The “isms” in our lives!

We encounter many “isms” in our lives to span our lifetimes many times over! These isms manifest themselves in many tones, circumstances, environments, moods, beliefs, leanings, etc. to name but a few!

Take optimism, pessimism and realism for example. A few will argue that these lie on the same spectrum covering from one extreme (optimism) to the other (pessimism). I argue that realism does not fall on the same spectrum and that each of these extremes has their own mini-spectrum! You can have extreme, moderate and slight pessimism or optimism but you cannot apply that to realism!

Other isms that fall into the same category as realism, i.e. they do not conform to having degrees or, in other words, they either exist or not, include: racism, fascism, nepotism, radicalism, sexism, anarchism, humanism, individualism, etc… They belong to the same notion as “You can’t be half pregnant!!!”.

Subscribing to an “ism” does not mean that it cannot be changed. Politicians do it all the time!! Perhaps when it occurs we should refer to it as “wasm”!!!
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P.S. “ism” as defined in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary: a belief, attitude, style, etc., that is referred to by a word that ends in the suffix -ism

Hani Badawi

May 10, 2016

Stress Me Not!

Many moons ago, when I was growing up I learned about the superstitious approach of conducting my own, so called, “fortune telling” by plucking the petals of a flower and alternately uttering the words "love me" followed by "love me not" and relying on the last plucked petal to predict which of these will seal my fortune!

As I grew older and came to terms with the fact that this was only a game of chance and hope, I, nevertheless, continued to model other life alternatives in a similar gamely fashion, knowing that, although they are just games, this process does have merits in allowing me to review the different facets associated with any challenging situation.

In light of the above, I am sure you will agree that stress plays a prominent role in our lives and is therefore worthy of consideration and thus prompts me to address the title of this note "Stress Me Not!"

This phrase, unlike my childhood flower petal plucking game, signifies several connotations, and I list below the ones that readily come to mind:

Prayer: Lord, I beseech You to make my life comfortable and I beg You to Stress Me Not!

Threat: Challenged by circumstances that are imposed by social, business or financial factors, using that phrase followed by "or else" carries the threat implication that it is intended for!

Plea: When the going gets tough in relationships and when arguments become difficult to resolve, one may resort to saying Please, Stress Me Not because I am at the end of my tether!

Question: How many times have I told you to Stress Me Not?

Command: I order you to Stress Me Not!

Reflecting on the above, and, in as far as stress is concerned, I pray that, in the adult equivalent of the petal plucking game, the “Stress Me” option never presents itself in any of its varied connotations to any of you!

Hani Badawi

April 14, 2016

Reading, Writing and Making History

Whether we like it or not we are all students of history (family, national, international, sports, music, science, economics, etc.). Our levels though will vary depending on our, desire, interest and aptitude in learning about days gone by.

Some students will keep personal memoirs which may be read by a select few, some will commit events to memory and verbally relate them to their inner circle of friends and family and some more advanced students will write essays or books in areas of interest to them to be shared by a yet larger audience of students.


It is a no brainier that, to write history it is mandatory that one be well read and versed in the discipline of interest to oneself. Conveying history accurately though is a subject of another discussion that is beyond the scope of this article!

Moving on to the topic of "making history", I think most of you will agree that the path towards that end, whether followed deliberately or not, is very intriguing and is worthy of deeper analysis.

Like reading and writing history, making history can take many forms and shapes. It is more likely than not, that out of one's personal experience and passion combined with reading and writing history, that a few will end up in making (either good or bad) history! Written books or current events are replete with examples of those who have attained fame or infamy!

Strange as it may be, disciples of those who have made good or bad history continue to carry banners in writing and in action too that, more than likely, leads to factions, cults, ideologies, resolutions, etc. that ultimately continue to add reasons for world unrest and wars.

I would be remiss if I do not address the role of religion and politics in our world strife! The former is often misinterpreted and misused and the latter often relies on the misinterpretation and misuse aspects for their own personal benefits!

The saga has been with us for ages, and, alas, the saga continues!!!!


Hani Badawi
April 9, 2016

Seeking Solutions: Random and Scattered Thoughts

The act of social or any other form of reform is worthless if accountability is not enforced.

Dedication implies selflessness whereas selflessness doesn't necessarily imply dedication.

Determination requires dedication and vice versa. They are two inseparable partners.

Mankind has not developed at the same pace as technological evolution. Will it ever catch up?

Governments often govern their own interests and not the welfare of the state. Their effectiveness is measured by the economic stability and respect (not fear) of the law and order and NOT by the votes they garnered.


Hani Badawi 

February 28, 2016

Trump or Slump

Many are wondering, many are awe stricken and many are jubilant about Donald Trump's progress so far in this early phase of the Republican Party campaign in preparation for the US 2016 Presidential election.

Although it is too early to draw any conclusions as to who will ultimately be the winner, Republican, Democrat, Male, Female, etc., there is one thing that I can say for sure. Apart from the US I do not know of any other country that offers opportunities for almost anyone to attain their dreams. I say almost because I know you will quickly retort: "Ah, how about influence of money?". Indeed, you would be right in your retort, but, show me the perfect country and I will show you the way to ultimate happiness!!

Hani Badawi

February 14, 2016

Comfort Level, Emotions, Social Barriers and Dreams

Does one's comfort level take precedence over following one's emotions?

Can one's emotions help in overcoming social barriers?

Can social barriers stifle one's dreams?
Can one's emotions pave the path for realizing one's dreams?

As there are no norms to any of the above mentioned criteria, imagine yourself trying to answer any of these questions at different phases of your life.

Perhaps, as is the case with trying to find an answer to a complex dilemma, the answer to any or all of the above is: "It depends"!!!

Hani Badawi

February 15, 2016

If and when

I often think about how a “hope” can be turned into an “achievement” and wonder: what is the necessary catalyst for bringing about that transition?

Over the ages, many ideas have led to great achievements, and it is safe to say that these achievements were fueled by hard work and determination on part of the achievers.

As in a chemical reaction, where a catalyst helps in completing the reaction, one can invoke a similar concept in the human world.

In his famous poem titled “If”, Ruddyard Kippling elegantly weaved the elements needed for harnessing the faculties for “greatness” relying on, as the title implies, the “if” as a catalyst.

As an admirer of art and science, and as a believer in the power of transformation in each, I believe that the word “when” is a better catalyst than “if”.

Think of the impact of Kippling's poem when (and I purposely avoided using if!) you replace the “if” by “when”!

Hani Badawi
October 31, 2014