Whispers of the Soul by Nadia Nizam

The worst part of family dynamics is the sibling rivalry caused by perceived parental injustice and favoritism between children. Parents' unequal treatment and behavior towards their kids can create toxic relationships between siblings from a very young age, which often persist into adulthood. This can manifest as jealousy, resentment and, in some cases, a complete breakdown in the sibling relationship. Favoring one child over another creates an imbalance and disunity between siblings. Some parents may prioritize the more successful or obedient child, leaving the other sibling(s) feeling neglected and inferior. This can breed silent hatred and a desire to compete with the "favored" child. In other cases, parents may show preference based on gender, valuing daughters over sons or vice versa.  When young minds are subjected to constant comparison and unequal attention, it can lead to the development of hidden animosity towards each other. This animosity may then translate i...

Many Pakistanis dream of settling abroad, believing it offers better opportunities and a higher quality of life. However, this decision to leave one's homeland is often bittersweet.  When a young Pakistani crosses that metaphorical gate to pursue their fortunes overseas, the place they once called home no longer feels like their true home. There is a sense of finality to this decision - no longer can they simply return as they once did. Their room, their family home, becomes a place preserved more in memory than in daily life. As they board the plane and watch Pakistan fade into the distance, a profound realization sets in. The life they once knew has been left behind, and they must now start afresh in a foreign land. They are no longer just a common person, but an expatriate navigating the challenges of adapting to a new culture and environment. The distance from family and friends becomes a constant source of pain and guilt. The family back home may initially mourn the absence of...

"Dude you are the real black sheep of our family. I am proud of you." When talking to my cousin, he referred to me as the black sheep of our family. Which I proudly accepted as a badge of honor. The so-called "black sheep" are often the family's liberators, challenging norms and seeking new paths. I may not conform to traditional expectations, but my rebellious spirit can revitalize the family tree, breaking free from repetitive patterns that hinder generations. I am  often criticized and misunderstood, am driven by a desire to break free from the status quo and create a more fulfilling future.  My family, by its very nature, might resist change, making the black sheep's journey difficult. However, my unique perspective and courage to forge my own path is invaluable. We are the ones who dare to question the norm, inspiring you to think differently and embrace your individuality.   As I reflect on this label, I realize that being the "black sheep" i...

 وقت کے پار جاسکو تو سنو میرے کچھ لوگ وہاں رہتے ہیں اُن سے کہنا بہت اُداس ہوں میں اُن سے کہنا یہ دِل نہیں لگتا اُن سے کہنا بہت اکیلی ہوں اُن سے کہنا میں رویا کرتی ہوں اُن سے کہنا مجھے قرار نہیں اُن سے کہنا ہے انتظار بہت اُن سے کہنا وہ مجھ سے بات کریں اُن سے کہنا زبان سوکھ گئی اُن سے کہنا کلام باقی ہے اُن سے کہنا مری یہ دو آنکھیں اُن سے کہنا ترس گئیں اُن کو اُن سے کہنا وہ اب ملیں مجھ سے اُن سے کہنا مجھے بلائیں کبھی وقت کے پار جاسکو تو سنو میرے کچھ لوگ وہاں رہتے ہیں

"I often struggle to open up about what I'm going through because it feels like nothing will ever change. On the darkest days, when I'm on the verge of giving up, I find it difficult to reach out to others for support. I worry that I'll be a burden, and I don't want anyone to see me as vulnerable or weak. So I retreat into myself, crying silently behind closed doors, and try to heal alone. Sometimes, I disappear even on days when I know others need me. I'm simply too exhausted to face the world. But I'm grateful for the people who try to understand and respect my need for solitude. They wait patiently, knowing that I'll emerge when I'm ready to fight again. Expressing these feelings is so challenging. There are pains that defy words, and I find it easier to withdraw and cope in private. But I'm slowly learning to be more open. I'm starting to realize that I don't have to handle everything on my own, and that reaching out for help is a si...

There were times when I caught my own people talking behind my back, trying to undermine my reputation and scheme against me. To my surprise, I was often unaware of the full extent of their plotting. During those challenging moments, I chose to let God fight my battles. As the saying goes, "It is not humans who instantly grant honor, but rather the very nature of Allah." And my life has become a prime example of Allah's commands for me. Looking back, I am filled with gratitude that my Lord allowed me to emerge victorious against my rivals. Though the betrayal and schemes of those close to me were deeply hurtful, I remained steadfast in my faith. I knew that by entrusting my cause to Allah, I was placing it in the hands of the Almighty, who sees all and will deliver justice in His time.  This experience has reinforced my belief that sometimes the wisest choice is to refrain from engaging in petty conflicts, and instead focus on aligning myself with the will of the Divine. ...

Recently, I learned about a situation involving one of my family relatives in Pakistan. After their parents passed away, the brothers simply distributed and sold the family properties without giving any portion to the sisters. During the entire legal process of handling the property matters, they did not even ask for or inform the sisters. * Dear Parents, I have some advice for all parents who are still alive. If you are capable, please leave a legal will in accordance with your islamic religious beliefs. Remember that once we depart this world, we will have to face Allah (God). In this materialistic world, where we are busy accumulating assets to provide for our children, those children may not even visit our graves after our death. Therefore, be wise and prepare to meet God. Even those who do not believe in God should still show faithfulness to the principles of justice and equity. When distributing assets, be mindful of maintaining justice, just as we expect God's justice in eve...

 The donkey said to the tiger, "The grass is blue." The tiger replied, "No, the grass is green." The discussion became heated, and they decided to seek arbitration from the lion, the King of the Jungle. As they approached the lion sitting on his throne in the forest clearing, the donkey began shouting, "Your Highness, is it true that the grass is blue?" The lion responded, "Indeed, the grass is blue." The donkey, gleeful, continued, "The tiger disagrees with me, contradicts me, and annoys me. Please punish him." The king then declared, "The tiger shall be punished with 5 years of silence." The donkey leaped joyfully and went on his way, contentedly repeating, "The grass is blue"... The tiger accepted the punishment but, before leaving, inquired of the lion, "Your Majesty, why have you punished me? After all, the grass is green." The lion replied, "Indeed, the grass is green." Puzzled, the tiger as...

It takes a significant amount of time to fully grasp the realization that each individual is ultimately responsible for their own life. A mother, in particular, must come to understand that her personal anguish, mortification, depression, courage, insomnia, and stress do not solve her family's problems, but rather exacerbate her own. It is crucial for her to recognize that she is not accountable for the actions of others; however, she is responsible for her own reactions to those actions. Therefore, her primary duty to herself is to remain calm and allow each person to address and resolve their own problems, as she can only exert influence over her own life. Each individual possesses the necessary internal resources to navigate their own journey, and while she may offer advice if solicited, the final decision to follow it or not rests solely with the person seeking guidance. Mothers should no longer bear the burden of their older children's responsibilities, guilt, remorse, fau...

Dearest daughters, Being a good friend doesn't always guarantee being liked, and holding someone dear doesn't always mean being valued. You can say all the right things and still have your words twisted, brushed off, or even used against you. You can give your absolute best and still face disappointment. Even if you strive to be as pure as humanly possible, people may still paint you as the bad guy. After years of experience, here are some important lessons I've learned: 1. You cannot control other people, not even in the slightest. It's a complete waste to assume that you can. Trying to control others will only make you angry, exhausted, and chasing something you can never catch. Instead, focus on controlling yourself. Control your speech, how you treat people, and your attitude. Guard your heart and keep it genuine. Keep showing up, and let that be enough. 2. Remember that other people are not like you. They have different thoughts, feelings, and experiences that belo...