i met a guy today named Mustafa Springstein.

winamp meditation

i think my winamp software says a lot about me, as far as the way i think of life sometimes...which i am not happy about...so you have two options on winamp, either 1) see how much time is remaining in the song or 2) see how much time has elapsed. i usually keep the former option. to me, this says instead of enjoying the moment and where it's going, i'm anticipating when this moment will be over, therefore stressing myself out to a certain extent, looking ahead instead of living in the moment. i need to focus more on the here and now, enjoying what's before me. not only is it better mentally for me, it allows me to perform and act more effectively with more zeal and enjoyment....or maybe i should just use itunes...

i'm in the post movie state. i just watched rendition. i am easily influenced by what i watch so consider that condition as you read. as humans, we sometimes don't react to something, don't fight for a cause, don't cry, until it affects our own. until it affects our sisters, fathers, sons, friends. we lose the connection of us being human, of what the big picture is. we end up staying on the outside, where money, fame, greed, power mixes with the soul. what if we could stay connected. we don't have to all be on the same side, but what if we truly were empathetic? this type of movie, mixing many plots and points of view, is exactly what my brain yearns for. i need to see every side before making a choice, judgment, etc. some will argue, it takes away the essence and straightforwardness a plot needs, but at the end of it, it reminds us that we're all human, no matter what point of view we're coming from.

Young Believers

This site was too cool not to promote. It's a children's site for young Muslims targeted for ages 5-16. The interactive online magazine features dot to dot, covering various topics on Islam in a kid friendly way, profile on sports personalities, etc. What a great example of what our generation can provide for Muslims today.

www.youngbelievers.net

a story about health care, no.1

A nurse told me today that one of his patient's was attempting to contract HIV from her HIV+ partner by having unprotected sex. She was getting checked monthly to see if she had contracted it. Why would anyone do this you ask? Like her partner, she wanted a case manager, free medications, psychiatry services, and health care as needed. She could not qualify for other free/cheap health care services, so she thought this was the best way to go.

This is not a norm and by no means anything logical to do. But this example to me was one of many that I'm seeing as to why we need some sort of national health care system. Too many peoples lives revolve around getting the proper medical care, especially those who are poor. I sometimes wonder how people's lives would be different if this were not a concern. Using this point, I think it would be a win-win situation for everyone. If we had national health care, the sick, many of whom are poor (if not most), would be taken care of, and they could translate this into being productive members of society. Sure it's not foolproof, but worth thinking about.

Stupid in America

Though I am a proud product of the public school system, I am very troubled of where it seems to be heading. I could rant on a number of issues, however, I think this 20/20 documentary does a good job of summing up very pertinent issues.

Tear Down Guantanamo Bay, One Pixel at a Time

www.tearitdown.org

I woke up this Sunday morning, read some NY times articles, and am now overwhelmed with the Muslim experience. This happens every so often when I read enough articles on foreign policy or watch some CNN special on Muslims. It's kinda is like a feeling of impending doom mixed with racing thoughts and anger.

I think of how this country is the greatest in the world, where resources and opportunities are abound, but then get caught in thinking about a Muslim glass celling of sorts and the fact that my people will never be looked at the same in this country since 9/11. Any press is good press they say, but I can only take so much negative exposure. When thinking of how many friends and acquaintances have turned themselves away from Islam, or how many do not incorporate their religion beyond the home, you have to wonder how much of a effect secular media and influences outside of the religion itself are having on Muslims and their psyche. Maybe this is all obvious, but if you think of the big picture and where we are heading, it becomes extremely confusing and overbearing...at least for me.

I try to think of solutions, to avoid this quasi panic attack. 1) accept that there isn't much I can accomplish by reading about this and to avoid the topic as much as possible, putting my faith in God that goodness and humanity will prevail. 2) do something about it by writing into papers, talking to people, taking a more active stance. 3) write about it in my blog and hope that's enough. 4) Sunday NFL football.

