MY TOASTMASTERS CLUB
First time in UAE. Urdu and English Bilingual Club
Area 45 | Division K | District 105
INFORMATION STUDIO ATTITUDE LLC | Near Noor Bank Metro Station | Dubai, UAE 055 352 3167 | 052 987 3922 | 055 202 0193
Where Passion is the Fashion
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
2018-2019
MY TOASTMASTERS CLUB
President / Sponsor / Mentor
TM Amjad Ali
VC5, LD5, EC5, PM5, TC2, SR1, ACG, ALB, Proficient Pathways Mentor 055 202 0193 - thisisamjadali@gmail.com
Vice President Membership
TM Zaka Uddin Ahmad zaka4us@gmail.com Vice President Education
050 235 7951
TM Muhammad Attique
attiquepk@gmail.com 055 352 3167 Vice President Public Relations
TM Tauseef Ahmad
tauseefahmad508@gmail.com Secretary
052 987 3922
TM Adnan Ali
MS1 glorify.ali@gmail.com 050 386 9446
Sergeant at Arms
TM Muhammad Rahim Treasurer / Sponsor
TM Shakeel Anwar Chaudhry PM5, ACG, ALB Shakeel@ShakeelChaudhry.com 052 633 8444
EC3 mr_samejo@hotmail.com 050 380 0626
Mentor
TM Mandarr B Agshikar mandarrsgshikar@yahoo.com
Mentor
052 876 1543
TM Rupesh Tanna rupesh_tanna21@yahoo.co.in 055 104 7162
WE PROVIDE A SUPPORTIVE AND POSITIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCE IN WHICH MEMBERS ARE EMPOWERED TO EVELOP COMMUNICATION AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS, RESULTING IN GREATER SELF-CONFIDENCE AND PERSONAL GROWTH.
Integrity | Respect | Service | Excellence
Tauseef Ahmad VP-Public Relations
Editorial It all started sometime during September 2018 when I felt an urge to improve & sharpen my Urdu/English public speaking skills and was seeking a suitable platform of like-minded individuals. And It was as if my prayers were answered and I stepped into the most amazing meeting at My Toastmasters Club which is just started in my office Studio Attitue initiated by a passionate Toastmaster Amjad Ali. The joyful participants, the energy and the level of Urdu/English language used during the meeting was so encouriging that I had made my decision to join the club immediately. In a few meetings of active participation in different roles during the meetings of the club, got me into lime light. I was offered a position in the Executive Committee as VP Public Relations – that too of the only Urdu & English (Bilingual) Toastmasters club in UAE. It was a proud moment and a wonderful journey it has been over the past less than 2 months at My Toastmasters Club. The Ex-com members have been a fantastic team in particular TM Amjad Ali and TM Shakeel Anwar leading from the front are sponsors of the club as well. They have been co-operative and have guided me at each step I have taken so far. I am enjoying being the VPPR of the club and am learning many aspects of the club’s activities. One of the privileges as VP Public Relations is the opportunity to release the club’s Newsletter. I am pleased to invite you to read our club’s first ever newsletter. I am sure you will enjoy the wonderful, inspiring and interesting articles written by members including some from our senior Toastmasters. If you ever wish to experience the excitement of public speaking in true style with the mix of Urdu & English or speak the language in it’s highest purity, there is only one platform in the UAE – it’s My Toastmasters Club. So come join the fun at one of our meetings and become a part of unbelievable journey of your life…!!
