Try to find Good in all

Here is an inspiring story with a strong message: Do not underestimate yourself by comparing yourself with others. It’s our differences that make us unique & Beautiful. We might have heard of water bearers i.e. people who move water from one place to another. This is story of two large pots which were carried on by a water bearer / a lady in India.

Each pot hung on each end of a pole which she carried across her neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house. However, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the lady delivering only one and a half pots full of water in his master’s house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do. After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. The cracked pot said: “I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you.” “Why?” asked the lady. “What are you ashamed of?” “I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don’t get full value from your efforts,” the pot said. The lady felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, “As we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path.” Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again the pot apologized to the bearer for its failure. The lady said to the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot’s side? That’s because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you’ve watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house.” We can derive certain lessons from this story including the following: 1. People are not perfect. Therefore, we should try to achieve the best we can and not compare ourselves with others. 2. There are good qualities in every one. It is said that even a clock which is not in a working condition will give you correct time twice in twenty four hours. Therefore, find good in everyone including ourself and nurture those good attributes. 3. Focus on strengths of people and utilize them. Note: If you’re interested in reading more parables, you may visit: www.curiositiesbydickens.com

Let’s think out of the box

Everyone has issues, challenges and problems in life. Everyone is trying to face those challenges and find ways to solve problems. People are playing by the ‘rules’ of the game which are seldom challenged. Here is a short story from the Greek literature which brings a very interesting moral: ‘There is more than one way to solve any problem in life’ Here is the story: In ancient Greek mythology, Gordius, who was King of a state, gave a challenge to the people. He declared that whoever could untie the ‘knot’ was destined to become ruler of all Asia. People came one after the other and tried their level best to open the knot. No one was able to untie or open it fully. Puzzle remained where it was – the knot was still tied. Then came Alexander the Great. He too tried his hand at the task but like others, he was also unable to get the knot untied. He got impatient. He tried again and again with both hands to open the knot. However, knot was tied in a manner that he was unable to untie it with his hands. Impatience started growing. Finally, he pulled out his sword and smashed it down on the knot, cutting it in half!. Instead of using hands, he used his sword to cut the knot. The king saw this and told the audience that his challenge was to untie the knot. Though Alexander has used unconventional way, he has achieved the results. Alexander was awarded the prize and he became ruler of all Asia. So, the moral of the story: There are more than one way to look at a problem. Unconventional ways may help at time! We might need to think more, re-frame the problem and think out of the box to find the solution. Note: The above story is from the book: Tales for Coaching by Margaret Parkin

Kabul is looking busy but doing nothing

Kabul City was a second Paris in the past due to natural beauty historical background and tradition. The education system was an example in the south Asia. Most of the undeveloped country students would come to Kabul University for education. These students were from most of the Asian countries i.e Pakistan, India, Nepal, Sri-landka and Maldives. The Co-education was a model in the whole Asia.

Europe would come here to see other areas like Hirat, Bamyan and Balkh for the purpose to enjoy the facilities. These facilities and this developed system was not long ago but at a time when my father used to be young  when he was a student at Kabul University. The way he was dressed, the group picture with his classmate and other traditional pictures really impresses. People here are missing their past and the world is making progress.

Kabul is converted into a product of capitalism. Fifty countries are here to re-built Afghanistan which was started ten years ago but now we are at the save stage as we have just started. International community is spending money but as outcome you hardly would see an industry here. Raw materials are sent to the neighboring courtiers for production. Why don’t we build an industry here.


Afghans are busy in arranging Loya-Jirga, managing other huge meetings without results, busy in gossips while taking green tea and celebrating the day of Martyrs, Days of different heroes, days of national and international happenings without realizing that this country needs work and improvement from its people. Kabul is busy but really doing nothing.

Left to Right: Nilofar, Hewad, Jabir, Jawad, Milad and Tawab.

Diplomacy of the western world and their policy as divide and rule

The strategy of the western world societies doesn’t influence only Asia, it does also effect their future either negatively or positively. Current world is full of fake diplomacy, trying to feed you for the present –to be dependent on them for the future. Each country is trying to be benefited from the situation emplaced. US, Britain, Russia, and rest of the world powers are trying to achieve some accomplishments for the modern world, by showing superiority amongst others.

