Do know, that I’m still fulfilling promises to myself, made several decades ago?
Actually!
This is how long it can takes, if you get too busy elsewhere, living your life.
Two promises:
1. Help improve lives of poor people:
‘As God is my witness, I’ll make a difference in the lives of these poor people.’ I was nineteen, and witnessing the beating up of a poor man. At that time I was helpless, and unable to stop it. But inside my heart, I made this pledge. You see, it was a ‘crime’ for which the poor man was being beaten. His goat had been caught eating up a newly planted tree.
Most of the time, it is lack of knowledge, or plain ignorance, but then who is to blame for their ignorance? They are so poverty stricken they need help in every way. It is our obligation to raise them out of their ignorance, and provide skills to help them get out of their poverty.
We need to value their contributions in our lives. Especially, if they are so punctual!
Many wealthy, educated and corrupt people get away Scot-free for such great crimes in this country. So, the justice system is also only for the weak, whether it is women, or poor people. So, I made a pledge, that day – yes, a promise to myself – to be fulfilled. Of course, I did whatever I could, whenever I could. But nothing spectacular.
Currently, the small scale of social work I’m doing is actually– fulfilling that promise to myself, made so many years ago.
2. Bring Iqbal’s work to the youth:
This promise was made just a few years ago, when I was praying at the tomb of Allama Iqbal. I felt so small and worthless. So, I promised myself, ‘I’ll use all my capabilities as an artist and writer, to bring Iqbal’s work into the hands of the youth.’
It is my belief that Iqbal’s poetry is great, and we are so small and unworthy. Yet, Iqbal gives confidence to each one of us, to be the best that we can be, because we are Allah’s creations and our capabilities are awesome. How much of those capabilities are we using? So, as a teacher, writer and artist, I felt I was bound to do the best I can to bring his works into the hands of the youth of our country and the world. It is the best thing which can take us forward.
Just imagine, poetry to change lives. That powerful.
Promises:
We are very concerned with broken promises of others, what about the promises we make to ourselves? If we cannot keep our promises to ourselves, how can we expect others to keep theirs to us?
What about you, and your promises?
Did you make any promises to yourself? How well have you fared so far?
This is why, we should be careful with our promises, as we have to keep them.
Pari jab nazar apnay aibon par,
Nazar mein koi bura na raha.
(When I looked at my own faults,
Now, no one is faulty in my eyes!)
Stay blessed my dear Reader, Friday is a day to ponder.
