A mirror reflecting what truly we see.

So I offer this poem, a stark, honest gaze,

Let's see if it vanishes in management's haze.

"What Keeps Me Going?" – Oh, the brilliant new scheme!

A corporate balm, a motivational dream.

When budgets are tight, and the coffers are bare,

A "space to share feelings" floats right through the air!

They talk of "well-being," of "purpose" and "pride,"

While our wallets are shrinking, nowhere to hide.

For the shambolic decisions of bygone days.

While the "funds" which we raised evaporated, you see.

"You can leave if it's difficult," a kind voice once said,

A benevolent whisper inside of my head.

But what truly keeps me? The bills piling high,

The dread in my stomach, the tear in my eye.

So let's share our "wins," our small team's brave fight,

As the ship slowly sinks, but the PowerPoint's bright.

"What Keeps Me Going?" – the irony stings,

It's the need for a paycheck, and not these grand things.

For me, a 'quick fix' when I am having one-of-those-days when nothing seems to be going 'right', and I feel like I don't have the energy to deal with things is: I snooze! Literally get into my blanket and take a nap, some times for hours--create my own cocoon. When I wake up, of course things haven't changed probably, but I feel recharged and more able to handle things/circumstances.

She didn’t know I worked for the British Council. Listening to her speak so passionately about the impact and the goodwill the British Council had earned was a humbling and affirming moment for me. It reminded me that our work travels far beyond our screens and meeting rooms. It reaches classrooms, communities, and futures. That story added to what keeps me going on tough days. It reminds me that even when we don’t see the results immediately, the seeds we plant grow often in invisible ways.

Our work matters more than we know.

By the way, the picture I uploaded is my daughter Mirha, she also keeps me going on tough days.

and miles to go before I sleep...

This keeps me going, this reminder to myself. I am a mother, and my son needs me until he finds a firm footing - he is able to support himself emotionally and financially. I must do everything I can to meet his educational expenses.

I have a husband who is suffering from end-stage kidney disease. I promised to be with him through sickness and health. he needs me now more than ever. I have to be there for him.

when I look at their faces I know it. I have to keep going.

بوڑھوں کی شفقت

نوجوان کا علم و ہنر

اساتذہ کی تعلیم و تربیت اور

سب سے بڑھ کر انسانیت کے لئے درد دل

ہی ایسی چیز ہے

جو مجھے آگے بڑھتے رہنے کا درس دیتی ہے

اگرچہ کے دنیا کی بڑھتی ماحولیاتی آلودگی اور

روز بروز کی سماجی دوری

جو دنیا کو صرف مایوسی میں دھکیل رہی ہے

ایسے میں کچھ عظیم درد دل رکھنے والے انسان

جو کہ سماجی برابری کہ لئے جدوجہد کرتے ہیں

اور پسماندہ طبقات کو آگے لانے کا جتن کرتے ہیں

یہی وہ لوگ ہیں جو آج کے لا ينحل مسائل حل کرنے اور انسانی زندگی کا رخ بدلنے کی قوت رکھتے ہیں

ان کا ساتھ دینے کی خواہش ہی مجھے زندگی میں آگے بڑھنے دیتی ہے۔

نعيم سعيد 22 مئی 2025 راولپنڈی

Compassion of the elderly

Knowledge and skills of youth

Valuable education provided by teachers

and above all else

Our compassion for humanity

is the thing

that provides a lesson of life

to keep going

Although there is increasing environmental pollution and

ever increasing polarization in the world

which is pushing the world again into the dark ages

There are people who are compassionate for mankind and keep striving for the downtrodden.

These are the people

who possess the ability to solve all today's problems and changing our destinies.

My desire to supporting these Bravehearts is the thing that keeps me going.

A mirror reflecting what truly we see.

So I offer this poem, a stark, honest gaze,

Let's see if it vanishes in management's haze.

"What Keeps Me Going?" – Oh, the brilliant new scheme!

A corporate balm, a motivational dream.

When budgets are tight, and the coffers are bare,

A "space to share feelings" floats right through the air!

They talk of "well-being," of "purpose" and "pride,"

While our wallets are shrinking, nowhere to hide.

For the shambolic decisions of bygone days.

