Who Changed?

4 years ago, when I made the decision to leave my old world behind, I was positive I had made the right decision. Since then I've had very little occasion to regret the move I made. Infact most of me, on good days or bad, will always be thankful and proud of the fact that I had the courage to make it. So many never leave the cocoon, as a friend of mine put it. Since then I've met a city full of wonderful people, made some amazing friends and really been able to respect them and learn from them. I've done things I would have never imagined doing before either. Yet a small part of me will forever feel this terrible pang of sadness at the naivety that led me to believe, that I could turn my back on the lifestyle and the priorities and the belief system of that world, but still keep the people. Frankly, from time to time, I really miss them. I miss the people we all used to be. I miss the secrets, the gossip, the tragedies, the drama, the laughs, the dreams and most of all the frivolity. It's not like it all disappeared at once, there are still the 6-monthly phone calls, the birthday scraps on facebook, the yearly meet up, and the accidental run in. But it all seems to be getting fewer and far between, not to mention far more quiet. Neither of us ever have much to say each other and the conversation seems to be getting far more tedious. The really sad fact is that I don't even think it's their fault. I'm the one who changed, I was always different, but by leaving I voluntarily turned my back on them, and now it can never be the same. Most of all, I hate the fact that I have all these happy memories from as far back as kindergarten but absolutely no one to share them with, and that just sucks.

A Little Research Goes A Long Way.

A few weeks back I got one of those forwarded smses doing the rounds these days. You know, the one that goes because of Denmark's actions against Islam boycott Nestle, etc. The second I read it my blood began to boil, not because I'm against the boycotting of danish products in response to their disrespect towards Islam, but because of the absolute stupidity of that message! NESTLE ISN'T DANISH! I mean, honestly, how hard is it grasping that simple little fact? Why is it so hard to actually read the milkpak carton to confirm what country the company belongs too before stradling your white horse and riding out to rescue Islam? It is exactly this sort of superiority complex that has brought muslim countries and muslims in general to the precipice of an economic, intellectual, pollitical and moral dungheap! The idea that just because we're muslims, we're somehow absolutely perfect, that we require no improvement and we just know everything. Moreover the idea that just because we're muslims we're automatically forgiven for all our sins, I don't know about other muslim countries, but atleast in Pakistan this theory is all too common. That nomatter how many times we lie, cheat, steal or refuse to pay taxes, all is forgiven simply because we pray five times a day and beg God for forgiveness. Maybe it's just me, but I thought that to really be granted forgiveness we have to promise not to repeat our sins and then actually NOT REPEAT them. I know it's not my place to judge, but really sometimes it's all a little too much! And as for boycotting Nestle, it's one of the very few companies that manufacture their products in Pakistan. It sets up factories and hires our own people, by boycotting such companies all we're really doing it causing factories to shut down, leading to increased unemployment, increased frustration, desperation, and God forbid suicide bombers. So please just research your messages and emails before passing them along so as to prevent confusion, and please always always think about the cosequences of your actions and try for a little empathy.