Tuesday, September 25, 2012
What do you fear? 10 tips to understand fear and who we should fear the most!
- Mary, the mother of our beloved Jesus
Fear is natural
It is natural to have some fears, so face your fears and consider whether your fear has a good source or is actually irrational (a fear that we should dismiss or conquer).
How to be fearless is one of the hardest things for most people to do. Recognizing and facing the fear is the first step you should take. Many people are fearful about wearing the hijab. Here are some thoughts about fear in general and about the hijab (head covering) and conservative clothes in particular. The points here will help you to be fearless and more successful.
The Fear that Kills
Never let fear hold you back.
Fear that kills is the type of fear that holds us back from taking ourselves to great levels. This fear prevents us from taking a path that we know in our heart we should take. We always have this great fear inside of ourselves – fear about what others think of us, fear about what our parents think, fear of getting hurt, fear of losing our job, fear of poverty, fear of doing something right because we are afraid something will happen to us, fear of people.... fear, fear, fear. We live such scared lives! We are so weak! Some of these fears may be justifiable, but again we should face our fears and find ways to overcome them.
3. The Fear of being different or being too conservative
Why do many girls hesitate to wear a hijab (head covering) and dress conservatively, knowing God has commanded them to do so? This command for hijab was given to the most righteous women ever to exist, who do you think YOU are not to wear one?
4. Is fear the reason why you don’t wear conservative attire?
Is it because of society pressure and the opinions of others?
5. What we should fear!
The One who we should all be fearing most, we do not fear! We fear more about what Joe thinks of us.
6. God Matters Most
Let us look at some of the best women such as Mary, mother of Jesus. Mary is the highest ranked woman. If we look at pictures of Mary she is depicted as wearing conservative clothes, covered from head to toe.
7. Develop a strong purpose and you can overcome fear
You are here on this earth for a purpose, so fulfill your purpose. Your strong purpose can beat fear.
8. Fear is a test!
God has also created this fear inside you on purpose, to test you, to see who do you fear more, the people or God.
To see how great is your level of faith!
To see if you truly believe.
When you put God first or higher then you will not hesitate about these decisions.
9. When fear strikes who do you consult?
There is no need for you to argue with anyone about this topic other than yourself. Convince yourself.
10. How to overcome fear
Overcome fear by seeing it as a small obstacle so that you can jump to even greater levels and move on to the next stages in these challenges of life. People will be very proud of you. Forget people, Allah will be very proud of you. Thus put Allah first and you will be able to overcome fear, at least the fear of what people think of you. When you have a higher purpose, you can defeat fear.
Text source: This is a reworked version of text provided by Haroon Chaudhry
Monday, September 24, 2012
The Quest for Paradise – A Utopian world – is it just pie in the sky?
- The Island of Utopia
Freedom – the most misunderstood word in the English language
If there was a poll to decide what is the most misunderstood word in the English language I think freedom might be high in the voting stakes. When there are millions of people how can we all live together without rules. Rules must be limits on freedom. Some types of speech and actions are very violent in nature but the extent of the limits of free speech is very controversial.
No Free Love in Utopia
The word Utopia came into the English language after the publication of the book Utopia by Sir Thomas More in 1516. It has come to mean a perfect place but the rules might shock you and certainly it is not paradise for all. In fact for some it will be heaven, while for others it will be hell. When it comes to premarital sex, the punishment will be a lifetime of celibacy (no sex) thereafter. And for those committing adultery you would become slaves – a total loss of freedom and many would say inhumane.
Marital Cage
Marriage to many in modern times is viewed as a curtailment of freedom yet in Utopia that will be the only legitimate way to have sex. Agreeing to be faithful is a discipline and a curtailment of unbridled freedom.
Slaving Away
We always lament about the haves and the have nots, and the divide between the rich and the poor. Everyone would agree that slaves have no freedom, no future and usually no hope. They have the lowest quality of life and some would say to be a slave is not worth living. In Utopia there would be slaves so clearly it is not paradise for all and some will be living in hell even though this is supposed to be a perfect land. Clearly for some only.