“Don’t tell me how educated you are, tell me how much you Traveled”
-Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
Amjad Ali
VC5, LD5, EC5, PM5, TC2, SR1, ACG, ALB, Proficient Pathways Mentor
Presidential Address When was the last time you had a dream and dream came true? My Toastmasters Club was one of my dreams to help people showcase their talent without having fear of language. I learnt during my journey that many people are unable to share their thoughts and ideas just because they are not comfortable speaking in English exactly like me but they have treasure to share with others. I had been thinking a lot because I was able to feel their pain and problem. In July 2018 I got an opportunity to serve as an “Area 45 Director” and opening a new club was one of the requirements in order to be declared as distinguished area hence I thought of starting of Urdu/English bilingual club which had to happen any which way if I am not an area director. Now in first Urdu/English bilingual club in UAE lot of members are coming and showcasing their talent which was not seen in other clubs because of language fear. One of the purposes of this club is to provide platform to many to come and practice specially young who we need to train for better and healthy future because I felt during my learning journey that we are lacking in leadership very badly. My purpose is to provide more platform for your people to train them as selfless leaders which is need of the hour. I encourage you to come and experience the passion of members the way the showcase their talent which give me so much satisfaction and peace of mind. I am living on top of the world because one of my dreams come true and many more to come in very short span of time. Finally it’s my pleasure and honor to serve this unique and very first Urdu/English bilingual club as a Charter President and leading from them front with brilliant group of future leaders. I should not miss to mention that this is the only club which has lowest fee structure because place is sponsored by your truly to help the community hence you have many many reasons to join this club. “First thing first, what you need the most to succeed in life is only you, find it” - Amjad Ali
Anil Vidyadharan ACB, ALB Division K Director
Excellence is not an act, But a Habit”- Marva Collins Members and Leaders of My Toastmasters Club, thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this new club in Division K. I have enjoyed the privilege of attending some of your club meetings, educational sessions. The ambience of My Toastmaster Club took me to the nostalgic days of my collage days, sitting in the canteen and chatting with friends. Honestly I mean it, when we speak in our language the togetherness and warmness will reach its paramount. We achieve personal leadership growth through involvement. When we get involve we stretch ourselves, learn new skills, make new friendships, and build lasting memories. Members and Leaders of MTC, thank you for your continuous improvement and successful journey in Toastmasters fraternity in a very short span. We have several Toastmasters events planned in coming months, where we will train our club officers, Debate competitions, Club contest, Area and Division contests. While looking forward, I can see the MTC led by Captain TM Amjad Ali successfully reaching towards the destination with vibrant achievements in its chartering year itself. This may be the first club will get a DTM within an year, Record Triple crown winner, key instrumental for charting two clubs within short span in 2018-19 and current Area 47 Director TM Amjad Ali leading the EXCOM is in the correct direction. Members and Leaders of MTC thank you for your continued support and allowing me to serve you as Division Director, our journey continues together with full of enthusiasm and commitment. Toastmasters education and leadership tracks are now getting more vibrant with the introduction of “Pathways” I am confident with the enthusiasm and energy through the powerful serving leaders MTC will achieve new heights in coming years. Congratulations to each members and very energetic VPE TM Mohammad Attiquie for his tireless efforts for the follow ups and guidance to each members. Let us close this note with Sir Ralph Marston’s quote “What you do today can improve all your tomorrow”
7 Answers There are 7 puzzles which the Buddha answered in his mystical way:
4: "What is the HARDEST (and has the MOST WEIGHT) in this world? "Someone replied: "Steel, iron, elephant." Buddha Answered: The hardest thing is to "promise". It's easy to say but extremely hard to do.
Hanif Khatri ACB, CL
5: "What is LIGHTEST thing in this world? 1: "What is the SHARPEST thing in this world?" His people replied simultaneously: "The Sword."
"Someone replied: "Cotton, wind, dust, leaves."
Buddha Answered: The sharpest is the "human tongue" Because with the tongue, humans easily hurt the heart, hurt people's feelings, through slander etc ...
Buddha Answered: The lightest in the world is humility, hence it is easy "to forget humility & to leave humility". Look at the many people who are chasing wealth and position, they simply dropped/left humility.
2: What is the MOST distant from us in this world? Some replied: "Space, the moon, the sun."
6: What is CLOSEST to us in this world?
Buddha Answered: The most distant is the "Past". Whoever we are, however rich we may be, we can NOT go back in time. Therefore we must make good use of today & days that will come.
3: What is BIGGEST thing in this world? Someone replied: "Mountain, Earth, Sun. "Buddha Answered: The biggest thing in the world is "Lust". Many humans become wretched because they indulge their lusts. All means are justified in order to realize the lusts of this world. Therefore be careful with lust ..!
Someone replied: "Parents, Friends, Friends, Relatives." Buddha Answered: The closest to us is "DEATH". Because death is SURE and can happen any second.
