Every society has its share of strengths and weaknesses. In my opinion, the worst of societies are those who choose to ignore and overlook their weaknesses and tranquilize themselves with their strengths. These societies, although momentarily happy, fail to improve themselves as they do not work on their weaknesses and let these weaknesses grow. Often the weaknesses, if ignored, grow to such an extent that they overcome the strengths and the society falls.
On the other extreme are societies that choose not to consider their strengths and are stuck within their weaknesses. Many a times, such societies are not able to overcome their weaknesses as everything feels gloomy and dark and people become depressed and frustrated as they feel there is no hope.
This, I feel, is where most of the South Asian society stands. We are so focused on our weaknesses that a common person feels hopeless about the future. For her/him, the future is even gloomier than the present as all we can see (due to our excessive focus) are our weaknesses. Our strengths have become shadowed and have gone out of sight as if spending their “iddat” period behind dark veils in dark rooms…inaccessible to any of us.
The best of societies, however, are those who accept both their weaknesses and strengths. They worry about overcoming their weaknesses but at the same time they value and cherish their strengths. Even if times are bad, they know that times can be and will be good soon because they themselves have the potential to make it better. They have hope because of the balance they maintain between their strengths and weaknesses and do not remain in a state of delusion. Every weakness is a possible strength for them, only if they work hard enough and with sincerity.
The South Asian society may have many weaknesses. Its people may be disunited, they may be lacking a vision. They may not be having faith or discipline. Generally, the society is over populated and faces extreme cases of poverty in many cases. More than half the people may not know how to read or write. The area on the whole may be economically challenged. The level of tolerance may be below sea level. And it is all YOUR fault! Or anybody else’s but not mine! We have to accept that we are good at the blame game.
But that is not all that we are or at least not all that we can be. Our strengths are far greater than our weaknesses for our strengths hold the capacity to turn each and every one of our weakness into strength.
Our region has one of the most hard-working population in the entire globe. We are disoriented and exploited, but if we just organize ourselves and our efforts, then we have the ability to improve at the fastest pace. We are over populated and this can be seen as our strength as well (China also had extreme over population but today, their labor power is one of their strongest cards in the global economy). The South Asian area is full of resources. It is extremely rich in natural resources and I strongly believe that, if we cooperate with each other, then we can become self sufficient and not be dependent, especially on the West which is known for its exploitation.
The South Asian society is a diverse and multicultural one. Only if we become more tolerant of the others who live with us and begin to see ourselves as a “whole” rather than fragmented and distributed “parts”, then we can experience the wonders that such diversity can do to us.
As individuals, we should consider both our strengths and weaknesses and try to spread the thought and the idea of having the potential within us to be what we want to be. We cannot wait for some “Savior” to come and rescue us and we cannot bring our lives to a standstill till S/He doesn’t show up.
The glass isn’t half empty “OR” half full. Rather, the glass, for now, is half full while the half empty part just waiting to be filled!
Muhammad Adeel
0917153
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