There have been some achievements in the recent world, people can land on space, can control things that were not expected before even we didn’t thought out about. Beside all these improvements, people still are thinking of violation. They are trying to roll people in their feet instead of giving them hand.

Pakistan is one of the countries fed by the international society where the feeder created groups such as Laskar Tayba, Al Jihad, ISI, Taliban, etc to defeat Russians, divided Kashmir in percentage with India. In short, made a situation in Pakistan that it is still challenging and is depended. The feeder was the one who decided to divide India and made a new country Pakistan. It again divided Pakistan into Bangladesh and then Kashmir. This clearly shows that they are trying to divide and rule, to get control over the world. Similarly, Afghanistan is given support by one of the allies’ member, to control the system and look after their allies working on the same strategy. To the world, they are allies but in reality they are opponents to each other. US against Britain and both against Russian. Each one is trying to be the super power in reality.

How would you analyze the situation if the world is led by such countries? Britain (through Australian guy) revealing the secrets of US through Wiki Leaks website illuminating the truth, partition of Pakistan by British, cultivation of opium in Afghanistan through US support by Mr Karzai, providing opportunity for corruption, US supporting Turkey while Turkey supporting anti insurgents meaning that everything is clear to the world but still we can’t do anything as disclosing the truth would be violation to their policy.

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."-

Huge layer of riches minerals in Afghanistan

Recently, a survey done by US geologists and some pentagon officials has identified riches mineral deposits, spread in all the country. This survey was conducted by a British bomber in 2007 which was comprehensive survey ever conducted. These minerals include iron, copper, gold, silver and some others that are shown in the map as follows and could worth more than $908 billion.
Ghazni Province located in the Southeast region of Afghanistan has huge lithium which is a key raw material in manufacturing of batteries for laptops and blackberries.

Advisors working for Ministry of Mines Afghanistan explain this as backbone for Afghanistan which will explore job opportunities in the country. People who join anti-insurgent elements due to financial problems will find jobs and Afghanistan will move towards development and prosperity.

My concern, will a Government that is involved in corruption will be able to utilize the national treasury ?

Think twice act well thought-out

Different people have different perception. One man's meat could be another man's poison.

Once Luqman, The Wise said to his son, "Oh son! Do not tie your heart in seeking the pleasure of people. You are not likely to succeed. Do not pay attention to what people say. Instead tell yourself always to seek the pleasure of Allah."

Luqman, The Wise wanted this lesson to be always remembered and never to be forgotten. He thought of a way. So, he then told his son to ride a donkey and the son obeyed. The father followed behind on foot. They traveled in this way for some distance.

After some distance they came across a group of people. Seeing the son on the donkey, one of them said, "What an impolite and bad boy. The old father is walking on foot. The young son is comfortably riding on the donkey. This is no manner to show respect to one's father."

Father and son heard this. The son came down from the donkey. Luqman (as), The Wise rode on the donkey.

After some distance they came across another group of people. On seeing the father riding the donkey, the elder of the group said, "Oh you old man! This is not the way to bring up a son. You make him walk in the hot sun, while you sit comfortably on the donkey."

Luqman, The Wise paid attention to what the people said. He came down from the donkey. Both father and son walked on foot. The donkey walked in front. They went a little further.

Personal Perception: Key to happiness and success People seeing them, said, "How foolish you are? You walk behind a donkey. Why don't you ride it?"

Luqman, The Wise and his son once again accepted what the people said. They both rode the donkey and went further. They came across a river. There was a bridge to be crossed. Some people were sitting there. They saw Luqman (as), The Wise and his son riding the donkey. One of them said, "It is very unkind and cruel of you two to ride on the poor donkey. The little animal can hardly take all your burden."

So taking this advice Luqman, The Wise and his son dismounted from the donkey. They traveled a little distance further. Looking very lovingly Luqman, The Wise said to his son, "You have heard and seen what the people said. It must have assured you, by now, that whatever you do or whichever way you move, one is not able to please the people of the world." You can never have everyone praise you, nor will everyone condemn you. Never in the past, not at present, and never will be in the future.

Luqman, The Wise pointed at the flowing river and added, "A person can build a wall across the river. It will stop the flow of the water. But it is not possible to shut the mouth of the people from criticism."