Candidates for Slavery
What are the modern statistics for adultery? While statistics may not be totally accurate – many people think adultery is rife and certain classes of people such as celebrities seem to do it more than others. Other sources of slaves are criminals and foreigners.
Compulsion, Force, Violence and Fighting
This means that there will still be crime in Utopia and victims of crime. It also means that foreigners will be captured so that means some form of force and violence too. Even in a Utopian world, crime, violence, fighting and war can’t be totally eliminated.
Carrot or the Cane!
Periodically those slaves will be released for good behavior, so we still have to control humans with reward systems.
Free Health Care
While this sounds like a great idea and advanced for its time, it does mean disease and illness are impossible to eradicate. The pain of living is a fact of life in Utopia.
Prevention is Better than Cure
Wouldn't a true Utopia be life without disease, pain and illness? Today we talk about lifestyle diseases because we don’t want to stop the excesses of our lifestyle – of wine, women, men and overindulging in drink and food. We could have much better health if we exercised more self-control. In fact, in modern times when it comes to health we could come closer to a Utopian health standard if we followed wholesome practices.
Let’s Get Rid of the Lawyers!
Although Sir Thomas More is one of the best legal brains the world has known, he felt there was no place for lawyers in Utopia. Before you shout hooray, remember the legal framework is one of the pillars of society. Rules encapsulate the values of a society. And rules have to be enforced – that means dealing with those who break the rules. Whatever we call them, we need people who know the law, and can administer the law. In most countries, judges are drawn from the ranks of lawyers – what would the quality of judges be like if they had not spent time practicing law?
The Devil is in the Detail
When you look at the countries around the world – both current and past man has failed miserably when it comes to creating a Utopia. Pie in the sky is an idiom to mean something that is utterly impractical, totally unworkable and a total fantasy. Utopia is pie in the sky –at least at this point in time.
do you know right from wrong? Are you confused or are you on the right path? Do you know right from wrong?
- See the Light
Rights and Wrongs
We grow up as vulnerable kids in this world, not knowing any better, thinking our families, our society will teach us everything we need to know about what is right and what is wrong.
Not Knowing Right from Wrong!
We think they will teach us everything we need to know about life. They are the ones who we first rely on for guidance, but as we get older, and we start going through so many mistakes, we start to realize that our society, our families, are clearly CONFUSED about what is right and what is wrong!
Seeing the Light
At this stage, we realize we have to rely on something other than just our family or society for guidance.
That's when we realize that we need to pursue the path of God.
What’s Your Tipple?
In the West, we live in an alcohol obsessed society. They've brainwashed almost our entire society to think that it’s normal to drink alcohol.
To Drink or not to Drink?
They've gotten almost our entire society to be addicted to alcohol. They drink alcohol everywhere: at weddings, at kids’ birthdays, at dinners, at family gatherings.
Disney Drink
Even on the Disney channel, Haroon Chaudhry saw them showing a couple taking a shot together at dinner. Every kid is being influenced to think that this is normal.
Downside Look
Look at the lifestyle they have formed based around alcohol.
Look at how many girls decide to have sex while they are intoxicated.
Look at how many kids are dying from drunk-driving car crashes every year.
Look at how many drunk-driving car accidents there are every year.
Look at how youth is addicted to the drinking and partying lifestyle at such an early age.
Look at how many arguments people go through when intoxicated.
Look at how many fights there are because of alcohol.
Look how drinking and partying destroy lives and potential.
Why Alcohol? Why Drugs?
The reason why this society has us all addicted to alcohol is to give us some sort of pleasure.
Sustainable Happiness
Deep down, people are hurting and confused because society is confused about how to find happiness.
What can Believers Do?
This society clearly cannot see what is right and what is wrong and that's why it is our DUTY to help spread these messages and help our friends and family become aware.
