SAVE THE DATE - SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2007
"The Journey of Forgiveness: Destination Peace"
Intensive All-Day Workshop in San Diego 
Coinciding with Easter's celebration of Release and Transformation 
Learn and apply the same practical steps to freedom Azim used to forgive the murderer of his son

For my February newsletter, I offer a brief snippet from my upcoming book "From Forgiveness to Fulfillment," regarding our society's major challenge: to revolutionize our social infrastructure.

We Americans have developed an incredible nation in 230 short years, and as a naturalized American, I am very proud to pledge to uphold America's values and commit to diligently serve my country and its people. Our free-market, democratic, economic model is the best in the world. We are by far the wealthiest and the most successful nation on the planet, and we enjoy freedom broadly and daily. One of the things I love most about our country is that it epitomizes hope!

However, when compared to our economic or technology model, our social model is pathetic. There are a myriad of social illnesses that plague our country: homelessness, child slavery, teen prostitution, kids joining gangs, kids killing kids, children without health insurance, the plight of our inner cities, domestic violence, etc. I often question why we can't build a social model that rivals our economic and technological platform. Maybe that should be our main focus in this millennium: to revolutionize our social infrastructure.

Since I lost my son Tariq to a gang-related murder, I have focused 80 percent of my activities towards social change for our children and adults. There is a huge need to reinvent the social infrastructure of our society; we desperately need successful entrepreneurs and professionals to lead and get engaged in this important effort. Are you one of them? For this reason, I see my shift from an investment banker to social change agent as a step-up in my career.

My life totally changed as a result of losing my son. Sometimes tragedies destroy you, and sometimes they make you a better person. In my case, I thank the good Lord and my mother (who had a profound impact on my spiritual life) that I had the eyes to transcend the negative and arrive at a positive place by choosing forgiveness.

I sometimes wonder what my life would have been like if I had gone the other way. I am a passionate person, and I know I could have done a lot of harm had I chosen retribution and revenge ... to myself, to my son's spirit and to my family. I surely would not be writing my second book. I surely would have missed all the good that has come into my life. It came about because of forgiveness. Forgiveness is about a gift you give yourself and others; it is about fulfillment and living a life of purpose and meaning. And I believe if everyone had this, our society and its infrastructure would indeed shift to create a truly great society.

Special Note: Azim will be part of the Art of Living Foundation's "Heroes of Humanity" Event, February 17, 3-5:30 pm at the UCSD campus. For more information, click here.