Written by: Haroon Shuaib
Posted on: November 25, 2024 | 
Shawaz giving a motivational talk to his fellow soldiers.
In his words, ‘We must always do what we are afraid to do’, America philosopher from 18th century, Ralph Waldo Emerson, advised his readers. For Lieutenant Commander Shawaz Hussain Baloch, an ex-aviator of Pakistan Navy, the same inspiration came from the words of Iqbal. The national poet of Pakistan had written, “Tundi-e-baade-mukhalif say na ghabra ay uqab, Ye tou chalti hay tujhay ooncha uranay kay liye (Do not be afraid of flying against the soaring winds O’ falcon, for these strong currents of opposing winds are a challenge for you to fly even higher.)” In his book from ‘The Journey from Sight to Vision’, Shawaz shares the same message of positivity, inspiring people to live a fulfilling life and conquer their fears.
Shawaz presenting his book to a guest.
As a young boy, growing up in the restful town of Kohat, Shawaz was always fearful of bathing, much to the annoyance of his mother. Little did she realize that the reason Shawaz always resisted taking his daily bath was his fear of water. Always aspiring to be a Formula One driver, little did Shawaz know that he will eventually join the Pakistan Navy, where many years of his life would be spent surrounded by water.
Shawaz has planted hundreds of trees as a personal commitment to the planet.
Another demon that haunted Shawaz was the fear of heights. His acrophobia looked him in the eyes, after he finished his training as a naval officer and was selected to join the coveted aviation wing of the marine force. It was perhaps the strength that he secretly held in his heart that led him to take this second biggest challenge head on and surmount it. He was soon considered the best and most daring aviator from his batch. According to Shawaz, “It is very important to overcome one’s fears to succeed in life. These fears are just like speed bumps on a road. They may slow one down but they must not stop one from moving forward.”
Shawaz posing in front of a helicopter.
But his most fear was that of darkness, but that realization came to him in an unexpected way. After a long day’s flying schedule, he felt an indescribable unease: something he had never experienced before. After that fateful chopper flight, Shawaz lost his sight, and the world he knew plunged into an abyss of darkness. Within days and after a minor surgery, the fact that he had lost sight in both eyes was the new reality of his life. The darkness he had unknowingly feared the most was now his companion for life. The very element that had both fascinated and terrified him became the source of a life-altering tragedy.
In "The Journey from Sight to Vision", Shawaz takes his readers on a path laden with unforeseen challenges, remarkable victories, and an unexpected twist of fate. His book, through a very frank and candid account recalls how he recovered from this tragic setback. Life had taken him to a point where he had to redefine his dreams and extend them beyond the horizon. His paralyzing fear of public speaking was the next challenge that he surmounted, by taking up the career of a motivational speaker. Each fear that could have been an anchor, holding him back, was turned around through sheer determination. He confronted each of his fears head-on, refusing to be shackled by the spanners that life threw his way. With his career as an aviator coming to an abrupt halt, Shawaz decided to pursue an MPhil degree, finishing it with a distinction and a gold medal.
Shawaz has continued to contribute to the society through his School of Motivation.
Today he stands tall as a disability rights advocate, human rights and social activist, peace and environmental advocate and an author. He is coaching and mentoring many youngsters through his platform of “School of Motivation”. His impairment did not deter him to face new challenges. Since losing his eyesight, he went on to be the first visually impaired person in the world to qualify for the PMP certification from the USA, PRINCE 2 from the UK, and do certification of social entrepreneurship and coaching and mentoring from Oxford University.
Shawaz at the prestigious University of Oxford.
The Journey from Sight to Vision intricately weaves together the vivid tapestry of Shawaz's life. It's a narrative etched with what appeared to be insurmountable challenges and setbacks, any of which could have shattered his dreams. Yet, through it all, his resilience and unwavering faith in the transformative power of dreams propelled him forward. “As an author, my book, The Journey from Sight to Vision, explores the transformative power of vision, encouraging readers to seek deeper understanding and meaning in their lives,” Shawaz said.
From Sight to Vision by Shawaz Hussain Baloch.
The book The Journey from Sight to Vision is a stirring testament to the boundless capacity of the human spirit to triumph over adversity. Shawaz's memoir can serve as a wellspring of inspiration for anyone grappling with their own fears, pursuing their dreams, and ultimately, charting their unique journey from sight to vision.
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