The Role of Technology and Innovation In countering Extremism and Terrorism

 

The Role of Technology and Innovation In countering Extremism and Terrorism

By SADIA WALI

 

The world is experiencing complex challenges, such as violent extremism, identity-based conflicts, and cultural and religious constraint. Ethnonationalism, racism, discrimination against minority groups, religious extremism, and violations of human rights are the cause of an increasing number of local and regional conflicts across the world. Combating extremism and radicalism has become a challenging task for the global states due to the varying nature of conflicts. Extremism is a complicated phenomenon that is widely analyzed and explored by academic scholars and researchers. Terrorism and extremism are perceived diversely, in different societies, and communities hold both positive and negative connotations regarding the concept of extremism and radicalism.

 

According to Bjørgo and Horgan, ¹ reflects upon the fundamental cause of violence in society. They explicate that if someone has radical views related to any issue. It does not necessarily mean that radial thinking triggers aggressive or violent behavior or provokes an individual to join an extremist group. It is observed that the most extremist, negative and complicated behavior develops due to persisting social issues in society. Many people are influenced by fundamental and ideological beliefs that force them to commit violent acts ^{1, 2.}

Similarly, some other scholars stated that the conception of 'radicalization refers to an individual mindset and thinking to adopt an extremist set of beliefs and aspirations that may instigate them to commit terrorist acts. Particularly, young people involved with political or religious groups become more vulnerable to radicalization. Consequently, encountering various external factors including personal and family issues, and distressing, spouse relationships aggravate violent behavior.   Social, and economic reasons such as poverty, famine, and rising inflation have led to extreme violent acts. Furthermore, political, cultural, and historical factors cause young individuals to join terrorist organizations.³   According to different experiences as stated by people who got involved with terrorist activities, they were brainwashed and persuaded by political and religious organizations to join their company. As their purpose is to eradicate injustice and bring prosperity to the country ^4. Though these justifications indicate some underlying issues that trigger violence and extremism in society.

 

Social and Economic Conditions Leading to Extremism and Violence in World Societies  

According to the existing report of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the protection of human rights, countering terrorism states that there are no single grounds causes that give rise to radicalization and violent extremism. There are broad categories that constitute increasing acts of terrorism. It includes lingering economic crisis, socio-economic, ethnic, cultural, and racial discrimination, poor governance, poverty, lack of social injustice, violations of human rights; prolonged and unresolved conflicts; and radicalization in prisons.

·         Deep-rooted  social inequalities

It is essential to analyze the root causes of social exclusion and discrimination that triggers violent behavior and attitude in individual and society as a whole.  The lingering social issues including massive poverty, unemployment, and lack of social justice have caused social instabilities in societies. According to the UNDP Report of 2017 ⁵ states that economic unsustainability has resulted in a rising poverty scale, unemployment, and limited income opportunities for young people. It is a growing concern among the states that many young brilliant educated individuals are without jobs. Meierrieks further emphasized that many of them are not engaged with meaningful or resourceful jobs according to their educational requirements. This is a rising plight among the youth that fuels them with grievances and discontentment. Developing sheer hopelessness of a better future leads to frustration that results in radicalization and violent extremism ⁵.

Supporting this argument Ikejiaku expounded that when desperate young people could no longer meet their necessities of life, it creates resentment and aggressive behavior.⁶   While other scholars, Gries, Krieger, and Meierrieks conducted a study of the connection between economic growth and rates of terrorism in seven European States. Their research concluded that the prevailing economic deprivation and social injustice are significant causes that lead to extremely violent acts.  In many underdeveloped societies, lack of inadequate and low-quality educational facilities also trigger young people to get involved in anti-social activities comprising violent crimes.  Moreover, unemployed young people use drugs heavily. The rate of drug addiction has substantially increased. Consequently, drug addicts either join violent extremist groups or individuals get entangled with serious violent crimes.

·         Socio-economic, ethnic, cultural, and racial injustice

 

Downgrading and discrimination in society are recognized as major factors that drive violent extremism among people ⁷ identified some case studies that forced individuals to partake in violent activities. Belonging to a marginalized group in society, community people faced racial injustice and lack of social rights that creates social discrimination. Furthermore, job opportunities, barriers to regional development, and freedom of religion also fuel resentment. The prevailing socio-economic inequalities and deprivations provoke minds towards anti-social and violent behavior.⁷

Additionally, many underdeveloped civil societies, such as transitioning states that are formed by authoritarian regimes are unable to sufficiently channel people's freedom of expression and sentiments. Such societies tend to suppress individual voices to protest against injustice, to raise voice their social freedom, or speak the truth. Authoritative societies prevent the opportunity for both majority and minority groups to stand up for their social rights in a peaceful manner.  