While the "funds" which we raised evaporated, you see.

"You can leave if it's difficult," a kind voice once said,

A benevolent whisper inside of my head.

But what truly keeps me? The bills piling high,

The dread in my stomach, the tear in my eye.

So let's share our "wins," our small team's brave fight,

As the ship slowly sinks, but the PowerPoint's bright.

"What Keeps Me Going?" – the irony stings,

It's the need for a paycheck, and not these grand things.

Tennis is where I find my rhythm. On the court, every serve, every rally, every point is a chance to reset — to fight, to focus, to grow. It teaches me resilience, patience, and the beauty of starting over with every game. It’s more than a sport; it’s a metaphor for life.

And then there’s hope — the quiet, persistent belief that good days are not just behind us, but ahead too. That no matter how long the night, the sun always rises. I hold onto that hope, tightly, because it reminds me that even in the hardest seasons, joy can return.

These three — family, tennis, and hope — are what keep me going. They remind me that I’m stronger than I think, and that the best is yet to come.

This passion began at a prestigious institute where I met inspiring teachers from Spain and Latin America who made learning a beautiful mix of language and culture. Even after switching to online learning due to personal commitments, my motivation hasn’t faded.

What truly uplifts me is when Spanish-speaking visitors occasionally come to the Council. Being able to connect with them in their language fills me with pride, and seeing their faces light up with a smile makes it all the more rewarding. It’s these small, meaningful interactions that keep me motivated, curious, and connected.

What Keeps Me Going: A Journey Fuelled by Purpose, Passion, and Possibility

Every morning, I wake with a sense of direction—not always crystal clear, but steady and insistent. It’s a quiet voice that reminds me why I do what I do. That voice is rooted in Ikigai—a beautiful Japanese concept meaning “a reason for being.” It lies at the intersection of what I love, what I’m good at, what the world needs, and what I can be rewarded for.

When these elements align, something powerful happens. I find a deeper motivation—one that extends beyond ambition. It keeps me grounded and gives me room to dream, especially when the road ahead is uncertain.

What I Love

I love to create, to solve, to challenge the status quo. I’m endlessly curious about how things work—and more importantly, how they could work better. That curiosity is not idle; it’s active and relentless. It pushes me to ask hard questions, design bold solutions, and imagine new possibilities.

There’s a unique joy I find in building—whether it’s a process, a product, or a fresh idea. That creative spark carries me through long hours, slow progress, and moments of doubt. It’s not just what I love—it’s what sustains me.

What I’m Good At

Over time, I’ve developed the ability to navigate uncertainty with composure and clarity. I connect dots others might miss. Whether through structured problem solving, data driven thinking, or deep listening, I’ve built a skill set that helps me innovate with intent—even when the outcome isn’t fully known.

One of the clearest examples of this was during the COVID19 pandemic. Like many, I found myself in unfamiliar territory: priorities shifted overnight, timelines vanished, and decisions had to be made with limited information. Rather than freeze, I took it one day at a time. Each morning, I asked myself a simple question: What can I contribute today that moves us forward, even a little?

Some days, that meant designing a new process that brought clarity to chaos. Other days, it meant simply listening—really listening—to colleagues overwhelmed by uncertainty. I also made a habit of sharing thoughts and ideas, even when I wasn’t sure they were fully formed. Some were adopted. Others weren’t. But I learned that the act of sharing mattered more than the outcome. It invited collaboration, sparked better solutions, and kept the energy flowing when momentum felt hard to find.

That experience taught me that progress is rarely linear—and clarity often comes after action, not before. Moving forward, however imperfectly, is sometimes the most courageous thing you can do.

What the World Needs

The world is full of gaps—inefficiencies, inequities, missed opportunities. But within those gaps lie the seeds of meaningful change.

What the world needs is not just more ideas, but thoughtful, sustainable, human centered solutions. It needs people who care not only about what they build, but why they build it. That’s where I feel most called—not to chase trends, but to solve real problems with long term value.

Whether it’s improving a system, automating a process, or rethinking how we engage with technology, I want to help shape a future that is smarter, fairer, and more humane.

What I Can Be Rewarded For

While recognition isn’t my primary driver, it plays a role—it validates the journey, supports reinvestment, and fuels continued growth.