For now, I'm going for a combo of 3 & 4.

addendum:
scary article
hope article

Is there a better option to Alcoholics Anonymous?

I went to my second AA meeting today. It's an interesting experience - hearing the stories of despair, of people surrendering to God, and the excess consumption of coffee and cigarettes. It is a very spiritual and religious organization. It is not simply show and tell as many movies make this out to be. The meetings start off with a reading of the 12 steps and the 12 traditions (read these before going on), which is then followed by a reading from the "big book". A prayer may be added to the mix. Depending on the type of meeting, people might share their stories, discuss business, possible volunteer opportunities, with the introductory "Hello my name is ______ and I'm an alcoholic" preceding all statements. The end of both meetings I attended conclude with a passing of a basket for donations and then the group holding hands in a circle, reciting the Lord's Prayer. This is a far step from what I had imagined for some reason, but I guess I was totally naive to the subject being someone who had never drank alcohol and existing within a somewhat sheltered existence in eastern North Carolina. It's interesting to think of a disease, alcoholism, with the best cure to offer being a spiritual group. No medications, psychiatrist, support group has been as effective in getting people over the disease as Alcoholics Anonymous (proven in various studies). Following this experience, I have many thoughts and comments, mainly scattered but hopefully worth discussing.

Growing up in a scientific household, being exposed to study after study of medications and physiological processes, it puzzles me to think of the solution to a disease being a simple group. But when you stop to think about it, it makes perfect sense. With alcoholism, a person gets into a spiraling habit that effects the brain's function and makes it extremely difficult to reduce the urge and reward mechanism of drinking. Some genes are also implicated in the disease, as well as environmental factors. To get over something that encompasses every aspect of your life, you have to counter it with something that is life changing, and in this instance, God and spirituality serves that purpose.

My initial reaction, as an insecure Muslim in America, was that this isn't fair. How can this be the best solution? To have this Christian doctrine, with the Church preying on the weak is wrong I thought. But it works. If the patient is happy and "cured", how can I argue with that?

One point of view that I've heard from various people (none of whom are alcoholics) is that they'd never join AA because of its huge religious slant. Though AA claims it is open to all religions and agnostics, it does not practically seem to operate in this manner (at least in eastern North Carolina...which is slightly biased).

I know there have been attempts to come up with a more secular approach but none have been as effective so far. I just wonder if there is another method.

In this month of Ramadan, Muslims around the world fast, giving up all temptations during the day including cigarettes, drugs, alcohol, sex (in addition to the food/water, of course). I've known a couple of Muslims that have abused drugs and cigarettes, but during this month, they seem to be able to give that up. So the higher power method works as far as I know. But I see this different from the AA method because it is more enabling. AA requires one to admit that they are "powerless over alcohol" and ask God to "remove all these defects of character". The qur'an states, "O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint". I wonder if I am too naive to think that learning self restraint is enough to give up something like alcohol, but either way, I think it is a different approach to the disease.

There are many similarities between the AA/Christian approach and the Muslim approach. We both acknowledge that alcohol cannot be used responsibly and socially - it should be avoided all together. We both agree on the submission to God and using God's help and guidance during the overcoming of a hardship. There is also huge social aspect to AA, where people can share similar experiences and become friends, have a sponsor to look over them, essentially leaving a lonely existence which both approaches value. But I see the AA approach almost insulting the ability and drive of man which God has given us and the will power and ability to overcome different hardships. If Muslims during a fast can take "control" of certain habits, maybe this can translate into an effective method to end substance abuse. When one fasts, it is a very spiritual connection and this propels one into resisting temptation out of their own accord. God told us to fast so that we may gain consciousness of Him and this can guide our behavior and actions. Maybe a joint method, both enabling and humbling would work, I'm not sure. I just feel that there are not enough options out there for those who suffer from substance abuse/dependence. Though AA works, it might not be the best fit for everyone. I think a more enabling approach using God or a spiritual power as a guide may be just as effective.

