A caring note from a friend

So a friend of mine sent me this note when I was feeling a little down about my new found career..

From Yamama Raza:
Its funny how our societies are always so demanding; right now, as I am trying to make a career, carve my way into a male dominated field, the criticism i get from some people (though the more desi traditional mindset) is that I have disregard for family values, don't care enough about tradition, i wouldnt make a good wife/mother coz I'm too career focussed etc. etc. Seems like women can never get anything right!

Don't let anyone take the joys of motherhood away from you, or make you feel you're missing out on life; when I talk about my future, I always say that when I have kids, Insha Allah, nothing will matter more; no career, no education, because being the mother is where I'm absolutely irreplaceable; there's always other people to sit at a desk and do a job, but another mom who can give what a mother has to give? no way!

My sister's one of those do it all moms, but even though she's a doctor and does 'important work of saving lives' as we tend to see it, she says that its just her job, her real joy, and her meaning in life is her daughter, and she's always wishing how she could spend just a little more time with her but can't coz she's still in the whole training program..you should feel blessed that you can watch her grow, and see all the little things she does-- babies are so fascinating!

I guess I just wanted to say that there's atleast one (currently non-domestic, career-oriented) woman out there, your age, who thinks you deserve more credit and recognition, and thinks its admirable that you are so dedicated to your child. Insha Allah Emaan will grow up to be an intelligent and sensitive child like her mother, and that will be a reflection of all your hard work, and im sure it will make you happier than any paycheck ever can. And there are, i assure you, many more women like me who do look at mothers and wives who do their job well with respect and even admiration. I mean, look at me, I'll have a master's degree soon, but I have NO idea what to do when a baby cries, in fact im not even confident enough to hold a very small one properly coz i'm afraid I'll do it wrong. You take care of something so delicate, you manage such a great responsibility and do it well, and well, you are appreciated- Paradise is under the mother's feet, not the high heels clicking down the office corridor!

You know from what I see with my peers and even myself, deep inside, alot of career-track women are also insecure, also feel insignificant, also feel like their lives have no meaning and are constantly searching. Maybe it is that insecurity that makes us want to look for better, and to push ourselves to grow. I hope you don't let anyone pull you down and make you doubt yourself.

So I was watching the "Future" episode of the BBC Planet Earth series (absolutely brilliant series by the way) and the experts were discussing how to convince the world of the necessity of conserving and protecting wildlife. It is obviously incredibly challenging to do this because as the world population increases humans are delving further into lands that have never been occupied by man before. Therefore disturbing the wildlife there and the natural events of things. One expert was saying that the problem is with overpopulation and that governments should educate people on family planning, have contraceptives easily available, educate more women and increase jobs for women. Another expert argued this position and said that overpopulation is not necessarily the problem, it's the way we spend our money. I totally agree. I mean it was calculated that if everyone on teh planet lived like Americans we would need 3 planets! That's just ridiculous. We have been brainwashed into thinking that if we wear the same outfit every week someone might think we're poor. Or if we don't have the latest gadget then we're going to be ostracized by our peers. Gosh we're such vulnerable creatures. Another expert said really a good quality of life is to be able to drink clean water, eat decent meals, breathe clean air, and have a safe place to live. It's so true!!! Just look at this whole Christmas gift buying craze. If you go to a shopping mall now..people look MISERABLE. They're spending a fortune on things they'll have to replace next year. The thing is though all of these things that we are desperate to buy are made by destructing the lives of endangered animals. For example hunting for the skin of Amour Leapords of Russia has decreased their population to a total of 40 in the wild! The U.S. might be drilling for oil in Colorado in an area that is protected for its wildlife.. but hey..need the money to make up for this war right?

I was just thinking..we really need to be more aware of our environment and of our world. We are not the only inhabitants of this planet.

Muslim woman arrested for refusing to remove hijab

Ok this is just stupid. Alhamdullilah the sister stuck to her beliefs.

Click here to watch video: Muslim arrested over scarf