In a peaceful moment the words of another song echoed in my mind. These were the word: there were birds in the sky but I never saw them singing til there was you.’ Off to Google.
What a surprise!! Til There Was You is the name of the song. It was recorded by absolutely everyone, including the Beatles. The lyrics as follows.
.
There were bells on a hill
But I never heard them ringing
No, I never heard them at all
‘Til there was you
[Verse 2]
There were birds in the sky
But I never saw them winging
No, I never saw them at all
‘Til there was you
[Bridge]
Then there was music and wonderful roses
They tell me in sweet fragrant meadows
Of dawn and dew
[Verse 3]
There was love all around
But I never heard it singing
No, I never heard it at all
‘Til there was you
The message of this song seems quite clear. A mere mortal is going to show up in a poor souls life. This poor soul’s inability to hear bells and birds, see the beauty and smell of roses and meadows, experience any joy, whatsoever, is going to do a 180.
Artificial Intelligence is about to tell you what a 180 is: To “do a one eighty” (or 180) means to make a sudden and complete reversal of direction, opinion, or decision. It refers to a turnaround from a previous course of action or a stance to the exact opposite one. In psychology it means that a person does a complete turnaround in attitude, often in response to a interpersonal situation or relationship dynamic.
Get a grip!! I do love that saying. In slang, to “get a grip” or “get a grip on yourself” means to gain control of your emotions or behavior, to stop being overly emotional or irrational and to start acting in a calmer, more rational way. It’s an idiom that reminds one of the importance of taking control of a situation so you can deal with it. e.
This is the underlying question. Why did the words of that song come to me – in a moment of peace. Two reasons, I can think of at this moment.
Faithful readers will know that often I take a romantic song, put Allah (SWT) in the place of the mere mortal and then it is not just a possibility, but a probability. One one begins to see the wonders of His Creation – the birds, the flowers, the love, the clouds then one becomes alive and joyful. And this is lasting when one follows the Way of Ease AND it is lasting – not only in this lifetime but in the Afterlife. Most of us have experienced true love that turns into true indifference. I do love this essential truth. Hate is not the opposite of love – indifference is.
Look at the synonyms of indifference. The words describe how how you want to feel about your ex anything – spouse, lover, girlfriend, car- that- broke- down. The stronger, more disdainful ones: disregard for, obliviousness to, mindlessness of, dismissiveness of, boredom with, weariness of, insouciance, detachment, coldness, callousness.
Very recently I have been doing some, shall we say, gardening. I have removed, uprooted, disabled and disenchanted some noxious weeds that were choking out the good people and interfering with my relationship with Allah. They became ex es. Every day since their departure I grow more in insolence, detachment, obliviousness and callousness. It is blessed, they were taking up way to much time and space.
Definitely relief has been found but I have not been feeling well, and that is an understatement.
Began bothering Shamir with my frailties.
Me: I do not feel that well.. But I am alive you will be glad to here.
He: ❤️ Maybe we can get fruits. An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
Me: That is why I NEVER eat apples.
He: At least you still have your sense of humor.
But kept feeling worse and worse.
Me: I never had anything like this before. It is downright weird to be me with no energy. Like a vital part of me is missing. Who is this person?
What happened next?? GIFs of course.
His
Mine:
Me: Hahaha There is a GIF for everything, In some ways I am enjoying it. Less pressure. Just call me mellow yellow. Blog breakdown is up. Shared some of our GIFs with Nesh.
Nesh had texted.
He: Good morning Alexis. The blog breakdown is up and live.
Me: Already WOW. I am sick ,sleeping constantly, but definitely have enough energy to read a blog breakdown. From bed of course.
He: Anything planned for today.
Me: I have absolutely no energy. Barely enough to send GIFs.
Then sent Nesh some of Shamir and my GIFs.
Later I began to feel slightly better
Me: I just sent you an email with my thoughts on the breakdown. I will incorporate it into my blog of today.
To Nesh
Thoughts on reading your inspiring blog breakdown.
This is the first writing task I am undertaking, .As my WhatsApp texting has shown I have only been capable of GIFs to communicate thoughts and feelings in my exhausted state.
Blessed Be the Tie That Binds
Your choice of the ‘cover’ photo was inspired, as was the title. A powerful photo – the flat terrain, snow, trees stopped of leaves but then the sky with all of its color and magnificence. In stark contract to the surroundings. That sky would have so much competition in Malaysia – with the trees, the cold, the varied landscape. One might not notice. Edmonton ended the sunset, and I was able to capture all of its glory.
The closing paragraph of the Introduction “Alhamdulillah for the ties that bind us to the truth, to each other, and to His grace. Yes!! Those are the blessed ties – all other ties are constraints that keep us from the truth, from each other and Allah’s grace.
The first swipe ending sentence: “A simple phrase, yet it carries the weight of unity, belonging and mercy.” All so necessary to a life of meaning.
Another swipe speaks of the YouTubes – I realize I should have told people how to find toy YouTube Channel. – oh well.. Nobody is perfect, only Allah is. The concluding sentence” A remember that true knowledge, always points back to Allah. Two videos, one message: Truth matters.
The third swipe brought home the essential truth. “Looking back, all the blimps fade, only the blessings remain.”
Fourth swipe – a play on Dicken’s words – ‘the age of foolishness and the age of wisdom’ made me chuckle in appreciation.
Fifth swipe – reminding me that Allah’s wisdoms prevail even when mine does not.
Sixth swipe reminded me that Shamir and I are out of GIF control,, or were. Two factors intervened: we saw each other, not seen each other in a week and my illness. It is difficult to sen a Gif when one is sleeping non stop.
Then ending with more of my Edmonton photos and the conclusion. From gyms ti highways, from chaos to clouds, from GIF wars to Gaza missions, every thread ties back to the same truth. Allah binds us with lessons, laughter and light. Blessed by the tie. Allhanduillah.
Says it all!! Yeah You!!! Don’t know how I managed without you.
Most people , including me. who are utterly blessed with good health. can take their health for granted. I am now filled with gratitude for the blessed good health that has been mine for most of my long life. I have an spectacular immune system. At the onset of an illness I rest, drink lots of liquids, creating the best environment for my immune system to work.
Me: Go for it Girlfriend!!!
Girlfriend almost always does!
I am not free of infirmities. But none interfere with my writing which gives meaning and purpose to my existence. My blog business card announces that I am a writer/scholar/feminist/seeker. I hare candid reflections on faith, womanhood, and transformation through my blog and books.
A number of projects related to the blog are ‘on hold’ at the moment due to the cursed public holiday. I will be recording more videos but need a mike – Shamir ordered one suggested by Nesh but delivery was delayed. I am planning to complete the Uncle Dave biography. Inspired myself with a new plan that will need some investigation before being launched. I will NOT be taking Artificial Intelligence’s ‘brainstorm’ of going to an island retreat to finish the book. I have the sea, the beach, peace and quiet at Paradise. I do not have to get on an airplane, get visas, – do all of that. Besides I have a support system here – not there. No thanks, Zanzibar.
Shamir most supportive during my illness. Bought me three Coke Zero and three Halal beers, that combination can cure any disease. Then sent a confirming GIF.
Not been taking any photographs recently. I will therefore feature photos from my early days in Penang. Ones taken from Lexis Suites – the hotel that went on to give me, and countless others, scabies. But the views were great. Hahahaha .
