WHEN the world takes another nasty turn, there is another terrorist attack, more innocent people are killed in shameful wars — or the US president promotes another war mongering extremist to his inner circle — I try and stay sane by striving to look at the bright side of life.

Studies show that the world is more peaceful than ever before, there are fewer “extremely poor” people, food shortages are easing, babies are living longer and like it or not, we are all connected. That’s good news.

It helps to “compartmentalise”, to put your fears and sorrows in a box and then put a lid on it. To see the good in people instead of focusing on the bad and the evil. To take a break from the daily grind of toxic daily news and instead read an inspiring book.

This week as the geopolitical landscape turned even darker, with Russian “spies” being expelled across Europe, an acrimonious EU meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and more people dying as they crossed the Mediterranean to seek refuge in Europe, I made my usual attempt to wash off the poison with good thoughts, a few distracting movies, a poem or two.

Luckily the week had begun with a moving and dignified tribute to Asma Jahangir organised by Khalid Farooqi and Shiraz Raj, two indomitable Pakistani journalists, who had both worked with Asma and rightly felt her life and work deserved to be spotlighted in Europe.

Asma — like Malala — is well known in Brussels and other European capitals of course. Last Monday, Europeans from different walks of life joined the Pakistani diaspora to share their stories of Asma’s courage, stubbornness and determination to speak truth to power.

It was an inspiring conversation, a rare opportunity to highlight the strength and resilience of Pakistanis, their ability to overcome all odds and — despite chronic government and army incompetence — to show that Pakistan is home to some wonderful people.

And then, continuing on from International Women’s Day on March 8, Brussels has been hosting a number of events highlighting the need for a further empowerment of women across the world. Some of these conversations have indeed been valuable and important.

For example, former US secretary of state Madeleine Albright was in town for a transatlantic talk fest and made everyone yearn for a more innocent and simpler time when she was running the state department all those years ago.

There were other celebrations of women’s power but also signs of tension and discord in a world where not all women think, look or pray alike. The mostly white European “sisterhood” is united on issues of equal pay, a stronger political voice and representation and better life-work balance.

But interestingly, they are not so supportive of the struggle against racist and religious stereotypes which prevent many ethnic minority women from getting ahead in Europe. A French feminist told me once she did not believe in diversity. Another said Europe was already diverse enough with its 28 countries and languages. “That’s what diversity means to us.”

A feisty Muslim friend, who wears a headscarf, says many Belgian feminists have turned their back on women like her because they thought they were passive victims of a patriarchal and repressive religion. “Our call for equal rights isn’t considered worthy enough,” she said with a shrug. “No worries, we have our own feminist networks.”

They certainly do. A day later, two cheerful young doctors with headscarves greeted me when I went to visit a friend in a clinic in Amsterdam. The author of a book on “Muslim Feminism” says her book is selling like hot cakes. And this at a time when a few grumpy German politicians rant that “Islam doesn’t belong in Germany” or indeed in Europe.

Not to be forgotten, Hungary’s raging leader Viktor Orban has said he doesn’t want “our colour to be mixed with others”. But he and others like home are fighting a losing battle: the most vibrant streets in cities across Europe are a mix of colours as old and new Europeans mix and match up in different ways.

Refugees are being saved in the Mediterranean by European patrol boats and given shelter in European homes even while the far-right band of crazies foam at the mouth at even the mention of “asylum seekers” or “immigrants”.

It’s a complex world. But also a constantly changing one. Fire and fury is promised against North Korea one day, a few weeks later there is heady talk of a summit between US President Donald Trump and his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong-un. For every terrorist who kills innocent people including schoolchildren, there are passionate teenagers demanding stronger gun control.

And for every Pakistani spouting poison against Malala — or indeed against Asma — there are millions of people who are proud that their country has produced women of such courage and valour.

It’s easy to jump to hasty conclusions, pass quick judgement, spotlight the bad. But, fortunately, life and people are complicated. And full of surprises.

The writer is Dawn’s correspondent in Brussels

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2018