Tuesday, May 27, 2008

ONE STEP UP

I AM EAGERLY AWAITING IDEAS AND SUGGESTIONS AND HOPE ONE DAY TO RECEIVE THE GOOD NEWS, THAT SOME ONE SOMEWHERE HAS STARTED WORKING ON A PROJECT. MEANTIME, I HAVE RECEIVED A GOOD SUGGESTION FROM BHAI MOHAMMED DAWOOD WHICH I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE

'In each city, a gathering of like minded people once every week or every fortnight would be great. We can just start by talking around, breaking the ice for the first few meetings. Once everyone is comfy you start moving out on the streets and check out potential areas where help is required. Your blog as a support would be great. Think of people writing stuff like "Last weekend was great, we went and helped these many people. Looking forward to the next weekend meet".

- Start an aptitude consultancy, invite all young school/college going children who need guidance on what field of study/profession they should take. We just need an experienced person. This will help us identify families where young boys and girls are burdened with the failing health of their parents (khuda sagla ne sehat ma raakhey). So basically we are still trying to help the sick patients but at the same time we are helping the young ones sort out their issues. Also this will get us to those people who feel awkward to go ask for help.

- Once your group is successful, you play on the pride factor. Jo hamey aam kidhu, aam kidhu hamara city ma. Tamey bhi shuru karo tamara city ma, hamey help karsu.

All this might be long shot but then again, we have almost 3 years to work. even if we help get 3 such teams up and running we will have started a chain reaction.'

Good Luck
Mohammed
mohammed_dh@yahoo.com

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Genetic Thinking - Living each day to the fullest

Dr. Kazuo Murakami is Professor Emeritus at Tsukuba University, one of Japan’s leading universities. In 1983 he succeeded in decoding the human renin gene, a key factor in hypertension, for which he won international acclaim.

For many years, genes have been thought of in fatalistic terms, as in “you can’t do anything about it because it’s in your genes.” Recent studies on genetic engineering have uncovered the fact that the function of genes changes according to surrounding environments and stimulation, and dormant genes actually have the potential to wake up. Kazuo Murakami explains that the function of our genes is affected by our thoughts and emotions. He believes that humans have the capacity to bring forth their talents at any age, and if we observe nature from a positive perspective, our inherent abilities will come forth. How can we activate the good genes and switch off the bad genes? Only about 5-10 percent of our genes are working at one time, and Murakami believes that “genetic thinking,” or living each day to the fullest with a positive outlook enables us to experience happiness, joy, inspiration, and thankfulness, all of which activate beneficial genes. In fact, Murakami’s research showed that twenty-three valuable genes are activated by laughter alone.

What we think affects how our genes work. For example, people who see themselves as failures often produce poor results. Negative factors such as anxiety, stress, sadness, fear, and pain will deactivate our valuable genes, while positive factors such as joy, excitement, belief, and prayer activate them. Dr. Murakami explains that in order to learn to activate our good genes we should :

Expose ourselves to different environments. When we reach a dead end, we should be daring and change our surroundings which stimulates good genes and unlocks our potential.

Practice positive thinking. This is a key factor in slowing our natural movement toward disorganization and decay. Good genes work hard to take this process of entropy and direct it toward order. Positive thinking also includes seeing the bigger picture and positively interpreting what happens to us in life.
Be profoundly moved and deeply inspired on a regular basis. Pursuing activities and relationships that inspire sincere emotion from the depths of our heart.

Expose ourselves to new information obtained directly through personal communication. Meet people for lunch, ask questions, network, and share stories. Talking to experts in our areas of interest is a great way to turn on good genes

Practice “Give and Give.” This is giving simply to give—not consciously expecting something in return, yet gaining happiness and contentment through ones actions. Those feelings activate our good genes.

Intentionally put ourselves in a tight spot. Sometimes to tap our potential we must drive ourselves into a corner. This is introducing risk into ones life, a factor that compels us to strive even harder to reach our goals.

Follow our intuition. This can lead to positive results, and good genes are activated in a crisis.

Live up to our potential. Examine what conditions are preventing us from realizing greater potential, remove the obstacles, provide an appropriate environment, and the potential for development is limitless.

Shift our way of thinking. Negative thinking violates the laws of nature. When our genes are in harmony with the laws of nature, they work to protect and nurture life and rejoice in it. Look more closely at nature and strive to live in harmony with its laws. Keep your intentions noble, live with an attitude of thankfulness, and think positively.

Take bold steps. Recombining yourself in response to changes in the environment activates the good genes.

Article taken from the Net

Thursday, May 15, 2008

DEATH IS BUT A DROPPING OF THE FLOWER

DEATH IS BUT A DROPPING OF THE FLOWER, SO THAT THE FRUIT MAY SWELL

I came across this wisdom in high school and since than, I have made use of it to console families in bereavement, and also when I was faced with personal tragedies of my own. Besides it having a very consoling effect it caries a very deep meaning. As I advanced in years and knowledge, attending sabaks I became more aware of the truth in contained.

Death is a thing not be feared by a true mumin, it is merely a turning of the wheel, for a better life in hereafter. Aqa Moula (TUS) repeatedly assures his followers, not to worry in the least. He is there to take us across to the place of bliss and bounties.

My writing this post is on the observation I have made on THE DROPPING OF THE FLOWER and by the time you finish reading the post, you will come to know, the purpose of my writing.

THE DROPPING OF THE FLOWER - death in many instances is very sudden, we frequently hear ‘nakh ma pan dard nohtu ‘jara chest ma dard thayu, dikro doctor ne bolavo gayo etlama 100 varas tamam’ etc: etc: You may also have come across many such sudden deaths, or death after short illness or hospitalization in your family or close circle.