On a side note, I think the Muslims across the world have to address the issue of substance abuse. By banning it in a religion, does not mean it does not exist, and to simply shun and belittle those that do abuse substances does not help anyone and is even unislamic in my opinion. Muslims abuse haram substances whether it's allowed or not, and to have a dialogue and meetings dealing with the issue will be a great progressive way to handle this issue. Having anonymous non-masjid affiliated groups led by a former substance abuser might be a good start. Point being, we have to openly discuss the issues and how to deal with this debilitating habit.

These thoughts are from a spark of passion that I gathered today, so I apologize if they were extremely naive, narrow minded, and ignorant. I am open to criticism, and hope that dialogue will help.

use ramadan to kick the habit
even more evidence?

Instant Karma

There are many ways to help those in Darfur. Here's an album put together by Amnesty International featuring tons of great artists. Buy it and support the cause!

www.instantkarma.org

Zakaria/Stewart '08

Do the recent debates and political climate make you feel like you're taking craaazy pills? Well, they're making me feel that way. There are a million different things to get frustrated about and argue over, but one clear voice with an objective and rational view on issues is Fareed Zakaria. I came across his cover article in Newsweek today, "How to Restore America's Place in the World". It is a must read for those frustrated on how the candidates are discussing foreign policy. Here are some excerpts...

"In a global survey released last week, most countries polled believed that China would act more responsibly in the world than the United States."

"In 2005 Romney said, "How about people who are in settings—mosques, for instance—that may be teaching doctrines of hate and terror? Are we monitoring that? Are we wiretapping?" This proposal is mild compared with what Rep. Tom Tancredo suggested the same year. When asked about a possible nuclear strike by Islamic radicals on the United States, he suggested that the U.S. military threaten to "take out" Mecca."

"The crucial advantage that the United States has in this regard is that we do not have a radicalized domestic population. American Muslims are generally middle class, moderate and well assimilated. They believe in America and the American Dream."

"At the end of the day, openness is America's greatest strength.... But America has succeeded not because of the ingenuity of its government programs. It has thrived because it has kept itself open to the world—to goods and services, ideas and inventions, people and cultures."

If only Zakaria and/or Jon Stewart would run for office....

King James

I'm not one for writing about sports on a blog, especially since it might make me seem like a prepubescent teenager , however what I saw last night was simply amazing. It was one of those games where you'll tell your kids, "I was here when blah blah blah". Lebron led his team to victory in a crucial game 5 by scoring 48 points, including 29 of his team's last 30 in a double OT victory. I mean, you can't get any better than that. He was taking shots all over the court and simply controlling the game at will. It made me feel like I was 13 years old all over again. I've seen some legendary basketball in my day (namely Jordan, Johnson, Bird and in recent times, Kobe) but last night ranks up there with the greats. I never really thought that Lebron was thaaat talented but last night proved me wrong and made me appreciate his greatness. Here's to the King!

Islam and Mental Health (part I)

The minutes pass by as hours, the hours take days. I am lying alone, my mind racing, trying to make sense of my life experiences, but it just won’t let me be content. I try forcing my mind to think of other matters, to think of God, but as I recite verses or do dhikr, my mind wanders back to the dilemmas of this world. I sleep jaggedly, wake up early, and find it tough to start the day. As the day moves on, I can’t seem to find interest in the things which usually get me going. I pray, I call family, I call friends. I run, I listen to music, I put myself in social settings, but my mind won’t let me be. I search for answers and for reasons, moving from solution to solution but they aren’t solving the problem. What’s wrong with me? Am I weak Muslim? Am I depressed? Do I need a break from the stresses of life? Do I need to get married? (you’d be surprised how many Muslim youth think that one)

This vignette illustrates a common situation where one’s mental status can affect their lives. Many causes are there, but the solutions to this and other mental disorders are difficult for me to think of in the context of Islam. Islamic history has taught us that these problems are real. The Qur’an has multiple examples of how we will face our share of tribulations, stress, and other difficult times in life and the sunnah has examples of when the Prophet grieves a loss or asks Allah in du’a to save him from having “sadness and worries” among other trials of this world. Multiple scholars of the Islamic tradition have also mentioned mental health in their works. The scholar/physician al-Razi acknowledged “medicine of the spirit”. Both Ibn Miskawayh and Ibn Sina wrote in their works that an ill soul can have dominating effects on the body.

