Mariyam Mohamed

Posts

When Gratitude Brings Tears: The Beautiful Science Behind Emotional Crying

"Have you ever found yourself crying while saying 'thank you'? Perhaps someone showed you unexpected kindness, you reflected on how far you've come, or you paused to appreciate the blessings in your life—and suddenly, tears appeared. You weren't sad, yet you weren't simply happy either. You felt something much deeper." For many people, gratitude is expected to feel warm, peaceful, and joyful. Yet gratitude often comes with tears. It may happen while praying, hugging a loved one after a long separation, receiving help during a difficult time, graduating after years of hard work, or simply reflecting on life's journey. These tears can be confusing because they seem to contradict what we believe happiness should look like. The truth is that gratitude is far more than a pleasant emotion. It is one of the most complex emotional experiences the human mind can produce. It intertwines memory, emotion, relationships, survival, hope, and meaning. When all of t...

More Than Words: What Five Years as a Professional Speaker Taught Me About Speaking That Truly Connects

"People may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel." Maya Angelou The Last Seat in the Auditorium I deliberately chose the very last seat in the auditorium. There was something comforting about observing from a distance rather than being in the spotlight. As I looked toward the stage, a strange feeling washed over me. It felt familiar—as though I had experienced this exact moment before. A wave of nostalgia settled in, reminding me of the countless conferences, seminars, workshops, and speaking events I have attended over the years. Even after spending the last five years working as a professional speaker, I still enjoy being a student of great speakers. Every stage has something to teach me. Then the speakers began walking onto the stage. What surprised me was that the first thing I noticed wasn't their opening line, the title of their presentation, or even their confidence. It was their smile. Before...

The Power of Giving: Why Generosity Changes the Giver

A Moment That Changed My Perspective The other day, I sat with a business owner discussing the importance of giving back to the community. As we talked, something struck me deeply. There are still individuals who give sincerely from their hearts, expecting absolutely nothing in return. In a world where success is often measured by profit, competition, and personal gain, witnessing genuine generosity brought me an unexpected sense of relief. It reminded me that goodness still exists quietly, often unnoticed. That conversation led me to reflect on one of the most fascinating principles of human life: the power of giving. Across cultures, religions, and generations, people have observed that those who give often seem to receive something valuable in return—not necessarily money, but peace, meaningful relationships, opportunities, or inner fulfillment. Similarly, gratitude appears to have a remarkable influence on people's lives. The more people appreciate what they have, the more t...

Who Put That Thought in Your Mind?

The Invisible Psychology Behind the Words We Hear Every Day Every day we are exposed to thousands of words. We scroll through headlines, watch the news, listen to speeches, browse social media, and engage in conversations with friends and colleagues. We often assume we are simply gathering information, but psychology tells us that the human mind does much more than receive information—it interprets it, organizes it, and gradually builds a picture of reality. What is fascinating is that many of the beliefs we think are entirely our own may have been subtly shaped by the words, suggestions, and messages we encounter every day. Influence is rarely loud or obvious; more often, it is quiet, repeated, and psychologically persuasive. The Power of Suggestion One of the most remarkable aspects of human psychology is the power of suggestion. Suggestion occurs when ideas are communicated in a way that encourages us to arrive at a conclusion without being directly instructed to do so. Our br...

When the Coach Needs Coaching: A Conversation with My Inner Protector

Lately, I have been feeling butterflies in my stomach. Sometimes my palms become sweaty, my heart beats a little faster, and my body feels as though it is preparing for something important. As someone who coaches individuals on emotional regulation, trains leaders on the autonomic nervous system, studies organisational psychology, and has a deep passion for neuroscience, I know exactly what is happening inside my body. Yet knowing what is happening does not stop me from experiencing it. Instead of calling it anxiety, I have started calling it my growth phase , because every time these sensations appear, they seem to arrive just before I step into something that will help me grow. To help me understand these moments with more compassion, I gave my inner protective voice a name: Sakeena . I chose this name because I have always been inspired by the beautiful Arabic word Sakīnah (سَكِينَة), which in Islam refers to the tranquillity and peace that Allah places in the hearts of believers....

Why I Sometimes Understand Things Later — And Why That Doesn't Mean Something Is Wrong With Me

For many years, I quietly wondered if something was wrong with me. There were moments when people around me seemed to understand conversations instantly, while I needed a little more time. Someone would make a vague statement, imply something without saying it directly, or expect me to "just know" what they meant. Often, I didn't. It made me question my intelligence, my social awareness, and even my ability to connect with others. Over time, however, I discovered something important: needing clear communication is not a weakness. It is simply a different way of processing information. Reading about language, cognition, and human behaviour helped me realize that my mind is not slower—it simply works differently. I naturally rely more on what is explicitly communicated than on assumptions or hidden meanings. While many people automatically fill in missing information using context, previous experiences, cultural expectations, or emotional cues, I prefer information that i...

What the Ants Taught Me About Life, Purpose, and the Human Ego

For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by one question: Why are we on this earth? Even as a child, I would spend hours in the garden watching ants. I know it may sound unusual, but I would even talk to them, trying to understand their nature. I wasn't just watching insects—I was observing behavior. I noticed how they greeted each other as they crossed paths, how they walked in orderly lines, how they worked together, and how they overcame obstacles without giving up. I remember one particular moment when I saw a single ant move ahead, almost as if it was checking whether the path was safe. It returned, and only then did the others follow. That simple observation stayed with me because it reminded me that even the smallest creatures seem to understand cooperation, responsibility, and purpose. As I grew older, I realized that these tiny creatures were teaching me something much bigger about life. Allah created every living being with a purpose. The ants...

The Silent Dance of Attraction: What Our Body Language Reveals Before We Speak

Have you ever walked into a room and noticed that some people seem naturally drawn toward each other, even before a single meaningful conversation has taken place? As someone who spends a great deal of time observing human behavior, I often find myself scanning a room, not to judge people, but to understand the fascinating ways we communicate without words. One of the most intriguing observations is how attraction between people often begins long before they consciously acknowledge it. Sometimes two individuals may genuinely believe they are simply having a casual conversation, while their body language tells a completely different story. Their unconscious minds may already be engaged in a silent conversation that neither of them fully recognize. This is a topic that can be controversial because attraction, relationships, and gender dynamics are deeply personal subjects. Before going further, I want to make it clear that I am not writing this article to teach sexual attraction, flirtin...