La mia galassia: 2017

Saturday, 25 November 2017

Society doesn't pay enough attention to mental illness. People underrate importance of it. It's not negligence nor lack of willpower. It's a real problem, not made up fantasy. Not wanting to get better isn't a stupid whim. It is state of the illness. One of the symptoms that must be treated. Don't wait until words of willingness come out, don't hesitate; it can never come. How can a therapist refuse to work with a patient based on suspicion that it won't work out? He may be the only hope for the person who needs help. Indeed, it requires patience and time.

Friday, 22 September 2017

Again I want to draw your attention to actual and heart touching issue. Refugees. There are millions of people who are forced to leave their home country because of political regime, lack of liberty, mandatory to join military service (18 months in law usually extend to 12 years), no freedom of speech, faith and own will. Families are getting separated without knowing when they will see each other again. They take risky route to Europe, the land of hope, in their view. However, it is not always as they have expected. Refugees don't receive needed medical care, kids don't go to school, instead they have to work 12 hours a day to help parents sustain family, they spend sleepless nights full of fear. Some refugees still receive threats, even though they are now where it is supposed to be safe. Many are sent back to their countries, back to terrorism, back to place where their lives are threatened every moment. Some get killed because their relative wanted to show reality in his film. Some get arrested because they wanted to show the truth to others. Some are born in refugee camps. There are mothers who are ready to face death together with their children if they will be deported back. Children have seen way too much violence in their short lives. Many have lost their dreams. They don't expect anything anymore.
What is going on in the world? My heart is breaking.

Tuesday, 27 June 2017

Ramadan tips

Some revelations, reflections, tips and advice of Ramadan from a non Muslim who tried to fast for the first time in life.

I woke up in the morning of the first day of Ramadan without certain conviction whether I should fast. I didn't feel hunger at noon yet, so I gave it a try. My idea was - maybe God wants me to do it and makes it easier for me, therefore I should.
Ramadan isn't just about refraining from eating, drinking, smoking and sex during daytime. Before it started, I had decided that I will devote my time to read Quran more frequently and seek knowledge about Islam more during this Holy month.
The hardest time of a day is around 1-3 pm when I started to feel hungry and there was still a lot of time until the sunset. Surprisingly for me, it stopped as the Iftar came closer. When it was time to break a fast, I felt like I could go on for a few more hours.
Drink enough water! My method was: 2 glasses of water before Suhoor, 2 after it, 2 glasses to break the fast, 2 after Iftar (make sure to be near to wc!). This makes up around 2 litres per day. Coffee and black tea aren't considered as good options. Moreover, who would like to wake up earlier in order to make it and wait until it cools down?
Usually, I broke the fast with water and 3 dates as it is suggested in Quran. Don't rush to meal immediately!
I noticed that I ate less and healthier, although my mind was telling me: "You are allowed to eat now and you should eat for the whole day." But I wasn't that hungry and I knew the limit - I didn't have problems with controling myself. Also, Ramadan left positive effect on my physical wellness. I didn't have any stomach ache in the days when I was fasting but they appeared when I was not.
By saying I ate healthier, I mean, I had less meat and more vegetables and fruits in my diet. I ate less sweets.. because what sugar does in your organism? It increases your insulin level, then there comes sudden glucose (sugar) drop which makes you hungry soon again. For example, I prefer to have yogurt with muesli, which doesn't have much additional suggar, or rice crackers with chocolate or peanut butter. I also advise to eat slow digesting carbs, because they will provide you with energy longer and reduce hunger.
If it's hot outside and you're almost dying from heat, quick help might be to take shoes off and rinse mouth and wash face with ice cold water. You will feel fresh again!
I believe this is not the case for Muslims, but for me as a non Muslim, I had inner fights about how I dress. Although I know I should wear modest clothes, I end up in shorts and something similar to a tank top and then regret it.
Those days when I read Quran seem complete, whereas others, when I don't - empty and I have feeling that something is missing.
Be open to everything! You might come across someone who will leave impact on your search for yourself. Accept an invitation to Iftar at a mosque! You will like the atmosphere and feel welcomed.

!!! If you are about to become a Muslim, speak about it and explain to your parents (closest friends) why you are doing this or that, and that you are doing it for yourself not because someone is pushing you to do it. Show that it makes you happy and you are not suffering. It is very important that they understand and accept that.

Saturday, 22 April 2017

Don't perceive the media as a mirror - it doesn't reflect everything accurately. Don't make assumptions based on poor information which lacks evidence. Don't take certain points out of the whole picture. Make sure to have reliable and valid source.

Be a critical reader and a critical thinker!

Friday, 17 February 2017

Let's talk about injustice. No long introduction, let's get straight to the point.

Refugees is a hot topic nowadays. Some of them get lucky to emigrate to safer place and some even succeed to get a refugee status which allows them to stay in the country of residence. However, there are not a few stories about asylum seekers who are sent back against their will, despite the fact they have started to settle down in the new country.

One example - long story short.(1) A young couple offered home to Kurdish family. They had chance to feel okay and safe again. But they didn't get refugee status and were forced to return to their native country, nevertheless the war situation there. Their children will be walking down the streets with bombs and armed forces on each corner in order to get to school. They have no choice. They are sent back to unsafe territory where they their lives are at risk.

It's so cruel, unfair. Why are there borders in the world? Why can't people move freely? They are just humans who seek safety and peace, but they are subjected to threat and they can't do anything about it. They are captured in their own country and can't get away.

Another similar issue I want to talk about is job opportunities abroad. Well, it's not a problem for an European to get a job in other EU country but here I will focus on the Third World citizens who seek employment in foreign countries.

People who look differently, come from different side of the world, have different beliefs from a typical westerner, are usually treated differently. They might have good education, required qualifications, previous experience and real desire to get a position he/she has applied for; they might have spent many hours and put effort to prove potential employer that he/she is suitable for the occupation... And there are also others, locals, who get a job easily in few minutes without any qualification nor effort. What's the most stupidly funny, some of them don't even need or want that job that much. Whereas foregners are desperately looking for a job and willing to do anything.(2)

It has also proven through a social experiment that people are discriminated because of their nationality, skin colour or religion. An applicant with a Muslim name proceeded to a job interview only in 1 out of 3 cases. (3)

I just can't bear injustice and inequal human rights in the world. At the same time, there are so many good people in the world about whom we forget just because of the chaos that wars and terroism have made and insecurity they have planted in our minds.

I will finish this with some quotes and pictures which cover my essay.

"Some bombs are not as loud as others." (4)

"I salute anyone who is brave enough to come to a country where they dont speak the language or know the laws, but will work for nothing just so their children can have access to a better life." /J.N.Crosson/ (2)