This was an incredible and profound reflection Zahra, well done! I think one challenge for people from Eastern countries of origin residing in the west, is as you said, the clash between the collectivist, one-for-all approach of their countries of origin vs the individualist, consumption and material success driven view of their adoptive countries, which may have been all they have known since they grew up there.
I do think the Eastern, collectivist view of defining oneself by their presence and how they serve the common good and interests of their family/society/culture is healthier than the possession-driven, consumerist mentality of capitalism. In the modern world of social interconnectedness with the internet, smartphones, and social media, I think the detrimental and corrosive effects of being driven solely to acquire material possessions, to sacrifice the collective welfare in order to maximize one's pleasure and ephemeral happiness are magnified.
Is there one overarching, infallible, foolproof worldview? Not necessarily, but I do think that the capitalist mindset/worldview creates an unhealthy relationship between one's net worth/how much new, shiny technology, cars, fancy homes, money etc they have and their self-esteem. If there was some way to disrupt the reiteration of this mentality by the media and popular society, I think it could help people live more fulfilling, contented lives. Perhaps this is why some find that after living in countries where the collective good is emphasized, or even learning more about these nations and their philosophies, people start to reconsider their priorities and focus in life.
Lovely piece. I’ve been trying to internalize this for a while (create vs consume, have vs be). Understand what it means to me and how this can apply to my life. How can I *be* more. *Be* more present, *be* more humble, *be* more in communion… While the world keeps on spinning as it does. Much work to do😅 it definitely helps when people write about it!
Well done Zahra! As always your blog is eye-opening for me. it wasnt just a food for thought but you have planted a seed of transformation in my heart.
I promise you will be the first author I support with paid subscription, the moment it becomes affordable.
Zahra, you might be one of my favorite living writers.
I'm genuinely touched. Thank you deeply.
This was an incredible and profound reflection Zahra, well done! I think one challenge for people from Eastern countries of origin residing in the west, is as you said, the clash between the collectivist, one-for-all approach of their countries of origin vs the individualist, consumption and material success driven view of their adoptive countries, which may have been all they have known since they grew up there.
I do think the Eastern, collectivist view of defining oneself by their presence and how they serve the common good and interests of their family/society/culture is healthier than the possession-driven, consumerist mentality of capitalism. In the modern world of social interconnectedness with the internet, smartphones, and social media, I think the detrimental and corrosive effects of being driven solely to acquire material possessions, to sacrifice the collective welfare in order to maximize one's pleasure and ephemeral happiness are magnified.
Is there one overarching, infallible, foolproof worldview? Not necessarily, but I do think that the capitalist mindset/worldview creates an unhealthy relationship between one's net worth/how much new, shiny technology, cars, fancy homes, money etc they have and their self-esteem. If there was some way to disrupt the reiteration of this mentality by the media and popular society, I think it could help people live more fulfilling, contented lives. Perhaps this is why some find that after living in countries where the collective good is emphasized, or even learning more about these nations and their philosophies, people start to reconsider their priorities and focus in life.
Lovely piece. I’ve been trying to internalize this for a while (create vs consume, have vs be). Understand what it means to me and how this can apply to my life. How can I *be* more. *Be* more present, *be* more humble, *be* more in communion… While the world keeps on spinning as it does. Much work to do😅 it definitely helps when people write about it!
Zara ,a phenomenal woman you are , May Allah bless you more with whatever you seek in this dunya and akhira.
“Comfort progress and power by a colonizers perspective.”
Who gets to determine if using outside fires and so forth is “less then”.
Thank you for this post.
Well done Zahra! As always your blog is eye-opening for me. it wasnt just a food for thought but you have planted a seed of transformation in my heart.
I promise you will be the first author I support with paid subscription, the moment it becomes affordable.
Great reflection!
Your ability to articulate such a topic so accurately and extensively impresses me. Very admirable.