The Cry of the Young

As I spent some quality time with myself last night, gathering my thoughts together and pondering upon my life, I began to realize a problem that is potentially destroying the young people of today. From the day that we are born, we have been completely victimized and manipulated by society and the expectations that have been implanted in our minds. We are constantly told what to do, how to think and how to feel. We have been taught to shield our emotions and to hide our feelings in order to show our strength.

The more I kept trying to understand life and society the more enraged I got, because I began to realize that my worth and my value in society has been immensely undermined. I have become a victim of a society that has set high standards and expectations (that are often not realistic) for people of all ages. We have all been manipulated by this system. We are all victims.

From the day that we have graced the earth with our existence, we have been taught to go to school in order to be educated and above all, to make something of ourselves. We have been taught that a university degree will guide us in our career and help us live the 'American dream'. Society has taught us that we can make change in the world and that with education and determination, we can and will be the future of tomorrow. Therefore, we subconsciously and stupidly assume that at age 25, our life will be like Barbie's dream world; married with a dream job, driving convertible cars, living in a luxurious house with two dogs and children. We are set to believe that by age 25, we will have it all figured out and our futures are assured.

This sounds wonderful and all- except that this is the kind of scenario that would happen to people like Paris Hilton. In the real world, the real harsh world, at age 25, you are clueless as to what you want to do with your life and your life has barely even started.

The job market today has dropped immensely and finding a job is like finding a needle in a hay stack, it's not impossible, but it's incredibly difficult. Why? Because in order to find a job, we need experience, in order to get experience we need a job. It is a never-ending vicious cycle that is controlling the young people of today.

So as we all play the real life game of survivor, we are on a mission to chase our dreams and to keep our ambitions alive by finding a job that will recognize our true potential. However- we start to lose faith in ourselves because of the higher authority that continuously reminds us that we are inexperienced, young, or simply not good enough.

Finding a dream job has become something that you read in fairy tales and novels because reality is a cruel and unkind teacher. At age 25, we are struggling to find jobs and to be happy. For some of us, putting food on the table is easier said than done. As a result, we settle for much less than we deserve in order to survive because life is nothing but a game of survival.

We are humans and though we are young, extremely undervalued and underestimated, we continue to dream, and to be optimistic. We continue to keep our spirits and ambitions alive by having hope, but hope- hope can only get us so far.

How many times have we heard, 'invest in the children of today because they are the future of tomorrow'? But how can we depend on the future of tomorrow when the future of tomorrow are not given a chance today?

So, what do we, the future of tomorrow have to offer?  A lot more than you will ever know, if only we are given a chance to prove it today. 

Dear 2 Year Old Me...

e.

Right now, you are a big ball of energy. You smile contagiously without a care in the world.

You embrace your perfect smile and chubby cheeks that helps shape your big, round, beautiful face- and have the courage to be different.

You have been told that life is not always what it seems, and that the world can often be a cruel place. You have heard that beyond the four walls of your home lies a life full of challenges and difficulties and you often wonder if it's true.

Your parents have moved you around from one country to the other, leaving you to make new friends and adapt to a new life independently.

During your journey, you will meet bullies, and you will get bullied. You will meet people who will question you. You will meet people who will tell you that you can't do it, and you will meet people who secretly hate you. You will fail and you will cry.

It's okay to be scared baby, but don't you dare let your fear control you. You are an extraordinary girl, you are a smart, strong and beautiful girl. Don't let anyone make you feel like you don't deserve what you want, and "don't you dare even for a second allow yourself to be manipulated by people who are not aware of your greatness."

During your journey, you will fail - many times. The key to failure is to get back up and keep going. Failure is inevitable - nobody is perfect. "Sometimes you have to get knocked down lower than you have ever been to stand back up taller than you ever were." Failure lies within those who are willing to be defeated. "The sound of failure is not heard by people who refuse to give up."

In your future, you will meet people who will tell you that you are not pretty enough, you are not smart enough and that you are not good enough.  You will meet people who will tell you that you are not beautiful, and the closest people to you, will become complete strangers.

Please remember, that to be beautiful means to be yourself.  Your beauty is within you, it is your heart, your character and your attitude that defines your beauty. Believe in the person that you are capable of being and the beauty that you bestow. Please remember that you are smart and that anyone who brings you down is threatened by the greatness that you are. Don't be alarmed by those who belittle you, and those who despise you, those people secretly wish they were you. You are extraordinary.

Don't worry about life, life can be tough and people can be mean. But this is your life baby, this is your story, and you have the ability to change your story. You are your own author. Everything that you do, you are doing for yourself and you don't have to prove anything to anyone. "You were given this life because you are strong enough to live it."

