Sonya Syed

Few years ago if someone asked me about my future, I would have given him/her a well-thought reply, of course, I will be a great lawyer. And today all my plans and outlook on life has altered dramatically, I have turned into a person I have never thought that I would ever be. Teaching is not a simple job; it has so much more to it. Teaching, is a powerful exchange of tremendously vibrant energy. Everyone who is sincerely involved in this process is automatically blessed with love and light. I am humbled and deeply grateful to Allah, for choosing me to do this incredible job and I am blessed to have wonderful students. I love being a lawyer, and I am good at it, but I truly enjoy being a law professor. It gives me the zest and new ways of being, to think, to learn and to evolve. I am not going for any career shift rather I am simply, expanding my horizons. I always believed that being a great lawyer is the main goal of my life and I would die if I couldn’t achieve thi

Karachi, Rangers, APS, so much is going on these days that it’s almost crazy. A year gone by, yet the wounds are still fresh, the pain is still there and the hearts are still heavy. Beautiful souls were taken away from their loved ones and this world would never be the same again. We all go back to our lives and it appears that its business as usual but no- it is never going to be as usual. It is only our inherent coping mechanism giving us strength to move on. The courage and resilience which the surviving students, teachers and staff of APS showed is tremendous. I really appreciate their decision of refusing to have a holiday on 16 th December. My love and prayers for all of them. And in the loving memory of the departed Beautiful Souls… million prayers Sonya Syed. (Day 551)

15 th October 2015, that is when I wrote my last post. Although it has been more than a month but it feels as if ages have passed. I have never felt this fulfilled and complete in my entire life as I do now. Life, my professional activities every aspect has gone through enormous metamorphosis. Learning, giving, sharing and receiving are the words which could define me aptly. As for the blog I have missed it badly, every day I was experiencing something new that I was dying to share. It is most interesting that my relationship with you all through this blog is like two close friends, irrespective of the time gap after which they meet, it feels as if no time has elapsed between them- reconnection is almost immediate. So where to start from, of course the unfortunate attack on Paris and even more unfortunate the impact which this attack would have not only on the lives of Muslims in France but Muslims around the world. The attack has once again changed the world politics a

I am really excited... not because of anything big but something as little as changing the look of my blog. I am truly thankful to God for moving me away from the flower oriented themes. It felt as if I was obsessed with flowers and pink colour, it was just too much. Nature has always been my favourite subject and as I have said so many times earlier that one day I shall be living close to the blue skies, the lake, birds, sunlight and lots of flowers. It has been a crazzzzy month.... and I have been officially transformed into a juggler, trying to balance so many different subjects and aspects with my two little hands. And to add spice to all this juggling I have also changed my lifestyle. This Eid was very special in many respects but the most important part is my all-of- a- sudden health awakening process. Although I have a balanced lifestyle now but there is also a long history of unhealthy eating habits. Somehow, old living patterns which I once preferred are not w

There is something I wanted to clear about my earlier post ‘jab we met’. In the end of the post I mentioned that I wanted to get on euro train to find my Raj. I have received emails from few of female readers who told me that they are also waiting for Raj to come into their lives, so they can live happily after.   I am sorry girls but I have to break it to you, please understand that there is no such thing as Raj- Raj do not exist. Raj and many other characters like him are only in the imagination of a creative director, amazing script and brilliant acting. Do not believe these filmy things, they are only for our entertainment.   I remember once Shah Rukh Khan was asked in an interview about the success of his legendary romantic pair with Kajol, and the reason behind the series of flop romantic films starring Kajol and her real life husband Ajay Devgan.   Shah Rukh responded, ‘camera can only capture acting, it does not have the ability to capture reality- Kajol and Ajay

I am truly and humbly grateful to Allah for blessing me every day with a gift of new life, a new opportunity, a fresh start, to be able to breathe in this body for another day and to experience the life around me.   Life is quite similar to biryani, it is a combination of different flavours and ingredients- some are light while others are strong, some are salty while others have savouriness. When all these different flavours combine a delicious dish of life is prepared. This Eid has been very special for me in many ways, first I met my childhood friend after ages and second is celebrating Eid with my other friend and there is one more who is always in my heart. Each of them is unique in her own way and I am the connecting thread. Where this Eid has brought joy and peace, one cannot either forget   or underestimate the loss of our Muslim brothers and sisters who lost their lives in two tragedies during Hajj this year. Neither can we forget the sacrifice our armed forces have

Painting by South African artist Maria Magdalena Oosthuizen Time does not pass quickly it runs with the speed of light. After a million years today I had a conversation with my kindergarten friend, who is also my first friend after I landed in this world- w e call her Azi. We met in our most beloved school New Horizons and studied together from prep 3 to grade 8. I t was her daddy and uncle who founded that school, and to this family I have the most heartfelt respect because they have given me the most precious gift- a gift of knowledge. We  became friends when we didn’t even know what the word ‘friend’ means.  Azi, ماشا الله is a Professor at one of the UAE’s leading University, following the footsteps of her family. There were so many shared memories between us, that this and hundred other posts would be insufficient.  Every weekend I would go to her place to study, to play, to listen our favourite music together, to practice for our school func

