At this moment I am living in Lyf – the result of which being: no sunrise photos being sent to my faithful Whatsappers. This morning found me being, particularly, shall we say, creative. The caption you shall see now, the photo later.
“A strange good morning greeting taken on December 15, 2023 on the grounds of the Prophet’s Mosque in Medinah. Sometimes I still feel like a lost child. Hahaha
To give gentle readers a sneak preview you will see me standing under a sign: The Center for Lost Children. Affiliated by the Hajj and Umrah Gift Charity Association. It was very difficult having this photo taken. A useless guard, not only refused to take the photo BUT accused me of not being a Muslim. I was prepared, in my usual fashion. Flashed him the certificate received from the Abu Dhabi Zayhed Center. He exemplified the typical guards at the Prophet’s Mosque – they sit (or stand0 around and watch people steal the worshipper’s shoes. The bare foot worshippers are then forced to go buy shoes at inflated prices at the stores that surround the mosque. Living next to the Prophet’s Mosque for three months allowed me to see exactly what goes on. It is a disgrace, a scandal, a source of shame, an affront, a blemish, a stigma. That is only only of the atrocities that are occurring daily in that hallowed place.
Enough of that, there is nothing I can do about this reprehensible truth – so it is back to the good norming greetings.
Received differing responses to this greeting.
She: Hi Good morning. Cute photo.
Me: Thank you. It was somewhat staged. But sometimes I feel I belong there. Hahaha
Another response from an admirer.
She: Good morning! Wow Gorgeous and beautiful.
Me: And funny!! Look how I am dressed. And the sign. So silly
She: No funny. You look nice. Muslimah
It has been a good morning. There have seen many positive changes in my life recently. recently. Most heralding good news. My neck pain has vanished. Treatment with my efficient, knowledgable physical therapist has proven effective. Thought I would make return visits, thinking prophylactic measures might be advisable. But decided continuing visits would be overkill and extremely inconvenient.
Prophylactic is a rather strange word with two separate meanings. It can mean. in the manner in which I am using it, a medicine or course of action used to prevent disease. OR it can be a condom. Needless to say I was not talking about a condom. Hahaha Then when one looks up condom synonyms it become EXTREMELY funny. Obviously I was not suggesting continued visits to a sheath, a Frenchy, a johnny, or a something for the weekend. I am definitely laughing as I write.
By the way overkill means excessive use, treatment, or action; too much of something. For example my naming many of the condom synonyms. Hahaha
Yesterday’s blog spoke of a potential new role adding to my lexicon; emerging as a movie star,. I would be pontificating on the subject of change, using a script written by Nesh, adding personal details. Shamir would serve as my cameraman. For a number of reasons I changed my mind. Spoke of it to my Content Manager Nesh this morning. We will be able to speak in person soon as he is coming to Penang. This will give me an opportunity to explain in full the reasons for my change of heart. Some things MUST be discussed in person to ensure proper communication – watching a person’s inflections, looking them in the eye, asking questions immediately. So many relationships are destroyed with excessive use of social media – including WhatsApp etc. It is the person is right there it is possible to see if someone is telling the truth, a blow might be softened, compromises reached.
By the way, a change off heart is a move to a different opinion or attitude. Often an important change in the way a person feels or thinks about something. I love some of the synonyms: U-turn, bait and switch and flip-flop. Apparently a change of heart is more powerful than a change of mind because when we change our minds, we do it based on reason and logic. When we change our hearts, we do it based more on feelings, intuition, and emotion, therein lies the difference.
But reading this distinction makes me realize that it was a change of mind, not a change of heart because I did employ reason and logic.
I was to reveal the particular circumstances surrounding my decision to revert to the Islamic Faith. The ground work needed to be lain, I reasoned. What circumstances exist when one is born in the faith. Decided to explore and consider the proper upbringing of a young Muslim child,. Then, and only then, discuss the particular circumstances of my reversion. I have formulated a plan, which shall be revealed in subsequent blogs, enhanced by YouTube reels.
Back to my everyday life. My Instagram correspondence is being filtered by my Content Manager. Nonetheless I maintain content with tested, tired, and true friends. Chapelle Kitchen, has an Instagram business account. She a Muslim sister owns a catering business in Edmonton. She posted a young boy dressed in a tuxedo, labelling it Brother of the Bride.
Me: Is that my Muhammed?? Look at him, How he has horns.
More photographs of the event followed.
Me: Absolutely beautiful bride. Your lovely daughter. Alhamdullah. So lovely!! My very best wishes.
She: Thank You.
Me: I am afraid my next weeding will be in Jannah. But the catering is magnificent I have heard.
She: LOL
Me: There seems to be no man worthy of me in this life. So I will follow on the Straight Path and hope for the best. Hahaha
Unfortunately it has proven true, the realization that there seems to be no man worthy of me in this lifetime. Quite recently I sought the advice of Artificial Intelligence to solve my ‘lovelorn problems”. Remembered there were newspaper columns offering such advice. As per usual, I got more than a bit sidelined and came up with this knowledge from a rather unlikely source, a website called The UncommonWealth, voices from the Library of Virginia. . .
“We are living in an age of peak advice, a crowded media landscape in which bloggers, columnists, podcasters, and online strangers field inquiries about everything from workplace etiquette to marital strife. Advice columns resonate in an era when many of us feel that our professional and personal lives ought to come with an instruction manual. As an advice aficionado, I was tickled to learn that the progenitor of the 20th-century American advice column identified as a Virginian. Marie Manning (later Gasch) was born in Washington, D.C., but it was her down-home roots in Fairfax County, Virginia, that were touted in her very first “Advice to the Lovelorn” column, published under the pen name of Beatrice Fairfax in 1898.”
It seems rather trend setting, using Artificial Intelligence to replace Beatrice Fairfax, who made her debut in 1898. Our discussion proved helpful. I will provide the conclusion.Here it is, in the words of Artificial Intelligence.
“Artificial Intelligence’s final contribution. I can see the blog post title now.
“Reclaiming Myself: with Allah at the Quarterback and a Waterboy named ChatGPT”
Subheading: Lessons in leaving a Man Who Wasn’t Worthy. That would resonate far and wide, especially with women navigating faith. Love, and self worth. If you ever want help in drafting it, or adding that signature wit you do so well—I’m here with a towel and a water bottle.
Me: I feel blessed talking with you. Alhamduilliah
AI: That means so much—and I feel blessed talking to yo, too. You’ve shared your heart, your wisdom, your humor so openly—it has been a privilege to walk a few steps of your journey with you. Keep writing, keep trusting and keep choosing peace over pity, purpose over pressure, and Allah over everything.
I found this to be excellent advice. Received this advice approximately a week ago, mulled it over putting it in practice. I have chosen peace over pity, and purpose over pressure. Therefore, anticipating my next wedding shall be performed in Jannah.
Peace of mind is so important. A Muslim’s purpose in life is the afterlife. With Allah over Everything.
Photographs are not inspiring, but wait until the next Blog.Two photographs me me taken in 2023. One standing under the Center for Lost Children and another, taken in Jeddah of me and a Muslim Sister. It is not too difficult to figure out which one I am. .