Life is short baby, you will have plenty of ups and downs, you will struggle and you will thrive. You will defeat and you will be defeated. Don't take life for granted because "life is more beautiful than you can ever imagine, and so are you". Please remember to be kind because everyone is fighting a hard battle. Be kind, do good and live your life without regrets, after all, no one makes it out of here alive anyways.

"If you work really hard and you are kind, amazing things will happen."

Stay fierce babygirl

Love 24 year old me

The Challenge for Change

Last week, I officially began the journey of accomplishing my dreams. For those who don't know - my dream is and always has been to help people, to inspire people and to change the world. A big dream for a simple girl like me, I know.

I guess by doing the smallest of things, and helping even one person - you are already on your way to
changing the world.

When love and determination work together, expect a masterpiece.

On December 8, 2012, I taught a Zumba class to adults and teenagers living with Down Syndrome.
When I had originally agreed to teach this class, I didn't know exactly what to expect and what I was getting myself into, but it was a decision I made, under the assumption that I would get the experience I need to teach a proper Zumba class.
What started off being an experiment to test my Zumba abilities turned out to be a lot more than what I expected. For the first time in my life, I felt that I had actually accomplished something that had a purpose.

In life, everyone has ambitions and we are all looking for the same end result; to better ourselves. What makes us all unique is that we all have different goals, desires and dreams. We all use different approaches to reach our destination. What is most important however, is to remember that you are not the only person in the world. There are plenty of people who need your help and it's up to you to make a difference, to change someone's life and in essence, change the world. You don't need to travel to a poverty stricken area to create a change. All you need is to understand that you are only one person, but it only takes one person to make a difference. If you want to be successful, and if you want to be a better you, do something for someone who needs you.
The world needs people like you and me who are determined to make change in anyway that they can so that at the end of the day we sleep knowing that our life has meaning and value. There is goodness in the world and in humanity. We just need to find it by creating change and being beautiful.

There's a quote I read somewhere that says, "you have never really lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you." I feel that this quote is often misinterpreted. I always thought that I understood the quote and the meaning behind it. But when it was my turn to help someone who could never repay me, the quote meant so much more to me than ever before. I finally began to understand the meaning behind the quote. By being alive, they don't mean satisfaction or happiness, because anyone can be happy or satisfied by doing things that they enjoy. To actually do something for someone knowing that they can never repay you, and that you will never get back what you gave them, that's being alive. It's an absolutely remarkable feeling. The certain type of 'alive' that you feel is not an everyday feeling, its the feeling of purpose and your whole existence finally starts to make sense because for the first time in your life, you feel alive in your heart.

Got Ethics?

In the past few weeks, I have experienced such a lack of disrespect and a lack of common courtesy than I have ever seen before. I have stumbled upon many separate instances here in Dubai, where common courtesy appears to be a practice that is not used here.  Here are three examples of how revolting some people’s behaviour can be:

A: The gas stations here in Dubai are usually very crowded, (although the line does move quickly) there is usually a small waiting period and each gas pump has a few cars lined up. As I was patiently waiting in line to pump gas when a black car just decides to very casually come in front of my car and wait for his gas. I honked several times but that didn't seem the faze him. He got his gas before me and the person behind me and then drove off like it was not a big deal.

B: As I came back from work, I wanted to pick up food before I went home. The street where I was picking up the food is usually very crowded, and all the parking spots are usually taken. To my surprise a parking spot to my left was open! I was so excited, I put my right indicator on, waiting for the oncoming traffic to fade away and I would very smoothly park my car in the parallel parking spot. However, a red convertible from the ongoing traffic decided that it was okay for him to take that parking spot regardless f if anyone was waiting for it. After all, the person with their indicators on doesn't matter they can go and find another parking spot.

C: I went to get a bagel from Tim Hortons (yes-there is a Timmies here!), and the lady in front of me was short AED 1. The generous side of me kicked in and I told her, I have AED 1. I took it from my wallet and placed it on the table for the cashier to take. I didn’t get a smile, a thank you or any sort of gratitude from the lady – in fact it was the cashier who thanked me and offered to take AED 1 off of my order.

I have also noticed a rising lack of respect in companies were your employers feel they have the right to be disrespectful and you have to take it face value.
This is where I seem to have a lot of difficulty. I grew up in a family that strives on respect. Respect is something that everyone deserves and you have absolutely no right to be disrespectful to anyone.
Respect is a universal policy – all of us at some point or another were taught certain values, ethics and respect by our parents.
This status quo and hierarchical ideology simply does not work in today’s society. Respect is something that is earned, if you can’t respect me, there is absolutely no way that I can respect you – regardless of your hierarchical status.
This is a rule created in the fantasy world of egoistic people who feel the need to put you down.  Have no fear though, these people are likely insecure and intimidated by your success. Ten years from now, you will be huge and they will be a bunch of snobby nobodies!
The bottom line is if you want respect, you've got to earn it. In order to earn it, you must give it, plain and simple. Keep your chin up, shoulders broad and walk like you’re a boss.