True Pleasure; True Happiness
The pleasure and happiness that society is trying to find can only come from God.
Godly Passion
But in order to find God, we must carefully observe who the trustworthy ones are and who are the confused. Just use your intelligence and you can see who clearly are passionate about God and preserving truth and who has doubt in their faith.
The Blind Leading the Blind
From following the confused, it will only lead to confusion in us and doubts in our faith.
But if you put your trust in those who you can clearly see are on the right path, then it will only help strengthen faith and show you the path you must take.
Success
If you wish to attain success in this life, we must follow the path of truth.
Pathway to God
God is teaching and leading me towards a better and smarter path, says Haroon Chaudhry
Credit - this is an abridged version of a posting by Haroon Chaudhry
English help
Pain and Pleasure
Scion of Singapore’s longest serving prime minister, Lee Wei Ling reveals snippets of her growing up years in The Sunday Times. Personal experiences of school, tuition and her philosophy on the pains and pleasures of study are put under the spotlight.
Scion of Singapore’s longest serving prime minister, Lee Wei Ling reveals snippets of her growing up years in The Sunday Times. Personal experiences of school, tuition and her philosophy on the pains and pleasures of study are put under the spotlight.
Playing Around
Although the Lee siblings received a "strong grounding” in languages there was still time for play!
Although the Lee siblings received a "strong grounding” in languages there was still time for play!
Chinese Chatter
Wei Ling does not say exactly when Chinese tuition started, but it was well before primary school.
Wei Ling does not say exactly when Chinese tuition started, but it was well before primary school.
Extra Polish
Wei Ling's Prime Minister brother had tuition even after starting primary school but this was for “extra polish,” she says.
Wei Ling's Prime Minister brother had tuition even after starting primary school but this was for “extra polish,” she says.
Chinese Drama
During secondary school Wei Ling had a Chinese tutor but they did not go over the school syllabus. Instead they concentrated on reading classic works. This tutor encouraged her to write articles for publication in the Chinese media.
During secondary school Wei Ling had a Chinese tutor but they did not go over the school syllabus. Instead they concentrated on reading classic works. This tutor encouraged her to write articles for publication in the Chinese media.
Novel Approach
I always pride myself on having a traditional BBC accent, so I was not surprised to hear Wei Ling had attended informal tutorials when someone from the BBC was available. Talking about or reading aloud from novels featured in these tête-à -tête sessions.
I always pride myself on having a traditional BBC accent, so I was not surprised to hear Wei Ling had attended informal tutorials when someone from the BBC was available. Talking about or reading aloud from novels featured in these tête-à -tête sessions.
Queen’s English
Wei Ling reveals the rationale for native speakers: “My father arranged for the daughter of the then British High Commissioner to tutor me. He did not want his children speaking Singlish.”
Wei Ling reveals the rationale for native speakers: “My father arranged for the daughter of the then British High Commissioner to tutor me. He did not want his children speaking Singlish.”
Free Flow
“Free-flowing conversation” was the order of the day. Reading matter included classic literature.
“Free-flowing conversation” was the order of the day. Reading matter included classic literature.
Ring of Confidence
Having worked at the British High Commission for nearly five years as the public affairs officer, I would say that exposure to good quality native speakers does provide an enriching experience, extra polish and a ring of confidence.
Having worked at the British High Commission for nearly five years as the public affairs officer, I would say that exposure to good quality native speakers does provide an enriching experience, extra polish and a ring of confidence.
Uphill Task
For many, mastering one language is no easy feat. For many, mastering more than one than one language is an uphill task!
For many, mastering one language is no easy feat. For many, mastering more than one than one language is an uphill task!
Dressing Down
In the school I attended French was compulsory. One day, the headmaster summoned my mother and me to his office. I had no idea why I had been summoned. Usually you are only summoned in this way if you have done something terribly wrong. I searched my mind but could not think why. My French teacher and headmaster were in stern mood, proceeding to verbally abuse my mother for what seemed to be an eternity about why was I speaking French with an English accent. Was I doing this intentionally?
