When I was young, I didn’t dream of a corporate career, working in business, at all. My first dream was to be a farmer. I might have pursued that had I not kept being told it would be a hard life… much too hard for someone like me. Eventually, I was persuaded to discount it. …
We rise and fall, have ups and downs. In the life of the world, only one thing remains constant.
It is so easy to arrogate to ourself what we think we deserved, forgetting our reality at the time. I should have pursued a proper graduate job upon completing a higher degree, I might tell myself. But the reality? I attended numerous interviews all across the country in pursuit of my intended career at the …
“A carnival of ineptitude.” Yes, I’m there again. Yes, despite petitioning myself, “Be humble.” I’m in a training session with colleagues, and once more, I’m asking myself what I’m doing with my life. My face is saying, “Must I suffer fools?” These are the representatives of our service, and it’s hopeless. “Go then!” you might …
A surefire way to ruin a business or community organisation: hand over its operation to youngsters, long before they’re ready. Lacking the wisdom and insight which comes with experience and age, they will wreck it in no time at all, undoing decades’ worth of hard toil. You may be tired and warn out, but don’t… …
“Antidote to arrogance, O soul: remember who you are!” And then I remember. So what right have I to be so arrogant?
“Be humble, O soul!” These the words I tell myself as I throw myself into a morning reviewing another’s work. For here I am, wondering if I’m surrounded by people who are simply blagging it, taking on roles they’re not in the least suited for. The more I dig into what they have produced, the …
They didn’t like the work I did. They wanted it like that other person did it. Not knowing that I did the work the other person didn’t do. Credit where it’s not due.
“Be content, O soul!” These the words with which I petition myself as my mind wanders during my morning’s work. I’ve had many a wobble over the past half-decade, as I’ve reacquainted myself with those I knew along the way. Friends and acquaintances from university, school and college, occupying senior positions in business, academia, government …
I should recall that I didn’t plan any of this. I planned one thing, but what was destined for me was something else entirely. Anyone else would have pursued a graduate career, but I ended up taking any job I could get. A freelance job here, another there. Travelling from Ealing to Green Lane daily …
To say I have often been misunderstood would be a gross understatement. It’s been my defining characteristic. The number of times I have walked into conflicts of my own making, with the opposite intention, is quite astounding. There was the time at work, about twenty years ago, I sent what I thought was a supportive …
It’s funny that the announcement about a talk in English at the mosque was made in Urdu, so that if you only speak English you wouldn’t know about it. Helpful.
Some people are the life and soul of the party. In a crowded room, they are the centre of attention. The world seems to revolve around them. Me? I’m the type who fades into the wall, off on the far periphery. As a host, I’m more likely to serve my guests than engage in small …
This the deen I love. The practical faith real to me.
Most of the time, the simplest solutions are best, no matter how old school.
