DREAM WITHIN A DREAM
Why must we try to shape every dream? This is a story of something I did that I’m not proud of. The quest for a civilized society is a timeless and noble aspiration that has been pursued by individuals, communities, and nations throughout history. While the vision of a civilized society may vary among individuals, cultures, and societies, there are some common themes and ideals that often characterize such a dream. Walking through the streets of this seemingly civilized society was an unexpected journey filled with unpleasant surprises.
As I strolled towards the office, my day took an unfortunate turn when, out of nowhere, someone decided to throw garbage over the wall. The repulsive waste not only spoiled my clothes but also robbed me of the pristine office attire I had meticulously chosen for the day. To salvage the situation and make it to the office on time, I rushed towards my garage to travel by fast-speed car. However, my journey was marred first as my gate was blocked by someone who parked car at my gate without even putting a contact number on car dashboard which most of civilities do, then by the chaotic and erratic traffic that plagued the streets.
Traffic jams seemed to appear out of thin air, hindering my progress and adding to the frustration of the morning. As I approached the office building, the challenges persisted. I had to navigate through the bustling streets, but someone jumped the row at the entrance gate where the lack of adherence to basic civility became even more apparent. The sight of people casually disregarding the norms of a civilized society was disheartening. Upon finally reaching the office premises, I found myself stuck at the bank counter, surrounded by individuals who showed a blatant disregard for the concept of waiting in queues. Witnessing people brazenly jumping ahead in line highlighted a stark absence of basic courtesy and order.
Join me in uncovering this eye-opening moment, four R’s of civilized Societies. Rights, Responsibilities, Rules of Law, and Respect for others Rights. It’s a journey through empathy, understanding, and the pitfalls of the human mind that we all fall prey to almost in our daily routines. People who don’t give their seats in buses to elderly, pregnant and/or disabled. I also find it very annoying for women who do not give their seats to men who are carrying babies, disabled or small children or who leave pets, cows’ domestic animals in the streets either unattended, get really “hyper,” or ignore you when you ask them to please clean.
The juxtaposition of the beauty of pristine blue water of our water bodies like Dal or Nigin lake with the floating debris of empty cans, plastics and broken seats after watching a music event at Ghantaghar paints a vivid picture of environmental disregard. The image of unextinguished streetlights with reachable switches during the day on the way to the nearby mosque suggests a neglect of energy conservation, symbolizing an inefficiency that can be seen as uncivilized in the face of modern environmental concerns. The passenger buses with foam cut from seats and stolen ceramics from hospital washrooms points to a disregard for public property and the importance of communal spaces.
Same goes to people who throw garbage in the streets and public spaces. People who spit or cough in public while seated beside If you really must, cover your mouth and say sorry afterwards, disrespect women and older people while standing at queues, our parking etiquettes at parking places, such actions not only reflect a lack of civic responsibility but also contribute to the degradation of shared resources amidst a lack of respect for public spaces. The incidents of garbage throwing, chaotic traffic, and queue-jumping collectively painted a picture of a community struggling to uphold the fundamental values that define a civilized way of life. Amid these experiences, the question lingered: Where is the semblance of a civilized society?
While seeking interpretation or analysis of your dream, not all heroes wear capes, it’s important to consider the specific portrait and emotions involved. Everyday acts of kindness, such as holding the door open for someone, offering a helping hand, or simply being polite and considerate; contribute to a positive and civil environment. Absolutely, highlighting some wonderful examples of the positive and compassionate aspects of our society when numerous individuals, and NGO,s often volunteer their time and skills to help those in need, during fire or floods like emergencies whether it’s due to illness, loss of property in natural disasters or other humanitarian crises or other challenges we felt our people especially youth often rally together to provide assistance and support to those affected . Appreciation for different cultures and the celebration of diversity help foster understanding and tolerance within societies. It is important to acknowledge and appreciate these positive aspects of civilization too, as they demonstrate the kindness, empathy, and generosity that exist within our societies, even working towards preserving the environment, engaging in activities such as tree planting, wildlife conservation, and promoting sustainable practices.
Awakening the Soul
Dreams often tap into our subconscious and can provide insights into our thoughts and feelings on sharing these concerns on the Senior Citizens WhatsApp group, named “Classroom of Lessons, there’s an important lesson here for those who listen. In essence, your narrative brings attention to the need for greater awareness and responsible behaviour in public spaces, reminding us that the true measure of civilization lies not just in our ability to enjoy cultural events but also in our respect for the environment and shared resources that make those events possible.
As individuals, families, communities, and nations, we have been bestowed with certain powers. These powers fall into categories of “Physical Power”, “Intellectual Power”, and “Spiritual Power. When dreams are aspirations, turning them into reality can be life changing. Such dreams not only change our lives but also change us as a person loosely termed “civilized.’ The hope for a more orderly and considerate society felt distant as I reflected on the morning’s tumultuous journey, a mix of thoughts and imagery, including the idea that dreams about an idealized or civilized society can reflect our hopes and concerns. The mention of a bridge being too far and the urgency of morning dawn not waiting here may suggest a sense of distance or a need to act quickly.
To me civilized means living in balance with the environment and taking care of the people in your society where “Civilian character is the silent melody of the heart, resonating with kindness and integrity, creating a symphony of one’s moral and ethical sharing and caring attributes, rights and rituals, traditions and civility which, being “silent,” implies that genuine character is often expressed through actions rather than words”. By incorporating the Three Rs principles which commonly stand for Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle are part of broader efforts toward environmental stewardship, involves being mindful of resource use, energy consumption, and overall material consumption and waste management, individuals and societies can minimize their environmental impact which is a crucial aspect of building a civilized society.
The concept of a “civilized society” in your quest for creating a one beyond politics, and powerful corridors can be subjective and varies based on individual perspectives, observations and personal values. Put differently: Which human qualities and choices lead to ‘civilized’ behaviour — and why do we often reject them, and instead embrace qualities and choices that encourage awful ‘uncivilized’ behavior.
(Author besides being a medical doctor is very active in positive perception management of various moral and social issues. He can be reached at [email protected] & twitter @drfiazfazil)