In the school I attended French was compulsory. One day, the headmaster summoned my mother and me to his office. I had no idea why I had been summoned. Usually you are only summoned in this way if you have done something terribly wrong. I searched my mind but could not think why. My French teacher and headmaster were in stern mood, proceeding to verbally abuse my mother for what seemed to be an eternity about why was I speaking French with an English accent. Was I doing this intentionally?
French Connection
My family went into overdrive to help me with my French. My English teacher and her husband who both could speak French gave me lessons. My father brought French native books including so-called easy-to-read classic novels. He also put me on a Linguaphone course. Thus I did not get through my language studies without extra tuition and help, and without native-speaker input.
My family went into overdrive to help me with my French. My English teacher and her husband who both could speak French gave me lessons. My father brought French native books including so-called easy-to-read classic novels. He also put me on a Linguaphone course. Thus I did not get through my language studies without extra tuition and help, and without native-speaker input.
Get Real
Native speaker input really can give you a leg-up in your language studies.
Native speaker input really can give you a leg-up in your language studies.
Reference: The Sunday Times (The Straits Times), When tuition was optional, by Lee Wei Ling, 23 September 2012
Sunday, September 23, 2012
12 Secrets of Language and professional Success. A dozen ways to be better in any language and in life
- Fred Philpott said if it is not in your head then you don’t know it!
1. Head Start
According to their daughter, first prime minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew and his wife Kwa Geok Choo said “Languages were best learnt young, when the brain is most plastic.”
2. Get Ready, Go!
Earlier is better than later when it comes to language learning. As soon as your child is aged two, start finding a suitable class for your child. If you are no longer a child – well better late then never but when it comes to languages the early bird really does catch the worm!
3. Expert Energy
A man who is his own lawyer has a fool for a client. Have you ever wondered what that adage means? It means that a person who tries to do his own legal work is actually stupid because when you need advice and assistance another person may provide you with a better input.
We also need expert input at times or another's input which is helpful, and not just when we have legal challenges. When it comes to language learning, getting help will act as a leg up and you can travel faster.
4. Work Hard, Play Hard
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy! Make time for fun or better still when learning a language make the time for as much fun as possible. Getting the balance during study and professional life is an art!
5. Polish
Language development doesn’t just happen naturally. It takes the assistance and patience of a whole village usually. When I watch American TV reality shows I am often amazed at the number of grammatical errors especially with the use of adjectives and adverbs, not to mention verb tenses. Be prepared to spend a lifetime practicing and polishing up your languages including your mother tongue!
6. Practice Makes Perfect
You have heard this adage so many times that it is a classic cliché (an overused expression). Perhaps it is overused because we know it to be so true! Many British native speakers have a book on the go for all of their lives. This may be a traditional practice nowadays but is still worth emulating.
- Shakespeare is the world's best wordsmith
7.Reading is Key
Reading is key for language development. In the Singapore press, Lee Wei Ling revealed her study habits when she was a student. For Chinese, she had a tutor and they read Dream of the Red Chamber in its classical form. When she had an English tutor, she read Shakespeare and conversed about it. She opines that these were not her favorite activities but the effort helped, she says.
8. Put Your Money where your Mouth is!
Some people feel that the adage Practice Makes Perfect is not a perfect adage itself! The reason being that if we are practicing in an imperfect way we are not going to perfect our practice. Thus put your money where your mouth and practice in a public way! Lee Wei Ling reveals in the Singapore press that she was encouraged to write articles and publish them. If that is too much for you, consider a diary or a blog. In the day of the blog, you could write something daily and post it! I still think daily practice like the daily dozen works wonders even if it is not at the same level as a professor of English.
