A Difference
January 25th 2007 by Sou in Awareness, Personal, YouTubeIt was really early in the morning, so early that the sun hadn’t come up yet - safe to call it morning? Safe to call it early? The watch hands illuminated green as I checked for the time, twenty to six. Where’s the light? A simple answer to that, “winter time”. God, how I hate winter time. I got out of bed and a wave of icy coldness swept over me; I hate winter time. I walked over to the window in the living room and it was pitch black outside. I sat on my favourite sofa and watched the colours appear in the sky. As the time passed by, the beautiful colours of the waking morning sun mesmerised me. I wondered how many other people witnessed the same sight. Five? Ten? A hundred? None?
I stared out at the dormant world slowly stirring awake. One car…five…twenty. At quarter to seven, the streets were filled with cars; school children, business women and men, doctors, teachers. People from all sorts of backgrounds and classes were on a mission, getting to their destinations on time.
Mission?
I was staring out at them, what was my mission? Deep down inside I feel as if I’m destined to do something that would make a difference, I’m sure of it. I started to think, what is it that I am passionate about? Art? Perhaps. Music? Maybe. Movies? Another maybe. Books? Losing interest. Then it hit me, I want to do something good, something that will benefit others. Awareness. Yes, I can do that, I’m good at that - right? Yes, I am.
I switched my laptop on and searched for cancer and AIDS campaigns in Egypt. I didn’t come out empty handed. Unknown to the average Egyptian, but there are a lot of things happening in Egypt to help spread awareness. Sails on the Nile, putting a stop to violence against women, protecting human rights and many more. We’re so “unaware” of what’s happening. What are we doing that’s making us too busy to donate a little of our time? Donating our time is the least we can do. It won’t kill to read about news on cancer and AIDS cure updates. It won’t kill if you head down to the local hospital or orphanage and ask to volunteer. The least contribution from you will make a difference.
I realised that complaining about things in my life is a very stupid thing to do, because I have things that many don’t. I have a lifestyle people wish of possessing. I am lucky. Instead of complaining, I’m going to try to take a different approach to things, I’m going to turn things around. Whenever I feel like ‘complaining’, I’ll just think of a way to help somebody, anybody. I’ve got it in me to help, then why not help?
Did you know that a billion people live on less than a dollar a day? Did you know that 3% [2.4 million] of the Egyptian population lives on less than a dollar a day? Well you do now. Do you think that you can live on less than a dollar a day? Yeah, didn’t think so.
I’m so proud my country is doing something. I think the only reason I want to move to Cairo is to help make a difference, to help educate [ignorant?] people. One way or another, I will make a difference.
Here’s an Egyptian public service announcement on AIDS awareness:
Get involved. Do something. Make a difference.
Till next time world.
OMG, this is one of the best posts you have ever made, sou .. I loved it.. BEGAD!
You took me from your morning thoughts to the destination of awareness without me feeling so.. POETIC!
and the people in Cairo, I get exposed to many illiterate people in Cairo in my job, but, you cannot imagine HOW SMART they are.. very.. they have a huge capacity for learning, mostly more than a PhD holder
As for the footage, I never saw it before.. and it is amazing .. I love how all those stars shared in this awareness footage.. IMPRESSIVE & TOUCHING…
Sou .. MORE POSTS like that please.. begad.. it is FANTABULOUS.. begad!
I totally agree than having a purpose in life is something to live for .. and to die for too.. that’s actually the main reason I joined medicine.. I cannot help wanting to help people in need in ANYTHING.. as long as I can.. So, if you’re to have an awareness project someday of your own .. you can certainly rely on me.. I AM IN!
Really Sou, it’s a loss that you’re not here in Egypt, i wish there was more people like u here, by time people are getting selfish and self oriented, you rarely find people willing to help and make a real change, and if you read my post about Actions speak louder than words, that’s what i meant, what you’re doing now…
It appears to me and as u might have noticed that people in Egypt Speaks alot, criticise all the time and lamenting the whole situation, few people think of actions, and for a real Change to happen, all we need is Action:)
Good luck dear…i really wish u were here:)
eh el 7alawa deeee :P
Cool post.. I couldn’t agree more. Wanna do something physical; outreach of some sort, fund raiser etc.. ?? Let me know, can help out.
At first I thought it was a short story then it took a turn to your thoughts and inner wishes. I liked it. and I agree we should have more awareness spread in the world, the video was touching and at least a better attempt than Kuwait’s Blood Campaign attempt.
Whoa, exactly! I wish there were more people like you! I’ve done some volunteer jobs, but I quit because of all the mess in my personal life. I’m definitely thinking about picking it up again… I’m glad you’re making other people aware of this! :D
i’m proud of u, babe :D
Good on u :)
What is it about early mornings that make people contemplate? I was doing the same thing at 4am wondering where my life is going hehe
hey sou
gr8 description it was like screenshots :)
and gr8 to get a purpose,, greater to seek for it ,, make a difference ! if u cant,, MAKE A LITTLE DIFFERENCE ,, it ll lead to bigger one,, but u gotta b different in ur making too,, i mean ,, for sure people tried so b4,, if u got a different experience thn others and got other small changing plans u ll feel really doing smthng ! it ll reflect faster
awl mara ashoof el video da,, its gr8 !
I just came across your blog by accident. This is such a fantastic post that I’m sure I’ll be stopping by more often.:D
lol sorry about the wrong address thingy, I do clever stuff like that all the time.
thx for the visit :)
I love how you descirbe things ya Sou, and I think this is an admirable thing to do.. Thanks for making me think things could be a lot better and for making me look at the full side of the glass. :D
Wonderful Sou, you are really admirable.
:heart: luv ya sis :heart:
you’re a great person :heart:
:O whoaa.
O: Thanks so much for the support! :) I’ll try writing more posts like these. Silence is no longer an option.
Will definitely count you in :)
Pinky: I really wish I were in Egypt too so that I could help out, other than that, mesh 3ayza akoun fi Cairo ;p Hopefully, we’ll think of something to do and IMPLEMENT it!
Juka: Definitely will!! Thanks so much for offering to help!
Ling: You should! Pick up where you left, make other aware as well. So glad you’re making a difference :)
Susu: Thanks hun. :)
Shy: It’s the tranquility and the fact that there’s nobody to obstruct your stream of thought.
Mounir: El video dah begad assar feya, I’ll put up more, bas lel asaf they aren’t in Arabic :( Bas same impact. And you’re right, a little difference, makes a HUGE impact.
Ravine: Thanks so much :) I checked out your blog and I’m hooked, seriously!
Sarah: Your welcome :) Glad that this post meant something to you; hopefully it’ll inspire you to do something too :) :)
Aquarius: Thank you :blush:
Blasha: Thanks :)
Almond: Haha, I know. Who knew that contemplating life at 5:30 could do that?!
Thank you for the post! Very informative! It’s nice to see someone blogging about something meaningful and not just about the latest celebrity stint in rehab or jail. Thanks for building awareness on an issue as important as poverty! I checked out their website and will probably get involved in it! Kudos to you!
Not sure if you know but the results are in! Over 38.8 million people, in 110 countries have broken the Guinness World Record – set last year at 23.5 million - for the largest number of people to “STAND UP AGAINST POVERTY� in 24 hours.