R U OK?

R U OK?
On the second Thursday of the September, in all over across Australia, National " R U OK? Day"? is celebrated on a massive scale with zeal and zest. I feel fortunate to have the experience to be part of this cause.

The slogan " R U OK?" bring nostalgia and rush of beautiful memories of my childhood. At the age of 4, my elder cousins, uncles and aunts take me to different amusements parks and zoo. I have this curious, restless and rebel nature. Just upon the entry, every time, I left them and explore the park indepedently.I spoil my cousins, uncles and aunts trip as they spent most of the time for my search.

I remembered I keep the notice of them after when I enjoyed my independent joyrides, I just rush into them. When they found me safe and sound, I had to face their scolding, but the very first question from them was, " R U OKAY?" ( which means in both sense, physically and mentally) Similarly, I was almost drowning twice, and my cousin saved me, the first words, I have been asked " R U OK?"

How vital that question was for me, I realised its importance now. As a child, my mental and physical health was prime important for my uncles, aunts and cousins. I am lucky to have one big loving family apart from my parents. 

But as time ticked away, gradually people stopped asking me this question and these three small words almost became redundant from my life.
This year I moved out of my house and away from my family, venturing into the foreign land of the unknown. And it was really this time when I felt the need from my family to ask me again, " R U OKAY?"


Growing up, becoming independent or accomplished doesn’t mean one does not need that emotional reassurance. These three words can be powerful, making a meaningful difference in the life of someone who might be struggling
But, with the passage of time, growing up, I lost this question to be asked. This year, it was my first time living alone in a different country and continent away from my family and friends. I had felt the need, from my uncles, aunts and cousins ask me again that, " R U OKAY?" It doesn't mean if I am now a grown up and successfully accomplished, the need for the essence of these three words fades out. 

Its very important to ask, to your near and dear ones these three words. Not only your family and friends but if you find anyone in solace and sorrow.  You never know, that would heal his or her pain. Mental health is as much important as physical. So keep working on the health of your brain. 
Just be kind and have courage. :) 

The Boy With Gallant Dreams

At the end of my first decade, I were a boy with dreams & passion for making a difference in this world though not clear how, but was determined to do so. The aims & spirits were high. I believe & pray to be the star child of my parents. Following the footsteps of my elder brother, motivated & enthused to be outstanding. Yes, envisioning for the accomplishment of these dreams before the end of my second decade.

At the offset of my second decade, which I called, a decade of youth, passion, energy, hard work, study, lifelong friendships, high emotions, achievements, few setbacks & fears that were conquered. I pledged to myself, to be a technically competent engineer & made it my dreams come true. This was the plan in my mind & in the meantime, I was struggling with destitution.

& difficulties, but its proving to be part of my training.  I overcome & conquer again. This time, the vision was focused with a strategy, goal & aim. The passion & enthusiasm, with hope, that what I had & one of the best phase of my life.

Now, at the offset of my third decade, I reflect, upon on my professional achievements, my mentors, the positivity, the emotional maturity, being resilient, optimistic, upbeat & progressive. 

The mindset shift from successful professional to an entrepreneur is another journey & flight, which I am taking. The path is hard & long, but its start of new era & decade with more passion, enthusiasm, new friends, hopes & positivity. I am aspired to make a difference & betterment for the people of my homeland at a global pace. This decade will be the best not for myself but for others as well. Amen 

I am not "Bechari" :)

Allah is the architect of our fate. It's paradoxical how everyone in our society pose to be religious but still don’t have faith in Allah's will and plan. Nothing can take place in the universe that is not willed by Allaah. I am just amused, why in this culture, girls have to sacrifise her dreams and everything to please everyone. She should not be treated as slave entity. It's seriously unfair to crush her hopes, dreams and aspirations, make her feel inferior because she is a girl. She becomes insecure, dejected and skeptical about her own skills due to the mounting pressure of marriage specifically by those who claim to love them. It is a serious illness of our society. I agree, that they are concerned but to make a girl feel " Bechari" and to present her as a commodity in Rishta Parade/Rishta Ramp is mortifying for her.....if you truly love them, just sincerely pray for their good life and future. Encourage them to pursue their dreams and help them become independent and confident beings who are a valuable asset for the society.

