World Keeps Spinning
Seventy-one years on, it seems so long ago that Pakistan became a sovereign state. No matter our problems today the world just keeps on spinning.
‘We stand today because of the fallen of the past. Our current day issues can be solved with perspective. It’s a day to celebrate but also one to never forget about.’
We don’t find much to celebrate in the UK.
Even today, news shocked the nation about a car incident in Westminster in London.
I’ll say no more on the speculation.
It seems every country and its residents now have a turbulent time between rejoicing and mourning.
Despite the news in the UK, Pakistanis around the globe celebrate the day of independence.
14th August 1947.
Although I have a upcoming trip to Pakistan, my memories and knowledge of the country are slim.
It’s for that reason I think about the heritage.
Recently, I’ve felt some pressure to perform.
The new internship is demanding but rewarding.
The geography society took a turn for the worst but now I have steadied the ship.
This overshadowing dissertation transcribing.
Possible birthday plans.
Throw in the godforsaken South East London commute and you’ve got a melting pot of thought and expectation.
That’s a problem for me.
I’m in the process of now trying to prioritise what’s important to me right now and focussing my efforts on those things.
I’ll block out anything unnecessary because it could all become too stressful.
Admittedly, I do like to be busy.
But I can’t deal with it from all different angles, not yet anyway.
In times like this before I have just stayed to myself and tried to find a comfort zone.
That’s only to steady the ship before resuming life outside those pre-defined boundaries.
How does this relate to Pakistan’s Independence Day?
Quite simply actually.
By using the power of perspective, my problems and troubles are somewhat minute.
They need to be done by a certain time but a lot of them can be done if I focussed on the tasks at hand.
Individualising each problem and giving small goals is how I worked before I left for America and since haven’t picked the habit back up.
The heritage of Pakistan (as I understand it) is rather hit-and-miss.
Pakistan is a troubled country with a rich culture and distorted politics.
It’s population lies in the top ten in the world but its economy doesn’t match the potential.
There are many reasons for this, but to form Pakistan as a country in the way that it was formed proves resilience and drive.
First generation British-Pakistani immigrants are some of the most hardworking people on the planet.
They struggled through the hardest of times and against all the odds succeeded.
Pakistani diaspora is the reason I can travel to any major British or American city and have a place to stay.
So when I think about myself and the progress I have made, the roadblocks ahead — they don’t compare.
But that’s not the point. The point is continuance.
Finding out what is most important first and prioritising that one thing or two things.
Finishing that task and moving on.
It’s in these times where I feel I have no time at all.
I feel unproductive during my time to myself and I don’t know how to complete tasks that require daylight hours.
Whatever your opinions about Pakistan, Bangladesh, South Sudan or any other nation that has formed in recent history — the all have a common ingredient.
People with persistence.
People with that characteristic go far and don’t fall at the first, second or third hurdle.
I don’t feel I’m complaining, I feel I’m expressing the emotion I feel. And that’s the point of this platform anyway.
Pakistan Indepence Day allowed me to witness perception.
The car incident allowed me to witness a local perception.
It’s all perspective and it can all help you understand where you are today and why you aren’t somewhere far worse.
No matter I feel, I have a place to write about it — freely.
I feel a lot happier now and ready to tackle tasks one by one.
I’ve tried to eliminate distractions that are annoying or I can’t compute right now.
Everyone has their own issues, it’s just those who recognise, talk about them and realise that they aren’t so bad.
World keeps spinning.