The power of social media journalists

Posted in Current Events by

The marital dispute involving Zahnita, a former Malaysian model, has recently come to light. After 20 years of marriage, she filed a police report for domestic violence, leading to her husband being detained by the authorities. What saddens me is how popular news portals and social media platforms have chosen to frame the narrative. While it’s understandable that sensational stories drive engagement and shares online, I believe more could be done to educate the public about the broader issues surrounding this case. Better still, they should leave out the children from this. We’ve all been teenagers. We’ve been in that stage of life where we think we know everything. Yet, we should be able to realize that whatever we knew as teenagers was far from the reality of things once we reach adulthood.

For example;

  • A focus on what entails domestic violence (DV). DV is not just physical assaults. Sexual, psychological and financial are also part of DV. However, the public needs to know the criteria of circumstances that qualify for their situations to be perceived as DV. Then, show them the way to how they could get help.
  • Explain what Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is from a medical professional point of view. It’s better than having netizens sharing their opinions on what NPD is based on ChatGPT and then passing it off as their own thoughts. I used to have an opinion of what Personality Disorder is. However, once I learned properly about it, I noted that it was not necessarily Kevin Wendell (from SPLIT). You would need a medical professional trained in Psychiatry to assess and confirm the diagnosis.
  • Single parents and survival strategies.
  • Family counselling therapies. It’s benefits and information about facilities that provide them. People tend to think that counselling is just ‘talking about your problems’. Counselling is a transformative journey of self-discovery and healing, where compassion meets guidance to empower individuals to navigate life’s challenges and embrace their fullest potential.

Instead, we find ourselves reading a teenager’s claim that “nothing happened,” with some people readily accepting her words. In reality, abuse often occurs behind closed doors but can also manifest publicly, including through the psychological torment inflicted via social media. Disagreements in a marriage happen, but to abuse is to betray the very foundation of love and trust that a partnership is built upon.

And now we are talking about pie recipes? Seriously?

My all time insights on WordPress

Posted in Good Things by

I had a good year with my blog in 2024. It has yet to reach 1K views per month but I am pleased with the statistics. Of course, big-time bloggers or influencers have way more readers per month. They worked hard to get their numbers by crafting beautiful posts and jumping on trends with their unique online presence. It is something that I plan on learning for this coming year. Writing in better sentences and capturing beautiful photos.

Wish me luck in 2025.

Some songs are just meant to be hits

Posted in Good Things by

Some songs need to be listened to a few times for someone to like them. Some songs just hooked me in the moment I heard them for the first time. The current hit by Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga has that effect on me. I clicked on the song on my Spotify list of new releases and loved it the first time. As in any English song, the lyrics are not flowery. Yet they capture the meaning of love and devotion so well that makes listeners being able to relate to that feeling.

Professionalism and Adab

Posted in All in a days work by

Professionalism

Professionalism encompasses a set of behaviours, attitudes, and values expected in a professional environment. It involves a commitment to excellence, ethical practices, accountability, and respect for others. Professionals demonstrate integrity, reliability, and a strong work ethic, which are vital for fostering trust with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders. Moreover, professionalism often involves adhering to industry standards and continuously improving one’s skills and knowledge.

The Concept of ‘Adab’

In many cultures, particularly within the Islamic tradition, the term ‘adab’ refers to a code of conduct and etiquette that embodies respect, politeness, and good manners. It extends beyond mere social niceties and encompasses ethical behaviour and moral responsibility. ‘Adab’ encourages individuals to act with dignity, show kindness, and maintain a sense of decorum in their interactions with others.

The Intersection of Professionalism and ‘Adab’

The principles of professionalism and ‘adab’ intersect significantly, as both emphasise respect and ethical behaviour:

  1. Respect for Others: Both concepts advocate for treating others with respect. In a professional setting, this means valuing colleagues’ opinions, being considerate of their time, and fostering a collaborative environment.
  2. Integrity and Accountability: Professionalism calls for honesty and accountability, which aligns with the ethical underpinnings of ‘adab’. Upholding one’s commitments and being transparent in actions are essential in both realms.
  3. Continuous Improvement: Professionalism advocates ongoing development and professional growth. ‘Adab’ also encourages individuals to seek knowledge and refine their skills, recognizing that personal development enhances one’s conduct.
  4. Positive Communication: Clear and respectful communication is pivotal in both professionalism and ‘adab’. This involves active listening and responding thoughtfully, contributing to a constructive atmosphere.

Recently I got to witness how professionalism was literally thrown out of the window.

  • A calculative job transfer without the knowledge of the superior at the workplace. To pull that off, you would need high-ranking connections. While it is stealthy, I do not consider it a genius move. Instead, as a future employer, I would be very careful because these are people who will abandon ship when the going gets tough. I feel that despite the troubles you had at the workplace, you should always leave with dignity. It’s fine to trample over a work colleague, leaving behind tasks that are not passover and all, but the nerve to not inform your superior is something I cannot brain. Quitting gives off a different vibe. People would actually sympathise with you but to apply for a transfer on a different platform without the knowledge of others? It brings on a different feeling altogether.
  • Playing down on the issue by mouthing other people’s transfers who applied it through appropriate channels.
  • Dragging down other colleagues who knew about the transfer. Making them look like an accomplice to a career suicide. Now, it is hard to not see them in a positive light.
  • Thanks to this employment move, we are expecting the boss to be pissed off for the whole year.