My Goal in Life

My individual vision is to be a healthy, humble, informed, wealthy and beautiful practicing Muslim woman. Time has taught me that my wellness is an asset I cannot do without. When I am ill, I do very little. I do not do the things I want. And it pains within to see yourself wasting. So I try as much to eat nutritiously, exercise and relax by doing the things I love. Even silly things. But that’s me. If it gives me satisfaction, if it cheers up the child within me, then bingo! I’ve got it. Time has also taught me that humility is the mother of all blessings. It gives me inner peace to be humble. I get to learn from others. I get to appreciate myself: that after all, I do not know everything in this world; and I can’t possibly do. So the best I could do is to appreciate my weaknesses and give others space. I love information. I love knowing my world. I love being in the know. I do not want to be asking every time. I want to find that information myself. Only when I cannot personally access it, do I consult others. I feel this is the only appreciation I could give back to life after my going to school. Having money is important. I would like to be able to buy everything I want. Not that I am spendthrift. No. But I love to have the ability to finance the things I cherish. I know what poverty is. I know how it hurts. And I want to have life the other way. Yes I can. Then comes beauty. Oh yes, every woman wants to look good. I could have the brains, yes. And that feminine look must come out. That is why God created me female. So I like to be in touch with my femininity. And I spoil myself to make it flourish. Finally and most importantly, is to be at peace with my Creator. I take my religion seriously. It is my way of life. I like serving my God – it is the reason that I am in this world. So I strive to follow His command and keep away from His prohibitions.

Because I was born in a community and a bigger world, I also have a vision for them. I cherish a community that is filled with strong and educated women. Women who love themselves. Women who take full advantage of their living in this world. Women who can bring forth focused and strong willed children. Children that would make this world a better place to live. As a global citizen, I have a vision for a peaceful world. A world with no wars and blood-shed. But a world of respect. Respect for diversity. A world where humanity appreciates the richness in our diversity. Not the opposite.
Because of these three sets of vision, that is why I want to be the Voices of Our Future Correspondent. Because I am the Future Correspondent. I see things differently. And it pains me if I do not say anything about the wrongs in our society. I also love to commend: to celebrate our successes. Today, the future is Web 2.0 and citizen journalism. This is where we can say things from the bottom of our hearts. No censorship. Just discipline. A place where we can say what is not said in mainstream journalism and academic circles. But I do not have the skills to do it. I need the skill. I need the skill to express my voice about the things I care for. So if I do get selected as a VOFC, I would learn how to run an informational blog on Muslim women and their rights. Remember, I talked of a community of strong women that take advantage of their life in this world? I would be exercising my passion for information through sharing and learning from others. Finally, I would also have an opportunity to tell fellow citizens to make this world a habitable place for all of us.