Zaid Ismail's Blog, page 37
May 12, 2021
Self-imposed prisons of our mind
We imprison ourselves each time we restrain our natural expression because we’re afraid that it won’t be appreciated, or celebrated. Our need for approval or validation soon becomes our greatest crutch in life, until eventually it becomes our prison. We decorate its walls with images and scraps that honour the past, sometimes recalling moments of […]
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May 10, 2021
Waiting to live…
When we are raised in an environment focused on discipline before purpose, or compliance before understanding, we develop the belief that fitting in is more important than who we are. This same mindset leads us to be bullish in our efforts to uphold the status quo because of the inclusion that it offers, while violently […]
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May 9, 2021
Live, and let die…
Sometimes, our setbacks in life can feel as if our world is coming to an end. In many ways, it does spell the end of a lifetime for us because we reach points where everything that we know to be true comes under question. Major life events like health issues that compromise our quality of […]
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May 8, 2021
What is forgiveness about anyway?
If there is one piece of advice that will help you through the worst of times, this is it. Internalise this, connect with it, make it your mantra if you must, but understand that forgiveness on its own, without acceptance, will leave you yearning for retribution or justice. Acceptance is more important than forgiveness, because […]
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May 6, 2021
Two rules for life
There are two rules that I wish more people would apply in their lives. Rules that will result in more sincerity and less hypocrisy. More trust, less betrayal. More wholesome relationships, less infidelity and betrayal. The two rules are simple. Firstly, don’t exhaust yourself explaining your behaviour to people who don’t matter. This not only […]
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May 5, 2021
Take stock, and reconnect
Stepping back and taking stock requires more than just an arrest of the ego. It requires a desire to return to a point of sincerity and authenticity in our lives when we were filled with hope about the future, after finding ourselves filled with a longing for the past instead. Arresting the ego becomes easier […]
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May 4, 2021
Claim your self-worth
Don’t be like those that only serve others when there’s something in it for them. That’s not goodwill or charity, it’s business. Uplifting others should be done because you want them to experience the value that you have in your life. Not because you want them to worship you, or celebrate your praises. Let’s bring […]
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May 3, 2021
The hypocrisy of self-loathing
The most toxic plague in the human condition is that of demanding kindness while withholding it. I watch with morbid curiosity the volumes of memes and quotes shared by many in which we are reminded to treat everyone with kindness because we never know what struggles they are enduring. Yet, those same people are waiting […]
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May 2, 2021
Failure is not a group sport
When you find reason to sit back and lick the wounds of your ego, remember this. No one will ever be as invested in your success as you are. The sooner you own your life, the sooner you’ll be able to enrich the lives of those around you. It’s easier to fail collectively, than to […]
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April 30, 2021
A healthy self esteem is the greatest gift
I believe that the greatest gift we can give our children is a healthy self-esteem. Without it, they’ll seek affirmation from the worst sources in their quest to feel appreciated. The greatest skill they can acquire is that of observation, which in turn, develops their critical thinking skills. Without it, they’ll struggle to tell truth […]
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