Written By: Mehak Masood & Farah Rashid

To be or to not to be, 
To see, but tends to not to forsee, 
To feel but not to reveal, 
To heal but not to seal, 
To relief but not to belief,
To breathe in merely to live, 
Your smile makes millions miles on sphere, 
My peer whenever your appear and be near,
 My sorrows and pains disappear.....
So to be and to not to be is not any fear......

"Mosaic's ILP- A Life Revamping and IDEAL Development Journey"

It's a famous Chinese proverb that " Journey of thousands of miles starts with a single step".  That step in my life was the selection in the Mosaic International Leadership Programme in 2015. Its been a year now and had revamped my life completely and helped me to developed IDEAL strategy for my goals achievement in life.  This had  made me  believe that "I AM TOMORROW"
 So I want to share my experience and learning, so that it may inspire others as well. I am an environmentalist not professionally but by core of my heart.  So, I was looking for any programme that enhance and enrich my skills  to work more effectively in my community. Also I wanted a platform as well to showcase my abilities and passion, my action plan execution had provided me that. I am thankful to my ex-supervisor Nishat Riaz and mentor shared link of Mosaic application on facebook which was very interesting and attracts my attention to apply. 

In the Summit.....

But I never knew that the two weeks summit in Amman Jordan will bring so much motivation, inspiration, enthusiasm and passion in myself.  I felt myself on cloud 9, being selected in the top 80 delegate from more than 2000 applicants globally.  The experience to meet and listen, inspirational speakers, fellow participants and trainers have changed my perspective and attitude towards life. I learnt communication, leadership and emotional resilience, flexibility, adaptability and resilience core skills to succeed.

" My IDEAL Strategy" 

I had developed the “IDEAL” strategy after attending the Summit and while having mentoring sessions with my mentor on monthly basis:  

I : Identify the prospective leadership potential and opportunities

D : Discuss the identified opportunities within your network to make it happen ( for example engaging mosaic fellows, my colleagues, etc)

E : Engage & brief people

A : Apprise the success as well as mistakes to move forward in betterment.

L: Lock the opportunity and level up with every success

Friendship Across the borders:

The most beautiful outcome of the summit is you make lifelong friends internationally which has same frequency and passion as you have. It inspire you and never made u feel lonely ever. You create memories of a lifetime.  I will share the experience in my next blog.

Implementing my Action Plan 

After the summit, I had to implement an action plan in my community for one year. During the execution of the project, I developed the skills like team management, leadership, recruitment, selection, personal interest development, networking and coordinating. 

My action plan objective is "to promote the concept of “green” social entrepreneurship through the training and mentoring of young women”. The main purpose for implementing this action plan is to facilitate the young women environmentalists in Pakistan who encounters problems in professional life in terms of job hunt and after these training & capacity building sessions would be able to become green entrepreneur. I had recruited and selected a group of participants and mentors to participate on my project through the promotion of the initiative on my Facebook page ‘Environmentalist’. I had formulated a focus group of five highly competent female environmentalists to participate.  Following successful training sessions held, the group is now working together on a business proposal which will address environmental, energy and campaigning issues taking these ideas to the next level. They have also been matched with mentors who are delivering virtual support to help them with this journey. Now this is from part-time venture turned into full time business. 

Meeting with HRH Prince of Whales 

It was indeed a proud and accomplished moment when  I was one selected as one of the six delegates chosen from the 2015 cohort to meet in person by His Royal Highness, Prince Whales (Founder of Mosaic) in February 2016 at London and shared my learning and journey with Mosaic.

Learning 

In the end, I would like to say proudly; 

 “ Leader are those who create opportunities & benefits for themselves and others.” 

Now I am more positive, motivated, enthusiastic and competent to continue my journey. 

I encourage youth to apply to this programme for a revamping experience.

http://www.mosaicnetwork.co.uk/international-leadership-programme-2016-applications-open/

Excitement for Learning to become an Aspriring Leader

Selection in Mosaic International Leadership Programme 2015 is one of the best things ever happened to me. I find this opprutunity, an avenue to sharpen my leadeship skills and channelize my energy in a direction which benefit me and my community as well. 

Looking forward to meet everyone around the globe in this wondeful summit.