15 Comments

I read this a while ago, never got the chance to drop a comment but didn't forget about it even after a couple of months. This was such an absolute beautiful piece of writing. Thank you so much for sharing all that you have and being this open.

If I ever imagine what an older brother would look like if I had one, I'm not hesitant to say it kinda looks like you, haha. Would absolutely love to meet you over a coffee or lunch, whenever you visit Pakistan again. Never stop writing, please!

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Thank youuuu. So very kind of you to say all that and I'm glad I've been able to help here and there. And yes, I'll visit Lahore in late November so let's connect then for coffee/chai.

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Looking forward to it, I.A.

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going to use this as a starting point for coming out of my own existential crisis-- love the way you broke down the pillars

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thank you for reading and commenting, Sanjana! Glad you liked it.

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Best thing Ive read this year. One can tell that its there is years work and thinking behind each and every one of these elements.

I can most certainly resonate with health & fitness, friends & family (more recently as I moved abroad) and religion. I can also say that you have opened up my mind to how deep can one go into each of these pillars.

Thank you for writing this down and for sharing it so openly. I am going to reach out to and would like to have a chat about this first and last pillar.

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Thank you Masood janaab. Happy you liked it! I really appreciate you taking out the time to read it all and leave a thoughtful comment.

And yes absolutely. Happy to do a call next week Wednesday or Thursday between 8:30–10:00PM Pacific if that works for you.

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(you can send a cal invite to me @ {my full name} . com

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An absolute pleasure to read and if I have to summarize it for you in Urdu. It goes like, Safar khubsurat hai Manzil sey bhi.

When one reaches the Manzil, you find out that it was not the answer. The journey itself was the most pleasing part of this Manzil. Glad to know that you took out time for yourself and found your inner peace. I hope that this goes a long way and may you find more better connection with yourself in the days to come.

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Thank you for the thoughtful comment, Mutayab. Very well said. Ameen to your dua and wish you the same!

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This is an extremely well written piece and most of it resonates with me for the reasons listed and more. Keep it up and I would definitely like to remain in touch with you - you seem like my kind of a person !

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Thank you Taha. Glad you enjoyed it. Will keep writing more! Like aur comment karna na bhooliyega.

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Awais, this was an absolute pleasure to read through. I have gone/am going through similar realizations around finding meaning extrinsic to career progression and wealth. And I believe you've hit the nail on the head with feeling alienated in the hyper-conservative take on Islam in Pakistan, and the liberal disdain for religion in the US/California. Looking froward to reading more of what you put out here.

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Thank you so much for the thoughtful comment Oneeb. Glad it resonated with you! More to come IA

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It's refreshing to read this and thank you for sharing your journey!

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