I see Alan Kurdi’s body lying on the sand and wonder what his parents were thinking. That 3771 people had died trying to cross the Mediterranean sea in 2015. That people were dying each day in Syria from barrel bombs and toxic gases. That people were being kidnapped and tortured to death. That they might
Proper listening: a fosterable lifeline
“Were you even listening?” Laura asked her mother with eyes blazing with surprise and annoyance. “Erm… Yeah. You were saying…,” came Tara’s feeble reply. She had been listening quite well when her daughter approached her and gently requested for a discussion as she was relaxing on the backyard swing that cool afternoon. She was glad
Why We Don’t Listen in Free Societies
Stephen R. Covey, an American author, once wrote, “Most people don’t listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” I think he’s absolutely right, but perhaps not for the reason you may think. I don’t think it’s because we are desperate to deliver a reply. Rather, I believe it is
Why we care about the library in Leipzig
One can simply attack a topic, dissect it, agree, disagree and state a point of view. Or, one can slowly get closer to it by going through a back door with an open mind and with the intention to stretch the level of thinking. French writer Victor Hugo was loved by the people and despised
Hearing is not Listening
Effective communication is one of the skills people strive most to achieve. An individual who has the ability to communicate properly becomes a valuable asset. Not only does it allow others to easily understand your communication, it also creates an emotional relationship with your audience. Yes, it is true…people love communication masters. However, most people
Children of Our Soul
We name our pets and call them “fur children.” We submit our creations to public scrutiny and call them our babies and beg others to be gentle with them. You don’t have to be a pet owner or a writer or artist to understand that feeling. Everyone has a dream, and it takes a lot
The Priceless Property of Engagement
“Most people don’t listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” – Stephen R. Covey I disagree; Covey’s generalized assumption betrays in himself the same quote-unquote flaw in the human condition that he fears plagues others. Intent is a subjective facet of the subconscious and in claiming to understand intent,
Listening vs Responding, the intricacies of conversations
Conversing is humanity’s most refined tool for making, breaking and enhancing our relationships. Having to engage in small talk between a work colleague, a stranger or family member is like walking across a delicate tightrope; there is a constant effort needed to stabilize a conversation throughout, achieved more so through active response than active listening
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” ~ Martin Luther King Jr.
It has been fifty years since we lost the courageous African American theologian who stood and died for justice. He did his part along the human journey of highs and lows in all of humanity’s desire to be equal and live in peace. As magnificent a species that we are, we have been given to
Two Birds, One Stone
It’s a no brainer, I totally agree. I mean why do you think that people in relationships fight? Huh? They just won’t care to understand each other and the matter at hand. All they care about is telling each other how they are feeling. Hitting up one with that “first of all, I’m not the
Education- a right not privilege
“Education is a human right with immense power to transform. On its foundation rest the cornerstones of freedom, democracy and sustainable development.” An inspirational, impactful and motivational quote by Kofi Annan is very clear and direct in its motive. A person who is not just literate but has gained valued education would focus on the
What has the opening of a school door got to do with the closing of a prison?
Shakuntala Devi said and I quote “education is not just about going to school and getting a degree. It is about widening your knowledge and absorbing the truth about life”. According to Merriam- Webster, a school can be defined as an organization that provides instruction: such as an institution for the teaching of children, a
The Incredible Injustice of Turkey’s Continued Denial of the Armenian Genocide
The Armenian genocide occurred a century ago, but the continued denial of it by the Turkish government still has consequences. As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” On April 24, 1915 Ottoman Turkish authorities arrested 200 Armenian intellectuals and business leaders across Western Armenia (present day Eastern Turkey).
Pandora box of uncertainty
Stephen R. Covey’s quotation is indeed a pragmatic insight into human being’s innate behavior. Starting from me, most people get annoyed by such kind of act. After a long tiring commendable argument to convince someone, I end up facing another insurmountable counter-argument which fades up my hope of changing his outlook on the subject matter.
Learning Isn’t Only a Right, But a Necessity
As the Chinese philosopher, Lao Tsu, once said “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” It means that teaching somebody how to do things matters more than doing it for them. Education ensures people or more specifically, future
The Equilibrium State of Solitude
Although we rarely have the chance to feel loneliness in today’s hyper-paced, socially connected digital age, even the most fortunate of us are made aware of the void in our souls from time to time. On the darkest nights, when our friends have gone home and the lights are off, we find ourselves staring into
Born-Free
“No. Never. Don’t say such a thing. My God! How can you…?” Tara kept repeating, holding her head. Amar had just entered the living room. He was surprised by the tension on her and Leela’s faces. “What’s up?” he asked. “Oh! You. It’s all your fault. We have lost everything…” “What?” “Ask her!” She screamed,
Inside Voices
New apps pumped out by the minute, boasting bright colours and sing-song chimes. Our thumbs itch to reach the next level of whichever game has topped the charts today. Tomorrow, we will find a new game, one with the same basic algorithm, same addicting qualities. In this age of instantaneous enjoyment, it is easy to
Destiny
When I woke up today, it was raining a little. Yes, I have seen countless monsoon mornings. But this morning still reminded me of one years ago. That day Dad had woken up at about 3 in the morning. I was fast asleep. He woke Mom up. After tea, Dad took the fish hook, the
Is Education A Right or Privilege
Education is a privilege, a privilege which some do not get to enjoy, a privilege which some are granted. Having the right to do something refers to having the legal entitlement to do something despite our race, religion and gender. And having the privilege to do something refers to having a special right or advantage