7: Last question: "What's the easiest thing to do in this world?" They replied: "Eating, sleeping, hanging out" Buddha Answered: The easiest is to "Break someone’s heart�
“I do not believe in taking the right decision, I take a decision and make it right.�
-Muhammad Ali Jinnah
The Three Basic Listening Modes 1. Competitive or Combative Listening happens when we are more interested in promoting our own point of view than in understanding or exploring someone else’s view. We either listen for openings to take the floor, or for flaws or weak points we can attack. As we pretend to pay attention we are impatiently waiting for an opening, or internally formulating our rebuttal and planning our devastating comeback that will destroy their argument and make us the victor. 2. Attentive Passive Listening we are hearing and understanding the other person’s point of view but remain passive and do not reflect or react. This sometimes creates issues between the two communicating parties that may lead to misunderstanding and conflict.
Shakeel Anwar Chaudhry PM5, ACG, ALB Sponsor / Treasurer
Islamic Etiquettes to Effective Listening We were given two ears but only one mouth, because listening is twice as important and hard as talking.
3. Active or Reflective Listening is the single most useful and important listening skill. In active listening we are also genuinely interested in understanding what the other person is thinking, feeling, wanting or what the message means, and we are active in checking out our understanding before we respond with our own response. It involves restate and or paraphrasing our understanding of their message and reflects it back to the sender for verification. This verification or feedback process is what distinguishes active listening and makes it effective.
Prophet Muhammed ﷺWays of Communication
Listening Tips
Our Prophet Mohammed ﷺused to pay complete attention to the person that he was communicating with; giving the person the feeling that he or she was the most important person. He would turn his complete body towards the person making eye contact. His body language would reflect to the wants, feelings or thought being expressed. He would allow the person to complete his/her thoughts and would paraphrase to let the person know what he understood before responding to the communication. His message was brief but concise and comprehensive that would deliver the message in easy language.
Usually it is important to paraphrase and use your own words in verbalizing your understanding of the message. Parroting back the words verbatim may be annoying and does not necessarily ensure accurate understanding of what is being communicated. Depending on the purpose of the interaction and your understanding of what is relevant, you could reflect back the other persons:
•
• Account of the facts. • Thoughts and beliefs. • Feelings and emotions. • Wants, needs or motivation. • Hopes and expectations. • Our Prophet Mohammed ﷺused to turn his complete body
• Too many unnecessary details or too many issues adding
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Speaker’s Issues Adding to the Communications Barriers
• Inappropriate voice volume/tone too low or too high for comfort. Complexity of the message: difficult language, making the message too complex.
towards the other person and pay full attention to what was being communicated.
• Getting lost, forgetting your point or the purpose of the
Use eye contact and body language that gives positive message. Avoid looking at your mobile handset, watch or at other people or activities around the room.
interaction.
•
to the complexity of the message.
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Face and lean toward the speaker and nod your head, indicating your receptiveness.
Body language or nonverbal elements contradicting or interfering with the verbal message, angry face for a normal message or vice versa.
• Be careful about crossing your arms and appearing closed or
•
• Be empathetic and nonjudgmental. You can be accepting and
• Inappropriate method of message delivery medium.
respectful of the person and their feelings and beliefs without invalidating or giving up your own position, or without agreeing with the accuracy and validity of their view.
Paying too much attention to how the other person is taking the message, or how the person might react.
Listener’s Issues
• Being preoccupied and not listening. • Prejudging what is being communicated • Preparing an answer instead of listening • Being anxious to respond that you listen
• Know when to quit using active listening. Once you accurately understand the sender’s message, it may be appropriate to respond with your own message. Don’t use active listening to hide and avoid revealing your own position.
• If you are confused and know you do not understand, either mainly to find
an Opening to get the floor.
•
Formulating your own rebuttal while the other is speaking.
•
Listening to your own personal beliefs about what is being said.
• Being judgmental about the speaker or the message. • Not asking for clarification if unclear of what was communicated.
critical.
tell the person you don’t understand and ask him/her to say it another way, or use your best guess. If you are incorrect, the person will realize it and will likely attempt to correct your misunderstanding.
•
Active listening is a very effective first response when the other person is angry, hurt or expressing difficult feelings toward you, especially in relationships that are important to you.
• Become a more effective listener. Practice the active listening technique and make it one of your communication skills.
