Woke in time for Fajr prayer. Dawn brought clear skies, with cumulous clouds in the distance. My good morning photo was a sunset photo from the day before. Its caption: Good morning! A sunset from the vantage of Yasmin’s apartment. It ended a glorious day with her.
My photo gallery also displays a marvelous sunset photo sent by a Muslim sister taken in Batu Ferriinghi. She, a resident of KL, is at the shore for a family wedding. Upon receiving it, in all of its glory wrote.
Me: Gorgeous!! Alhamdulillah. The sky, the reflection in the water! Allah (SWT) is so good o us. I cannot even imagine what Jannah will be like. Thank you for sharing. Alhamdulillah
She: Alhamdulillah. My pleasure. ❤️
I am off to retrieve a photograph of Dryburgh Abbey. May the Force be with me. Hahaha It is somewhere in my vast collection. The Force was with me,, I guess. Just typed Dryburgh Abbey into the search engine of photos and up it popped. Although I have visited Dryburgh Abbey twice, it is not one of my photos. Prior to my reversion to the Islamic Faith I thought it would be a great place for a gala wedding. It would be necessary to tent it as it is a ruin, as you shall see. The imaginary groom was a multibillionaire, so it would be affordable.
For some strange reason I was planning a fictionalized wedding between Alicia McTwit and Kim Me Poo. Alicia McTwit was the fictionalized bride, me in disguise. Kim Me Poo was the groom. The wedding never took place, even in fictionalized blog form.. I must go back and check on the nuptials.
Dryburgh Abbey was mentioned in a previous blog post. Sir Walter Scott is buried there – his quote What a Wicked Web We Weave When We Practice to Deceive was the theme embroidering the importance of Truth.
My present peace of mind allows me to look back on my life without rancor or bitterness, seeing people and events as closed chapters. The book of my life may be nearing completion so I best get on with things. I do laugh.
I shall stop writing at this moment and get dressed. Shamir and I are heading for breakfast and a follow-up filming of bedtime stories. I have a new dress to wear – one of my Indonesian batiks, fashioned my Yasmin. I cannot wait.
I typed a New Dawn and a New Day into the search engine of the blog coming up with 91 entries. So I guess the theme of New Dawn and New Day echoes throughout my blogging life. The December 18, 2023 contained two photos – one a document on my iPhone proving I was was certified Muslim and another showing the damage inflicted upon my person by the Central Marin Police Department, because I was a Muslim. That December 2023 day found me residing at the Medina 5 star Oberio Hotel next to the Prophet’s Mosque. I was accosted by a guard who insisted I prove my Muslim identity. I was prepared!!!
October 5, 2925 afternoon.
I was with Shamir when I received Nesh’s response to my sunrise/sunset photo.
He: Truly beautiful. Good morning Alexis. Posted the blog breakdown, Give it a read when you get a chance.
Me: I am with Shamir having breakfast. We are going to film the second installment of the bedtime story.
He: Amazing Alexis. Looking forward to it. Have a productive day
Then later.
Me: I sent it via iMessage. Yeah Dream Team
Shamir and I texted, laughed and GIFed prior to our morning get-together.
Me: You are going to see me in one of the beautiful batik dresses Yasmin made for me. Be prepared for beauty.
HeL Should I call the fire department. Because u will be on fire.
Me: No. It is YOU that will be on fire when you see me. I will come armed with a fire extinguisher. You definitely make me laugh.
This morning I volunteered to send a photo to prepare him but instead he wanted a surprise.
So I sent him, not one but two GIFs.
Then another GIF found
Me: You bringing a friend?
He: No.
Me: Next time you could you find him and bring him the more handsome men the better
He arrived in a timely fashion, as usual. Shamir suggested a new locale, by the water. It was a beautiful day, sunny, not too hot, quiet and totally peaceful. I ate a tuna and avocado salad – then Shamir, my one-man film crew, went to work.
The book, I am Awesome, I am Special, Allah Created Me is, in itself so special.Well researched scientific facts about the human body, presented in a clear, kid-friendly way. Nonetheless it is dense, could never be read in one sitting to a sleepy child. Another sequel will be filmed next week, perhaps in a different locale so the world can see the beauty of Penang.
After the entire book has been filed I will blog about the ‘competition’ – those that make videos for young Muslim children, for the purpose of profit motive, and not the education of young Muslim children.
I have resumed my reading of Nurturing Emotional Intelligence, not exactly a children’s story, very intellectually challenging. I was amazed to see, in sub chapter called Wealth and Happiness, a diagram illustrating Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. This was one concept I learned during the years of my extensive psychological education. To summarize:
Abraham Maslow, a social scientist, therorized that human beings are motivated by a hierarchy of needs” First their physical needs for food, shelter, water and reproductive sex. If those needs are met they move along to fulfilling health and safety needs. Then if these are met they want to socialize, being part of a family or society, the desire to belong and to be loved.
“Within their social network, they then seek self-esteem and recognition from others. Once these needs are met, they start seeking self-actualization, reaching their highest potential in unique ways.”
The author suggests, brilliantly that “Islam affirms part of this theory but it needs to be modified.” Simply put, one starts at the top and works down. One establishes a connection with Allah first. Then Ibraham asked Allah to take care of his people’s social needs. “Then Ibraham asked for fruits to satisfy their basic physical needs.” He also pointed toward the end goal, that even after being provided with all their earthly needs, they should be grateful to Allah alone, which is our ultimate purpose.” This modified version speaks to me. “The true peace we can reach is by honing our taw, or consciousness of Allah, as this is the key to motivation that will unlock the gates of paradise.”
The author goes on to speak of Gratitude; the Secret to Happiness.
And remember when your Lord proclaimed, “If you are grateful, I will surely increase you (in favor) but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.” (Sarah Ibraham 14:7)
Proof is offered. “The Greater Good Science Center at the University of California in Berkeley notes that over the past fifteen years , hundreds of studies have been conducted that document the benefits of gratitude. Sone of these benefits include increased happiness, optimism, pleasure, and other positive emotions; reduced anxiety and depression,; better sleep; greater resilience to bounce back from setbacks; an attitude of forgiveness; stronger relationships.”
In contrast, greed is the path towards oppression. (Nurturing Emotional Intelligence pgs. 162-166)
This seem to be pretty clear to me. I feel particularly blessed because I have SO much to be grateful for – these days. Not always, of course, but now.
Photos of two sunsets, my batik dress and colorful scarf and Dryburgh Abbey.
