“Flashbacks”
Visualizing My Experience!
Looking back on the journey reminds of beautiful days that I’ve spent at Amal. I started attending the sessions with a lot of enthusiasm and had positive energy. This energy was also the reflection of our Programme Associate Ma’am Aleena & our Programme Manager Ma’am Naqsh. The first two weeks were indeed very meaningful and had a lot of learning in it. We all met each other for the first time, though virtually, and got to know the diversity we had from all around the country. To add, we also have a dear friend who is from India. It was a pleasure meeting some really great beings.
Later we were divided into circles and mine was ‘the coolest’ I must say. The level of understanding that we had was commendable.
In the first two weeks we were given a few tasks among which one was to write the Principles of Amal using some creative ideas. It took me some time to think and then I came up with an idea which is depicted in the picture below.
I really enjoyed uncovering some of my artistic potential. Anyway I went through my cupboard, found some stones that I collected once from a very memorable trip. Then the next challenge was to write on the stone. Text in black with a marker can look good on the lighter coloured stones but not on the dark ones. Then simply writing the principles wasn’t presentable so thought of beautifying the stones. I searched through my drawers and got a beautiful glittery sheet. I cut out some strips out of it and made its borders. That’s how I decorated these stones.
The decision to start the fellowship during the pandemic proved to be the best one. Especially because I aimed to spend my quarantine time productively and Amal provided that opportunity to me. It was a learning experience where a lot of activities and tasks were assigned to us. Use of different technological mediums, such as Zoom, Google classrooms, Teachable, Sync Tube, Padlet, was an effective manner to teach. I appreciate how all the lectures that were delivered to us were well prepared. Coordination between our P.M. and P.A. is worth appreciating. They both never forget to keep smiling except for when scolding us(oops!). It was a great feeling meeting batch mates. They were very cordial and had diverse experiences which they shared with us at different times.
If we talk about learning in the first two weeks then I have a lot of stuff to share. To begin with I got to know about Amal values. This activity encompasses those values. Moving on next was jotting down dots of my life and with the help of which then later on I made my life map. It was the first time after so long that I sat back and closely thought about my past. It starts with discovering my own self. I was proud of myself for coming all the way successfully despite adversaries. Then there was another activity where we had to ask two people, very close to us, to tell me about what they think of me through different questions. This activity gave me another perspective to what others think of me, and where I need to improve myself. The ‘Golden Circle’ shared by Samuel was quite interesting. I got to know why it is important to focus on ‘why’ we do certain things rather than ‘how’ we do it. A worth mentioning activity was the one where we had to pen down our weaknesses and strengths. It was more of a wakeup call for me which got my attention towards my weaknesses that I then planned to overcome one by one. In the first week we also shared our experiences about those who have supported us in who we are today. That sense of gratitude was created and I felt that how I have never actually thanked these selfless souls, who have been with me throughout my journey. Last but not the least, I made my purpose map, where I wrote down my goals both short and long term. It helped clear the clouded vision so that now the clarity helped me to work towards my goal.
Now I would conclude by saying that this new addition to my study table is quite good. It reminds of me of these values whenever I look at them. I have given some meaning to everything on my table. They all denote something, for instance that old man with the camel shows life is a continuous journey where you have to move forward despite facing sand storms and mirages. If you’re well equipped, then no one can stop you from reaching your desired destination.