“ A wrong concept misleads the understanding, a worng deed degrades the whole man, and may eventually demolish the structure of the human ege.� -Allama Muhammed Iqbal
Ahsan Javed Khan ACB, ALB
The difference between a successful and an unsuccessful person. Fear is real. No one can deny it. If someone claims to be fearless it will be a big lie. The difference between a successful and an unsuccessful person is that a successful person does the task in spite of fear while an unsuccessful person leaves the task due to fear. It is difficult to get rid of fear. Fear saves us, protects and encourages us to do good and avoid bad. If there won't be fear of fire, we would burn ourselves. If there won't be fear of knife, we will cut ourselves. If there won't fear of falling down, we won't control ourselves. Hence, fear itself isn't a bad emotion and we can't get rid of it. Managing the fear, however, and still going ahead leads one to success.
To reach the ultimate goal of success, one needs to do two simple things: Filter the information that goes in your mind. The unconscious mind doesn't filter anything. It takes everything in as a recorder. It results into bringing the same emotion and impact what we put in our minds. Hence, it becomes a primary duty of everyone to check what goes in as the same will come out. Check the circle of people you spend your time with. If you get closure to your goal and positive energy, keep yourself in the same circle. And, if for some reason you are not in a positive circle, it is the time to change it. Face the fear and keep moving ahead!
Muhammad Attique Vice President Education
Toastmasters journey for me like I am just reborn and started crawling again and hoping to start walking soon. Being under the great leadership and My Toastmasters Club trying to grow myself. Just joined few weeks ago Toastmasters fraternity and so far this journey is like trying to swim in open water and hoping will accomplish and soon will reach on level where I can communicate and negotiate freely without any hesitation. ”“Work, work and work we are bound to succeed. )(Muhamamd Ali Jinnah
ﺷﻌﺮوﺷﺎﻋﺮی ﺧﺰاں ﮐﯽ رت ﻣﯿﮟ ﮔﻼب ﻟﮩﺠﮧ ﺑﻨﺎ ﮐﮯ رﮐﮭﻨﺎ،ﮐامل ﯾﮧ ﮨﮯ ﮨﻮا ﮐﯽ زد ﭘﮧ دﯾﺎ ﺟﻼﻧﺎ ،ﺟﻼ ﮐﮯ رﮐﮭﻨﺎ ،ﮐامل ﯾﮧ ﮨﮯ ذرا ﺳﯽ ﻟﻐﺰش ﭘﮧ ﺗﻮڑ دﯾﺘﮯ ﮨﯿﮟ ﺳﺐ ﺗﻌﻠﻖ زﻣﺎﻧﮯ واﻟﮯ ﺳﻮ اﯾﺴﮯ وﯾﺴﻮں ﺳﮯ ﺑﮭﯽ ﺗﻌﻠﻖ ﺑﻨﺎ ﮐﮯ رﮐﮭﻨﺎ،ﮐامل ﯾﮧ ﮨﮯ ﺧﯿﺎل اﭘﻨﺎ ،ﻣﺰاج اﭘﻨﺎ ،ﭘﺴﻨﺪ اﭘﻨﯽ ،ﮐامل ﮐﯿﺎ ﮨﮯ ؟ ﺟﻮ ﯾﺎر ﭼﺎﮨﮯ وہ ﺣﺎل اﭘﻨﺎ ﺑﻨﺎ ﮐﮯ رﮐﮭﻨﺎ ،ﮐامل ﯾﮧ ﮨﮯ ﮐﺴﯽ ﮐﯽ راہ ﺳﮯ ﺧﺪا ﮐﯽ ﺧﺎﻃﺮ ،اﭨﮭﺎ ﮐﮯ ﮐﺎﻧﭩﮯ،ﮨﭩﺎ ﮐﮯ ﭘﺘﮭﺮ ﭘﮭﺮ اس ﮐﮯ آﮔﮯ ﻧﮕﺎہ اﭘﻨﯽ ﺟﮭﮑﺎ ﮐﮯ رﮐﮭﻨﺎ،ﮐامل ﯾﮧ ﮨﮯ وہ ﺟﺲ ﮐﻮ دﯾﮑﮭﮯ ﺗﻮ دﮐﮫ ﮐﺎ ﻟﺸﮑﺮ ﺑﮭﯽ ﻟﮍﮐﮭﮍاﺋﮯ،ﺷﮑﺴﺖ ﮐﮭﺎﺋﮯ ﻟﺒﻮں ﭘﮧ اﭘﻨﮯ وہ ﻣﺴﮑﺮاﮨﭧ ﺳﺠﺎ ﮐﮯ رﮐﮭﻨﺎ،ﮐامل ﯾﮧ ﮨﮯ ﮨﺰارﻃﺎﻗﺖ ﮨﻮ،ﺳﻮ دﻟﯿﻠﯿﮟ ﮨﻮں ﭘﮭﺮ ﺑﮭﯽ ﻟﮩﺠﮯ ﻣﯿﮟ ﻋﺎﺟﺰی ﺳﮯ ادب ﮐﯽ ﻟﺬت ،دﻋﺎ ﮐﯽ ﺧﻮﺷﺒﻮ ﺑﺴﺎ ﮐﮯ رﮐﮭﻨﺎ ،ﮐامل ﯾﮧ ﮨﮯ
“Compromise for your Dream, But never compromise on your Dream.�
-Imran Khan
Imran Akram Why don’t I write for Club Magazine? Around 2 months ago, an announcement was made in our regular club meeting about the publication of club’s official magazine. All the club members were encouraged to participate. I also had committed him that I will write an article for the magazine. Since then VP PR is after me to write something for club magazine. And every time I tell him that I will do it during the next weekend. Weeks after weeks, now is the deadline to submit my article today. And now I am thinking as to what to do? As I have not written any article. Even I have not thought as to what