This phrase suddenly came to mind, expressing the content of my daily blogs. It seems I should be writing of consequential matters; instead seem to focus upon my every day activities. Googled the phrase , this is what I found. The source of this knowledge is Artificial Intelligence.
“From the mundane to the sublime” means a transformation or shift from the ordinary, everyday, and uninteresting to something extraordinary, awe-inspiring, and elevating. It describes the process of finding deep meaning or beauty in commonplace things by looking closer, changing one’s perception, and seeing how the ordinary connects to larger concepts. The phrase can be applied to art, writing, or any aspect of life where one moves beyond the superficial to find something profound.
Mundane vs. sublime
- Mundane: Refers to the ordinary, everyday, and often uninteresting aspects of life, such as daily routines, chores, or common objects.
- Sublime: Refers to a quality that inspires awe, reverence, and a sense of vastness that goes beyond ordinary experience. It can be a powerful, moving, or even terrifying experience that lifts one beyond the everyday.
How the transformation occurs
- Shifting perception: The key is changing your gaze to see something new in the ordinary. For example, a writer might look closely at a common beetle to reveal a whole world within it.
- Deep awareness: It involves being present and aware in a way that allows you to perceive the hidden depths, energy, and information within ordinary things.
- Connecting to something greater: By looking deeply at something ordinary, you can connect it to the larger universe, history, or a deeper truth. A simple raisin, for example, can be seen as a connection to the sun, soil, and the hands that harvested it.
Examples
- In art: Taking ordinary household objects and transforming them into a masterpiece.
- In nature: Observing a storm or a vast landscape and feeling a mixture of awe and fear.
- In daily life: Finding gratitude and a sense of wonder in mundane tasks and moments, making them feel “sublime”.
Hmmmmm Come to think of it, I I guess that is what is happening, I owe to all to Nesh – he is making me aware of this process through his breakdowns. To further refine the process, I resend to his breakdowns. The most ordinary events, my daily life, somehow goes beyond; ends up being lifted beyond the everyday.
I have decided to give Nesh a run for his money. Googled that phrase, again Artificial Intelligence has an answer: “A run for his money” means to provide a close and strong competition, making it difficult for an opponent to win easily. It implies that the competition is challenging and the outcome is uncertain, even if the opponent ultimately wins.
You shall now read mundane at its very prosaic best. (Fortunately, for all of us, it is funny. This a text exchange between Shamir and myself.
Some background: A voluntary hospital Golden Age evaluation found my hemoglobin level, had dropped dramatically. A gastroenterologist scheduled a colonoscopy and score. I thought a second option from my Malaysian physician, Dr. Lee. Dr. Lee sent word to Shamir: “ Iron level very low, need to make sure no bleeding from the poop (Stool to be sent for test in LGLH) And start iron supplements.
Shamir: I told him u already got the iron supply
Me: Okay after lunch I will go and iron it, not clothes, but the pills hahaha. We should probably ask him how many I need to take a day.
Shamir: Can u send me a photo of the supplement?
Me: I was about to do that.
I did it, glancing at the Duoleaf breakdown before sending. It was down right shocking.
Me: Help!! The supplement is for pregnant and lactating woman. I do not think I am either. Hahaha Plea laugh. I took one. What shall we call the baby?
Shamir: Congrats
Me: Everything wit us turns into a joke. He must look like his father.
Shamir: Why did the pharmacist recommend this? 😂😂😂 So funny Dr. Lee said to start with one first, if no side effect then increase to 2.
Me: Maybe the pharmacist thought we were married.
Shamir: Hahah she thought Im your son bringing my pregnant mom to the pharmacy.
Me. Why didn’t I think of that?? Perfect the 37 year age span between you and your brother. Or sister??? Which would you prefer?
No answer, so changed the subject mentioning I was depressed – some writing concerns.
He: Maybe its ur hormones. U are pregnant.
Me: Please do not remind me. Who is the father? Love your GIF by the way.
He: No father.
Me: To get pregnant you need a guy dear.
Of course, Shamir sent the Gif you just saw.
Me: Of course it is news to you. I know. You need kindergarten Sex Ed. Dr. Lee did stick a needle in my arm. Maybe its him. Hahahaha Don’t tell anybody,
He: Mums the word. Mum to be. Hahaha
Shamir then got word that my glasses were ready. Said he would pick them up and bring them to me.
Me: If the Force is with me in another form I intend to pray, get dressed and later go to Moro to eat, perhaps drink and be Mary. Hahahah The mother of Jesus. I am pregnant you know. Hahahah Then later told him that I was at Mojo being Mary.
He: I will come over before football to give u the glasses for Mary. 😂😂
Later sent him a photo of me with the glasses saying I loved the glasses.
