude toward your fellow travelers here on earth.
So You can LOVE again. You are a radiant being moving forward in life.

Why the Elephants Don't Run?

To say the least, it was a fascinating experience. I was able
to walk around looking at the lions, tigers, giraffes and all the other
circus animals. As I was passing the elephants, I suddenly stopped, confused
by the fact that these huge creatures were being held by only a small rope
tied to their front leg. No chains, no cages. It was obvious that the
elephants could, at any time, break away from their bonds but for some
reason, they did not. I saw a trainer near by and asked why these beautiful,
magnificent animals just stood there and made no attempt to get away.

"Well," he said, "when they are very young and much smaller we use the same
size rope to tie them and, at that age, it's enough to hold them. As they
grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They think
the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free."
I was amazed. These animals could at any time break free from their bonds
but because they believed they could not, they were stuck right where they
were.

Like the elephants, how many of us go through life hanging onto a belief
that we cannot do something, simply because we failed at it once before? How
many of us are being held back by old, outdated beliefs that no longer serve
us? Have you avoided trying something new because of a limiting belief?
Worse, how many of us are being held back by someone else's limiting
beliefs? Do you tell yourself you can't sell because you're not a
salesperson?

Particularly in starting or running a business, we are cautioned not to take
risks, usually by well intentioned friends and family. How many of us have
heard, "You can't do that?" These are the dream stealers who, due to their
own limiting beliefs, will attempt to discourage you from living your
dreams. You must ignore them at all cost! I am not suggesting that you
should not seek advice from qualified individuals and mentors, but that you
avoid like the plague, being swayed by the limiting beliefs of others,
especially people who are not in their own business.

Challenge your own limiting beliefs by questioning them. If you begin to
question a belief, you automatically weaken it. The more you question your
limiting beliefs, the more they are weakened. It's like kicking the legs out
from under a stool. Once you weaken one leg, the stool begins to lose its
balance and fall. Think back to a time when you "sold" someone on yourself.
We are selling all the time. You have to sell your ideas to your spouse,
your children, and your employees - even your banker. Maybe, as a child, you
sold Girl Scout cookies or magazine subscriptions to raise money for your
school team. That was selling too!

Once you realize you are, in fact, a capable salesperson, you have weakened
that old belief and began to replace it with a new, empowering one. Look for
references to support the new beliefs you want to cultivate. As in the
example of the stool, you want to reinforce your beliefs by adding more and
more "legs" to them. Find people who have accomplished what you want to
accomplish, discover what they did and model their behavior. Remember back
to times in your past when you were successful and use that experience to
propel yourself forward. If your challenge is in sales, read sales books and
listen to tapes or attend sales seminars. This is a critical area of your
business. One that cannot be undermined by limiting beliefs.

There is a technique called "fake it until you make it" that works well. I
am not suggesting you live in denial, just that you begin to see yourself
succeeding. Visualize your successes. See yourself vividly in your minds eye
making the sale and reaching your goals. Affirm, over and over, that you are
succeeding.

Write your affirmations daily. Of course, make sure you take the appropriate
action. As it says, "Faith without works is dead."

Remember that your subconscious mind does not know the difference between
real and imaginary. Before you go on a sales call, take a moment and
mentally rehearse the scene, just like actors and athletes do. Tell
yourself, "I'm a great salesperson. " Do this over and over, especially just
before a sales call. See the sale being made. See and feel the success. You
will be pleasantly amazed at the result. Don't take my word for it. Give it
a try. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

It has been said throughout history that what ever you believe, with
conviction, you can achieve. Don't be like the poor elephant and go through
your life stuck because of a limiting belief you were given or developed
years ago. Take charge of your life and live it to the fullest. You deserve
the best!


Holy Quran says: "That man can have nothing but what he strives for". (Holy
Quran 53:39)

Stars Of The Month

Hey Guys,

Look on this Xciting Eid, i bring to u the Stars of the Month in My Profile :D

let me introduce all of them :P

This is Saira Andleeb :P
from Cow n Chicken

This is Saira Shaukat :P
The lil mouse on the clock waiting for One

N

Last But Not the Least

Here Comes My Best Friend

THE Memoona Javeria :P

Witch of Elixir

Hope U Luv them cuz i do ;)

Ramadan Tags

i was asked for these questions from a friend of mine Syra*...
n here they r...

1- Do you wake up with enough time margin in Sehri or just rush to the dinning room five minutes before Azan time?