Like all modern-day soul searchers, I turned to the internet and tried to do some research. To my surprise, I came across a plethora of articles, websites, and discussion forums addressing the issue from a Muslim context. There was no unified voice or method in which to deal with the issue, but it was uplifting to see that at least it was being talked about in the online world, unlike the real one. Some mentioned mental health as a weakness in faith and how going to Allah will solve their problems. Others took the opposite view and said that we should accept the western definition and handle the matter much the same way they do. A third middle voice is still working on how to combine the two extremes. It would be exhaustive to mention what each site mentioned, but it’s worth a simple Google search.

If Islam acknowledges diseases of the mind, and scholars do, and people are willing to talk about it online at least, then why are Muslims today so mum on the issue?

Muslims are not immune to mental health issues and if anything, are more in need of guidance regarding the issue than ever before. In today’s world, they face mental health problems beyond those of the average human being. The most obvious reason being that of the new post 9/11 world. Muslims have become the new “Fascists” of the world – everyone’s favorite target for discrimination, judgment, and hate. One cannot read a news source without a plethora of stories showing the deplorable conditions of Muslims around the world – from Sudan to Pakistan and very much in the western world now. Some stories are warranted, but most are simply there because we’re “newsworthy” now. This in itself can be depressing and bring about anxiety attacks. Discrimination is felt by Muslims wherever they may be a minority. They are encouraged to huddle into their enclaves or to assimilate. Hijabis face a tough time not only in the west, but in many Muslim countries now, where countries are polarizing over the issue. We battle with the globalization and western values/ways of life that do not mix with Islam and try to fit the two together. “Extremists”, in my opinion, are simply confused, vulnerable individuals who are struggling to deal more with mental and social issues than religious ones. All of these issues lead to major conflicts within the Muslim mind and to a constant battle to balance religion, this world, and simply being human. All of this is in addition to “normal” psychological disorders including but not limited to schizophrenia, personality disorders, various forms of abuse, and childhood disorders.

So what should we do? I’m not an expert but here are my two cents on what Muslims should work towards

1. Bring this issue to the table. In addition to charity, hijab, and other worthy Islamic topics, mental health should be discussed in public at masjids, MSAs, and other Muslim gatherings. Mental health is a stigma that all cultures struggle to openly discuss so Muslims should be proactive on the topic, willing to discuss such an integral part of religion and life. Muslims more in tune with mental health issues and their effects can become more productive Muslims in both the spiritual and worldly sense. A statistic that illustrates the realness of the issue is one from the World Health Organization. They estimate that major depression is the fourth most important cause worldwide of loss in disability-adjusted life years and will be the second by 2020 (right behind ischemic heart disease!) .

2. Islam is a perfect religion. And to those who practice the religion in a close to perfect manner, with full faith in all their actions, then I truly believe that mental health is controlled for in the religion (excluding those that have severe brain chemistry alterations or some genetic cause). But the problem is that without Muslim societies/environments, and the trials of this world, those that are perfect Muslims are few and far between. The Qur’an also mentions those that will have their hearts sealed if they stray far from the religion so how can we account for their mental health? There has to be a combination of modern science, clinical practice, and Islam intertwined to tackle these issues. What can make our approach more lasting is if we attack the root of issues and incorporate religion instead of treating them symptomatically as western medicine usually does.

