This song echoed in my mind this morning. – here had the Bahrain Ritzy Carlton. First to speak of my recent hedonistic life and then onto the song itself.
Looking up the meaning of hedonistic did bring me up short (whatever that expression might mean). The meaning of hedonistic is to be engaged in the pursuit of pleasure; self-indulgent. That was becoming me because the temptations in this environment are massive and compelling. Too much of everything, the good and the bad, the best and the worst, the evil and its corollary.
Corollary is consequence. upshot, repercussion, reverberations, spin-off, conclusion, end result Examining the synonyms of hedonistic I become aware that I definitely need some aesthetic input. I need to be in an environment that is artistic, pleasing, in good taste, and spiritual.
Revel in hedonistic synonyms: indulgent, pleasure-loving, sybaritic, lotus-eating, epicurean; luxurious, unrestrained, intemperate, immoderate, overindulgent, excessive, extravagant, fast-living,, decadent. Do you see what I mean???
I reveled in, and there is a video of the never ending supply of flowers in my room. But the very nature of flowers is to be be ephemeral. To be Transient. fleeting, passing, short-lived, momentary, brief, , temporary, impermanent, short-term; fading, evanescent, fly-by-night; My fly-by-night fading flowers are no longer a thing of beauty.
Lesson learned!! Probably to be learned again and again and again.
Give Me The Simple Life.
I don’t believe in frettin’ and grievin’;
Why mess around with strife?
I never was cut out to step and strut out.
Give me the simple life.
Some find it pleasant dining on pheasant.
Those things roll off my knife;
Just serve me tomatoes; and mashed potatoes;
Give me the simple life.
A cottage small is all I’m after,
Not one that’s spacious and wide.
A house that rings with joy and laughter
And the ones you love inside.
Some like the high road, I like the low road,
Free from the care and strife.
Sounds corny and seedy, but yes, indeed-y;
Give me the simple life.
YouTube gives us versions sung by both Rosemary Clooney and Tony Bennett. That leads you to another song by Rosemary Clooney called Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep)
I continually find this fascinating. Both of those notions, those ideas are found in the Islamic Faith. The Prophet (PBUH) led a very simple, aesthetic life. A basic tenant of the faith is to be grateful, to be thankful for your blessings.
The previous four hundred words were written immediately following Fajr prayer. Next came time to exercise. Down to jacuzzi for knee and leg exercises. I was rewarded with a banana from a woman, the staff love to give me bananas. I am most grateful. While in the jacuzzi listened with my air pods to a playlist California Dreaming – bringing me back to my early days – over fifty years ago. While there, in a relaxed state was able to make sense of my bizarre behavior the other evening. Will discuss this soon but not right now.
I am in a good mood at this moment so will not dwell upon it at this moment. Then came to breakfast in the Club Lounge. Now do have to admit that this was not exactly the simple life.
I spoke to the second woman I met this morning with a Harvard shirt.
She: I am not so happy wearing it at this time.
Me: I know what you mean. I am wearing my Palestine scarf, but the amazing thing about this is that scarf is that I bought it in Edmonton Alberta Canada om August of 2022.
Helen’s husband, Dave, spoke up.
He: That is interesting. I am from Edmonton.
They were employed in a hospital just over the causeway. Dave and I spoke of the absolute horrors of the medical care system in Edmonton. He said disaster had struck in 1992-93. Politicians not knowing what they were doing closing hospitals etc. I told him it was even worse these days. Dave was from St. Albert – I once had family that lived there.
Two tables away were a couple with the most vivacious little boy I have ever seen. He talked constantly, joyously, very involved in his breakfast and in his surroundings. I laughed in delight and his parents were made aware of my delight in him. They stopped to speak on their journey onward. Discovered that he was born in San Francisco. The family lived in Huntington Beach, California. In a very strange way my life came together. My Edmonton identity and my California self – I carry both inside of me. What an immense gift, all of this has been, this morning.
The last two days of my life have been difficult – feeling lost and alone. Out of touch with everything and everybody. Most importantly our of touch with Allah (SWT) – several restorative thing had happened. Time to talk about them now.