to write? Firstly I did not take it seriously. I thought it is too early to spend my time on writing any article as two months are more than enough for such a creative activity. And I have many other important tasks to do. So I followed my routine of “If I can do something tomorrow, then why should i do it today”? As there are many tasks to do every day, including those which were not done yesterday based on the same assumption. Also every day I have to take a cushion of a few previously forgotten things which I normally remember every day. Secondly I am a busy person. Throughout the week days, the lion’s share of my time is being taken by office. Then a very little time is left which is to be spent for home affairs in Dubai and for family affairs back in home country. In addition to these, attending Toastmasters meeting on “weekly” basis also makes my daily schedule very hectic (Toastmasters with dual club membership will second my opinion of “weekly” instead of “fortnightly” as attendance in every club is almost a must, so almost every week I am busy in attending toastmasters meetings). So it’s a biggest and genuine excuse indeed. Genuine in a sense as my home ministry is the most affected of my daily schedule. And if home ministry is affected, everything is, literally, affected. This time married toastmasters will second this opinion. And after spending the very busy five days, it is my right, at minimum, to take rest on weekends. But on weekends, lion’s share of my time is spent on thinking as to what to do. This is how the seven days of the week are spent in the same vicious cycle of being busy. Thirdly, and honestly, for about a month or so, I forgot it. As you know that I am a busy person and there are so many things to do. So forgetting an unimportant task is quite a common practice. But the good thing is that I remembered it today. And luckily, in my today’s schedule, I had a cushion of around two hours for the forgotten things. And now when it has to be done today by any means, then I am unable to concentrate my thought process for any topic. Initially I was finding a way to call VP PR and to say excuse for not participating this time but with another commitment to really participate in the next issue of club magazine. Then I realized that it is “now or never”. So I decided to write anything. And this anything has ended up in writing this article as to why don’t I write for the club magazine? Three reasons I have mentioned above. If you also have the same reasons, then it means we are from the same Toastmasters club. But my dear fellow toastmaster! Is it really a matter to laugh at or make fun of it or to ignore it like I had been doing it? Is not it worth thinking that how can we be working for improvements in our life by ignoring the most creative opportunities provided by our toastmaster clubs to build our skills. Furthermore sharing any article of our interest would also be beneficial to readers and they will also be motivated to participate. So let me do it right now by sharing two stanzas of my own poetry, just written now, for the magazine.
Don’t be afraid of problems and troubles These are just like emerging bubbles Shows up bigger, but momentary indeed For those who dare to move and proceed
You just need a touch of courage And it will make the bubble disappear Otherwise be ready for the demurrage Throughout your life, for every sphere.