Thank YOU and Thank ME

Today is Thanksgiving day in Canada. This day isn't about the turkey, the stuffing, the pumpkin pie or the cranberry sauce. Thanksgiving is a day to really celebrate your blessings. Everyday we are reminded of the things that we are thankful for, but we never really acknowledge them or celebrate them as we should. Each person you meet in life, is fighting a difficult battle. Each person you don't meet, is likely fighting an ever bigger battle. It is disturbing, because I often wonder, why other people aren't as fortunate as I am. 
Today and everyday, I am thankful to God for blessing me with such a beautiful life. I am thankful for my family who have taught me to always be thankful for everything that I have no matter how big or small. I am thankful for my friends who have helped me survive the curves and bumps that were difficult in my life, and the same friends who continuously support me through the best and worst of times. I am thankful for my dog Pirlo - it is kind of strange because I am the human and he is the dog, and although I do everything for him - in a strange, weird, sort of loving way, he does the same for me. I am thankful for all the little materialistic things in my life that I don't really need but have. I am thankful for all the people who have have made my life difficult or who have walked out of my life; because by doing so, they have made me a better, stronger person. They have shown me exactly who I do not wish to be. 
Most importantly (and this is important because most people forget to thank this one particular person), I am thankful for myself (as you should be thankful for yourselves also). It's true that I am who I am because of everyone who has touched my world, whether or not they are still part of it. Everyone who has been in my life has somehow impacted who I am one way or another. I have come a long way with the beautiful people that surround my life, but every once in a while, we all need to just stop and really take the opportunity to thank ourselves. We don't give ourselves a break or enough credit for everything we do each and everyday to better ourselves. For example, without my determination, passion, and dedication, I wouldn't be where I am right now. I am thankful for allowing myself to go through difficult obstacles in life, in school and at work to realize my potential and just how strong I really am. I thank myself for not falling through the cracks or getting side tracked from reaching my dreams. We all have a choice of whether or not we want to succeed or fail, whether or not we want to stay on track or fall through the cracks. Although we have influences, each decision that we make is solely our decision, and each decision we make has a consequence. Depending on your decision, the consequence will be either good, or bad. If you have done something that has made you happy, or you are generally happy with your life, then you have made the right decision. As a result, you owe it to yourself to thank yourself. 

There's No Place Like Home

"Music says words we're too afraid to speak out loud."

The Voice in your Head is a LIAR

You know that feeling that you get when you venture out into something new? That feeling you get when you are trying something new for the first time in your life and you are bombarded with all these emotions of fear and anxiety?
Since I have moved to Dubai, I have had this ongoing feeling that I am not able to do the things that I felt so prepared to do when I was in Toronto, but why?
The problem is that as I landed in Dubai, I thought my life would fall into place rather quickly. I would be able to adapt quickly. However, I learned that regardless of how easy things may look, things aren't always what they seem.
Moving from being completely dependent on myself to being completely dependent on everyone around me is not something to take lightly. This is perhaps the hardest part about being in Dubai - the feeling of being completely needy of everyone's help. However with time, this will change. I am finally starting to adapt to the country and the culture. The jet-lag has finally settled in and I am starting to learn my way around the city. However, I am still left with all these unresolved emotions of not being able to do certain things that I love.

Put all your fears aside and live the life you deserve

I have wanted to be a Zumba instructor since the moment I entered the fitness industry. I am now finally certified and have felt prepared to teach for months now. Yet, after arriving in Dubai, I feel that maybe I am not quite ready yet, or maybe I am not good enough to do it. How will my participants react? Will they like me? All these unanswered questions have been wandering in my mind and making me feel like I am inadequate to teach.
 So, I had some alone time to gather my thoughts and think about whether or not I'm prepared to go into a city that I don't know, and teach people whom I have never met and whose cultural backgrounds are different from mine. From my down-time, I have come up with a very rational response. First and foremost, "the first steps are always the hardest to take." In order for my dreams to come true, I have to look past my fears. I might not be amazing. In fact, I might fail once, or twice, or three times - however, with failure comes success. Secondly (and most importantly), you know that little voice in your head that keeps you doubting and questioning yourself and your abilities? You know, that voice that constantly tells you that you are not pretty enough, you are not smart enough, you are not talented enough, and that you are not good enough? That voice is a liar. 
If you want to do something, do it. Don't let anything or anyone stop you and do not let your fears overpower your confidence. You are a lot stronger and a lot smarter than to allow your fears to take over your dreams. Is there a chance that you will fail? Absolutely. Failure is inevitable, but, the worst regret we can have in life is not for what we have done and failed, but for what we have not done and succeeded.