Tuesday 14 June 2016

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!
















35 comments:

  1. Great post, I must say. I know Muniba Mazari and she really is an iron lady. She has gone through real tough times, and now inspires many.

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  2. That is a very lovely post! I think I they really are people you could totally be inspired by.

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  3. Wow, really incredible post. Thanks for opening my eyes to these amazing ladies.

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  4. Great article! I'm glad you are writing about people who inspire you and bring "sunshine" into your life. It's so easy to get caught up in every day life that we can easily take things for granted. Thanks for the reminder.

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  5. How lovely. I love finding new inspiring people. :)
    I've actually heard of Muniba but I never got around to checking her out for myself. I'll definitely have to get on to it. :)

    Christie's Take on Life. xx

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  6. Thank you guys! We need such positivity all the time!

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  7. Thank you guys! We need such positivity all the time!

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  8. This is great - I haven't really thought about using Facebook in this way. What a lovely idea!

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  9. Wonderful post! In a world consumed by technology and obsessed with social media it's refreshing to see a post like yours centered on the good deeds of others.

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  10. Very inspiring women! It shows it age, race, gender, etc. do no matter for you to make a difference. We are all capable of so much!

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  11. I've never heard of either of these ladies. Wow they have achieved so much at such a young age, I will definitely follow them on facebook!

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  12. I love the positivity of these ladies and your post/series! Looking forward to finding more inspiration through you. Thank you~

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  13. I am glad to have introduced you to two amazing people!

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  14. Such a great post about amazing women!

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  15. Inspiration that creates helpful and meaningful example for women and men alike. They made their lives memorable and interesting in the eyes of the younger genberation.

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  16. How incredible. I've never heard of any of these young ladies but what inspirations they are. I'll be sure to follow along now that you've introduced them me.

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  17. The smile is really sunshine! Amazing women with motivation and inspiration!

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  18. You are doing nice job. Introducing such great ladies achievements and work will inspire others.

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  19. well, you got a point there. there are definitely a lot of pros and cons when it comes to using facebook. but glad that you are looking at the brighter side of the constant usage of it. :D

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  20. Thank you guys! I will keep posting when I discover more people <3

    Zwitsy - Everything has negative side effects.. we just need to find the bright side :P

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  21. Indeed beautiful to read about these ladies. I like the courage to dare, risk and venture into life to achieve such great things. Kindly visit http://www.sabtrends.com

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  22. These women are true inspiration to us younger girls.

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  23. This article is so uplifting! I loved reading about this inspiring woman! :)

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  24. What a great post. At first, I wonder why is it called a sunshine entry and now I know.

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  25. They both started early. It's really inspiring to see how they helped through their advocacy and started young too.

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  26. These are two amazing ladies. It's good to learn about them through your blog. They inspire others through their works.

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  27. How wonderful that these young ladies are out there like this. I wish them both the very best.

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  28. So many people are doing so much inspiring in their own little ways in their own little corner of the world. It is great to read about them, thank you.

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  29. Awesome. I like that you started something like this, it's a great way to inspire people to make a difference in our world. Especially during times like these, when all we see in the news are people hurting each other, it's so refreshing to read about people and their achievements and what they do to help others out.

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  30. True. Facebook and other social media can be used productively. Great to know about some amazing people.

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  31. Indeed sunshine! Its early morning here and the timing of sun coming out and me reading this just coincided!

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  32. These are definitely people who we should look up to! They don't give up in times of trouble and work towards improving people's lives! Thanks for sharing these people~

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  33. Thumbs up for people who makes a difference. Hope there are more people who will aim to inspire all of us in any aspects of life.

    Incredible post! Keep 'em coming.

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  34. Thanks for all the encouraging comments :)

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