Thank you so much for these wonderful podcasts. It is so inspiring to listen to so many different and truly extraordinary experiences of some extraordinary people around the world. I enjoyed the podcast with Ms. Kathleen Rogers in particular as it was simply incredible and highly insightful. I would also love to learn more about the various initiatives and lessons from guests that have been creating a meaningful impact in the world such as UNESCO, United Nations and even other culturally focused organizations.
From the time I can remember, I have always been enamored with stories starting with the bedtime stories that ranged from fairy tales to mythology that my father told me while tucking me to bed each night. Sitting wide mouthed when my dad recited these stories, I can vividly remember myself imagining and creating my own little fantasies about a world filled with everything sunshine and rainbows. However, as I grew up and my knowledge and experiences increased, I slowly started to realize the real world is significantly different from the world that I knew from the stories that my dad had told me as a little girl. While I realize today that it was an attempt from my father’s side to shield me from everything brutal that this world is known for today, I am only glad that he did as it led me to discover my creative side which involves a deep love for performing arts especially dance and drama along with filmmaking and photography.
As I am still on the path to discovering myself by losing myself in these creative forms of self-expression, I have also come to recognize the importance of storytelling and creativity. In fact, my understanding of these two concepts are that storytelling and creativity does not and cannot exist without the other. They are inseparable to the extent that creativity which usually includes portrayal of some kind of expression either self or enactment of others or characters has an inherent element of story. I have come to realize that stories lie everywhere and within every single human being.
And today, living amidst the ravages of a pandemic, I firmly believe the world needs compassion more than ever. Passionate about bringing a change in this world, I have realized that there is no better medium to do that than storytelling and creativity, as stories and storytelling are simply powerful! They not just represent the power of humanity but are also something that ultimately humanizes us all human beings, because we all have a story to tell! Working with the amazing team at The Creative Process, I cannot ask for a better opportunity. I feel I am coming out as a different person collaborating and helping with the wonderful people in the institution to curate and celebrate the extraordinary lives of people around the globe. Through this initiative, I gain more knowledge and be more curious and of course, inspired to change this world!
Some of the recent projects that I have been working upon include the Monthly issues released by the SIA (Society of International Affairs) at New York University, Abu Dhabi, UAE. I am currently serving as a Columnist at SIA, where I write commentaries on some of the most pressing issues in the world at the moment. I have also been collaborating this semester with some of the student leaders in my university to organize one of the first Higher Education Climate Change Conferences in the region. In addition, I would like to work someday in the future on meaningful projects that maximize social impact especially concerning causes which are extremely dear to me such as human rights, migration, gender equality and climate change. Considering my passion for storytelling and photography, I also plan to curate and document the lives of the common people in the city of Abu Dhabi where I am currently based.
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Natural world or nature in general, I believe, is one of the greatest blessings that mankind has ever received. Growing up in one of the greatest cities of the planet, my mother always ensured that I knew what nature is all about. Being a nature lover herself, she did everything she could to pass on the love for everything green to me and my sister, and she definitely did succeed in her endeavor. In fact, in pursuit of the same passion, my earliest memories of nature and the natural world is through the many weekend trips that my parents planned for me and my sister. While my friends went to amusement parks and malls, I made regular trips to the sun kissed beaches of UAE where we went swimming, the desert where we saw Camels and cacti growing in amazement along with the beautiful mangroves where we went Kayaking. However, as I grew up, the natural world became everything that gave me peace and solace. The cool breeze that touched my face when I stood under the tall palm trees, the spectacular sunsets at the beach that I never get bored of, the flowers that bloomed in the spring across the streets, I realized as I grew up that nature and natural beauty could be seen everywhere. Even in the smallest things such as a plant growing in odd places or playing with the puppies and kittens on the streets with my cousins. In fact, I do not want to lose any of them. Not now, not ever.
My personal sustainability pledge comes from the basic understanding that nature is mankind’s greatest blessings and there is only one single Mother Earth, of which WE are her inhabitants by which it is us who need her and not the other way around. Bestowed to every single human being on this planet, it is our responsibility to take care of her and most importantly heal her in every way we could, because she does her part of healing us and taking care of us by showering her motherly love on us every single day.
I am here attaching the link to two of my writings which includes a political commentary as well as a blog entry for the World Literacy Foundation. I am also attaching some photographs that I have clicked which I believe narrates many stories.
https://sianyuad.medium.com/myanmar-coup-d%C3%A9tat-a-reflection-e22bdbcc7053