3. Muslims need to get involved in the field. This not only includes more Muslim healthcare professionals, but those that study the field as a science, social workers, and scholars. Most views on psychology and the mind have been created by Western thinkers. Maybe Muslim research will prove much of the same but an alternative method of looking at these issues may be developed unique to the Muslim experience. I would also encourage seriously studying the medicine of the Prophet in a scientific manner. Lastly, the scholars of today must incorporate what is being discovered in psychology and related fields into their thinking and understanding of Islam.

When searching the internet, my goal was to find solutions to mental health issues from an Islamic point of view. I think I was too naïve since there is no silver bullet to the mind, but I did discover the views of many others that can lead me towards viable solutions. Some may need to go towards God, others may simply need a friend, while another may need medication to get them back on their feet. One certainty in all this is that Islam fully embraces and acknowledges the mental health challenges of this world and that we as Muslims must address this issue head on.

Here are some interesting sites that address mental health specifically. For many other articles, just Google away.
www.crescentlife.com
www.positive-action.net/al-yusra/flashindex.htm
www.emro.who.int/publications/emhj/0703/7Islam.htm

Planet Earth

I think I'm a little late on this one (especially since Oprah featured it), however, I just came across it and it really moved me (yes, in the cheesiest sense of the expression). If you haven't seen this series, then you must. I just started watching Planet Earth yesterday, and it's been somewhat of a religious experience. It looks at animals, plants, etc, just like any other Discovery channel type endeavor, but with "never before seen footage" of the world. It makes you ponder nature and this world at a whole 'nother level. I probably sound like a cheap version of an amazon.com review, but it's really that amazing.

While we're at it, I'll go ahead and recommend Rx for Survival as another documentary that is a must see. And in other exciting news, Michael Moore take a critical look at the healthcare industry in Sicko which comes out on June 29th.

*credit to Moss for the Planet Earth recommendation

Muslims in the Sunday Comics...(and they're not laughing at us)

It's not everyday that you see a Muslim mentioned in the favorite part of most people's Sunday morning paper. Not only is the person mentioned Muslim, but an honorable one as well. Kudos to Muhammad Yunus and Garry Trudeau.



if you can't read it then check it out at this link...

Africa

Can we puh-lease stop calling Africa, Africa? I’m starting to get peeved, annoyed, and wanting to stick a fork in my eye every time I hear media and everybody else refer to Africa, a continent of 53 countries and more than a thousand languages, as Africa. It’s too varied by land, culture, religion, health, and socio-politically to refer to it simply as Africa. If you’re going to talk about something or someone on the continent, let’s try being a little more specific. Would an Italian want to be a called European? a Pakistani, Asian? And would any American accept being called North American? (I mean to be lumped with Mexico and Canada??!, no offense neighbors) I’m not an expert on the continent by any means, but I think it’s about time we give the whole continent its due by referring to the many countries, tribes, and people that make it up. I think this diction echoes our ignorance of the land in every facet and a colonialist type sentiment of lumping the peoples together because who really cares to know? Just think about it for a second. So let’s educate ourselves on the land, the culture/history, and the happenings of what’s going on in Africa to simply learn about a people that have been ignored pretty well by the west since we got out of there.

Stop calling it Africa or you might be getting a visit from this guy.

Cheeni Kum

This probably isn’t the most “blogworthy” of entries, but I must say that I’m quite excited about the new Amitabh movie coming out this month. Granted he has become the movie "ho” of Indian cinema these days, but his new venture seems promising. He plays the role of a eccentric, Mario Bataliesque type chef in London. That in itself should suffice to see the movie. It then also features Tabu as his love interest, (who seems to be getting better with age) and Paresh Rawal as Tabu’s father. You can’t beat the cast. The music seems to have a background role, but I love the title track sung by Shreya Goshal. Check out the songs and movie website…

2007 Reith Lectures - Dr. Jeffrey Sachs

You can love him or hate him, but I think he's great because he brings issues to the table with innovative solutions to the world's problems and is one of the few people with influence in the world who has optimism. This year, Sachs is giving the prestigious Reith Lectures held by the BBC and I recommend anyone with free time to give it a listen or a read. It's long, but inspiring and worth thinking about.

available here - http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/reith2007/

Here are some excerpts from his first talk...

