Mariyam Mohamed

  The Person Behind the Masterpiece As I entered the immersive Vincent van Gogh experience in Singapore, I expected to admire beautiful paintings. Instead, I found myself reflecting on the life of the man behind them. Today, Van Gogh is celebrated as one of the greatest artists in history. His bold colours, expressive brushstrokes and masterpieces such as The Starry Night continue to inspire millions across the world. Yet, what struck me most was not his paintings but his journey. He lived through poverty, rejection, loneliness and emotional struggles. He depended greatly on his brother Theo's support and never truly experienced the recognition we now associate with his name. It made me pause and ask myself a simple but profound question: how does someone who struggled so much during his lifetime become one of the most admired artists generations later? The answer isn't simple, but it reminded me that the value of our work and the timing of its recognition are not always the s...

  As I sit here today reflecting on life, I find myself returning to one thought: beneath everything we acquire and become, we begin as equals. This may be a concept some disagree with because much of the world measures people through material success, education, profession, appearance, family background, influence, and social position. Yet I have always wondered: if these things determine our worth, why do we enter this world possessing none of them? We arrive without wealth, qualifications, status or even a piece of clothing belonging to us. We are completely dependent on another human being for survival. At the end of life, there is another stripping away. The possessions remain behind, positions are filled by others, and eventually even the body through which we experienced life returns to the earth. Somewhere between our arrival and departure, however, we create an entire system of labels and begin using them to decide who matters more. From my perspective, Allah created us wi...

This morning, I found myself sitting in silence, listening to my morning fortune tune. As the music played, I closed my eyes and felt as though I had been transported into the heart of a forest. I could hear birds singing in the distance, the gentle dripping of water, and the rhythmic sound of waves meeting the shore. It was one of those rare moments when the outside world disappeared, and all that remained was stillness. In that stillness, a thought entered my mind so quietly that it almost whispered. I came into this world with nothing. And one day, I will leave this world with nothing. For a few moments, I simply sat with those words. They carried a strange sense of peace, yet they also challenged something deep inside me. If I own nothing in the beginning and nothing in the end, then why do I spend so much of my life wanting? Why do I sometimes feel hurt when people do not give me the attention I hoped for? Why do I become attached to relationships, achievements, recognition, or ev...

  "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...

  "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...

  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...