Mostly peaceful social communities desire to promote freedom of expression in a constructive way such as by using their voices to convey passion and educate people against prevailing social and ethnic injustice, articulate social values, and facilitate dialogue and productive engagement. The power of speech is used to create change and encourage other voices to unite and support each other.  These positive acts help to create awareness of the right to integrity and avoid conflict in society. However, when people are denied their legal rights or disempowered by a society that makes them believe socially and intellectually inferior. Such racial and social differences may lead to frustration and antipathy,   prompting people to adopt violent ways to resolve social conflicts ^8.

·         Ineffective governance and violations of human rights

Other prevalent causes of terrorism are issues related to maladministration, abuse of power, misrule, and violations of human rights in a democratic state. According to UNDP Report,⁸ incompetency of governance combined with democracy discrepancies, corruption, bribery, nepotism, and unlawful behavior of state officials or agents adversely affect the public at large. Ineffectual government laws, oppressive policies, and practices prevent justice and implementation of the rule of law in the state. Moreover, the absence of laws on respect and promoting human rights has led to social and racial discrimination in society. It is observed that many underdeveloped states have failed to promulgate laws to observe human rights fairly. Poorly executed laws unable to break the poverty trap have further created social and racial distinctions based on race, color, sex, language, and religious discrimination.  The lack of human rights violations on the regional level has instigated violent extremist religious and political groups to exploit the state to use domination and aggression. Consequently, it has caused threats to national sovereignty, national unity, and territorial integrity. Moreover, the denial to recognize the social rights of people has further increased grievances and resentment in people.  

General Assembly report further illustrates that serious crimes related to sexual and gender-based violence in society are also part of violations of human rights laws.  Such series acts of violation provoke people to stand up and protest against injustice in society. ⁸

 

The Role of the International Community in Initiating Peace Process

FROM A CULTURE OF VIOLENCE TO A CULTURE OF PEACE, The UN Declaration on a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence states that   the recognition of equal and undeniable human rights is the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world. World peace emphasizes the state's respect and promotes universal values of respect for human lives, liberty, justice, solidarity, tolerance, and equality in society.  Using the core values of justice, democracy, non-violence, and peaceful resolution of conflicts, the international community should rethink and design new modalities to manage racial disputes, conflict prevention, and post-conflict peace-building procedures. These peacemaking efforts focusing on good governance, the rule of law, sustainable development, respect for human rights, and fulfilling economic and social marginalization should be promulgated at regional, national, and international levels. ⁹

Consequently, the program of Action adopted by the General Assembly aims to promote a culture of peace in the region. The program is based on eight principles such as education for peace, the promotion of sustainable economic and social development, respect for human rights, and equality in society, democratic participation, tolerance, and arms reduction^.9

UNESCO’s cultural policy has raised ⁹ worldwide awareness about the importance of intercultural dialogue, diversity and inclusion, and sustainable development that benefits all groups of society. The key objectives of the policy suggest that the member states should exchange peaceful and, equitable dialogue with each other. Constructive talks should be based on mutual understanding and respect to boost social cohesion, and peace reconciliation among nations. Moreover, democratic states are stirred up to embrace diversity and interdependence in citizenship-building. They should take up concrete measures that boost international cooperation at regional and international levels. The initiative comprises supporting developing countries to utilize their cultural institutions to train professionals in activities related to the engagement of civil society. Creating awareness and educating young individuals regarding intercultural and human rights education. The awareness program should provide knowledge of, emerging issues including nurturing linguistic diversity, learning about the concept of cultural/ intercultural citizenship, and how to boost intercultural competence and cultural literacy at every level.¹⁰

Technological Change Playing a Leading Role in Sustainable Development of Peace Process and Security in the Region 

 

