Tuesday 17 August 2010

Shadows on his Existence

Morning Dew from a poised red Jasmine
Floats into consciousness

The sweet nectar of human condition
The blue fire of an eternal flame lit by the wintry water of an undying fountain
The tormentor of hearts' misery and the phantom of sublime dreams

Only sunsets and dappled light cast shadows on his existence.
-AA

The Facade

Black Tears
Roll down the rough lined Rock
Gathering in crevices of Facade

I weep for the child
In her purple gingham dress
Wishing for lost days of Innocence
To rain down from antidoted clouds

-AA

Wednesday 4 August 2010

The Stone River

Mist floating and dancing in swirls
Tormenting an endless sea of desert
Awaiting sweet drops of rain
To quench the parched thirst and stone river
That once beheld the flowers of Eden

-AA

Thursday 24 June 2010

The Women's Rights Movement in Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia, we do not have any large private organized women's groups or generous sums of private money contributed to causes promoting or protecting women's interests. It is not because the concept is illegal or frowned upon, I believe that it would be a welcome concept within the country. As a matter of fact, I feel that the men within the country are much more supportive of women's rights and the cause than our own gender. However, these men will not win our battles for us.

As I noted above, the initiative has not been taken by the women themselves to promote this idea or suffer through any cause. Civil rights movements have generally throughout history been grass roots movements in which the majority of people are affected by a certain cause, organize themselves and by some means are able to voice their struggles. By working through the difficulties and paving the way for others while correcting ill conceived perceptions of those dominant in power, progress is made for a unified cause.

Locally, within the country I do not see this happening. Women are slowly gaining employment by encouragement from the government, though the cultural norms and social norms are still dominating. Due to the high rates of unemployment and out of sheer necessity, many families are accepting their daughters working (around males) though it is still a relatively new concept for the majority of people. These are the lower classes.

The upper classes do not face financial difficulties, nor do the women (with the exception of the minority) take initiatives to handle their own inheritances/businesses and allow brothers or dominant husbands to control their share of the wealth. Of course, their lives are comfortable and there is no need at this point. Again, the cultural norms, are dictating this behavior.

The middle classes are in between. The women are currently comfortable enough, depend on a male relative for all their needs and have little to no responsibilities in life. A house maid cares for the children, a driver drives them to school and they do not have the large funds required to travel or have any type of assets/financial interests to look after. These are the majority within the country, and yet they are comfortable enough with their lives to stay silent, yet not comfortable enough to achieve fulfillment in terms of contributing to society. A catch 22 indeed! I do not know when the "limbo" will be tipped over, perhaps with the decline in the economy, men may become tired of being the sole person responsible for the entire household and hope for a more supportive spouse.

Then there are the daughters of executives within Saudi Companies who obtain positions within companies and appear to be a model for middle class Saudi women to emulate. Unfortunately, their behavior is not replicated easily, nor are they role models as their "jobs" were attained through corruption and special favors. The average Saudi woman can not use these women as mentors, as to obtain these "jobs" through standard channels is a great struggle, So these handful of women have done nothing to pave the way for future generations, and are happy just receiving their paychecks. Though these women are few in number, their hypocrisy is particularly damaging as they are presented as advocates of women's rights and shroud the true Saudi woman's struggle. You will find these women in newspaper articles being paraded about what a typical Saudi woman is able to accomplish with hard work and a keen mind. However, when the Saudi women struggle and do not attain what these "daughters" have attained, they become discouraged and resentful without understanding the key concepts of the rampant discrimination that is still heavily prevalent within the society.

In light of all the social intricacies within the society, I am sure that it is poverty alone and the struggles of the lower classes that will bring Women's Rights to the country. As they say, necessity is the mother of invention.....


Saturday 29 May 2010

Political Correctness in the Corporate World


The corporate world... Just the words sends shivers down my spine.

Anyway, I have a theory about the corporate world - however I am not completely sure that my theory does not have large holes in it. There are too many people with opposing viewpoints, personality, belief systems and ideologies within the corporate world for a unified group of employees to have any strong viewpoints or vision of the future.

Stating that, there will always be people who disagree with one another, however the corporate world ensures that everyone plays "nice" and the majority of people are not free to communicate their true thoughts and beliefs on company initiatives, business goals, management style, etc. Fear guides this as well, as many employees will not rock the boat.

This lack of transparency (and truth) on a larger scale is devastating to the organization yet necessary at the same time. The organization can not achieve true greatness without the unadulterated input of the people, yet the organization can not exist if all people are bickering amongst one another.

I suppose this is where strong leadership is important, where people feel comfortable stating they do not like an idea, though in the end the leader decides and it is supported by a majority of staff members (both inside and out).

I do not know, though political correctness and lack of freedom of expression is suffocating within itself, and that is a prospect that is difficult to enjoy.

Music and Expressions of the Heart


I read a poster the other day that stated "Music expresses what words cannot". This touched me deeply... As an avid fan of music, I have often wondered why music is capable of penetrating a layer of the self that mere words can not.

When we hear beautiful music, it fills a space completely and one is surrounded with the beauty and joy of creative expression. I believe there is more meaning to the poster than what appears at first glance. Language utilizes a certain portion of cerebral activity; however the heart (containing brain cells) and thoughts associated with emotion may not have the most prime way of communicating by utilizing the section of the brain devoted to language alone. Music may express, quite literally, feelings and emotions on a level that affects our heart and may translate our emotions into a depth, that is not understandable by language alone.

Friday 21 May 2010

The Subconscious Mind


Our subconscious mind is constantly giving us signals in the form of feelings that a rational mind may find difficult to interpret or understand. However, I believe that it is important to place emphasis on these feelings rather than soley base one's life decisions upon logic and "reason." As our conscious mind, is only utilizing upto 10% of the brain's true capabilities - the question arises what is the other 90% doing.

When I dream, I often hear the most beautiful music that I am unable to transcribe on to pen and paper because it is there in my mind for the split moment, and then vanishes into the dream itself. Similarly, I believe the subconscious mind is capable of providing inspiration, guidance and true interpretation to that daily stage that is our lives. The key is to isolate that voice and take the time to really hear and feel what is happening within ourselves. I suppose that is where meditation may be beneficial, however I have not actually tried true meditation. To embrace nothingness, and perish all thoughts within my mind has not been an easy task.

Saying that, tying all thoughts together into one powerful and focused frequency (for lack of a better word) may allow for true greatness and artistic expression in work.

However, the entire concept is humbling and interesting. I may investigate further into this....