But first to speak of Reflections in the Jacuzzi. My inexplicable behavior became clear suddenly. I had experienced a post traumatic stress attack. That was why I had no memory or what I had said or done. I was once haunted by them – not sure I want to talk about them at this moment. I am not to think of the triggering event – just reassuring myself: “That was then and this is now.” Then make sure I am safe and remove myself, as much as possible from the circumstances that caused them. So I am – and did so almost immediately.
I am planning to leave in a few days. Contacted AK and asked him to renew my reservations at an extremely inexpensive hotel near King Fahad Park in Medina where I will ‘sit with’ the art, glorifying our Creator. It shall be done in the manner of In Conversation and In Contemplation.
Using the search engine of the blog found that I had made mention of it.
“This blog first mentioned In Comtemplation and In Conversation on February 17, 2017. It is a book featuring paintings at the Tate Britain in London – the idea, the prose and the photography is mine. The poetry Jessica’s and Chris did an incredible job photoshopping it, formatting it and arranging for the publication.”
I eagerly anticipate this the next step of my journey.
But back again to the early morning, B.J. which stands for Before Jacuzzi. A WhatsApp text notified of its appearance. It was a reel, which I cannot figure out how to send at this moment. This man, met here as been a source of inspiration. I must give him a nickname.. Here it is FAMED, stands for Fabulous Awesome Muslim Exceptional Dad.
He: Good morning.
Me: This was sent by Allah it was!! I was/am suffering from a crisis in my faith and this nourished me in every way. Alhamdulillah.
He: We are tested every day. Enjoy
Me: That is the absolutely best thing to say. I was being tested with indulgences and pandering. I totally love what you just said. .
He: May Allah guide you to the best for you.
Me. I am writing about it for my blog, I need to leave this place. I am returning to my plans to return to Medina although I was considering staying here. I am sure Allah is. I am explaining in length on my blog what the plan is but it is absolutely certain to enhance and restore my faith.
He: Do you know that every Muslim prays to his Creator to make his/her life end the best that pleases him.
Me: The Quran speaks of testing saying wealth and children can be burdens and of course tests. Look at the Prophet Job. Thank you for that reminder! I am praying for people to have peace of mind in fulfilling their destiny.
He: My mom has been in a coma for almost three years and during those she has been in and out of intensive care. Last night as we arrived to Alkhobar it was texted that she returned to ICU. When I visited her before I left her right index finger was pointing Shahada.
Me: Oh my Allah (SWT) such a hardship for she and you. Soon all will be well I pray.
Me: I was becoming astray, lost my peace of mind but now back I pray – it feels as if I am.
He: You are a beautiful sole,
Me: Sometimes, not all the time I say laughingly.
He: Truly you are
Me: Besides that, my silly, I am not a sole I am a soul. Sometimes I do feel that I am being walked on though. My sense of humor rescues us again.
He: You are a chosen person. Forgive the poor spelling The stupid autocorrect and me are always in a fight.
Me: I loved the mistake. It was perfect.
He: Corrected I mean edited.
Me: I would love to see you all again. I miss you. This place is crowded with Sinful Saudis and rich entitled guests. The staff great but not some of the guests.
He: Always tested. Hotels all over are an escape.
Me: You are so true. That is SO wise. I have been living in escapes.
We then spoke of me traveling over the causeway to see he and his family. I did admit to having no sense of direction but thought that Medina was further away.
He: We are not to correct the planet. If everyone corrects their compass we all will be on the right direction. God bless you go about your day.
Me: And you!!! I will try to get my compass going. Hahaha I will message later.
Then I went about my day. At some point encountered at least two rude guests picking on the staff. I spoke to the staff, not the guest.
Me: I was in a conversation with a dear man who said that hotels are an escape, Guests come here to escape. But they cannot escape themselves. They become angry and pick on you charming people.
She: Thank you! I never thought about it that way before.
Me: Neither did I until just now. It makes sense. Here they are in ultimate luxury, paying a great deal of money and they remain unhappy. They see no way out. I do pity them but picking on you and the staff just makes them feel worse as you are trained to take it in stride.
Reels will be of my gnocchi cooking class. We had such a delightful time as you can see.