"First examine our attitude towards peace itself. Too many of us think it is impossible, too many think it is unreal, but that is a dangerous, defeatist belief. It leads to the conclusion that war is inevitable, that mankind is doomed, that we are gripped by forces we cannot control. We need not accept that view. Our problems are man-made, therefore they can be solved by man..."

"We think we can be safe when we leave a billion people to struggle literally for their daily survival, the poorest billion for whom every day is a fight to secure enough nutrients, a fight against the pathogen in the water that can kill them or their child, a fight against a mosquito bite carrying malaria or another killer disease for which no medicine is available, though the medicines exist and are low cost, thus letting malaria kill one or two million children this year."

and an example of his practicality...

"...and my little calculation has shown you that one day's Pentagon spending could cover every sleeping site in Africa for five years with anti-malaria bed nets. And yet we have not found our way to that bargain, the most amazing one of our time. We do have choices -- they are good ones if we take them."


(Unfortunately, you can only download the current lecture, but you can still listen online to the other ones or read the transcripts. If you are really insistent, I could maybe burn you a cd of the mp3s i have. So Owais, Hamza, Iman, let me know)

The Rich Don't YouTube

excerpt's from David Granger's "Editor's Letter" in Esquire (April 2007)...(not a great magazine, but i get it for free)

"Now, though, the thing that keeps us from open rebellion is the faux democratization of the culture via the gentle ministrations of reality TV and the Internet."

"We've lowered the bar for what kind of unreachable dream we're settling for. It used to be riches. Now we settle for the honor of having our efforts recognized." [ i.e. Dorito's super bowl commercial]

"The sense of wellbeing and possibility that this faux democratization creates causes us to ignore the fact that while we do the work, the rich rake in the fruits of our labor."

"The new opiate of the masses is the illusion of participation in the culture, even as the underpinning of a good life - money, mostly - are stripped away and handed to the filthy rich."

Muslim Music that doesn't sound like a remix of backstreet boys' songs...

This may be the coolest thing in muslim music since cat stevens. A muslim, country singer, who grew up in Oklahoma, likes corn dogs and country fried steak, and has a golden, southern accent.

here are some links

www.kareemsalama.com - official site
www.hahmed.com/blog/2007/04/10/mr-salama-wants-to-be-a-country-star/ - this is great..listen to the interview, especially his rendition of al-fatiha at the end...
www.altmuslim.com/perm.php?id=P1903_0_24_0 - bio/intro

How Bollywood Ruined Our Concept of Love

by Owais Khan and Adnan Mustafa (slightly edited version)

Can what you watch fundamentally change your mentality? I am not sure about the psychologist's opinion but if you allow some me some ıntropectıve commentary, believe you me, its possible. With the right amount of environmental factors and some confused parental control you too can stare out of the wındow on those long family trıps pretendıng to reenact the latest Bollywood hıt. (Ignore the fact that you are only 13 and your mother just asked ıf you need to use the bathroom.) Environmental factors include but are not limited to, forbidding talking to those of the opposite sex (especially if they’re desi or muslim), letting us watch “Sharaabi” or “Silsila” as kids instead of the other “bad influences” on TV, and having every Hindi song we listen to talk about a supreme, yet attainable love.

The world of those Bombay hits are far removed from my American reality, actually reality as a whole. They were at best, borderline fantasy. You cannot fall in love in one glance, proving love should not involve any form of self mutilation or letters written in blood, the life of Charlotte and Greenville, North Carolina cannot be compared to the gaon at the foot of the Himalayas or the romantic escapades taking place in Lucknow.

