Today, we care about likes and comments more than we care about our health and safety. Now, don't get me wrong. Social media is the very reason that I am able to talk to you right now. I always thought it was a blessing until I discovered the dark side of it. I used to be an extremely good student in class but it didn't last long. My parents were always happy with the grades I got. One day they decided to gift me a tablet and that's when things changed. It was the day that I lost my true identity. I was simply not myself anymore. In the beginning, I used to play a game or two which slowly turned into an hour or two. My creativity and passion was replaced with chatting and surfing. It went on until the point that I used to spend almost 14 to 18 hours in a day and sometimes it used to go upto 20 hours as well. Yes, I was an addict. My parents tried everything to help me break free from the chains of digital addiction including counselling but nothing worked. The only result was that I turned more aggressive and anxious. It wasn't until last year that I confronted reality. I was chatting on my phone while crossing the street when I met an accident and from then on everything changed in my life. I couldn't walk or eat on my own anymore. I needed help for almost everything. That single moment turned my life around. This is not just my story but every one of us who is on their phone while driving, eating or crossing the street. Our phones have become an extended part of our lives and we all are tied in the chains of social media. We all can stop this before it gets worse. These are my tips from my experience: 1. Track your usage. 2. Use your phone with a purpose. 3. Set aside time for journaling, mediation and exercise. 4. Make time for yourself and your passion. 5. Make time for face-to-face interactions. 6. Be present and live in the moment. SOCIAL MEDIA CAN BE A BLESSING OR A CURSE, THE CHOICE IS YOURS!

Listen to your heart Copyright 2018 Muyassar Sattarova Are you sure that you can catch or even more important, know when and where your true love comes up to you? Our dreams realize when we don`t expect them at all. If you are ready to get what you want, you will achieve otherwise, you will have to feel sorry about missed opportunities forever. I can`t explain you the reason, but I have always counted that one must accomplish a lot of things in life before getting married starting an independent life. The 2009th year was the most overwhelming and boring. No! There was nothing wrong with that year. On the contrary, it should have remained the most successful year in my life, as I was able to enter the University, about which I dreamt before. Everything might seem perfect, but not for me since I entered the faculty where lessons were held in not my mother tongue Uzbek, but in the Russian language. The problem was that I could hardly understand the language. Nevertheless, my high ambitions helped me survive and adapt. The only thing I cared about was the University, my homework, et cetera. Recalling my past, I must say that it was merely my homework, which changed my attitude towards life and made me write this story. I can remember everything as if it had been yesterday. Our Info-technology teacher was too strict. Nobody dreamt about an excellent mark. My groupmates would be happy even they got a satisfactory mark from her. That memorable day she gave us homework to prepare Power Point Presentation. I was so nervous as if the presentation had been supposed to solve my whole life. At last I was done. I couldn`t believe it that I had dealt with the task so easily. Not in vain! The Presentation was ready, but I failed to copy it into my CD (we used CDs at that time) despite my numbers of attempts. That time there was a second year student on duty reading a newspaper. I asked him to call one of the students who could fix the computer and found out that there were two of them; Temur and Aziz. Aziz was away at that moment, so they called Temur to help me. I had to wait for half an hour for him near the library. At last, he was descending the steps one by one hurrying. -Did you call me? –asked he reproaching. His voice and steps told that he was a noble, self-confident, kind young man. I had to look up, as he was twice as tall as I was. He was so calm! Looking at him, you might have thought that you would be able to do everything as he did his job with great care. I realized that almost two hours had passed when the library was closing. However, we had no progress. I thanked my new companion and walked away. He stopped and offered me to write the words of the slides so that he could make up a presentation for me. So I wrote. It didn`t take me much time to wait. He called me again and showed the ready, even more beautiful presentation on his laptop. I gave him my CD and he copied the homework into it. While he was fixing the computer, I noticed how polite he was with the students around. Everyone knew and greeted him. I also tell you as a secret that the girls couldn`t take their eyes off him. So, we were in the center of everyone`s attention. Later, I found out that he didn`t only study, but he was also engaged in Volunteer Work in the Youth Organization of the University. From the day of our acquaintance, I understood what the most important thing was in my life. Seeing his attention and care about others, I was ashamed of my egoism. Whenever and wherever I read that people appear in our lives either to teach us good lessons or just to be with us. I learnt his lesson very well, but I want him to be the only one who would be with me forever. I can`t explain why I love him. I may never know what he felt when he was with me once. Perhaps, our ways won`t cross. Anyway, I would love to thank him for his only existence. I suppose, you came into my life to remind me what kind of a person I was supposed to become. Please, forgive me if my pen couldn`t describe everything as it was. I hope that I will meet someone like you whom I will love as much as I loved you once, but he will love me as much as I do. Be happy, you deserve it. My dear reader! Maybe, you are astonished not knowing how to understand my story. I merely wanted to say that our heart doesn`t lie. If it guides you somewhere, then follow its will. You may mistake. However, you will either learn something new, or be happy. Listen to your heart!