9. A Journey of a Thousand Miles Starts with the First Step
I am no professor of English either but that does not stop me in my quest to be the best English teacher possible. Whatever your quest, we all have to start somewhere but start we must and daily we must toil away.
10. Repetition is the Mother of Skill
This is one of my favorite expressions and one I feel many people are too impatient to do. Practice includes repetition. Practice includes going over and over and over what you have learnt or should have learnt. One of my greatest law teachers was the eminent lawyer Fred Philpott. He said if it is not in your head then you don’t know it! He said that for success you have no time to keep looking things up – get as much into your head and you will be faster in your professional life.
11. Inspiration
The best teachers are also your mentors. There is a value in sourcing for the greatest teacher too – they leave a lasting impression and for all your life you will be recalling their great examples and their great sayings. You can actually live some of the tips your teachers teach you. Source for the most inspirational teachers while you learn, and their teaching will continue playing in your mind and actions for the rest of your life.
12. Religious Zeal
We are all aware of religious zeal. Sometimes we need zeal to add the power to our studies and professional success. Find ways to put more zeal in all you do.
Sources for the quotes by Lee Kuan Yew and Lee Wei Ling: Lee Wei Ling is the daughter of Lee Kuan Yew.
The Sunday Times (The Straits Times), When tuition was optional, 23 September 2012 by Lee Wei Ling
Source for Image:Fred Philpott http://www.legal500.com/firms/9374/offices/9374/lawyers/8173
One of my greatest law teachers was the eminent lawyer Fred Philpott. He said if it is not in your head then you don’t know it! He said that for success you have no time to keep looking things up – get as much into your head and you will be faster in your professional life.
Language enlargement
English, Chinese and French fluency. Thoughts à la Lee Wei Ling and Susan McKenzie
Hallowed Ground
Have you heard of Lee Wei Ling?
You may have not. At the time of writing she is the director of the
National Neuroscience Institute. She is the daughter of Singapore ’s first prime minister
and the sister of the current prime minister. Regularly she shares her views on
a wide range of topics in the Singapore Straits Times usually in the Sunday
Edition.
Inside Track
Lee Wei Ling’s articles are often fascinating
because she provides inside information about her upbringing, her life and of
course that often includes mention of the famous parents and siblings. In her
article entitled “When tuition was optional” she relates her personal
experience of school and tuition.
Chinese Tuition
Although she does not say exactly when
Chinese tuition started, it was before primary school.
Best Language
“Languages were best learnt young, when the
brain is most plastic,” she reveals the views of her parents Lee Kuan Yew and
Kwa Geok Choo.
Work Hard, Play Hard
Although the Lee siblings received a ‘strong grounding” in languages there was still time for play!
Polish
She reveals that her Prime Minister brother
had tuition even after starting primary school but that this was for “extra
polish.”
Chinese Dreams
During secondary school Lee Wei Ling had a
Chinese tutor but they did not go over the school syllabus. Instead they
concentrated on reading Dream of the Red Chamber in its classical form. The
tutor also encouraged her to write articles and send them for publication in
the Chinese newspapers.
BBC Novelty
I always pride myself on having a traditional
BBC accent and I was not surprised to read that Lee Wei Ling had received
informal tutorials when someone from the BBC was available. Talking about or
reading aloud from novels featured in these tête-à -tête sessions.
Queen’s English
Later on according to Lee Wei Ling: “Her
father arranged for the daughter of the British High Commissioner to tutor me.
He did not want his children speaking Singlish.”
Shakespearean Free-flow
The content was “free-flowing conversation”. Reading matter included
Shakespeare. Having worked at the
British High Commission for nearly five years as the public affairs officer, I
would say that exposure to good quality native speakers does give an enriching
experience.
Faux Pas
For many mastering more than one language is no easy feat. For many mastering one language is no easy feat either! When I watch American reality TV shows my mind jars at the grammatical mistakes so-called native speakers make.