In this post I want to share with you the agonies and pain, the high financial expenses, particularly of those families who are not well off, who somehow manage to live a decent standard of life. Their world is shattered if a medical tragedy strikes and to make matters worse, THE FLOWER all withered and shrinking, with no hope of revival clings on and on, so much so that the branch (the family of the patient) becomes vulnerable and weak.

I have witnessed the plight of many such families, the medical bills keep rising, and the outcome is obvious, the family knows and so does the patient and the doctor who is treating. If the doctor is an understanding and humanitarian, the medical bills can come down, but sadly it is not the case all the time.

I have seen families of terminal cancer and kidney failure patients, those whose financial means are limited, in very dire straits. I have witnessed business collapsing, means of livelihood curtailed. A compounding problem.

The answer lies in how best as a community we can help these families to overcome their predicament. Besides providing funds, there are many other factors that are very important, and I am sure there are people in our community, doctors, nutrient experts, specialists, who can come forward with their advice and expertise.

When can one discontinue with aggressive medical treatment of terminal patients ? Is it advisable for the patient to be kept on basic need based medical treatment?

How best to safeguard the families of terminal ill patient Here I am not talking about money only. How best to advice them on the course of action.

Is there a possibility of setting up updated Nursing facilities with medical equipments like Oxygen / drips etc: 2 –3 rooms well furnished having homely environment, having best nursing facilities, attached to Masjid in urban cities, or Musafirkhanas ?


Can a standard menu based on our community eating habits ( dal/chawal, moong pulao/sarki) having correct nutrient values be formulated by a few dedicated experts from our community, in this particular field.

Why I write this is because while surfing on The Cancer Project (www.cancerproject.org) I came across a revelation that estimated percentage of Cancer due to diet is 35% to 60%, followed by Tobacco 30% , Air & Water Pollution 5% , Alcohol 3% Radiation 3% and Medication 2%.

The site contains and exhaustive Menu, but as the food habits of our community is different, and as average families will not be able to afford it, it would be welcome if some dedicated group takes up this project.

Hope this post of mine, galvanizes dedicated group members to come forward. There is nothing to rush, we have time on our hand. I am very confident that when we will be celebrating the 100th Milad Mubarak of Aqa Moula (TUS) we would have achieved much.

Monday, May 12, 2008

A NICE STORY WITH A TWIST

LIKE FATHER LIKE SON - with a definate twist but having a kernel of truth

A man earned a lot of money and then gave all his property to his son. (normal human behavior)

The son then built a small house behind his big house, and ordered his parents to stay there (usual case scenario in modern times)

So the old couple stayed there, while the son and family lived in the bungalow. (pity - they had no other alternative)

One day while playing the grandchild came to his grandparent’s home , where every thing was in a bad state.

The grand child said “ Grand pa, be careful with your plate and chair. Don’t break them”

When asked why, the child said, “Because tomorrow my father will need them”

Have you ever wandered why the child replied like that.

The answer lies in the Quran A’yat Surah Al-Mumin :40 ‘ Whosoever does an evil deed, will not be requited except the like thereof…’

When ever I am seeking answers, I have a firm belief that the answer must surely be in the Glorious Quran. At such times I always call upon my friend Mohammad Rangoonwala, a business man, whose telescopic memory and passion, in always doing taffakur on Quran A’yats amazes me.

Yesterday while writing this post, I called him up on phone, he was busy negotiating a sale of 2 boxes of Belt fasteners, I could hear the conversation over phone, and in the middle of all the rush, he told me of the above A’yat from memory, in an instant !! AMAZING . Fortunate to have friends like this around.

Returning to the context of the post, there are many real life instances, that one may come across, where the wrongful acts of the children towards their parents, have visited them back, in similar action towards them by their own children.

However, a mumin who discharges his obligations towards his parents for him the blessings are many fold as stated in the same A’yat as above ‘ and whosoever does the righteous deed (in this case discharging of obligation to parents) whether male or female, and is a true mumin, such will enter Paradise, where they will be provided therein with all things in abundance, without limit.”

Merely discharging the obligations will ensure unlimited reward. I need not elaborate further.

However, in modern times when business and job opportunities compel one to move out to far flung countries, with large joint families no longer in vogue, in spite of the best intentions of the children, in many instances, the parents themselves, do not like to move out of their comfort zones, changes in lifestyle and culture are intimidating to them, and thus find themselves living alone.

Till the time they are able to manage themselves, every one on both sides of the divide are fine. However, problems arise once on account of age related and medical problems, the parents find it difficult.

At times it is seen that in spite of the best intentions of the children, the parents are reluctant to reallocate themselves, apprehending changes in routine and lifestyle.

In many instances children are willing to support their parents staying in their native place or urban cities, providing them with the best of amenities, but are confronted with man power constraints.

These are real modern day life style problems, and I seek solutions – so get cracking. I do not want platitudes and sermons, if you have a solution do mail me, and I will publish it on the blog. I know my efforts will not be in vain.

WITH THIS FIRST POST THE JOURNEY HAS STARTED ! WHEN WE WILL BE CELEBRATING 100TH MILAD MUBARAK OF OUR BELOVED AQA MOULA (tus) WE WOULD HAVE ACHIEVED A GREAT DEAL INSA ALLAH.

Friday, May 9, 2008

PERFORMANCE PRESSURE

Poultry farm ke malik ne tammam Murgiyon ko Order diya
"Agar tum logon ne kal se Do -- Do ande nahi diye to kal se tumhara dana pani band "
Murgiya dar gayi ....sab ne do do ande diye magar ek ne sirf ek anda diya "
Malik: "tum ne 1 anda hi kyon diya "

Jawab mila

"Sir, ye aapke dar ki wajah se diya hai, warna mein to MURGA hoon"