an inspiring
STORY
of Munni Chunni
Let’s find out how Hard
Work helped Munni Chunni
walk on her life trail full of Lows
and Highs! Ups and Downs! Smooth
and Rough, and Easy and Tough!
DR. SYEDA RAFAT UL AIN JILANI
M.Sc. Bio Chemistry (KU),
M.A. School Psychology (USA),
L.S.S.P. , License Specialist in School Psychology (USA),
Ph.D Social Science (USA),
M.Ed with Educational Diagnostician (USA)
HARD WORK
by Rafat Jilani
We have all probably heard the saying, "success is
made up of 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration." A
strenuous effort plays a positive role in everyone’s
life. Some students desire to cut corners in their
education and do not respect the important part hard
work plays in their life. This mindset is not the case at
GHS.
Truly successful people understand
that what they receive out of
something is primarily determined
by ALLAH (Glorious and Exalted is
He) and, secondarily, because of
the efforts they put into it.
At GHS, students are provided with the opportunity
to work hard, gain skills, and be happier working
toward their goals. We perceive hard work as an
opportunity - rather than a barrier.
Let’s find out how Hard Work helped
Munni Chunni walk on her life trail full
of Lows and Highs! Ups and Downs!
Smooth and Rough, and Easy and
Tough!
Once Upon a Time...
There was a young girl named Raisa. She was
passionate about school and becoming a “Medical
Doctor.” Did she? You will have to read till the end to
find out how little Raisa figured out her future. At the
end of the day- ALLAH’s plans are always the BEST!
So, here we go! Let’s find out what Raisa ended up
doing with her life!
Raisa lived with her parents and four siblings, two
younger brothers, one older sister, and an older
brother. She was, literally, the middle child in the
family. Her father used to call Raisa “Munni Chunni.”
Her siblings used to think that Munni
Chunni was the go-to person in need.
Her older sister, Baji, would boss
Munni Chunni around and ask Munni
Chunni to perform all her chores;
Munni Chunni did it all open heartedly as Baji would
bribe her with an hour of tutoring, and Munni Chunni
would turn herself upside down and inside out for
any help towards her education! And, of course, the
younger brothers used to get their way because they
were younger. During her childhood, Munni Chunni
felt crushed in between older and younger siblings
and heard phrases such as 'rehno do na bari behan
hai-sunlo isky baat' and 'dekho chotay bahi hain tum
hi maan jao.' ('listen to your elder sister,you are too
young'; and ' let it go for your younger brother, you
are a big sister now.')
She just did what
she was expected to,
a perfect example of
“Middle Child Syndrome.”
However, this syndrome is probably one of the few
syndromes that help us develop a balanced and
robust personality and skills such as take-in pain and
anger, Give-up what you love the most to others, not
Giving-up the good, and don’t Give up on others. The
truth is that you do not have to be a middle child to
build up these skills.
Well, fortunately or unfortunately, yet to be decided
at the end! Raisa did not get into Medical School.
However, being persistent and loving the medical
field, she took a similar route and completed her
Master's in Biochemistry with some research work
done on cancer diagnosis. The change in the original
goal of becoming a Medical Doctor was not the only
unexpected and unplanned turn in Raisa’s life. Guess
what? She ended up migrating to the United States
of America-good or bad; again, we will decide at the
end!
Ah! It was like starting life all over again. unfortunately,
The USA does not accept the degrees earned in
Pakistan. The cherry on top, Raisa got married and
started her family. But her passion for education didn’t
let Raisa use that as an excuse. She continued taking
one course at a time to meet her goals, doing another
bachelor’s degree. However, Raisa had to deliberately
make some tough decisions, to give up her life’s
passion for the sake of her kids’ future this time. Raisa
had to Give up on her new dream of working as a
biomedical researcher, which required day and night
dedication. Continuing her studies was impossible for
Raisa without neglecting her children. Raisa listened
to her mother’s golden advice to take care of real
wealth (offspring) instead of trying to earn worldly
wealth (dollars).
Again, her love for education directed her to pursue
a career in education. Raisa learned how to spread
education in conjunction with character building, this
time earning herself a Master’s in Education
specializing in detecting educational disorders. She
started working as a teacher and then as an
Educational Diagnostician.
Why? Why was Raisa still not satisfied? Raisa's Give
Up or not to Give Up phase was over. Now she felt
like it was time to Take in or Take Away the emotional
pains of students and their families. So, unplanned,
she earned an M.A. in School Psychology and, later, a
Ph.D. in School Psychology and became a Licensed
Specialist in School Psychology.
This satisfied Raisa’s thirst to help people fight their
mental health issues to become productive members
of their families and community at large!
Ultimately, it all worked out BETTER than planned;
Raisa, Medical Doctor or NOT, ended up helping kids
and families with their Mental Health, which
automatically addressed many physiological health
problems! In addition, this avenue gave Raisa skills to
continue growing herself and consciously raise her
kids.
So, keep faith in ALLAH; every situation and calamity
are tests meant to make you come out stronger! Stay
blessed, practice morals, be content and thankful,
and keep doing the right thing in your capacity!
Don’t change your ethical values on behalf of others!
Practice before preaching! Walk the walk, don’t just
talk the talk! Learning and growing do not stop until
you die, so keep learning and growing!
Humans could never be perfect; we can only be
better than yesterday!
May ALLAH (Glorious and Exalted is He) forgive us
and make us like how HE and HIS beloved Prophet
Hazrat Muhammad (Blessings of ALLAH be upon him
and his progeny) wants us to be!
Ameen Summa Aameen!
STAY POSITIVE
Rafat Jilani
This is what we were told, “stay positive”
It’s hard sometimes to hold
Don't lose hope, just stay positive
Wishes may not come true
Focus on your blessings, stay positive
Bigger things are waiting for you
Future is promising, stay positive
Have faith in ALLAH
HE will give you Falah, stay positive
People may do wrong to you
Send them some positivity too, stay positive
Keep your heart clean
You will shine like a beam, stay positive
Look for the good in others
And keep cleaning your inner, stay positive
The test is not to pass or fail
It is to improve your life trail, stay positive
One day you will reach the top
Just keep hopping hop hop, stay positive
Keep your hopes high and ego low
To give shaitan a “boom” slap like a blow
JUST STAY POSITIVE!