Answer : I wake up with enough time margin in Sehri cuz ive to go n wake oders. JAAGTE RAHOOOOO :P

2- A must have food item in Sehri / Iftar?

Answer : in Sehri there is nothing must....but in Aftari it is must to open my Roza with a Khajoor and Fruit chat.

3- A food item you try to avoid in Sehri/ Iftar?

Answer : MILK in Sehri and Chapati in Aftari (which i normally do avoid)

4- Have you observed fast without Sehri this ramzan?

Answer : NO :P

5- Which thing you crave for after Iftar? Milk, Tea, Coffee, Cigarette … etc?

Answer : Lays (French Cheese) :P

6- Invited for Iftar this ramzan? How many times and by whom?

Answer : None... lucky this tym :D

7- Invited for Sehri and/or invited somebody for the same at your place?

Answer : well not for Sehri....but yeah Chacha and guests were invited more than 7 tyms. -huh-

8- Dinned out at Sehri? If yes, how was the experience?

Answer : Never, not even thot of doing tht.

9- Would you like to recommend a place for Iftar?

Answer : My Home... ur invited ;)

Well oder than tht i lyk going for a hi-tea @ PC or Islamabad Club.

10- Routine changes in Ramzan, so do the college and office timings. With half of the ramzan gone, have you adjusted yourself with this new routine or still struggling? Or your routine varies from weekdays to weekends in a different way than it used to be before Ramzan; and are you quite satisfied with the goings?

Answer : well i was desperately waiting for ramzan bcuz of the office timings.....we almost reach home early than normal timings and hav enuf tym to sleep. i wish dez timings wont ever change....even if Ramzan ends.

11- Are there any non-Muslims in the circle of your colleagues, class-fellows and friends? And do they avoid eating openly?

Answer : ummmmm.......i hav friends in circle who r non-Muslims and they really respect Ramzan.

12- Do you think you are doing justice with your Ebadaat this month, in a true sagacity as it should be in ramzan?

Answer : starting of the month was quite energized but then devil took over me n i started leaving my isha prayers as i slept early...but now im getting back to it.

13- Do you go shopping on chand raat? If ‘yes’ then with family, friends or alone?

Answer : yeah i manage to take out a list of things while setting there priority or severity level to 1 so tht i can go out on chand raat...... but hav to go wid family.

14- Are we going to celebrate this Eid with Musharraf as president? And next Eids with both: Mush and BB as ‘P’ and ‘PM’ respectively?

Answer : well i'll b happy in celebrating there joy as far as they give me a healthy n wealthy Eidiee :P
im not into politics so who ever it is......i dont care... :)

hmmm....ended.

Quote

Does it ever feel like trouble follows you around and won’t cut you any slack?
Sometimes it feels like you can’t buy a break and everything you try just makes things worse.
Who could blame you for feeling sorry for yourself or not forgive a little self-destructive behavior?
Bad idea.
The new way to spend down times is to lift yourself up and operate at a higher level.
Remember that what happens to you is not who you are.
It’s history.
It’s past.
Your true self takes that history and decides how to make the best possible future out of it.
You have the power to keep your attitude and values from driving into the ditch along with the events in your life.
From defeat, you can still emerge victorious.

It's My Birthday

WUHUUUU.....its my birthday today. 8th September '85 was the day the whole world was blessed with angel named Tayyaba :P


When i was young i looked lyk this :D
i Luved my outfits ;)

i luved the parties :P
&
enjoyed eating cake!!!

