Occasionally I have a word of the day, sometimes it is a song of the day, sometimes it is an idiom of the day. It is my custom to look up the song, the idiom or, today, the word . I usually find information, knowledge – or at least something to blog about, I say laughingly.
Today the word trepidation occasioned my attention. The definition of the word: a feeling of fear or agitation about something that may happen. The definition, in and of itself, did not have meaning. As is my custom, I look to the synonyms:. My goodness, they were numerous. I chose only the ones that matched my mood; apprehension, nervousness, misgivings, uneasiness, foreboding, disquietude, discomposure, consternation, jumpiness, butterflies, the jitters, a blue funk, the heebie-jeebies, the willies, cold feet.
This proved most useful: I have the butterflies, the jitters and the heebie-jeebies because I am going to Saudi Arabia. I do not have cold feet – maybe lukewarm feet, not a blue funk, maybe a turquoise funk, not jumpiness, maybe bounciness.
By the way, a custom is a thing that one does habitually. It is a habit, practice, routine, way, wont.
My desire to return to Saudi Arabia is perfectly understandable. Looking back at the intensely blessed moments, the incredible people, the honors bestowed upon me, the spectacle of Riyadh (so well planned, with infrastructure and architecture) the wonders of nature, of the wild – Tabuk, Taif and the Edge of the World, Saudi’s respect of history, preserving the past. Last, but absolutely not least – it is an Islamic country, one whose Constitution is the Quran. Billions (if not trillions) of dollars are spent on Holy Sites so that pilgrims may perform their required Hajj or Umrahs.
My logical mind reassures in other ways. If one is of the Islamic Faith, the place you most want to be is in Jannah. The second place would be Saudi Arabia, with its Holy Places, Quranic governance and Muslim inhabitants. The third most desirable place would be a Muslim Majority country. The least desirable place to live would be a Muslim Minority country.
I presently live in the least desirable place – Canada is a Muslim Minority country. I am not dead yet, so Jannah is not a possibility. As we lawyers say:
Me: I rest my case.
Alter Ego: So you are saying that logic dictates the move to Saudi Arabia
Me: Yes I am.
Alter Ego: But????? You have butterflies, jitters and heebie-jeebies.
Me: Yes, I keep asking myself What-If?
Alter Ego: What is that?
Me: Well…A what-if analysis, as the name suggests, is a way to consider and react to future changes. It is usually used in a business plan. But it can be used in daily life. For example: one can look at the weather, see that it is warm but there is a chance of rain. So an intelligent individual would take an umbrella rather than wear a raincoat.
Alter Ego: So you are going to take an umbrella to Saudi Arabia?
Me: Now that is funny – maybe, but that is not what I am talking about. I need to think about some things that might go wrong and build in a contingency plan.
Alter Ego: What is a contingency plan?
Me: Oh, my goodness. This is going to take forever to explain. But here goes…A contingency plan is a backup plan that is designed to address unexpected events or risks. It usually comes into play when a specific risk event occurs – it is an outline of things you can do to mitigate the impact of the event.
Alter Ego: So what might be an unexpected event if you go to Saudi Arabia.
Me: Good question!
Alter Ego: Thanks!
Me: I look back at the incredible people I met and the amazing times we had but perhaps this was only transitory – they knew I was leaving soon and so they were on their best behavior. Perhaps they are not such good Muslims after all. Perhaps they will use me.
Alter Ego: What will you do then, what is your contingency plan?
Me: Meet people that are aware I will be staying aroundChances are very high that they will be Muslims. It is far preferable that I have believers as friends.
Alter Ego: Why do you say that?
Me: The Quran 3:28 Let not the believers take those who deny the truth for their allies in preference to the believers—anyone who does that will isolate himself completely from God—unless it be to protect yourselves against them in this way.
Alter Ego: But not all Muslims are good Muslims.
Me: I am aware of that. But I have found that if and when one learns that a person is evil, and then walks away from them – it makes room for good people in your life. I am not required to convince anyone to become a Muslim, nor to be a ‘better’ Muslim.
Alter Ego: Who said that?
Me: The Quran 2: 272 “It is not your responsibility to make them follow the right path; God guides whomever He pleases. Whatever wealth you spend is to your own benefit, provided that you spend only to seek the favour of God. Whatever wealth you spend [for God’s cause] shall be repaid to you in full and you shall not be wronged.”
Alter Ego: The Quran speaks of spending wealth to your own benefit in that verse. Does that apply to you?
Me: Yes. Here is one small example. I plan to travel Business Class to Saudi at some expense, but it is for God’s cause.
Alter Ego: How can that be?
Me: If I went Economy for all those hours, it would be an eternity and I would be no good nor do not good on earth.
Alter Ego: That is funny.
Me: Being funny is a gift. When you have a gift you are supposed to use it. The Quran tells us that it making another Muslim happy is highly valued.
Alter Ego: Is that relevant to your decision to go to Saudi Arabia?
Me: Yes!! It could be said that I am wasting my sense of humor on non believers in Edmonton.
Alter Ego: This is starting to make sense. So do you have a plan – do you absolutely know you can remain in Saudi Arabia forever?
Me: No, I do not know that. I have found that it is necessary to plan when you are in the country you are going to live in. I have not terminated my apartment lease in Canada. I can return at the expiration of my Saudi Tourist visa and plan more thoroughly, with more information at my leisure and with peace of mind. Peace of mind is SO important. The best decisions are made when you have peace of mind, patience and trust in Allah’s (SWT) plans.
Alter Ego: Okay, it sounds like a plan!
Me: Thanks. I will get back to you later.
The photographs and reels will be provided, illustrating fine examples of me having a good time with great Saudi people.