A typical Bollywood love story consists of a hero who overcomes any obstacle for his soon-to-be bride. He draws his strength, like Popeye, from the “love” he imagines between him and his beloved. One gulp of this love makes him uncontrollable and unstoppable. I have it all figured out. I would walk into a city train station at night to find a bunch of hoodlums teasing a lonely, beautiful Indian girl that looks like 0.5% of the Indian female population. In a swift display of wit, respect and skill I would rescue her with no care for reciprocation or gratitude. By destiny we would meet again, maybe at my best friends wedding. After my stunning singing/dancing routine, she would fall in love. Then I would ask for her hand (or do my parents do that?). In the mean time, he does not care about whether or not she loves him (but of course in our mind, she does, I mean, who wouldn’t want to be in love with us?). And she is probably sitting somewhere on an elaborate bed or under a veranda, wearing her wedding lengha, counting the days till she can see us again. And who cares about building love and getting to know someone? Those are so overrated. And if there are any discrepancies, the all-knowing man can mold his poor, gullible, and meek love interest.

We have now gone through college, experienced life, and are faced with the monumental challenge of finding “the one”. We, obviously, are not doing stellar jobs or Bollywood wouldn't have ruined anything. “The one” that exists in Indian movies does not exist in real life. (In all fairness to women, “the one” does not exist in male form as well, and that might be doing them a favor considering half of them are greasy haired, chaprasi, and of the male chauvinist type.) It ruined us by thinking love was something supernatural, that existed only in perfect forms, with us being the hero in some elaborate story. In retrospect, there are some noble characteristics in the previous me that I try to hold to tightly. It wasn’t all cheesy. There are some values that still linger within me, i.e. an impenetrable love that is consistent throughout life, but most of that fantasy fell apart. In the back of my mind, somewhere deep down, I still hold on to my fantasy, just in case it could all be true.

note: the woman's point of view, as well as those that have "success" stories is more than welcome...please add to comments, or if you're lucky enough, you can get published on this blog that is now viewed by 6 people worldwide.

further proof of this theory - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6711071.stm

death in the news

A death in the family can be an explicit reminder of what it means to lose someone, but many deaths take place that aren't so directly related to you. We see it in different forms, but the media's portrayal of death perplexes me. Anytime you pick up a newspaper, you're bound to see headlines like these - "40 insurgents killed in Afghanistan", "3 killed by suicide bomber", "Hundreds die in landslide". One sees death in many forms - a friend, on the news, in the hospital - but the effect each elicits is different. Should it be this way? Should we be that jaded and sensitized to it that we can calmly read it in the paper? Do we consider what these lives mean? Is it necessary to consider this and and to do so regularly for our own sake? I don't know the answers, but it does make you think.

For killing insurgents and other "bad guys", I think of how each of them must have their own life story. They might have been at the "insurgent house" at the wrong time. They might have been going to a meeting just to check out what this talk was about. They might not be "insurgents" at all, but because someone thought they were up to no good, their lives ended and it probably affected a lot of other people around them. I am not against dealing with those who have done wrong and/or have engaged in terrorist activities, but the brute manner in which it is done, and then translated into a headline is dehumanizing.

With a suicide bomber, it drives me crazy to think of the innocents involved. Not that all "insurgents" are necessarily guilty, but this operation usually involves kids, elders, man, woman - it kills indiscriminately. As readers of these stories, we are left with the event and no connection to the effect of these besides the political ramifications. Death may be treated as a necessary consequence.

Natural disasters are another form. These usually have high numbers, making the event even more "newsworthy". It helps our minds conceptualize these numbers by equating them to the size of our schools or towns, but once again, we are so far from the event, it is tough for us to conceive of what's happening on the ground. Out of all news stories, however, I think these events usually do the best job of attempting to connect us to the humanity involved since there is usually no ulterior motive to discuss. I think we all feel more connected to the deceased during these tragedies since we know that a natural disaster is something we may all face.

My last point is statistics. Statistics are frequently used as a tactic to impress/scare and raise money or awareness. For example,"every 3.6 seconds another person dies of starvation and the large majority are children under the age of 5." The shock value is immense and a sort of guilt settles inside of me. These are the hardest to fathom for me because you can't necessarily attach a face to these, or even a location, but it's happening as you type, somewhere in the world. Your mind searches for who these people are and how varied their stories may be.