PLACE MY GIFTS NEXT TO MY TABLE :D khe khe khe khe

One of the benefits (really the only benefit) of having one's birthday fall on a holiday is that you can usually guarantee a long weekend in which to celebrate. I had 3 days planned of bliss and merriment which I was especially looking forward to on a couple of fronts. First, I've been working a lot of weekdays working late and just having a runnaway weekend is a bona fide treat. Second, my mom and I actually had a non-Sunday day off together which meant that we could go out and have fun while shopping. That is a very rare treat, indeed.
Saturday, it started for me before than actually the saturday started :P i recieved my first phone call by my far away friend but quite quite dear to me..PeTu... then 10 mins to 12 i started recieving msgs on n off from my mamoo, friends, juinors, collegues, loved ones...attended a huge list of calls.....n it took almost 1 hour to end up....not to miss my Gifted Brother DADDU also called me....n tht was a huge surprise for me....although i got a lil hint b4 but i still didnt get wat i was told...neways....last msg after a complete hour was of a guy(long awaited enemy i guess)....then on net....got soo many wishes from my net friends,neighbours,univ fellows, and my social circle...... it was a blessed day indeed. i slept quite late. I woke up in the morning quite late cuz of last nite...All day went perfecty well....presents,love,happiness,surprises,Dinner.....CAKE Ofcourse :D
It was a great feeling.
I got very pretty flowers and gifts. For all my griping it was a good weekend. Having people over to visit isn't the end of the world and is actually pretty nice. Being able to help out at work. And being "forced" to wander around Target sounds like a pretty good way to spend a day off.
I've decided I really need to enjoy this year especially since this is my ambitious year. Yea! My opinion matters for one more year! Go me!
I am excited for it.
And it is only during my birthday that someone remembers my existence.
I am probably the least Zen person among my friends. Because I get so excited for the future, I’d dream up different scenarios already. I have been this way since I was small, I am always making plans for the future, and imagining things in my head.
I am so excited, that just for my birthday, but also for masters/MS(status :P), which is actually a year from now according to my dreamz :D. But I already can’t wait for it.
I wonder what would happen to me once I’m 40?
Or in the future in general, actually :D

Caught in the Candle's Light

Many years have passed us by
Each one I carefully trace
Remembering the time we shared
These moments I embrace

Strong and filled with wisdom
My kind and gentle heart
You filled me with the deepest love
My blessed work of art

Kindness did exude from you
Such peace I always found
Together with my memories
My heart to you is bound

Candle glow upon the wall
I see you standing there
Smile of love my masterpiece
This canvas heart will wear

Flicking within the night
Our shadows now will meet
Dancing in the softest light
Two hearts of love now greet

Flame of love will always burn
No matter where you are
Look upon the softest glow
You're never really far.

what is my present???

Do you worry about what is going to happen in the future, or have sad regrets about the past?
Take today to just concentrate on the present.
It’s great to learn from the past and to plan for the future, but what is happening right now is what really matters.
The past has come and gone and the future holds no guarantees. Today is the most important day.
So begin each day with a plan.
What do you want to accomplish today?
Workout?
Eat healthy?
Play with your kids?
Daily, small goals will help you in the long run achieve your dreams.
Concentrate on the “now”.

Take a second look at your goals

How many times are we blind to the good in front of us because we’re looking past it for something better?
It’s like watching the track your whole life, waiting for a train to come in and never realizing that you’re sitting smack in the middle of the splendid Grand Central Station.
Take a second look at your goals.
Are they building on the good already in your life?
Are you taking full advantage of the strengths you already have?
Is it worth giving up what you have for what you might have?
In many cases, the answer is yes.
To that we say ‘go for it’ with all the enthusiasm we can muster.
Those are the meaningful goals.
If the answer is no, try reworking your goals to include ones that complement your present life rather than substitute for it.
Whatever the answer is for you, we could all use a little more appreciation for the pieces of silver in our lives.

Portray yourself to the world however you like.

But it should be consistent with your own values and beliefs.

What is truly important to you?

What do you really want to get out of your life?

The way you live your life should be reflective of that.

We all hold high ideal for ourselves, which is a good thing.

Are you working to fill these standards, or do you let good opportunities to prove yourself slip by?

Think you are a great leader or friend?

Being these things isn’t just a title, but is something proven by action as well.

You can be anything you want.

We all need support from other people.
Love, encouragement, words of advice and friendship help us do things we never thought possible.
When people are in your corner, you can feel like taking on any challenge.
As important as help from others may be, though, it all has to start with you.
If you’re waiting for someone to solve your problems, or wondering when someone is “going to do something about that”, you may be waiting a long time unless you look to yourself first.
Take responsibility for your own situation and think of what concrete steps you’ll take today to help it.
If you’re going to need help, it’s only fair that the person with the most at stake (you) is willing to make the same effort.
When someone is pulling you out of a hole and has grasped your hand, you still must take the first step to climb out, or you’re just going to be hanging there.

It can be a little humbling to admit that you need help to accomplish a goal.
Great accomplishments have been associated with one single person for all of our lives.
Christopher Columbus discovered America.
Napoleon conquered Europe.
Tiger Woods won the Masters.
If they can do that, why can’t we handle our own goals, right?
Of course, the dozens, hundreds and thousands of people that made it possible are forgotten.
You can just start with one person, however.
Someone to bounce ideas off of.
Someone to help you make the tough decisions.
Someone to just save you from tripping over your own feet in the rush to meet your goal.
Just one person is all it takes, and you’ve doubled your goal achievement power.

Think on this...