For many mastering more than one language is no easy feat. For many mastering one language is no easy feat either! When I watch American reality TV shows my mind jars at the grammatical mistakes so-called native speakers make.
Dressing Down
In the school I attended French was
compulsory. One day, the headmaster summoned my mother and myself to his office.
I had no idea why I had been summoned to the headmaster’s office. Usually you
are only summoned in this way if you have done something terribly wrong. I
searched my mind and could not think why. Inside the room were my French
teacher and my headmaster. They proceeded to verbally abuse my mother for what
seemed to be an eternity about why was I speaking French with an English
accent. Was I doing this intentionally?
French Connection
My family went into overdrive to help me with
my French. My English teacher and her husband who both could speak French gave
me lessons. My father brought French native books including easy-to-read
classic novels. He also put me on a Linguaphone course. Thus I did not get
through my language studies without extra tuition and help, and without a
native-speaker input.
Get Real
Native speaker input really can give you a
leg-up in your language studies.
Sources for this article:
The Sunday Times (The Straits Times), When tuition was optional, 23 September 2012 by Lee Wei Ling
The Sunday Times (The Straits Times), When tuition was optional, 23 September 2012 by Lee Wei Ling
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Utopia here I come! There’s no place like Utopia
The Best Place in the World
Imagine the most idyllic place your imagination can savor and luxuriate in?
Creating Utopia
Imagine this place where people are always so fair, honest, kind, nice, helpful, sweet and generous. This is what Utopia is.
A Man For All Seasons
Have you heard of Sir Thomas More? If not, I would like to introduce you to him.
LONG LIVE UTOPIA
Sir Thomas More, a lawyer by profession, made a contribution to the English language by coining the word Utopia when he wrote the book of the same name.
WHAT IS UTOPIA?
This is an ideal or good place. In fact, is that not what we all want to have – a Utopian existence?
Is this Utopia to you?
In More’s Utopia there was religious tolerance and life was based on simple living. Most of the people were engaged in farming. That was Utopia to him. However, I doubt if that is Utopia to all people.
Origins
The word Utopia comes from the Greek language to mean a good place.
Communal ownership
In Utopia there is communal ownership of land.
No to Private Property
Private property does not exist.
Equal Education
Men and women are educated in the same fashion.
Men and women will have to do the same work.
No Room for Atheists
The country tolerates different religious practices but does not tolerate atheists
(people who do not believe in God).
Trust in God
The attitude in Utopia is that if a man does not believe in a god or an afterlife he could never be trusted because he would not accept any authority or principle outside himself.
What is your Utopia?
Man wants to own private property and so More’s vision will not be acceptable to most people in the world. Society is more complex and has to grapple with many issues that people have great differences of opinion on.
The Reality of Life
There will never be a Utopia – the best you can create is your own Utopia – your own idea of what works best for you, using your resources as best you can.
UTOPIAN BLESSING
B: Believe that you can create the best life possible for yourself and loved ones.
L: Let your imagination run wild but then capture that image and work to make it real.
E: Energize yourself with plans, dreams and actions that lead the way to Utopian living.
S: Sometimes all we have to do is change our viewpoint and perspectives to see a good world. Successful living needs your input to create the success that is the most Utopian for you.
S: Simple joys can make life seem Utopian so do take the time to smell the roses.
I: Imagine the best life you can for you and then set out about achieving it, while enjoying the journey along the way.
N: New life is always possible. New and better ways to live are within your grasp so do look at your life with the nicest possible eyes.
G: Good living should be the aim. Good is a gorgeous place to be so see how you can be good and make life good and wholesome for you and your loved ones.
THE LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE
At the peak of his career, Sir Thomas was the Lord Chancellor, one of the highest ranking officers in the Government during the reign of King Henry VIII. However, he refused to endorse the King’s divorce and subsequent marriage to Anne Boleyn.
