Living in a country that’s not my own, in a way that I am not an ethnic Norwegian there are lots of things one has to keep in mind. One thing is to keep on the right side of the fence, when it comes to law. And not do anything that puts things in jeopardy for others with the same background. It pains me to see some people who don’t beyond their own self and don’t realize that their actions will put everyone else on the spot. A few fraud cases here and there, a lie here and a lie there is something that doesn’t only make it worse for the person involved, but all those that belong to that specific background.

I am not going to sugar coat the reality that media does bring up things that make immigrants look bad, no doubt about that, but the fact that it shall stop any of us from doing good is not in the question. If you are living in country which is “not your origin” then rest assured that everything you do, will come in front of your own generation when they grow up. As an example we can look at some gangs that started a few decades ago in Norway, I am sure most of them are now old, married and have grown up children as well. What is it that they are proud of? That they were part of a group that went around looted, and beat up people? Do they have something amazing to inject further into their children? If we all keep our self respect at a level it deserves to be, only then we can be a citizen which no one will point at.

What a blessing it is that you and I can see. But do we really use our eyes to see what they deserve to be shown or are we spending the sight on things that devalue and humiliate this gift.

How many of us take a moment to see the beauty that nature has to offer? Ever spent a few moments looking at the sky? The amazing scenic view that the clouds form? What about the tiny droplet that is resting on a rose petal? Or see the love in

Its not often that I go out of words, but this time I really don’t think words are needed. Watch the full video, in a quiet place and if you are not moved then nothing will move you.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWCbkyR0cy0

Let me have another IPhone or why not a brand new PC.. Yes then life would be amazing. Or would it? Maybe a better car could do the trick… But i doubt that it would make any difference…or maybe it will give me a feeling of being loved? More money, better job?? What if i spend some money on a better wardrobe?

Its quite simple formula to follow here. The moment things start owning you, rather than you owning them, that’s when things go wrong.

Absolutely none of the above can get you the feeling of being loved. Cultivate your relationship with your loved ones rather than things that can’t respond or react.

Remember things don’t love, people do.

There is a HUGE different between the two. And I hope that more and more people realize that it’s not healthy to be jealous of others who have made it in their life. But then again what is this whole “made it” concept? Is it that the other person has more money than you, has a bigger and better car or other things that you feel you should have had? Maybe the other person has done something quite remarkable that have made him or her earn all those things and they do deserve them?

I have seen something people confusing the two and not being able to differentiate between them. But then again as i explained in the few lines above, it’s very easy to see the difference. Below is a simple formula that you and I should apply to ourselves when we feel we need to know what we are experiencing:-

Jealousy : When you hate someone just because they have something you want

Envy : When you appreciate the other individual for something they have and wish for that quality to be visible in you as well. In other words you try to cultivate it in your personality as well.

Be a nice person and stick to envying others, and even better is to become someone others envy. And remember, once you reach a stage where people respect you for what you are, don’t become big-headed, be modest and spread the goodness around. The world needs people like you!

Well to be honest after almost 15 years of radio presenting, and being on stage in front of a few hundred thousand people being filmed by the national tv, there are probably still moments I get nervous when speaking in public. The reason is obvious. Because I too am a human being But hey there are ways to make the nervousness less if not eliminate it totally.

Here are few of my tips:-

1. Talk to some of the people in the crowd before you go on stage. This helps a lot. If it’s a talk you have to give before a group of people then this “mini introduction” round will make you feel comfy as if you know the people listening to you. It would be like talking to friends.
2. Always remember to breath properly. The moment you lose the rhythm you will enter a phase that might get you to be shaky and stutter.
3. Some people like to hold something in their hand when talking, a microphone, a book, piece of paper etc. That does help since it kind of builds a barrier between you and the people, just don’t hide your face behind the paper. Look up at the people more than looking at the paper. Just write tiny keywords, and don’t underestimate yourself. Just from keywords you can remember lots of things about the topic.
4. Dress yourself properly in something you feel comfortable in. Don’t ever go on stage in something which makes you feel uncomfortable otherwise. For example, a trouser that otherwise is too tight and makes you move your legs like a flamingo on and off is probably better in the wardrobe for that day.
5. Smile, smile, smile, smile and smile. Don’t over do it but be real about it. Would you feel comfortable seeing someone on stage who was very serious and stiff?

   Bring in the confidence in your voice so others feel mesmerized by you.

6. Go beyond your expectations. Don’t think too much about the whole stage thing, stage fright … keep yourself busy with other things. When your name is called on stage or when your time comes, mimic your favorite speaker, and “be” them for a bit It helps

   Have fun and remember, the toughest thing in the world is speaking in public, you and I will always have our moments of being nervous, that’s called being human, so enjoy it and don’t forget that the audience would be more scared if you called them on stage, so you are in a way lot stronger than them for doing what you are doing

Click recommend to share this article on Facebook with your friends, maybe it might help someone else

The thought is absolutely horrible isn’t it. Imagining what goes through the mind of people who are told about such a thing when they are ill, or let alone not even knowing about it and enjoying the day as if one is never going to go beneath the earth, and after a few hours all concerns, worries, promises, thoughts, ideas, dreams are gone. All relatives gather and either remember you for the goodness you have spread or the bad things you have been a part of.

