Mariyam Mohamed

The side the world sees is the confident woman I have built over the years, but like every human being, I carry moments of doubt, fear, and imperfection. I am not the best at everything, yet I give my all to whatever I do. Mistakes happen, but each one shapes me and molds my future experiences. On days when giving up feels easier, I remind myself of a simple mantra:   No one is perfect. Life is not always roses and butterflies—it is often the thorns that wake us up, push us to change, and force us to grow. These are the very moments that build resilience. And even when fear knocks at the door, I remind myself that God is watching over me. That sense of trust gives me the courage to take the next step forward. Recently, as I sat among inspiring women at the  MOMS NGO Event: Women Leading the Future 2025 , I was reminded of the power of shared stories. Each woman on stage carried not just achievements but also struggles, scars, and lessons that shaped who they are today. Their w...

I remember the day I went for a walk with my cousins near the jetty, which is now the swimming track. As children, we often played by pushing each other, laughing without a second thought. On that day, I nudged my cousin near the edge, not realising the possible consequences. An adult quickly told me, “Never do that again.” I obeyed, but I didn’t understand why. No reason was given. It was only years later, as I reflected, that I realised how dangerous that moment was. It could have turned into a fatal accident. This reflection made me think about a common gap in how we guide children: we often tell them what not to do without explaining why . The Psychology Behind Giving Reasons Research in developmental psychology shows that children learn best through explanatory guidance . This approach, known as inductive discipline , helps them understand the cause-and-effect relationship between their actions and outcomes. When adults give commands without explanations—“Don’t do that” or “Sto...

Twenty years ago, around this very month, preparations were underway for a new chapter—one filled with hope, dreams, and the promise of forever. At the time, it felt like the beginning of something lasting, something sacred. Marriage became a second nature, woven into daily life and identity. Now, nearly two decades later, that chapter has come to a close. It is not just the end of a relationship, but the quiet transformation of everything familiar. As time unfolds, some lessons arrive later—offering clarity only after the pain has already been felt. Divorce, for many, is not merely a legal separation. It is an emotional storm that tests one's strength, reshapes identity, and often brings people to their knees before lifting them up again. The Psychological Impact: Reconstructing Identity From a psychological perspective, the end of a long-term relationship triggers a major shift in one’s sense of self. When someone has lived almost half their life within the framework of a marriag...

Last night, a simple act of kindness reminded me of the kind of world we once lived in—or perhaps, the kind of world we still hope for. I had parked my bike and returned to find that someone had carelessly placed a GN motorbike right on top of my handle. On the other side, an Airblade was so tightly parked that I could not  move either vehicle. I stood there, struggling. I was in pain due to a hand injury, unable to lift or shift the bikes. I looked around, hoping someone would notice. I even asked one person, but they ignored me. My daughter, standing beside me, said,  “Don’t ask strangers for help, let me try.”   I told her it was too heavy. We stood there, waiting. Countless people walked past. They saw me struggle, but no one stopped. No one even smiled. Then, just as I was about to give up, someone in a WAMCO uniform approached and helped without hesitation. He smiled, gently moved the bike, and went on his way. I did not catch his name, but his face—humble, kin...