SUPPORTER OF THE SYSTEM
Because Sir Thomas would not sign a document accepting the supremacy of the Crown (King) over papal authority (the Pope and head of the Catholic Church), he was tried for treason, found guilty and executed. His defense that he had never spoken against the law stating that the King was supreme was not accepted as a witness testified that he had, although Sir Thomas maintained he had not.
LOYAL THROUGHOUT TO THE SYSTEM
Even during this period, Sir Thomas showed his loyalty to the King in a number of ways. Sir Thomas always tried to work within the system and did as much as possible to respect the system.
Pic credit: Wikipedia
- Sir Thomas More's Utopia would not work in the modern world. The best that can be created is what you are able to create.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
People are free if they truly practice their religion, be it Islam, Christianity or Judaism
A VOTE AGAINST THE IRAQ WAR
If I had had a vote as to whether there should be an Iraq invasion or war, I would have voted against such a war. I have a number of reasons for this and these include my view that if a person truly practices their religion they experience a degree of freedom of thought. Further some of the most free people are people who live simply.
I HAD NO VOTE
The ordinary person was not given a vote in America, Britain and other allied countries to specifically have a say whether American and British troops should be sent to Iraq or Afghanistan. If we had true freedom in these countries, then the people should have been permitted to vote on such actions, I think. No country should be able to wage war without the full support of the people and I know many British people who said No, No, No to such a war.
FREEDOM OF THOUGHT
Whatever you think of Saddam Hussein and what life was like under his regime, a Muslim, Christian or Jew who truly practices his religion reaches a level of freedom and does not need American soldiers to rescue them or liberate them. Liberation for what purpose? Then and now that is my feeling.
PRACTICING A RELIGION
The operative word is PRACTICE. Do you really know what the word PRACTICE means and what you should do if you really want to practice a religion?
THE HARDEST CHALLENGE KNOWN TO MAN
The English language has chosen the collocation practicing a religion. Collocations are words that go together, words that are used together. Why practice? Perhaps because practicing a religion perfectly is one of the hardest challenges known to man. Further it requires continuous action - and the moment you forget to do that you are actually not practicing.
THE MECHANICS OF PRACTICE
Before you can practice you also have to understand and to understand you really have to study. Study, understand, practice (do) and then study, understand and practice some more – on and on, over and over again.
DICTIONARY DEFINITION OF THE WORD PRACTICE
In its verb form, to practice means to perform or exercise repeatedly or regularly in order to acquire, improve or maintain proficiency in something. Thus if you are practicing a religion you should be seeking to improve your knowledge (study), understanding (reflecting upon the knowledge) and practicing (actually doing what the religion advocates).
A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS
Have you heard of Sir Thomas More? If not, I would like to introduce you to him.
LONG LIVE UTOPIA
First of all Sir Thomas More, a lawyer by profession, made a contribution to the English language by coining the word Utopia when he wrote the book of the same name. This is an ideal or good place. In fact, is that not what we all want to have – a Utopian existence? In More's Utopia there was religious tolerance and life was based on simple living. That was Utopia to him.THE LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE
At the peak of his career, Sir Thomas was the Lord Chancellor, one of the highest ranking officers in the Government during the reign of King Henry VIII. However, he refused to endorse the King’s divorce and subsequent marriage to Anne Boleyn.
SUPPORTER OF THE SYSTEM
Because Sir Thomas would not sign a document accepting the supremacy of the Crown (King) over papal authority (the Pope and head of the Catholic Church), he was tried for treason, found guilty and executed. His defense that he had never spoken against the law stating that the King was supreme was not accepted as a witness testified that he had, although Sir Thomas maintained he had not.
LOYAL THROUGHOUT TO THE SYSTEM
Even during this period, Sir Thomas showed his loyalty to the King in a number of ways. I mentioned Sir Thomas because he always tried to work within the system and did as much as possible to respect the system. I also mention him because of the book he wrote and the type of ideal society he envisaged.
WHAT DOES FREEDOM MEAN?
