Stuck inside on this snowy, snowy day, I find myself mulling over my future and accepting, unwillingly, what I have been denying for quite a few years: Knowing what field I want to be in does not, in fact, amount to knowing what I want to do with my life; moreover, knowing I have plenty of … Continue reading Short note: fraud
An invocation towards kindness
I will remember that life is about art and the written word and music. I will remember that I have learnt about the meaning of art from engineers, about the nuances of the written word from computer scientists, and about music from beauty gurus on Youtube. I will remember that life is all around me and that it is the grandest Work in Progress; and I will remember that the best art I have created is that whose final manifestation I had no inkling of when I started drawing.
Trauma is a scary word & other reflections
When my clinician told me that I was going through a phenomenon called retraumatization, something clicked in my brain. It was a satisfying, crisp sound - a little bleak as far as eureka moments go but I suppose that's basically just character development. Every appointment since then I've learnt a bit more about myself and man, … Continue reading Trauma is a scary word & other reflections
Short note: Jihad
The world wants Muslims to distance themselves from jihad. To legitimize our claims of being a peaceful religion, to be more authentic in our self-moderation. Something like that, anyway. And yet, how can I distance myself from jihad when I declare jihad every single day? I declare jihad when I decide to smile at someone … Continue reading Short note: Jihad
bee-stung tongue
But sometimes your tongue is so laden with all the ways you can phrase a sentence that you end up swollen and heavy-jowled, and all that comes from your lips are disjointed words interjected with hesitation and insecurity. You sit down, red, and pretend you aren't being stared at by people who're wondering what the hell you're doing there; you pretend you aren't pretending those people are staring at you because it's much easier to displace the responsibility of criticism than admit you hate some aspect of your identity.
Another essay on home
They say you carry your home with you wherever you go. If that's truly the case, then it should come as no surprise to the world that I hold within me a tempest: fire engulfing water trying to drench the flames fanned by winds trying to pull the elements every which way, and how beautiful … Continue reading Another essay on home
Five years & another damn poetry dump
I've been reading a lot of Kierkegaard lately in the form of a little anthology comprising his journals and essays and seminal works; I love reading journals and letters written by my favorite thinkers because I'm that pompous ass and because it explores what is a distinct beauty in their very musing, a grace in the core of their self.
Stranger in a Strange Election
I make no secret of how invested I am in American politics. No matter how you look at it, the entire world is affected by American policymakers (much to my chagrin - I am nothing if not a proud denouncer of American exceptionalism) and considering I live in the United States, partake in this country's … Continue reading Stranger in a Strange Election
searching for laylat-ul-qadr in myself
We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power: And what will explain to thee what the night of power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission, on every errand: Peace!...This until the rise of dawn Quran, 97:1-5 … Continue reading searching for laylat-ul-qadr in myself
Constructing the Molotov Cocktail: Nationalism and Kashmir (dec. 2014)
12/4/2014 - International Relations @ Northeastern University Aaj woh Kashmir hai Mehkoom-o-Majboor-o-Faqir Kal jise Ahl-e-Nazar kehte thay Iran-e-Sagheer Today is a Kashmir subordinate, obligated, beggared Which yesterday the wise called Little Iran - Allama Iqbal At first glance, South Asia since its inception may seem like a behemoth with realist tenets where there are meant … Continue reading Constructing the Molotov Cocktail: Nationalism and Kashmir (dec. 2014)
Neiha Lasharie 