How do you want to be remembered? Do you feel that you don’t owe others the respect or time they deserve? Do you realize the kind of damage your speech is doing to someone when you hurt their feelings with remarks that you wouldn’t want to be directed to you?

When will it change? Isn’t it just astonishing that we always talk about the “truth will set you free” but never realize that the biggest truth in our life is something that will happen us all, and that truth is death! A point of no return. Imagine that there are around 7 billion people in this world at the moment, and almost none of them will be alive after 100 years, including you and I. We are being replaced, and we will be replaced no matter what we do.

So why not promise yourself this very moment, that from now onwards everything I say or do will be to make sure that no one is hurt by my words or actions, who knows the very action or talk is your last one.

I read an article where someone was claiming that she should be seen as a Norwegian just because she was born in Norway. She had Norwegian friends and despite having parents from Pakistan, everything else in her life makes her feel Norwegian.

The Norwegian feeling

What is the feeling of being a Norwegian? Is it connected to the culture, the skin color or is it the habits or nature of how an ethnic Norwegian is? Now when I say the nature, I am not saying anything negative, but instead I am trying to put focus on the way a Norwegian child is brought up, the way an ethnic Norwegian family sees various values in things that might be different in a Pakistani culture. With different likes/dislikes, maybe other methods of upbringing than a Pakistani family would have managed, and so many other things.

I personally don’t feel that a Pakistani no matter if he/she is born here or not can ever be a Norwegian in the true sense. Yes, you can have a Norwegian passport but you will never be a Norwegian. There is a saying in Pakistan “A crow that walks the walk of a swan usually forgets his own walk as well”

What’s the solution?

Be who you are! There is no one else you can manage to be apart from your true self. Now this message obviously is going out to all who are living all over the world. If you are not proud of your heritage, your race, your color, then tick off the line on your list that says “Others will respect me”. When I mention “proud” I am not saying you are to feel you are better than the ethnic Norwegians (or Americans if you are in US), but I mean respect you heritage, and don’t go crazy in trying to adopt the thought process which will make you a totally different person.

I see Pakistani kids in Afro styles acting as Jamaicans, some tatooting themselves like crazy to act out as thugs. In other words being totally the opposite of what their parents brought with them from Pakistan. Slowly but gradually kids these days are falling into the trap of losing their own identity, and then they cry over spilled milk as if someone else is to blame.

Identity crisis
No one is to blame when it comes to your own identity crisis. I personally feel 100% Pakistani inside out. But since I live in Norway, I abide by the rules, pay taxes, and do everything possible so no one is affected negatively by anything I do but instead feels that I am a good part of the community. So remember, to have a healthy community, you don’t need to become like the rest, be who you are and be unique.

I have come across lots of Pakistanis and Muslims in the media who feel as if there whole life depends on the change they have to make in order to put bread on the table. No, my friends, you can still be who you are and get the job of your dreams. If everyone started to act out as the majority of those living in a country, then what’s so special about you?

Respect your culture, your heritage, your values and others will respect you

Just got a word from a family friend in Pakistan about a father who lost a son of his due to a kidney problem and lack of money for the treatment. Not knowing about it would have been different, but now I do know about it and want to help them out.

In the past if you remember with the help of my radio listeners a few lives were changed.. we got a disabled person an electric car instead of a wheelchair, funded education of four kids who lost their father, and just recently a brain operation of a disabled child that went quite well, all thanks to the trust you guys put in the campaigns.

So my question connected to the blog title is this.. Want to be the richest person in the world by being rich on good wishes and prayers that come out of the lips of the poor father and the child who gets a new life? What can be more beautiful than that?

So what about this child?

This kid has a kidney problem, and the treatment costs 100 Euro a month, imagine.. it’s NOTHING! 800 kroner in Norway and almost 131 USD. I recall that most of us spend this easily when eating out with a few friends. The funding before was done by someone who also passed away and her children aren’t actually doing justice to the wish of their mother. But then again, so what.. why can’t we pick this up from where they left off, before it’s too late?

For those that wish to put their share in can:-

• Donate to the paypal address  : paypal@sachkasafar.com
• For Norway send the help to acct nr 0539 7189068.

What if I don’t donate??

I can assure you one thing.. I will manage to generate the funds within the two hours of my show. For every one person who doesn’t donate, two others will.

• Wheelchair campaign
• Four children and a widow

Update : Contributors have donated around 150 000 rupees for the kid, that’s almost a year of free treatment. It will be sent in a week.

The world changed for lots of people in Norway after 22 July 2011. For others around the world it’s the same. 77 people lost their lives due to a man who just wasn’t so convinced that immigration can be seen as something positive at all. Since that day till now lots of people have had a change of mindset, while others still have the same thoughts about anyone who doesn’t look or talk like them. Is this what the human race has come to? That for a person to be accepted he has to act and be just like the other person? What makes a white person better than a black one? In reality it’s not the color, it’s how they talk and respect one another despite the difference. When both hands are bleeding, the blood is still red. How amazing would it be if that’s the color we were known by..

Here is a little interview I gave to Radio Islam International a while back. It was about the situation in Norway after 22 July 2011.

Click here to tune into the radio interview