·         Identify malicious extremist content posted on social media

Extremism and terrorism, the two global threats have predominantly affected social cohesion, cultural identities and citizenship, diversity, and universal values all over the world. The states, governments, and civil society have taken viable nonviolent solutions to tackle these threats. Since traditional methods of counter-terrorist activities have become ineffective, the states have opted to use modern information and communications technologies (ICT) comprising the Internet, social media platforms, and other communications applications. With the advent of modern technology, extremist non-state actors are exploiting emerging technologies for malicious purposes. They spread propaganda and violence by disseminating destructive content on social media. Consequently, it has stirred up the state policymakers and tech firms to stay vigilant and observe the possibility of misusing ICTs for terrorist attacks. The Security Council has emphasized the member states to pass laws allowing civil societies, private organizations, and businesses to monitor online content. If lawmakers encounter any such biased extremist content posted on social media, strict action is required to prevent the spreading of terrorist content on online platforms. For this purpose, the states are motivated to use ICT to combat terrorist purposes. Digital tools employing machine learning algorithms have assisted organizations in searching and eliminating biased and objectionable content on Facebook, YouTube, and other social media channels.¹¹

·         Surveillance technology like drones, and biometric scanners track potential threats

The installation of biometric scanners at law enforcement agencies, state borders, and airport checkpoints helps to detect terrorist plots and adopt strong security measures to prevent them.  Artificial intelligence (AI) ¹¹ data analytics and machine learning using AI and data analytics are highly resourceful surveillance and investigative tools that empower communities to counterattack violence. Moreover, these cutting-edge techniques evaluate online conversations and social media posts generated by extremist groups. The tools help protect people who might get involved with extremist organizations and plan terrorist activities.

Moreover, ¹² AI technology tools including drones, scanners, and sensors are used for surveillance, and data analysis. The sensors are linked to a cloud-based program that accurately identifies and locates gunshots of terrorist groups. The sensors can record the timing and sound of gunshots. Consequently, the overall information including the specific location of the gunshot, is then sent to police headquarters that assist them in searching the shooter’s location. The required information from AI tools comes as a pop-up notice on a computer or mobile screen.¹²

 Another significant AI tool that has effectively helped to deal with terrorism and extremism is the usage of blockchain-based solutions. ¹³ Blockchain technology helps to monitor the monetary transactions of extremist groups. AI technology helps law enforcement agencies to block the accounts and businesses of radical groups that prevent them from having access to money and resources. Blockchain technology also helps agencies in the exclusion and propagation of extremist content from websites and social media sites. AI technology assists the peace enforcement teams in promptly taking action to curb violence and aggression occurring in the region.¹³

·         Peace operations conducted through unarmed unmanned aerial vehicles(UUAV)

The aerial vehicle   comprising monitoring systems, motion detectors, and satellite imagery are helpful for law enforcement agencies in detecting threatening surroundings. For instance, UN peace operations have integrated this technology to get significant data collection regarding criminal activities, and protection and monitoring of civilians' life. Moreover, they use the vehicle to execute their peace operations in the region.¹⁴

 

·         Networking through  Mobile phones and social media

 Citizens can increase their networking by employing various mobile apps and social media channels. Using these resources helps people find real-time photos and videos that are uploaded by radical groups on social media. Having updated news and knowledge allow people to stay alert. They can notify the agencies and the government if they encounter any such activity in a nearby location. People can protest against the ongoing brutality and share their views and opinions on social media regarding eradicating violent extremist acts from society. Consequently, many citizens take necessary measures to safeguard their lives.¹⁴

 ·        UNDP implemented a Conflict Prevention program using new technologies

 

·        UNDP implemented a Conflict Prevention program using new technologies

 

Review of UN Peace   Operations Report (2014) established peacekeeping forces and experts to use technology and      innovation to execute UN peacekeeping initiatives. The report underlines the need for member states to work in collaboration to deal with the abuse of ICT on websites and social media.  With cooperation, the states can come up with better solutions that safeguard human rights, and increase awareness of fundamental freedoms. Moreover, the report suggests that world states should incorporate new technologies to carry out their developmental and peace-building strategies. For this purpose, the Security Council initiated a public-private partnership known as Tech against Terrorism.  The partnership will provide technical assistance to new companies and larger corporations. People can use social media for video sharing and sending messages to tackle violence on a larger platform. Moreover, communities will be provided with capacity-building resources.¹⁴

Recap

 The promotion of non-violence and peace is not just about the absence of war. It is not an end or final goal, but a process. It is about creating an enabling environment for promoting peaceful social change through advocacy, knowledge sharing, and networking that increase tolerance and encourage conflict prevention. The speedy transition from a culture of war to a culture of peace seems a challenging task for states. It requires them to engage in peaceful dialogues that prevent aggression and intolerance in society. The world developed states have summoned the international community to participate in global efforts to prevent and combat the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. They should take collective action to fight against violent extremism. The citizens are empowered to learn peacebuilding skills to assist the state in promoting conflict prevention measures and promoting values of compassion and tolerance in society. Additionally, the states are utilizing new technologies to manage conflict at all levels. Technological tools including data collection, crowdsourcing, and social networking through mobile phones and social media have helped to manage cross-cultural exchanges and tackle extremism and terrorist acts at regional and international levels.  

