Masks, Mindsets & Missed Opportunities

Instead of masking our flaws with pomp and pretense, let us reimagine them as the raw material for self-growth

• Life will not slow down for you. It will not hand you meaning on a silver platter. You must create that meaning, moment by moment, decision by decision

Nisar Banbhan

There are people who insist on living life on their own terms—on principles not negotiated in the public squares of validation, but forged in the crucible of inner truth. For such people, the path is rarely easy. They are often compelled to endure solitude, emotional stress, the absence of convivial company, and the strain of tireless hard work—all while navigating their journey in quiet resistance against conformity.

But these discomforts, daunting as they may seem, are temporary for those who possess the stamina of patience and the vision of delayed gratification. The cost of authenticity is not light, yet the reward is profound: an unshackled life lived without pretension or dependence on external affirmation.

It is human nature to romanticize the lives of others—imagining them adorned with joy, untouched by hardship. Yet such assumptions are often born of illusion. The smiles we see are frequently masks. The calm demeanour, a learned performance. In a society like ours, especially in places shaped by rigid social norms such as Pakistan, the ability to wear masks is not merely a choice—it becomes a necessity, a defense mechanism woven into the fabric of survival.

But is it not tragic to live in such a way? To go through life veiling our insecurities with borrowed beliefs, blind rituals, sycophantic tendencies, and an exaggerated sense of belonging to tribe, caste, or political faith? When a society demands masks, true identity becomes rebellion.

Instead of masking our flaws with pomp and pretense, let us reimagine them as the raw material for self-growth. Rather than hiding behind loud expressions of faith, false praise, or the herd logic of opportunism, we must cultivate our inner terrain. The path to personal evolution demands silence, discipline, and courage. It requires us to read rather than repost, to learn rather than blindly agree, and to unlearn the impulse to mimic the crowd.

If your idea of progress is tethered to mocking others, rejoicing in their failures, or belittling their dreams, you are spiritually and mentally stagnating. Growth cannot occur in an environment of negativity, and most importantly, cannot occur among people who are misaligned with your values. To walk forward, you must sometimes walk alone.

Most of our life’s derailments originate from walking with people who are not ‘mind fellows’—those whose thoughts never ascend beyond gossip, complaint, or local prejudice. These are the people who, clad in emotional armor, become agents of conformity. Should you ever feel tempted to turn back to them in moments of exhaustion, ensure you’re prepared with a fresh set of masks—for that’s the only currency they accept!

The Epidemic of Stagnation

On both personal and national levels, our downfall lies not in a lack of resources, but in our obstinate refusal to evolve. We boast endlessly but contribute little. Our conversations are full of anecdotes and hollow promises. Meanwhile, we seek salvation in the sermons of pseudo-intellectuals who parrot out-of-context quotations from foreign texts or reduce spiritual teachings to commercial enterprises.

No motivational speaker can transform your life. No spiritual amulet will unlock your destiny. The alchemy of change is a solitary craft—only you hold the hammer and anvil.

Real Change Begins in the Mirror

Let us begin with something simple, even symbolic. Change your profile photo—not to your favorite cricketer or politician, but to your own face. This is your identity. Stop glorifying tribal titles, ancestral villages, or inherited affiliations in your name. Use your real name—the one that marks you as an individual, not as a representative of a herd.

Pledge today to respect time. Wake up and greet the morning with purpose—not with half-opened eyes scrolling for “likes” or seeking validation in “Mashallah” comments. Bathe, breathe, and walk— even if only for a kilometer. Let the day begin with clarity, not clutter.

Practice your faith through sincerity, not condemnation. Rather than labeling others as outsiders to your belief system, strive to embody even a fraction of what your faith teaches.

Invest in a skill instead of a lottery. Join no WhatsApp scheme promising magical returns. Learn video editing, SEO, graphic design—anything that places you on the map of digital relevance. And above all, refine your English if you wish to earn through global platforms. None of these are out of reach. If you think they won’t make a difference, treat the process as a two-week experiment. If your mindset doesn’t shift, feel free to unfollow this philosophy and return to your comfort zone. But you may be surprised.

You Are the Company You Keep

If your circle includes individuals with no clear purpose, then your purpose must become either to leave them behind or to refocus on your own growth—even if it means walking alone.

Ever wondered why most people around us are not successful? Why so many struggle, despite potential? The answer often lies in a mental prison, passed down generationally. Parents, society, and culture silently inject fears, insecurities, and prejudices into the child’s mind—until the child no longer sees life through a personal lens, but through inherited distortions.

To live differently, one must think differently. And to think differently, one must learn differently.

Between Appearances and Peace

Some people burn their entire lives in the fire of appearances—earning just to uphold family pride, to sustain superficial status, to outshine cousins at weddings. In the process, they abandon their own desires. Others, however, become successful because they flee from such illusion, and craft a quiet space—a personal sanctuary where they savor life without fanfare.

If you’ve been granted the privilege of this short life, strive to live it authentically. Wear no mask to the grave.

Noise, Narratives, and National Disillusionment

I have consciously distanced myself from media sensationalism. Especially from the cacophony of YouTubers and Facebook ‘anchors’ whose content is often a tragic parody of journalism. Even Indian media, in its present avatar, seems to be locked in a race to the bottom—its anchor-chiefs appearing less like journalists and more like courtroom jesters flinging slurs as currency for views.

It’s not just disturbing; it’s a reminder. A reminder of what happens when reason, ethics, and empathy are stripped from public discourse. The result is a nation of noise—not dialogue.

Lessons from the Road

Travel, read, reflect. Live as a lifelong student. Let every chapter of life be an education. If you are fortunate enough to know your passion in your teens or early twenties, count yourself blessed. For most, dreams arrive late—when the paths have grown narrow, and the stamina for rebellion is spent.

If you’re between 18 and 25, this is your prime—your edge. In this window, you are your own competitor. Sacrifice comfort now to chase what is meaningful. Let your talents fuel your future. Focus. Intensely.

Life will not slow down for you. It will not hand you meaning on a silver platter. You must create that meaning, moment by moment, decision by decision. Refuse to be a passive participant in your own story. Drop the mask. Step out of the mental cage. Speak less, do more. And remember: no one is coming to save you. You must become your own savior.

Because four days are all you have. Make them count—for yourself, and for a life that leaves behind light, not noise.

Read- Silent Cataclysm: A Sound We Cannot Hear

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Hailing from Village Mir Muhammad Banbhan, Taluka Mirwah, District Khapurpur and based in Karachi, the capital of Sindh, Nisar Banbhan is a seasoned professional with nearly 25 years of multifaceted experience, encompassing 3 years in journalism and over two decades of service in a public sector organization. His extensive expertise spans content creation, scriptwriting, screenwriting, lyrics, poetry, and storytelling across multiple languages, including Sindhi, Urdu, and English. Nisar has honed his skills in writing articles, columns, and short stories, contributing to various national and regional media outlets. Additionally, he brings a deep understanding of program development, educational advocacy, and strategic planning, having led initiatives that promote quality education and foster community empowerment. His passion for literature and education merges seamlessly, enabling him to craft impactful narratives that resonate with diverse audiences while driving meaningful change in society.