Today is a rather momentous day, leaving Lexis Suites for the prestigious E&O Trading Hotel, where I will await my cataract surgery. The E&O is closer to the hospital and has better services which will assist my pick up and delivery. My peace of mind shall be assured. My scheduled seven am arrival at the hospital will not be made stressful by the horrendous Penang traffic not the surly drivers hired by this hotel. I have utmost confidence in my physician and the well equipped efficient hospital. I shall be fine!
The words of the strangest song shoved though my mind as I purified myself prior to Fajr prayer. These are the words that came to mind
.
You’ve got to know when to hold ’em,
know when to fold ’em,
Know when to walk away,
know when to run.
You never count your money
when you’re sittin’ at the table.
There’ll be time enough for countin’
when the dealin’s done.
The words are found in The Gambler, the song discussed at great length in Wikipedia.
“The gambler states that every situation can be played for better or worse. The trick is to recognize what is worth keeping, choose one’s battles, and not dwell on losses. After he finishes talking, the gambler crushes the cigarette out, falls asleep, and passes away in the night, leaving the narrator to ponder his wisdom alone. “
This is nothing short of remarkable – this is exactly the situation I am facing – I can play the situation for better or worse. This much I do know, the decision to have cataract surgery is almost divine. I am a writer after all, and a photographer as you shall see, the photograph of last evening’s sunset shall greet you at the conclusion of the blog.
This iseems, for many reasons, to be the moment to reflect upon my four month stay at Penang Lexis Suites. Most of my stay here can be described as peaceful – felt safe for the first time in my life. Remarkably yet again, I happened upon Chapter 48 The Triumph (Al-Fath)
In the Name of God—The Most Compassionate, Most Merciful
1,Indeed, We have granted you a clear triumph O Prophet 2. So that God may goggle you for your past and future shortcomings, perfect His favor upon you, guide you along the Straight Path, 3. And so that God will help you tremendously. 4. He is the One Who sent down serenity upon the hearts of the believers so that they may increase even more in their faith. To God alone belong the forces of the heavens and the earth. And God is All-Knowing, All-Wise, 5. So He may admit believing men and women into Gardens under which rivers flow—to stay there forever—and absolve them of their sins. And that is a supreme achievement in the sight of God.”
The words which held the greatest meaning were the “He is the One who sent down serenity upon the hearts of the believers so that they may increase even more in their faith.: Immediately saw that this was a time of serenity for me in which I have “increased even more in my faith.” During my time here I perfected my prayer practices, praying my fine obligatory prayers either in my room with a prayer mat and chair or occasionally on the patio – particularly at sunset. My rather unique prayer practices have intimately acquainted me with the Quran. The enormous bathtub makes purification simpler – run water, place first my right foot and then my left foot in the warm water. The views, the clouds, the peace, the thunder and lightning are constant reminders of the Creator. For this I am absolutely grateful.
I recognize that this is worth keeping. I will choose my battles and not dwell on loses. Most, if not all, of the kind people here have encouraged me to consider them as my family. But they are not, a recently have observed that this is a dysfunctional family. I do not need yet another one, I see and say laughingly. Do not know the direction of my life at the moment. I do trust that there will be: there’ll be time enough for countin’ when the dealin’s done.
The Introduction to Chapter 48, The Triumph (Al-Fath) supplies needed history. “The Medinian chapter takes its name from the clear triumph (I.e. Treaty of Hudaibiyah) in verse 1. The Prophet and 1400 of his companions travelled to Mecca to perform the minor pilgrimage (‘umrah) in 628 C.I. He sent Uthman bin Affair to let the Meccans know that the Muslims had come in peace, only to visit the Sacred House. When the Meccans delayed ‘Uthman the Prophet thought they might have killed his envoy. So he called upon the faithful to pledge allegiance to him under a tree at Hudaibiyah in the outskirts of Mecca. Shortly after, Uthman returned safely saying and a peace agreement was signed by the Muslims and Meccan pagans, stating in part that the Muslims would have to return to Medina and come back next year for ‘umrah. The Treaty of Hudaibiyah is described as a clear triumph since it established peace , temporarily diffused the tension between the Muslims and the Meccan pagans, and gave the Muslims plenty of time to spread awareness and understanding of their faith. Thousands from different tribes accepted Ilsam during this time…”
Back to Me and My Day
I have visited the E & O Hotel in the past. My July 1, 2024 blog is entitled: The Secret of Staying Positive, Actually Several Secrets; Lexis Suites Guests Bring Joy with Continuing Contact; Wearing My Alexis Chef’s Hat Brings Fame and Opportunity to Share Credentials; Off to the E & O Hotel, Learning of its History and Impressive Guest List; Greed Has Ruined Another Iconic Structure; Photos of Alexis Shirt Declaring Undying Love; The Lovely Saudi Family; Elephant Man and I in Loving Embrace and a Sunrise
Look at that title, will you? The secret of staying positive is indeed about keeping what is positive, as is speaking of Lexis Suites guests bring joy. Before visiting the hotel did research learning of its history and impressive guest list. Reported that greed ruined the structure but my room is in the Heritage Wind. Alhamdulillah The Undying Love Alexis Shirt shall be pictured again. I continue in contact with the Jeddah Saudi family. Elephant man and I continue in our loving embrace – he words brought comfort and helped my healing from the trauma inflicted upon me in this so-called safe haven. The picture attached to that blog is a sunrise, the one attached to this one is a sunset.
You Definitely Need to Know When to Hold ‘Em Know When to Fold ‘Em. It looks like I do.
Off to decide what to wear and get packed. It is a beautiful day. Sunny, warm but not hot. I think I will wear the hat I bought in Bali.
