Keep your head up
By Ejaz Shah — 11th November 2020
“What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger”
Friedrich Nietzsche, German philosopher
You got to keep your head up, it’s a sad affair across the world, we are really going through some testing times at the moment and certainly in some respects the light at the end of the tunnel seems to be switched off. I wanted to take some time out of business talk and write something that can – maybe – help us a little as we try and navigate through these troubling times.
As I write this, ‘back home’ in England, a national lockdown has been announced. As you know my family and friends all reside there and it’s a worrying time for them. England is just the latest country to go into another full-blown lockdown, other European countries have already placed their nations in lockdown again.
Surprisingly, and thankfully Pakistan it seems has not faired as badly as some thought it would, I appreciate people have differing views on why this is, I have been involved in many debates on this matter. But regardless of opinions, people here have suffered and are still struggling.
It is very easy and completely understandable during times like this to fall into a dark hole and lose all hope. I have struggled and I still worry. At times like this I turn to others that have been/are going through their own struggles. I try and take inspiration from them, try and understand how it is that they are managing/have managed to get through those tough times.
Below I have noted a few real-life stories I turn to for inspiration, if you have the time, do take the opportunity to find out more about them and be inspired:
Amar Latif
Amar
Latif
Amar is a British entrepreneur, television personality and professional traveller. Amar lost 95% of his sight by the age of 18, due to an incurable eye condition, however, he did not let this hold him back. A keen traveller Amar has travelled the world and when he realised that there wasn’t enough support out there for independent blind travellers, he set up his own travel company.
Traveleyes, works with visually impaired and sighted travellers wanting to explore the world, allowing them to experience the world with all five senses. Amar has made many documentaries and taken part in numerous television shows. When I came across him in one of his documentaries I was in complete awe. The sheer determination and the manner in which he overcome such an adversary, left me completely bowled over. I strongly recommend reading up on him or watching one of his many documentaries/motivational speeches, it really does make you feel like you can go out and conquer the world.
Amar is a British entrepreneur, television personality and professional traveller. Amar lost 95% of his sight by the age of 18, due to an incurable eye condition, however, he did not let this hold him back. A keen traveller Amar has travelled the world and when he realised that there wasn’t enough support out there for independent blind travellers, he set up his own travel company.
Traveleyes, works with visually impaired and sighted travellers wanting to explore the world, allowing them to experience the world with all five senses. Amar has made many documentaries and taken part in numerous television shows. When I came across him in one of his documentaries I was in complete awe. The sheer determination and the manner in which he overcome such an adversary, left me completely bowled over. I strongly recommend reading up on him or watching one of his many documentaries/motivational speeches, it really does make you feel like you can go out and conquer the world.
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah
Winfrey
A household name, Oprah Winfrey is known around the globe. ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’ was an iconic programme of its time. Oprah is often described as one of the most influential persons in the world and was for a period of time, the only black billionaire in the world.
However, maybe it was my sheer ignorance, I did not realise the challenges she had come through in her early life, until very recently. Oprah was born into poverty, to a single mother. At the age of nine she was raped; she became pregnant at the age of 14 and lost her child in infancy. I cannot imagine the pain, the dark times, the despair she would have gone through, however, she did make it through all that. For me, her story was shocking but also gave me strength, strength with the knowledge that there is a way through the darkest of times that we face.
A household name, Oprah Winfrey is known around the globe. ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’ was an iconic programme of its time. Oprah is often described as one of the most influential persons in the world and was for a period of time, the only black billionaire in the world.
However, maybe it was my sheer ignorance, I did not realise the challenges she had come through in her early life, until very recently. Oprah was born into poverty, to a single mother. At the age of nine she was raped; she became pregnant at the age of 14 and lost her child in infancy. I cannot imagine the pain, the dark times, the despair she would have gone through, however, she did make it through all that. For me, her story was shocking but also gave me strength, strength with the knowledge that there is a way through the darkest of times that we face.
Stephen Hawking
A world-renowned British scientist, professor and author, Stephen Hawkings was also known for his appearance and his computer-generated voice. At the age of 21 whist studying at the University of Cambridge, Stephen was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a disease that causes the nerves that control the muscles to shut down.
At diagnoses, Stephen was given two and a half years to live, he outlived that diagnoses, going on to live until the age 76. Over the years Stephens condition deteriorated, he lost the ability of movement and speech. However, Stephen put all his focus and energy in his passion, completing 15 books in his lifetime on the workings of the Universe. There is a lot to read up on the internet about Stephen Hawkings, that will inspire you to get through the toughest of challenges and to remain focused, however, for me it is his own words that I find the most inspiring.
In one of his last statements, Hawking said, “I hope to inspire people around the world to look up at the stars and not down at their feet.”
At diagnoses, Stephen was given two and a half years to live, he outlived that diagnoses, going on to live until the age 76. Over the years Stephens condition deteriorated, he lost the ability of movement and speech. However, Stephen put all his focus and energy in his passion, completing 15 books in his lifetime on the workings of the Universe. There is a lot to read up on the internet about Stephen Hawkings, that will inspire you to get through the toughest of challenges and to remain focused, however, for me it is his own words that I find the most inspiring.
In one of his last statements, Hawking said, “I hope to inspire people around the world to look up at the stars and not down at their feet.”
A Few Last Words
As I mentioned above, I write this solely as a means of seeking inspiration from others that have got through tough times. I completely understand that we all face our own battles and it is okay to struggle and feel down. However, know that we are all in this together and together we can help each other get through our tough time, be it by inspiration, support or that chocolate cake we baked earlier.
Do what you need to do during these times to make yourselves and your loved one feel happy, secure and well. Remember this will end. There will be a time after this. Keep your head up!
If you need to reach out and talk to me, please feel free to do so. Feel free to share how you are feeling in the comments below, who inspires you and what you are doing to get through these difficult times. Together, we will get through this.
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