With mutual cooperation, the world states can safeguard their common values and protect societies all from all sorts of violence, leading towards a safer and sustainable world!

 

“Let us join hands to accept differences and to end violence. No culture can live if it attempts to be exclusive” - #‎MahatmaGandhi

 

REFERENCES:

 

1.      VIOLENT-EXTREMISM: AN EXAMINATION OF A DEFINITIONAL DILEMMA by  Jason-Leigh Striegher Australian Graduate School of Policing and Security, Charles Sturt University, Sydney, Australia:

2.      Striegher, J.-L. (2013a). The Deradicalisation of Terrorists. Salus Journal, 1(1), 19-40.

3. Romaniuk, Peter (2015). " Does CVE Work? Lessons Learned from the Global Effort to Counter Violent Extremism." Global Center on Cooperative Security, September.

4.      Sageman, M. (2008). Leaderless Jihad: Terror Networks in the Twenty-First Centruy. Philadelpdia, Pennssylvania: University of Pennsylvania Press.

5.      Gries, Thomas, Tim Krieger and Daniel Meirrieks (2011). " Causal Linkages between Domestic Terrorism and Economic Growth." Defence and Peace Economics, vol.22, issue 5, pp. 493-508

6. Ikejiaku, Brian-Vincent (2009). " The Relationship between Poverty, Conflict and Development." Journal of Sustainable Development, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 15-28.
7. Bonner, David (2015). " United Kingdom: The United Kingdom response to terrorism." Terrorism and Political Violence, vol. 4, issue 4, pp. 171-205.

8.      Drivers of violent extremism: https://www.unodc.org/e4j/en/terrorism/module-2/key-issues/drivers-of-violent-extremism.html

9.      Global Movement for a Culture of Peace, Definition of Culture of Peace. By David Adams, December 2005 : https://www.culture-of-peace.info/copoj/definition.html

10.   A new cultural policy agenda for development and mutual understanding: (Chapter 3: Rethinking cultural policy design, pages 16- 18)

11.   The Role of Technology and Innovation in Countering Extremism and Terrorism: https://thegeopolitics.com/the-role-of-technology-and-innovation-in-countering-extremism-and-terrorism/

12.   AI in Forensic Investigation and Crime Detection: https://www.analyticsinsight.net/ai-in-forensic-investigation-and-crime-detection/#:~:text=Al%20can%20assist%20in%20identifying,the

13.   TERRORISM:  The Role of Technology and Innovation in Countering Extremism and Terrorism: March 27, 2023 By Nadir Ali: https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2023/03/27/the-role-of-technology-and-innovation-in-countering-extremism-and-terrorism/

14.  The Impact of New Technologies on Peace, Security, and Development Independent Commission on Multilateralism: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.icm2016.org/IMG/pdf/new_tech_paper.pdf

 

 

 

Cultivate a Champion’s Mindset to Pursue Your Goals

In any phase of life, people are constantly challenged by pressures to face challenges. It could be peer pressure, academic pressure, and socioeconomic pressure. There is growing recognition that facing and overcoming challenges implies instilling positive traits and habits that act as a dominant tool to maximize potential and help to reach goals. These are not simply the physical abilities that enable them to meet pressures; the champion’s mindset gives them mental resilience and enthusiasm to succeed.

Cultivating a champion’s mindset is not merely for the athletes; it applies to all of us. It is a state of mind seen in people from every walk of life who aim to achieve their goals in life. Consequently, the success clues of a champion can motivate anyone to have a strong mindset, practice mental preparation, and develop techniques to deal with stress, setbacks, and losses. By building mental strength, you treat your obstacles as a training tool for your mind and body. It keeps you focused and improves performance.

“Focus, discipline, hard work, goal setting, and the thrill of finally achieving your goals. These are all lessons in life.” – Kristi Yamaguchi, gold medalist in figure skating in 1992

Moreover, enthusiastic people learn to be persistent in their actions. Determination teaches them to bounce back every time they fail, get back up, and try to attain their goals. Any champion will tell you that it's not about hitting the floor; it's about getting back up. You must learn how to win and not run away when you lose. Defeats, rejections, and failures are bumps in the road that may confuse and steer you away from the right path. Therefore, understanding a champion mindset allows us to strive hard to pursue our goals with passion, firmness, and commitment.