I read the news often, so I'm hoping that seeing headlines involving "death" and "kills" will not push me to the point of being jaded as to not realize what death entails. Death is one the cruelest aspects of this world, but it undoubtedly connects all of us. It can serve as a great reminder to what this life means, and instead of waiting for it to affect you more directly, we can use the media's portrayal as daily reminder. Just as important, I will try to make sure not to lose the human in the headline. Every being has a story, some family, or an environment that they are affecting. May every dead soul rest in peace.

interesting link related to death and life around the world - http://www.breathingearth.net/

Spicy foods have more use than just heartburn...

Research and food grind my gears. Combining the two is just magic and that's what follows. Listening to npr and NY times podcast this morning was extra insightful since it covered something that I have been eating for about all my life. Spicy food research is revealing a lot of benefits these days and here are some promising features of the food.

1. It increases metabolic rate therefore burning calories. (link)
2. It can suppress appetite, therefore you eat less! (see above)
3. It can kill cancer! (link)

my recommendation: add Sriracha to everything

Dear prospective global health warrior,

Before you head out with your copy of “Mountains Beyond Mountains” tucked beneath your arm, a Nalgene water bottle, and a Timbuktu messenger bag, I advise you to take a deep breath and think about why you are traveling half way around the world. You might think, “I’m going to help the less fortunate, of course. They don’t have the resources we do, they have poor health care, and I’m willing to be of any help.” Sounds ideal right? Let’s take a closer look.

With the amount of financial aid and celebrity attention pouring towards global health, we get caught up in the romantic ideal of going to help the less fortunate. However, semantics and personal experiences may tell a different story. To help means to assist someone who is of lesser strength than you are. When helping, you are the one in control, the one who is “above” the other because of your situation in life. More importantly, you are conscious of the aid you’re providing, of its value. When it’s time to go home from your summer, you can immediately distance yourself and resume drinking Starbuck’s lattes because “you did your part”. I am not saying that helping doesn’t aid the less fortunate – it most certainly does. But unfortunately, the impact of “helping out” may last about as long as your flight back home because of the manner in which you treat this experience mentally.

To serve means to think of every other human soul on this earth as an equal and that we are all connected. It is to engulf the thinking that borders and colors are a concept for the weak of mind to contemplate upon. It means that you are indebted to serve the other simply because he or she is suffering. In the process of serving, no debt is incurred by your fellow citizen who just happened to be born in an unfortunate situation. Serving pulls at your soul, and your ego will achieve no gain from this. Instead of feeling as if you’ve put together a difficult contraption, it will feel more like you simply picked something up and placed it back on the shelf where it belongs. Instead of seeing their pain, you feel their pain. When you serve, you can return home to the states where we are fortunate, but you still have trouble sleeping some nights, thinking of what your brothers and sisters in other parts of the world may be going through that night. Helping may take brains and brawn, but serving takes your mind, body, and soul and provides it to those who may need it. Similar but not equal.

Fellow colleagues, the next time we think of giving our time to someone, whether it be abroad or down the street, let’s try serving and see what change this may bring. Not only will we benefit those needing assistance but the effect on our own psyche and the manner in which we serve will also be enhanced.

*credit to Dr. Rachel Remen and those pictured below for inspiration in writing this

hello world wide web,

i never thought i'd be writing a blog, but then again it's kinda stupid to say things like "never be writing a blog" when you think about it. i guess i want a release like the rest of us, and hopefully someone will gain something from my blog. i care too much about certain things in this world to keep silent and instead of putting this information on deaf ears, this might work a little better. please comment, critique, email me, etc, because anytime you have a dialogue, it could lead to better ideas or just solidify what you really believe. i'm not sure where this blog will go topic wise, but whatevers, i'm just gonna go with my scatterbrained passion and/or cynicism and see where it leads me.