ایک سلام ان تمام شہدا کے نام جنہوں نے اپنے ملک کی بقا اور وقار کے لیے جام شہادت  نوش کیا - الفاظ ختم ہو گئے آنکھیں نعم  ہوگیئں      ....وہ غازی جنہوں نے زخم کھاے الله ان کو جلد صحت یاب کرے    الله ہم سب پر اپنا رحم فرماے اور ہمارے ملک کو اس مشکل وقت سے با حفاظت  نکالے- بیشک وہ ہر چیز پے خدرت رکھتا ہے A Salute, a standing Ovation to all the brave men of our Armed forces who became Martyrs and Ghazis. The one who gave their lives for protecting us nothing can replace them, either in their families or in this country. These and many other names die in the line of duty, a duty to protect us. To us they are only names but to their families, they were living beings, their beloved sons, brothers, fathers and husbands. I know this is not pleasant and that is exactly why I have done it. I want all of us to be uncomfortable. I want you and me to take this country very seriously. What is the real worth of these lives? Do we really respect the

It was the best title I could give to India. Recently I have developed an interesting hobby of watching international news channels whenever I could. Few weeks ago I saw a report on the wonderful tea which comes from India; an ambitious businessman was declaring his vision of selling Indian tea, fresh and straight from the tea farms, to the world via internet. Yesterday I again saw a report on Indian tea but this time it was far from the perfect picture that was shown earlier. Majority of tea in India is grown in Assam, there are enormous tea estates owned by private individuals. These tea estate owners hire many women, men and even children as their labour; these owners are responsible for giving their workers suitable accommodations, proper salary, health, sanitation and education facilities. However, the reality is farther from the truth. The workers who spent their entire lives on these tea estates to produce the best quality tea for many of the high end companies like Lip

Disorganized, chaotic, confused, hyper, lost and then found, mismanaged,, unsystematic, too lethargic, lack of focus, concentration time limit is less than 5 minutes, multitasking but failing miserably, too much to do within limited time-frame, running from one point to another, always sleepy, tired, fatigued, 2-3 cups coffee, exhausted after every 15 minutes, too many ideas in mind but no idea how to get express them, backache, gaining weight, no exercise, getting nauseas and sleepy after 5 minutes on treadmill.   This is what I was feeling and experiencing God knows best for many months but didn’t know how to express what I felt. For the last few months I have been constantly complaining of lack of energy and lethargic in managing my daily work, and the best respond I received was that I am suffering from depression and all the above were only its side effects.   ‘I am not depressed- I feel great, I just don’t have energy’. I kept telling my everybody but no one wanted to b

An unfortunate incident took place at Mecca yesterday, many of the worshippers lost their lives in the crane incident and many were severely wounded. There are no words to console the loss which their loved ones would feel. Death is the ultimate truth but if it comes at such a blessed and beautiful place when people are immersed in their love for Allah, praying for His Mercy then the reward of eternal peace is the natural outcome.   Many more prayers for speedy recovery and healing of all those who are wounded.   To Allah belongs the heavens and the earth and everything and everyone in between them, and to Him all shall return..   Sonya Syed, (Day 542).

History- a subject few of us appreciate while many of us don’t understand. To me, history means a vast collection of dates representing life altering moments of some great people or countries. This concept never really hit home until today.   Today, I am realizing that we, as the citizens of Islamic Republic of Pakistan are witnessing moments which are going to make history of this country.   Since 2013, Pakistan has been riding political roller coaster ride. Wrong people ruling us; wrongfully elected by us. This country has been through so much- little children bled to death, so many lost lives for simply being innocent. We all have become immune to bloodshed. Yet in the midst of all this darkness and chaos there is a glimpse of miraculous ray of hope trying to make its way through. The greatest development of 26 th August, 2015 is the visit by the renowned    British Pakistani boxing champion Amir Khan to the most victimized and vulnerable area Lyari in Karachi;

It feels odd to write after so much time has elapsed, but one must share how one feels. Until few weeks ago I never actually understood the meaning of growing up or being mature, this was a vague territory for me. Like most of the people who were just riding the waves of their lives, I was also flowing with the flow.   A flow when everything is safe and known and there is absolutely no need to become unnecessarily awakened or vigilant about yourself. A flow where we are blindfolded because we don’t want to see anything beyond our self-imposed restrictions or limitations. We are okay with life. That is great, and there is absolutely nothing wrong to live like that, if that's how you want to be. Nevertheless, what about those sudden moments when we are shaken, jolted to wake up- the moment that suddenly triggers us; suddenly activates our entire life, our body, our mind and our heart. And it is in that moment we realize who we are, what is our real worth, what we truly de

In the loving memory of my Dad 'Syed Muhammad Arif' Life is once again back on track. Health, my friends is the best gift from God- not only our own but also of our loved ones. Recently a very dear friend suddenly fell ill and was in a critical condition for weeks; however, with the grace & immense blessings of Allah she is out of danger.   So, I on behalf of my friend request all of you to send your healing prayers for her speedy recovery and nourishment. And I send you my sincere thanks in advance, for all your prayers and best wishes for her and also for me & my family. Do take care of yourself, eat healthy food, sleep well, avoid smoking, forgive the ones who hurt you and forgive yourself for hurting others. Try your best to make your life peaceful and happy, it is not easy I know. Yet what I have learnt is that happiness is a choice- a choice you have to make daily. I have made this my daily practice and my morning ritual, the moment I wake up I