The Essential Attributes of a champion mindset

·       Align Your Goals With Your Values

When you set goals, be sure that they are in line with your values. When you feel comfortable with your goals, you can concentrate and make more efforts to attain them. Therefore, it implies taking time and analyzing your core values. You may know which values are essential to you, prioritize them, and reflect on what they mean to you.  Providing significance to your values will drive you to make effort to achieve them. Let's take an example. If your core mission is to lose weight, you will make every effort to reduce weight. You desire to look smart and healthy and at the same time, you are valuing a healthy lifestyle. Conversely, if you want to lose weight but you have no high goals or ambitions, your efforts will go in vain. Therefore, prioritizing your personal goals and values will help make it easier for you to reach your goals. 

·         Optimistic Attitude

Athletes with a progressive vision are deeply engaged in their work and have positive expectations toward achieving their goals. They don’t get panic and give up. Instead, bounce back quicker from setbacks and injuries. Being optimistic, they believe in themselves and their ability to create success with hard work and commitment. Thus, people learn from champions to remain persistent and steadfast in performing more significant tasks.

·         Resilience and Self-confidence

Acting like a champion requires individuals to stay firm on their path to attain their goals. Having a winning mindset implies you be resilient in the face of adversity. Cultivate a healthy relationship of respect for yourself. Your self-worth and confidence build your leadership abilities and keep you committed to your aims.

·         Compelling Vision

Every champion has a winning mindset and vision that pushes him toward victory. The powerful idea requires strong people to develop willpower and perseverance that allow them to stay strong toward their goals. Once a champion sets their eyes on a plan, they gain the strength of character that gives them a crystal-clear image of their future goals.

 

·         Setting high and realistic goals.

Settings goals are the first step of the champions that helps to turn their vision into a reality. If the task is challenging, it requires people to measure how much time is needed to accomplish the targeted goals. For instance, whether they have to exert hours or days to achieve them. Moreover, stay organized and create a  list of significant goals that need to be pursued within the allocated time.

Another quality of a winning mindset is to write goals that are too important. By taking note of the plans, increase their significance. They appear practical and tangible and not any ambiguous idea residing in mind. Once you have written your goals down, it becomes visible, keeping you on target.

Having measured your goal setting help you know about performance over time and see how far you have come and what more serious efforts are required to reach your overall goal. Setting goals allow goal-oriented people to prioritize their small and more significant goals. Once they analyze their aims,  they set expectations for each goal accordingly. Moreover, they also set appropriate and manageable deadlines to meet goals flexibly. Visualizing goals implies people sticking to the goals and staying consistent. A timeline increases a sense of priority and urgency that incites them to stay on schedule and complete the given task.

Consequently, the biggest formula for success is to work on one goal at a time. It helps people to remain persistent, and they get to know where to start and make the most significant impact. It can fuel your ambition and help you achieve tangible results. Consequently, individuals should reflect on their daily, weekly, and monthly goals. Write that down and give yourself a target. Thus, goal setting helps you to visualize your essential goals in a better way. Hitting manageable goals will provide a satisfying sense of accomplishment, encouraging you to continue on your path to success.

·         Develop good decision-making skills

Champions know how to deal with risks; they respond to emergencies by making good decision-making skills. Managing complex decisions implies people take time and analyze how to resolve them. An important step could be to break up the challenge into manageable chunks. It helps people to stay focused on goals. Sometimes the complexity of a task may not be evident from the beginning; it may appear in the middle of attaining the mission. Sometimes, reaching the end is too perplexing, requiring people to stay firm and work with determination. Once people understand the nature of the goals, it becomes easier for them to reach the goal and apply them to their life.

 Hence, one should develop decision-making capacity by analyzing the situation and learning tactics to deal with different goals. The training, practice, and experience help them to gain confidence in making the right decisions. It helps them stay motivated and keep their head high and energy up...

·         Goals Help You Achieve More

When you set a goal and reach that goal, it gives you the taste of victory. You will want to taste that again. Goal setting is a positive habit-building process. For instance, you push yourself toward the next rung of the ladder, challenge yourself to improve your performance, and you achieve even more. Working towards meeting and surprising goals helps you achieve way more than you ever thought possible.

The Final Words

Strong determination, willpower, resilience, and dedication are the essential components of a champion mindset. Resilient athletes have a strong attitude; they mentally prepare and learn strategies to improve performance and deal with stress, setbacks, and losses. Cultivating a champion’s mindset instills a compelling vision, persistence, and mental strength that set you forward to achieve long-term goals. Motivation drives people to push beyond their limits and perform feats of greatness that they dreamed of.