He: U made the glasses look good.
Me: Its the glasses but thank you. Or should I ask for a free pair if they use me in the ad.
Can Nesh possibly turn this into something sublime??.
You will now be reading my response to Nesh’s recent breakdown. He did succeed, in my opinion.
TO NESH
This our WhatsApp conversation when you told me that the breakdown was up.
You: and the blog breakdown is up Alexis
Me: At the absolutely perfect moment again. Just woke up from my nap ad doing some reading about the faith to tie into my next blog. It is either magic or Allah that makes for our synchronization. I believe Allah. I will write longer later but first two impressions. I do absolutely love ❤️the title. Yes everything did align – will explain longer, later.
He: Love, love this Alexis. Look forward to your response.
Me: I was texting Nixon this morning. He said he was ordinary, I said extraordinary and looked up the word which was familiar to me. This before breakfast, went down to the lobby to tell him of the meaning of the world. It is amazeballs. And then in your breakdown , extraordinary is in the first sentence or almost. So I am doing great. In a super space; the hardship of ill health eased and in the funniest way, as you shall read. Feeling at home in Penang, and my friendship circle is growing. Putting the bad experiences and people behind me with the grace the faith instructs.
The title When Everything Aligns is perfect. Then you said: Some days do not need to shout out to be extraordinary.” Yes, and it was an amazeballs day alright. Iit is true that it did unfold, one small miracle at a time. You summarized the day perfectly: “From publishing a long-forgotten story to finding perfect parking spots and perfect peace, everything flowed as if divinely timed.” And it is SO true that I used to think the the best day ever would mean grand moments; but now now it is the simple ones. The summary sings: “Alhamdullah for the days that hum with ease, for the laughter that lightens the faith, and for the signs, big and small, that remind us that we’re exactly where we’re meant to be.’
The first swipe ends; “Allah was with me all day long.” “Miracles don’t always roar, sometimes they giggle” How true!!! A giggling miracle seems more than a little unlikely but it definitely is fun!
The Sign That Started it All
Yes the photo of the courtyard sign was so timely.
Divine Timing
Yes timing is divine, totally. One must be in a state of readiness, timing is everything and Allah is All-Knowing.
The Dilemma of a Writer
Yes, I now laughingly write; the Fertile Myrtle line was not accurate; the folks are indeed not chosen, but blood.
Mind the Gap
Yes, my unpublished debut finally saw the light of day.
The Great Poop Delivery
Do have to say that I love the word poop – it is much better than the alternatives, like feces, for example. Hahaha
Miracles in Motion
It does seem almost sacrilegious to find Allah in Zero Pepsi, halal beer and Cadbury cholocate bars but yes, grace in the ordinary does make one’s day glow.
960 Best Days and Counting
Yes, joy here all along, People may change but people are temporary – only Allah is eternal.
The Faith of Laughter
Finding and throwing in the Hesse quote had to be another example of divine intervention. Hahaha
Food, Faith and Full Hearts
All combine, but yes, the feast is not at the table. It is at the right place, at the right time with the knowledge that Allah put me there.
You final sentence is profound and echoes my thoughts exactly” “Alhamdulillah for days that remind me; faith can be ebullient too.” Not always somber, reserved, ritualistic as most Muslims seem to regard the faith.
Back to My Day
Yesterday I spent an amazing day with Yasmin. A superb lunch, We prayed, spoke of the Faith, Her all-purpose room was home to our endeavors.. I laid on the bed, editing my Uncle Dave biography. She sat at a desk, reading the Quran, listening to the English translation and reciting the Quran in Arabic. I was stunned to read that the 1948 funeral possession for my uncle was six blocks long, from the church to his burial site. So unlikely, so improbable: Alexis editing a ten year old ‘creation’ in the same Penang room as Yasmin marveling upon the Creator’s word. Later, he husband returned home, they motored me back to Lyf where a Taylor Swift dancing party was in progress. I texted Nixon.
Me: I came home to this!!! Help Hahaha What are you doing to my home?
He: Hahaha
Me: A bunch of non-dancing 💃people pretending to have a good time. I did not pay to go in. Just laughed with Say Hi staff outside. Hahaha
Went to bed. The next morning got out my phone, took a photo sending it to WhatsApppers. “Good morning!! How is this for special effect? Snow falling in my Lyf room. Spoiler Alert: It was condensation from the window again.”
Later looked out my window. So bizarre texted Nixon.
Me: Weird morning with hundreds of red T-shirted people running, and walking, outside my window. Took a reel of the procession.
I will send the reel to Nesh for YouTube inclusion. In the meantime you will have to be content with photos of me at the Taylor Swift dance party. I was the life of the party. Hahaha
