Life and its lessons (26)
Life and its lessons (26)
Designing as a job;
Architects design modern building, fashion designers set trends and computer programmers design innovative apps. Professionally, I am a designer myself – I work in designing programme within the development and humanitarian sector where we design, plan, write and fundraise projects and programmes. My work entails to discuss, analyze existing development and humanitarian programmes, redesigning, learning from past successes, gaps and contextualize innovations and best practices. Working within the programme development field has taught me much on how change happens, importance of taking calculated risks and to testing new approaches to our work. To bring a programme or business to life requires a start with problem analysis, idea generation, drilling down “why” and lots of questioning. I love what I do (most of the times) and wish I had the financial freedom to test and pilot some of the ideas and solutions. Its proud moments to see an initial idea that started on the table and write up on a computer come to life in launch events, recruitment pages and official ceremonies. My lesson; don’t undervalue what you do. All things start small. My work that starts in the desk and in round table discussions in some years can grow to make an impact. Let’s focus on making those small steps positive and impactful to build a bigger movement and change.
When it hurts;
We expand and grow as we experience moving through life - Getting a bigger and wider view of the horizon both of the outer world of others and the inner world of our selves. Living this life with its inevitable challenges and hurts requires us to learn and improve skills to maneuver. One such skill I work to achieve is in understanding and redirecting “hurt”. People and circumstances often cause us hurt with words, actions (or “non action”), lies, etc. Other than putting a torch on the person or the circumstance, I try to look inwards and ask myself “Why does it hurt? - What is it within my insecurities that is making me have this feeling of discomfort? - What changes do I need to make for these not to influence me to this extent?’- My lesson; knowing oneself and working on our own insecurities helps us to deal with the world around us. We don’t have control over what and how people behave but our reaction matters. Let’s continue to ask, "why is this making me feel this way" and work on building strength inwardly.
Note to self;
--- Learnt to ask, question and wait for the response. In the wait, in hearing the reply, in looking at the pattern and trend you get immense information and power.
Inspiration;
A quote from a book looking at relationships. - “I think most people in our generation assume that the grass is always greener on the other side…… until it isn’t. Its like we’re never content. And a lot of times, we find ourselves searching for something we’ve already had. That’s why our decisions must be made carefully.”
Until next time Insha’Allah – Cya
Zuhur Yasin