Are you trying hard to subdue the rising tides of obstacles and adversities in life? If the answer is yes, reading this article will help you transform yourself. It instills you with the power to overcome barriers, boost your morale and self-confidence, strengthen your willpower, and push yourself to triumph.

 

 

"The real value of setting and achieving goals lies not in the rewards you receive but in the person you become as a result of reaching your goals.” – Robin Sharma

 

My Soul Journey

 

                                                             My Soul Journey

“Life is a journey and it's about growing and changing and coming to terms with who and what you are, and loving who and what you are.” – Kelly McGillis, actor.

 The soul is our spiritual life force within us, encouraging us to move towards the desired goal with sheer determination. It holds the key to happiness and should be cherished and appreciated. As we get actively engage in some soul searching, we ponder over our purpose in life. This implies us to be true to our self and find meaning of our existence. Enthusiasm and positivity boost our moral, helping us to move towards our targeted goals. It signifies us to readily exert more effort to achieve what we truly want in life.

“To find peace in any moment all we need to do is respect our own soul”

As we begin to introspect on our own thoughts and feelings, we refocus our mind on the positive aspects of life. Consequently, this enhances our ability to understand our personality, behavior s and values. Self- reflection help us to come out from stress and melancholy moments we have experienced in the past. The past tormenting moments do bring darkness in life, it is a reality that those moments are difficult to forget but we have to stay alive for the good times. With contemplation, we learn to stay motivated and find true happiness within ourselves. Happiness comes naturally from inside. It’s all about changing our mindset. Therefore if we keep dwelling the past tormenting moments, life would suck us and would not let our soul to survive peacefully.

“When you think from your soul, you find a river moving in joy. Seek to that eternal joy and self-fulfillment.”

Happiness signifies enjoying freshness of present moment. We need to find those delicate small moments in our surroundings. It could be a party with friends, enjoying a cup of coffee with our best friend. Having deep talks with the closet friend is the therapy we need. As I believe opening up and sharing our piece of heart with a loving friend is the best way to heal. It makes us lively, gives hope to live and aspiration to begin a new life. The best moments in our life are when we pleasurable enjoy the loftiest moments with a dear friend, with whom we   share our tears and with whom we have laughed. A strong vibrant company make us feel sunshine pooling from our smile. We learn that contentment in life comes from the best company, the person who understands us. The person who can walk with us in every season, with whom we could enjoy the smallest moments in life. In a materialistic world, we always yearn for a sincere company .It is hardly to be found. I believe it’s the purity of the soul that matters. People with such souls are more elegant. Cherish such people because they are the true expression of love and affection.

“May you find someone who already speaks the language of your true desires.  Because the language of your true desires is the language of your soul.”
― Lebo Grand

If you find yourself in a situation which you think cannot be changed, develop mind power to switch your mind to happy cheerful thoughts. I personally believe instead of chasing happiness, we need to cultivate contentment within ourselves. It is a truth that happiness cannot be attained through amenities and luxuries of life. They may be a source of temporary happiness but they cannot bring true happiness or peace of mind to us. We should begin to learn to live with passion, there is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving. So reach out to others and share small momentous moments in your surroundings. As it is rightly said that happiness is a perfume we cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on our self. Let us dream of tomorrow, a peaceful tranquil life where we can truly love from the soul.

Deep soul searching through meditating, practicing spirituality and introspection helps to develop self-care.  It implies us to love our self and foster happy moments .Life is too short. Therefore, we have a right to make wise choices, we have the power to rise above the struggles and shine amid the darkness. So do it now before life makes you regret. Once you have a positive frame of mind, your life begins to show a great difference. Your personality will bloom. Keep smiling and keep on trying to reclaim your life and achieve your loftiest goals in life.

Remember,

Being happy is a choice. It’s not about luck. We always have control to how we feel. You don’t have to wait to be successful to feel contented. In your present-day situation, you can always choose to be happy and live a peaceful life It is true what we think and feel attract others as happiness is contagious. Once, you discover yourself who you really are, what you are meant to do in this life and what path may help you find true joy and happiness, believe me, you will find inner strength to deal with every challenge and obstacle life throws at you. This is the real moment in your life when you will come to know your passions and life purposes in life.  Hence, you will feel truly exultant and live a fulfilled life.

“Happiness is a journey, not a destination. Happiness is the way. So treasure every moment you have and remember that time waits for no one.”- Alfred D. Souza