My quantum leap

My life is moving to a whole new dimension and the feel of it is vibrating every nerve of gratitude in me. Today I am a standing on gratitude of what amazing height the universe is transporting me to.

Who would have thought that that same person who stood in the dock of the court on charges of fraud and sentenced to two years imprisonment, after a year of awaiting trial, would today be sitting amongst high ranking government officials, ministers, politicians, stakeholders, business moguls and the A-listers of society with the aim of bringing positive transformational change to this beautiful land which we call home.

Four years ago, if anyone had told me that in four years time this would the case, I would have asked that person to go back to sleep and dream on. Seriously, who could have ever imagined that a labelled{ common criminal,} who nobody would want to associate nor interact with, would so easily rehabilitate, reintegrate and be fit enough to carry the torch of crime rehabilitation and reintegration in a society where crime is erroneously perceived to be the order of the day. In a society where genuine and unconditional love is also erroneously perceived to be a concept that is far-fetched.

Far-fetched, was also the term I used to define the possibility of the awesomeness of my life that I am so blessed with today. However, on the 2nd of October, 2008 when I took that first leap of faith into this possibility, I understood immediately what unique change I can bring to this amazing planet. So began my journey to true rehabilitation and life changing transformation.

Today, with each breath of love that I take, I feel a light in me that shines so beautifully. I sense an inspiration that is capable of catapulting the potentials of our today's youth to a whole new positive dimension. In my moments of change, I have come to learn that when we make that golden choice of transforming into a being that shimmers light, love and joy through the heart of others, then it is not uncommon for us to shine brilliantly to the world. It is this light that will attract the most wonderful people on earth to want to partner with us on this crusade of change.

At this moment of our lives, the past would not again be a thing of regret, but moments of gratitude for lessons we learnt along the way. we would no longer be referred to as ex-offenders but as shining light that are resourceful in the building of a caring and loving society. we would not be referred as irresponsible, but as RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUAL

As responsible individuals who are in touch with their feelings, who understand how meaningful challenges could be. who understand that the bringing of pain to another is automatically the bringing of pain to oneself. For as uniquely physically different as we might look, a responsible individual knows that we are all in one and one in all. this is what this journey has taught me.

Finally dear reader, I may talk of change as loudly as I can, what makes it more beautiful is when I walk my talk. So I look forward to updating you more about the quantum leap of amazing possibilities that my life is taking by the day. And don't you ever believe change is impossible. It is and I am a living testimony.

The fire within

Have you ever doubted your commitment to a course. Have you ever felt all your effort is nothing but a waste of precious time, have you ever thought of given up on a course you once believed in, regretting every moment spent thinking about your input towards the growth and development of that particular course ? Yes, no ? well you don't need to provide me with any answer, especially when you are in a confused state as i once was. For me I had, and this is why i feel so strongly to share my thoughts and feeling about this subject which i believe is capable of changing and affecting one's life for the rest of one's existence on this beautiful planet which we call home.

It's been over a year now since I left that beautiful place called prison. I call it beautiful, because for me as against popular belief it brought me all things beautiful. How do you mean Farouk ? One might ask. Well, how else could one describe a place that provided one the golden opportunity of finding one's true self, a place of understanding that one is capable of changing into a more fitting and responsible individual of any given society. Now I suppose you understand how I mean. However, I am not about the eulogizing of incarceration but am about the benefit of true introspection and self-valuation. However what place or condition one finds his/herself practicing either or both of the above.

Besides, it is this introspection and self-valuation I had that gave me the opportunity to take on what I can only refer to as a very unique process. The Responsible Individual- a process that teaches one so many life changing values. a process that ignites the fire of responsibility within one, that open one's eyes to the benefits of loving oneself and others genuinely and unconditionally. Again, of empowering one on the ability and importance of making informed and responsible choices. Of course we all have one.

My choice has been made. I have gone through the process and I am a responsible individual. But, it doesn't have to stop there. It has to be shared among those who are searching for their own true self. those who really are seeking for a change in their lives and to everyone who is blinded to the beauty of a possible crime-less society. This is my own way of given back, of saying to the universe," thank you for providing me the opportunity of turning my life around for the best." My own social responsibility.

This responsibility seemed easy at first. The fire of passionate change made it seem so. However, as each day passes by and as each week turns into month and as the reality of being labelled as an ex-offender strikes me on my face, the beauty of this fire seem to die out by the second. To make matters more challenging, there was scarcely any income, so food to my stomach became a scarcity in stead of a necessity. I mean, realistically who would not give up even if one's intention is genuine and humanitarian.

Dear reader, now this is where that uniqueness I mentioned above about the responsible individual comes to play. Despite all the challenges I was faced with, there were not strong enough to overwhelm me into falling into the temptation of re-offending. For I have a very strong tool box. Besides this, I was never left alone to wallow in my own challenges. There was always great support from members of the smilingone foundation.

Finally, my fire has been re-ignited as the smilingone foundation has always been my wall against strong wind even when I at times feels am all left alone all by myself. This is the beauty of not given up, of not turning my back on such an amazing process, because all that is needed is just but a strike to light up the fire within and mine has just been lit up.