Saira Khan's Pakistan Adventure

An excellent production led by Saira Khan, a British woman with roots in Kashmir. Saira Khan takes you through a journey that will certainly be an eye opener for many non-Pakistanis. This documentary beautifully captures the multidimensional nature of the Pakistani society which is an eclectic mix of rich tradition, culture, expressions of art, music, religious devotion all embedded in a land enriched with beautiful flowing rivers, serene desert and magnificent mountains.

Socrates-Triple Filter Test

In ancient Greece, Socrates was reputed to hold knowledge in high esteem. One day an acquaintance met the great philosopher and said, "Do you know what I just heard about your friend?"
"Hold on a minute," Socrates replied..
"Before telling me anything, I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Triple Filter Test."

"Triple filter?"

"That's right," Socrates continued.
"Before you talk to me about my friend, it might be a good idea to take a moment and filter what you're going to say. That's why I call it the triple filter test."

"The first filter is TRUTH. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"
"No," the man said, "actually I just heard about it and..."

'All right," said Socrates. "So you don't really know if it's true or not. Now let's try the second filter, the filter of GOODNESS. Is what you are about to tell me about my friend something good?"

"No, on the contrary...."

"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him, but you're not certain it's true. You may still pass the test though, because there's one filter left: the filter of USEFULNESS. Is what you want to tell me about my friend going to be useful to me?"

"No, not really."

"Well," concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is neither true nor good nor even useful, why tell it to me at all?"

Friends, use this triple filter each time you hear loose talk about any of your near & dear friends.

Day Dreaming is for FOOOLS!!!

Day dreaming is for fools...really?  I have started to think differently now .

Research has shown that children with a high imagination turn out to be more creative. Dreams make the impossible possible as they let your mind go where it wants to without any societal or physical barriers.

Dreams have always intrigued me. I often think of the common dreams I frequently have and have with time learnt to take them as symbolic. However, what I am talking about now is not the dreams we see while in a state of sleep when the subconscious mind conjures up images often reflecting our daily thoughts, the matters most affecting us.

Recently, I have come to realise the healing power of day dreams. Yes, really it’s a great therapy, as long as you don’t live in it all the time. It can act like a relaxing tonic.

 So many times in life we are faced with situations we have no control on. It makes us sad and depressed. But if you are able to switch on this side of you that lets you experience positive feelings of hope and you are able to just focus on the positivity of what you have rather on what you don’t have..it can be a real blessing.

Some of you may find this funny or even ridiculous. I don’t have any scientific explanation for this. Cynics will differ. They will say you are a fool to think like this. This is denial. You need to accept the realities and move on with life.

But hey, did you ever realise how much we practice this already. Especially what we are going through in  Pakistan. We are all aware of the harsh realities, the painful situation is enough to throw any sensitive creature in a state of perpetual shock,  but we are still alive, function  normally. Because we have created our own surreal world... we have to.. we can’t go on without it.

On a personal level, I have found this technique therapeautic. It helps me stay positive and gives me the time to heal internally. I am sure you must have your own take on the subject. Would love to hear what you think.

Travellers

The journey of life is filled with numerous fellow travellers we meet along the way. Familiar faces and  routine  become such an important fabric of life. As I think of my daily companions, I recall the quick hello with the elderly lady who walks her two dogs early every morning as I wait for the bus, there is the look of familiarity with the station master and the guards whom I see everyday and am able to recognise them even if I see them without their uniforms in another place, the exchange of regular emails from an old friend who shares her pains and struggles in life  as a single mom looking after her two kids while battling with the scars of an ugly divorce, the small talk with the fitness instructor at the gym where ladies of all shapes , sizes  and  ages are using physical exercise as a means to deal with their own separate issues....the exchange of witty updates on facebook between friends you have never met in life and probably will never meet...all these people though insignificant in their individual capacity make up a very important part of my life.

They add colour to the otherwise routine chores, the work, the complexity of relationships, the struggles and triumphs of life. How significant are all these fellow travellers, sometimes they provide the sanity that you need to get through the bad days. It takes just a familiar smile or the odd comment on facebook that lifts your spirits or diverts your thoughts to an angle you didn’t consider before.

This thought once again makes me realise that after all it’s the little things in life that really keep you together . The friendship you counted on for years can simply fade into a distant memory, the bonds that you make in love can suddenly fire up and die their own course, the people who share their stories with you can just move by when they find a new meaning to life. People come and go. Some like to just savour the companionship and stay in touch for whatever their need is at that time. Some exchange meaningful words under the cover of jest and silently watch for a response, while some people are persistent and loyal and can make you feel special..and with them all the other travellers fill in the gaps to help you stay grounded to real life.