Unbridled freedom in any society is impossible and the reason for that is because we have to create a society that works for millions. In some countries there are more than a billion people (China and India) and a number of countries have hundreds of millions.
THE REALITY OF LIFE
For any society to function, there have to be laws and on top of that layers of social customs intended for the orderly operation of society. These put the brakes on unbridled freedom. In fact, freedom always has limits because of the need to balance the rights of different groups within society.
FREEDOM IS A STATE OF MIND
I have never lived in Egypt but I have a number of Facebook friends who I am in regular contact with and who I have known for a number of years. They seem to be regular people like me, have careers and we interact on a range of topics on our Facebook walls. I cannot begin to understand everything that is going on in Egypt but I think there is the freedom to study and to set up businesses and that to me are the fundamental aspirations and freedoms of people. There is opportunity to practice a religion too. I have taught Chinese Muslims and Muslims from former communist countries and according to them it was not easy to practice a religion during certain periods of history in communist countries.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF STREET PROTESTS?
Civilization is more important than street protests. In the countries where there have been street protests have changes as a result really been beneficial and lasting?
THE COSTS OF STREET PROTEST
Shouting mobs may violate the rights and freedoms of the majority of people.
In many situations street protests are anti-democratic because democratic channels have not been exhausted - ineffective and slow these sometimes seem to be. Prolonged street protests may lead to a breakdown in law and order and may be detrimental to the economy when businesses are affected and when important industries such as tourism are affected. This hurts ordinary people who are just trying to earn an honest living.
DEALING WITH FRUSTRATION CONSTRUCTIVELY
In some countries, no doubt there are frustrations and genuine frustrations. But how to deal with these constructively? Some of these suggestions may not be feasible in your country but one or more may be possible. Perhaps consider joining a political party that will work within the framework of the law peacefully. It may even be possible for you to stand for election or support someone who is standing.Another suggestion is to become as much as possible enlightened and wise. Then go on to act as an individual, or through an NGO to improve society in a constructive way.
BLUNT INSTRUMENT
Street protests create so many problems for society and the world. They are blunt instruments that do not take society forward in a constructive way usually. If you have ever been involved in politics you will know that it involves a lot of hard work and often baby steps. The impatient people of street protests are not going to be the leadership material that you need to manage a country and its economy in a long term sustainable way.
HOW TO DEAL WITH CORRUPTION ON A PERSONAL LEVEL
Usually, corruption is not automatically solved by changing a man (president). Corruption can only stop when people do not ask for and do not give a bribe. Don't just blame the politicians. Corruption starts with people and giving and accepting bribes - from peon to prince my students used to tell me about some countries in Asia - now is that true or not?
FROM THE BOTTOM UP
If you want better politicians start from the bottom up and if all the people start behaving in a better way then from that will come better politicians. This takes time but actually is a better way to build for the future. Corrupt people cannot produce incorruptible politicians.
BE MEASURED IN ALL YOU DO BLESSING
B: Be measured in all you do. Be a benefit to yourself, your family, your country and the world.
L: Life-long education is a necessary fact of life because there is just so much to learn. Liberation for what purpose, always ask yourself for what purpose?
E: Education is an interesting concept. Education is about acquiring knowledge by study, but then going further by attempting to understand this learning, going on to applying what you have acquired. Enlightenment and the exercising of wisdom should be the end-product of education. Educated, enlightened conduct is the end product, so are you always conducting yourself in an educated enlightened way?
S: Simplify your life and live as simply as you feel you are able to do. Simple living is often the freest ironically.
S: Support the system you live in but work to make it better and more inclusive of all people within your society.
Y: You are either part of the solution or part of the problem. Your choice and I hope you will choose the side of constructive solutions always.
O: One life can make a difference and ordinary people can make a difference if they go about their daily business humbly, honestly and wanting to help people as much as they are able.
U: Understanding is the entry point to bringing knowledge alive within you and turning it into usable skills.
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