In that spirit, one of my long-term goals is to earn at least two patents within the next decade. Not for ego, but because each patent would represent something meaningful: a breakthrough worth protecting, scaling, and sharing.

To me, a patent is more than a certificate. It’s a symbol of persistence, originality, and usefulness. It’s proof that I dared to imagine—and followed through.

 Why It All Matters

At the heart of everything I do is a simple belief: we can leave the world better than we found it.

I want to build things that matter—tools, systems, ideas—that make someone’s life easier, more just, or more inspired. And I understand that lasting impact rarely comes without resistance. It takes grit, agility, and the willingness to move forward through ambiguity.

That’s why I try to contribute daily, even if the impact isn’t always immediate or visible. I’ve learned to keep showing up, to keep sharing—because each idea, each effort, each conversation is a step forward. Not every step will be a breakthrough. But taken together, they build momentum. They build meaning.

My Ikigai isn’t a finish line. It’s a living compass—always evolving, always guiding. Some days the progress is slow. Some ideas don’t land. But the vision remains: to innovate with integrity, create with compassion, and leave behind something that speaks louder than words.

That’s what keeps me going.

I find joy in life's simple pleasures - listening to a favourite song, taking a peaceful walk in the park surrounded by nature, enjoying a delicious treat or unwinding with a nice movie or book.

Making time for yourself is hard but essential. Even 5 quiet minutes to pause, disconnect and breathe can help refresh your mind. A short walk, a warm cup of tea a power nap or sharing a quick laugh or a moment of connection with a friend or colleague also helps. My faith in higher power gives me a sense of relief that not everything is mine to control and that there is a greater force at work guiding the bigger picture.

The raw excitement and anticipation, the happy meltdown she performs when I reach for the dog leash, sends the cats scattering as we head for the front door. My wife and my daughter just shake their heads like we are both a little off our rockers.

If i took her for a walk 10 times a day, she would behave the same, her crazy, simple, uncontrollable joy makes me laugh every time and reminds me and rebalances me, some can live with the simplest of joys and need very little.

We have a small yard and when I let her off the lead in the nearby vineyard, she takes off like a rocket, living her best life. It only lasts 30 minutes but both of us feel depressed if circumstances intervene and prevent the walk, it has become our thing, our time to decompress and enjoy the outdoors, the freedom even if just for a moment.

Now, she’s full of energy, endlessly playful, and radiates unconditional love. No matter how tiring the day has been, I know she’ll be there, eagerly waiting at the door when I return. Her joyful pounces, soft purrs, and mischievous antics melt away every bit of stress.

She reminds me daily of resilience, of how life can turn around with just a little love and care. Seeing her grow into a healthy, happy companion has been more than a milestone — it’s a constant source of joy and purpose.

She doesn’t just brighten my home — she brings light to my life. Payel Das Gupta, Senior Manager, English and School Education - India

2. Improving my French and

3. daily journalling (see link for a persuasive argument for journalling to improve well-being). I've kept a diary since I was a child but in the last two years, the habit stopped almost completely.

Studies show repeatedly that this (rather mundane) habit can have a significant impact on your mental health and well-being so I'm committing to answering 3 questions every day: 1. What's my priority today? 2. What am I grateful for and 3. What quality do I want to show the world today? It's an interesting exercise, and it takes a lot of discipline to pick up a pen first thing in the morning, rather than my phone!

Everyday grounding comes through prayer and meditation, quiet rituals that bring calm, clarity, and a sense of being held.

And then, there are my dogs — all 53 of them. They live on the streets of Kolkata, and I do what I can to care for them. They are chaos, love, and lifeblood. They remind me daily that purpose doesn’t always come wrapped in accolades — sometimes, it just shows up with a wagging tail. Vaccines, first aid, sterilisation - these are commonly used words in our house with the entire family chipping in to help. These are the things that keep me going. The small, steady joys. The quiet acts of love.

Jaya Budhiraja, British Council Delhi

• We suffer more in imagination than in reality.

• All cruelty springs from weakness

• Only time heals what reason cannot (possibly his most famous saying though often not completed)

  And my personal favorite is,

• As long as you live, keep learning how to live