Sunshine Entry #1

Most of us spend a considerable amount of time on Facebook. No matter how much we'd like to deny, it has become a necessity to stay connected with friends and family and remain updated on things around us. You must have read and heard the never ending debates on pros and cons of using Facebook. I don't want to get there. I speak for myself. I love using Facebook not just to stay connected to friends but to know new people.



I have discovered some amazing people whose updates are like sunshine of my timeline. Their achievements are awe inspiring and their lives an epitome of positivity. Whenever I feel demotivated or down, reading their updates just brings back the lost energy and spark.

I am starting this new series where I'd like to introduce or get introduced to inspiring people who make a difference. For this post, I have decided to write a brief introduction of two of my favourite ladies who really make me look at life in a totally new light. 

1. Maggie Doyne

Born in 1987,  Maggie Doyne is an American philanthropist who at the tender of age 18, built an orphanage, women's centre and school in the Kopila Valley of  Nepal. After high school, on a visit to Nepal, she was so moved by the suffering and condition of a six-year-old Hema, that she decided to be the agent of change that she wants to see in the world. Her story will make your jaw drop. I randomly came across one of her talks at Do Lectures and have been religiously following her since then. You will not only be inspired by how she built this orphanage from nothing but her bond and commitment with those children and school will warm your heart. Though, I just follow her on social media but I feel I have developed a bond with the kids that call her 'Mom Maggie'. She is 5 years younger than me but a million years wiser, patient and kind. Recently, she did this series of posts called #50LoveLetters where she wrote letters to her 50 children. Each letter was worth reading. She was recognized as a hero by CNN and she won CNN Hero of the Year award. But what she is doing for humanity does not need any worldly recognition. She is also the CEO of organization (that she formed) called BlinkNow Foundation. Where Maggie does what she believes in,

"In the blink of an eye, we can all make a difference."

Photograph Courtesy Maggie Doyne Facebook Page

You must follow her on social media. Her posts and achievements will reinforce compassion, kindness and humanity - which we all need to be reminded of consistently.

You can see her Facebook page here
And Instagram here 

For her organization, BlinkNow Foundation. You can see the Facebook Page here and Instagram here.

Photograph Courtesy BlinkNow Facebook Page

2. Muniba Mazari 

Also born in 1987 (pure coincidence), Muniba Mazari, is a Pakistani artist and motivational speaker who is unfortunately wheelchair bound. She lost her ability to walk in tragic car accident at the age of 21. For someone who has known what it is like to walk freely to not have that ability anymore can be a very big setback. Some people who go through this lose motivation to move forward in life and retreat into a cocoon of self pity which is natural. This difficult challenge that life threw at her, however did not stop Muniba from being a beacon of positivity. A lot of people argue (not that it matters) that she is optimistic because she is blessed with a good family support and plenty of resources. Though these things are very important but I have seen many people in similar circumstances - unable to cope with this traumatic experience and succumbing to depression and other self destructive habits. I am not saying that they do all this deliberately and I also cannot imagine their pain at all but Muniba is an excellent example of a person who has made lemonade out of the lemons thrown at her. I heard her inspiring Ted Talk here. 

Photograph Courtesy Muniba Mazari Facebook Page

Not only that she herself stays happy and positive but as a motivational speaker, she spreads happiness while sitting in her wheelchair. She hosts TV programs, speak about important issues and posts inspirational things! She is certainly a sunshine whose resilience and courage can lift your spirits just any day.

Photograph Courtesy Muniba Mazari Facebook Page

She also also does amazing paintings that helped her from falling into depression. You can see her work here
Instagram here

These two shine like a bright, happy sun on my Facebook newsfeed. I would love to know if you know of anyone who is like a sunshine in gloomy days? Let me know in comments!