Rahim Muhammed EC3
Diet of our mind We, human being have two types of minds: conscious and subconscious. Subconscious mind is “on” day and night. It is active regardless you are sleeping or working. Our body is controlled by subconscious mind. Our thought is controlled by subconscious mind. Most of us are slave of our subconscious therefore we find majority are negative because we are pouring negative thought (food) to our mind. Today majority is suffering due to stress, anxiety, depression, uncertainty and lack of self-confidence because we are nurturing our mind with wrong diet. Whenever we are physically ill we approach to best doctor to get rid of the body pain what we fell. On other hand; our mind is sick from ages in resulting we have negative thought, we lost self-confidence, and we cannot control inner noise. Let’s decide from now onward we change our thought by sending positive messages to our mind and remain positive in any situation. We will avoid using negative words intentionally or unintentionally which have direct impact on our thought. These words block our inner potential. Such as whenever we try to pursue something and unfortunately due to our ill planning we cannot achieve that then we always say I tried but failed. Be careful … there is no failure, change your vocabulary. Whenever we try two things will happen either we succeed or we learn. As rightly said by Mr. Thomas Edison said “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work” Our print and electronic media are spreading and preaching violence and negativity and we everyday engage with those materials and piling up in our mind. In result it leads to monster of negativity. As a parent; we are transferring our anger, our ego to our future generation. We are transferring pour minds into pollutant minds. Let’s train our blossoming flowers for positive attitude, positive thought. If you are among those people who are suffering due to lack of confidence and self believe and now intent to change your pollutant mind into pour mind then Here is prescription: I strongly believe if you start your day by reading these lines for 40 days (continuity with any break) your though will change at 360 degree. I am best because I have peaceful soul I am best because I respect people I am best because I make my place, my identity I am best because I plan and organize things I am best because I have good job I am best because I know my work, my responsibilities I am best because I love my family I am best because my family loves me I am best because I have successful business I am best because I have respect in my company I am best because I have positive friends I am best because I have overcome at negative thought I am best because I believe in me I am best because I control my thought I am best because I have positive attitude I am best because I have control my emotion I am best because I have good health I am best because I am caring I am best because I have healthy relations with my family, at work place I am best I control my inner voice I am best because I can switch off, switch on my mind as per requirement I am best because I sleep very well I am best because I avoid gossip I am best because I use my time wisely
Adnan Ali
MS1
Here I am standing in front of YOU "LIFE". Sleepless nights & restless days, the life is not that easy, it’s not a smooth sailing, there is always a frog on plate which you have to eat, you reach one destination & then there is another mountain to conquer, you landed on one shore and find out that there are waves, tsunami and you have to rebuilt & start from scratch… Sometime you are on 99 and about to reach your destination & one bite of snack takes away all the efforts and again here you are standing on the bottom of a ladder, which is as broken as your heart, sometime life hit you with brick, stones, crush you like a sugar cane in that big juice machine, you don’t get what you deserve, for what you cried, prayed, put your sincere efforts with all your heart & soul and all you get is scars, tears, rough hands. You lift yourself up from the depths of disappointment to find the light which is at the end of the tunnel but tunnel falls on you, again you gather yourself, like sparrow building nest with each & every tiny little pieces, like the honeybee rounding over thousands & thousands of flower to make one drop of honey. You collect scattered pieces of your self-esteem, the motivation, self-respect and whatever you believe in…you grind them together to make it a one piece, one human being, one that has the courage, one that has the sense of direction, one that can face and conquer !!! Here I am standing in front of YOU "LIFE". Show me whatever you have & I will bounce back to you with a new "ME" Looking in your eyes with SMILE !!
Monica Kiir CL
The standard definition of the word “Prison” is a building in which people are legally held as a punishment for a crime they have committed.
If there’s a person around you, who finds pleasure in pulling other people down, if there’s somebody around you who isn’t happy with your achievements, or somebody who tries to acquire what you have to prove a point to you; cut them off, they are in prison and they are trying to imprison you too.
A prisoner is a person legally committed to prison as a punishment for a crime. But there’s a second definition that is more relevant to my point of discussion and that is; a person who is or feels confined or trapped by a situation. Now, some prisoners do not actually know that they are trapped in situations or anything of the sort.