As I further divulge into this thought, I realise it's not these nameless travellers who are providing me the sanity, its actually the fact that all these people actually make me count the numerous blessings I have come to take for granted. The exchange of pleasantries with strangers reminds me what a beautiful race God has created. We are human, we care for each other and feel connected even while silently standing in a queue. I am thankful for the blessing of health so I can travel independently, for my work that gives me confidence and provides me livelihood and for my family and friends who add value by making me a part of their lives.

If you have been too busy with work, family or any other matter...just take a few seconds to take in the environment around you. The very nature of life.. good or bad, happy or sad should be a reminder that you are alive and there is so much to be thankful for.

My fellow travellers I wish you a lovely jpurney....

A sad truth

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/video/video.php?v=1249317633474

Donate generously for Pakistan Floods

http://www.pakistanfloods-sha.blogspot.com/

From Bankstown Pressure Cooks to Bankstown Bites

I had never thought I would find fame in the land 'Downunder' which is so painfully far from my beloved home country. It's not like I have become some sort of a celebrity, but I am certainly proud of the fact that I was asked to do a cooking demonstration from the Pakistani culture in front of a live audience at a well atended local Annual event.                                                                  Bankstown Bites is an Annual event organised by the local council to promote the cultural diversity of this Sydney suburb that has a wonderful mix of people from all around the world. The event promotes Bankstown as the ultimate Food centre of Sydney. It gives a chance for local businesses to showcase their wares and delight people with the authentic and rich tastes of the predominantly Mediterranean and Asian cultures. The invitation from the lovely Cathy did not come much of a surprise to me. I had worked with Cathy in the Bankstown Pressure Cooks(BPC) event. Cathy now manages the Growing Communities Project at a very respectable NGO. Last month she invited me to present my views of my experience at the BPC with the staff of her organisation and at the same time asked me how I felt about doing a cooking demo on stage. Her argument was that, its a very unique form of food and not many people are aware of it. Also, the cook book with all the recipes from the BPC project will be launched the same day and it would be great to have one of the recipes deomostrated.

Now assisting in the background and acting as a Cultural Adviser with some share in the limelight as a judge is one thing, but actually doing a live cooking demo alongside some well known celebrity chefs is another. My heart fluttered for a while, but the strong patriotic spirit soon kicked in  to this wonderful opportunity to represent Pakistan in a positive manner  and I  accepted the honour.

Cathy was delighted. In an ensuing e-mail she wrote to me, "I've been liaising with the organisers of Bankstown Bites, they are very enthusiastic about you being on stage in your sari, preparing the Dahi Vade."

Now this is where I had to clarify, 'By the way, I won't be wearing a 'sari'... :) I will wear a Shalwar Kameez which is what I wore to the BPC sessions earlier. That is Pakistan's national dress. I know ppl often get confused with Indian and Pakistani culture and cuisine. The reason I agreed to become a Pakistani Cultural Adviser was to help dispel that misconception. I have nothing against India, but I would like to take this opportunity to promote the positive image of Pakistan. Not many people know about my country and they often mix it up with either India or the Muslim fanaticism in Afghanistan.."

I just thought I should clarify this so the organisers are also not under some misconception. Cathy was gracious enough to respond, " Thank you for letting me know the facts about the Shalwar Kameez - it's very important to me also, that we get the cultural nuances right."

This is just a case in point. Unfortunately, the only mention of Pakistan in the international media is related to unfortunate bomb attacks and most of the people actually think most of us are extreme fanatics who live in the 18th century...This is what saddens me most.

Yes, Our cricket team is popular too even though they have been constantly aced by the Aussies in recent matches... but that's a positive light too.

Australia has proven to be a country that absorbs different cultures and most of the people I have met are very helplful and friendly. Infact, its interesting to hear comments from Caucasian background  " I wish I had some ethnic background. I sound so boring.."

So on 31st of July, yours truly will try to win hearts of the general masses through the sumptuous preparation and sampling of the tasty Dahi baras.My dahi bara recipe has also been included in the Bankstown Pressure Cooks Cook book that will be launched the same day. So yes, it is an exciting day for me.

I get shivers of excitement as I think of it.

Will write more after the event. I am sure I will have lots to share then.


Cheers!