Don’t put off your dreams and ambition because you feel that they are too big for you or they are too far out of your league; your dreams are valid. Don’t confine them and lock them up because you underestimate yourself. We are allowed to dream dreams so big that our brains threaten to explode. Don’t imprison your potential.
Any four walls can be a prison. Confinement is imprisonment. But even vast fields, open air and no confinement can be prison too. The human mind is in my opinion the greatest prison ever, it’s the place that can imprison you as an individual while convincing you that you are actually free.
Freedom starts with contentment, be happy with what you have, be willing to work for what you need for the right reason, if proving your worth is your reason for working so hard; back up, re-evaluate your yourself, revise your plans because you my dear are stressing yourself out.
We have heard of different types of prisoners; Prisoners of love, prisoners of law, prisoners of war and the master of them all; prisoner of self.
It is important too that we go easy on ourselves, wearing ourselves out so that we can portray a certain image to people who probably don’t care so as to attract a spouse or so as maintain a certain caliber of empty friendships will add no value to our lives. Seek mental freedom. Mental freedom means growth.
Prisoner.
I recognize self-imprisonment; I subject myself to this everytime I hit a dead end. I check myself into my own kind of prison by refusing to do things that are going to make me better as a person, all the while convincing myself that that is the right thing to do. You are already a prisoner when you constantly ask people “what will you think of me if I do this?’ the constant need for validation from people is the beginning of your incarceration. Don’t get me wrong; seeking advice is important but there’s a thin line between advice and permission. Just like happiness, the freedom of mind is an inside job and release from such a jail term is only but a self-decision. Do not be your biggest enemy in the quest to be everyone’s friend. In one of Bob Marley’s songs he says “Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds.” Another form of imprisonment is the need to bring somebody else down so as to feel better about yourself. You see, the Englishman said “Don’t throw stones if you live in a glass house”. It is unhealthy to try and cool-off your insecurities by highlighting another person’s flaws. Only a stupid baboon will laugh at the other baboon’s red bottom. Don’t hold anybody’s hand unless it’s to pull them up. If you as an individual feel that in order to move up you’ve got to punch and crash another person…. You are in prison.
There’s power and freedom in knowing the things that you want. It is unfair for your growth and development for you to handover the control of your life to other people, permitting the things that matter the least to you go push you to lengths that only bring about confinement of self The prison gates are open. They were never really locked. Be a participant in your actual life and not just an onlooker. Do the things you want to do, as long as you are neither breaking the law nor hurting anybody. Grow at your own pace, cut your coat according to your cloth, and get out of that prison.
RIGHT CIRCLE Are you in the right Circle? Are you living with the right people ? Are you in the right environment ? Have you ever found yourself in a situation where your knowledge is not being acknowledged; your abilities are not being appreciated, your hard work is not being paid well ? If the answer is YES, then it is most likely that you are not in the right circle. Up until 2008, I lived in the same conundrum! One day, I was in bad mood working on my computer and my client Abu Khalid came in and said “Hey Amjad, you look sad today - is everything alright ?” I explained to him the situation and he replied “Amjad, I know you well and I can tell it’s not about you. I think it’s about the company of people you are in”. He shared an example of two paintings which he had ordered from me a few months ago. He explained that he displayed one of the paintings in a regular bazar where thousands of people used to pass everyday and priced it at $200/-. The other painting was displayed in a beautiful art gallery and priced at $60,000/-. The painting in the art gallery was sold in just one hour while the painting displayed in the bazaar sold for $150/- after almost 20 days. He asked me “So what does it tell you..? It’s not about the painting, it’s about the people around who did not understand the value of the painting”. This example struck me like a whip and I understood the message it conveyed. I started working on changing my circle. It took me 5 years for the change and today while I am the same person doing the same work, I am far more valued. People around me have started noticing my uniqueness, my work is acknowledged, my achievements are appreciated and my hard work is paid it’s worth. What about you ? If I could change my life with the help of Abu Khalid, then why not you ? If you want to meet the “Real You” then change the circle of people around you; and soon you will find yourself to be the best and most valuable person in your life..!
“Life is only what you have and everything what you have in it.” -Amjad Ali
Amjad Ali
Area 45 Director
Meetings Memories
Meetings Memories
Meetings Flyers
Meetings Flyers
“You live once with Toastmasters, Toastmasters live with you forever.” -Amjad Ali
Thank you