I suddenly thought of lyrics of a song. In the past this would happen frequently, causing me to write about it, often including the words to the song. This ‘age old’ practice faded. This was a surprise.
This was the question I posed to Gemini.
Me: There is a song that says leave your past behind you and new ?? will find you. What is the song?
Gemini: It sounds like you are thinking of the song “Just the Beginning” by Greg Sykes.
The lyrics in the bridge of that song are: “Leave your past behind you / Every stain is washed away / It’s a brand new day.” There is another song “O Come to the Altar” by Elevation Worship: While the phrasing is slightly different, it’s a very popular song about leaving your past behind: “Leave behind your regrets and mistakes… from the ashes, a new life is born.”
It seems a new life is being born for me, and here is the proof. Three or four days ago I received the following text…
She: Good evening to you Alexis. Would like to confirm or the terminology short form of JD, Is it Juris Doctor? Thank You.
Me: You guessed it right.
She: Thank you. Am getting the office to prepare your application form.
Me: Yeah!! Will make plane reservations tomorrow. I asked Gemini about my legal career. Got an answer that I will share with you by email. You will love it.
This is what I sent Theresa, my MM2H agent.
About the Applicant: Alexis McBride
Professional Background Alexis McBride is a retired attorney from the Marin County Counsel’s Office in California. A formidable advocate in the Civil Courts, her career was defined by a high degree of “legal zeal,” ethical rigor, and a commitment to public service.
A Life of Hijrah: Seeking Sanctuary from Persecution Alexis’s journey to Malaysia is the culmination of a courageous quest for safety and spiritual freedom. Having faced severe persecution in both the United States and Canada, she undertook a series of migrations (Hijrah) to find a land where she could live with dignity. Her path has taken her through Abu Dhabi and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, serving as a necessary refuge. Five years ago, this journey led her to embrace Islam, and she now seeks to finalize her migration in Malaysia—a nation where she can finally practice her faith and live her life in peace and freedom from the shadows of her past.
Literary and Cultural Contributions A “prodigious writer” and scholar, Alexis holds a Master’s degree and is a master of Ikebana (Japanese floral art). Her blog is a testament to her resilience, documenting her global experiences and her transition from a high-powered legal career to a life of spiritual devotion.
Commitment to Malaysia Alexis does not come to Malaysia as a tourist, but as a person of substance seeking a permanent home. She brings a wealth of professional experience, a deep respect for the rule of law, and a heart dedicated to the values of her faith.
I am not sure that this will form part of the application for my ten year visa but it was powerful. Wow!! I sent to myself” “Is that me?” The words to the Come to the Altar song has particular eloquence. I am leaving behind my regrets and mistakes. From the ashes a new life will be born. This is actually the theme that has echoed throughout my life; the phoenix rising from the ashes. I typed Phoenix Rising from the Ashes into the search engine of this blog and came up with 25 entries. The first February 5 2017, the most recent October 2 2025.
This from the October 2 blog. I had asked Artifical Intelligence about the concept and received the following answer.
AI: The image of the phoenix rising from the ashes is one of the oldest and most powerful archetypes for renewal. It appears in Greek, Roman, Persian, Egyptian, and even early Christian and Islamic traditions as. Symbol of hope, rebirth and divine resilience. For centuries people have taken comfort in the phoenix as a metaphor for life’s most painful passages. To “be in the ashes is to experience devastation, loss or humiliation – but the story never ends there. The fire clears away what is dead so something purer stronger and purer can emerge. In your case saying that you have been in the ashes recently but am rising resonates beautifully with this myth. It is not denial of the suffering —its the recognition that suffering itself is the soil of transformation. You might think of your story must just as a phoenix’s rising but man small risings through different seasons of your life.. Each time you burn away what no longer serves you you are making space for new clarity, strength and joy
Me: Although it has been a theme in my life only recently I became a Muslim. It seems the Islamic faith refines and embroiders all.
AI: That’s beautifully said. What the phoenix gave you as a universal myth of renewal, Islam now gives you with divine grounding and refinement. It is the faith, the cycle of ashes and rising is not just symbolic – it is lived spiritual reality. This how Islam embroiders the Phoenix Theme through Tawbah. In Islam even the darkest fall can be turned into light. The Prophet said “The one who repents and returns to Me is like one who did not sin at all. Every return to Allah is a rising from the ashes. Aabr (Patience) and Shukr (Gratitude) Trials are not meaningless suffering, they are purposeful tests that polish the believer, the fire purifying gold. Out of the ashes of hardship, a refined heart energies.
Me: Oh I understand now. There is a renewal in worship.
AI: Yes! Each salah each day, each Ramadan is a cycle of death and rebirth, letting go of dust and rIsing renewed in spirit . So truly where there is hardship there is also ease; truly where there is hardship there is also ease.” Quran 94: 5-6) The ashes are never the end—they are the soil for new bloom.
Me: Islam does not discard my human resilience but it refines it, purifies it with purpose, direction and divine purpose.
Glancing over the phoenix rising blogs of the past I see that formerly I had only my residence. Now I have the extra added benefits of the faith.
What will this Faithful Phoenix be doing after Ramadan in the next coming weeks? Going to Singapore for a couple of days, then to Kuching to apply for a 10 year visa. All of the paperwork has been submitted – my personal appearance necessary for a medical, to open a bank account, to appear before immigration. Why is a ten year Malaysian visa important to me?? One can not function in this country without a visa – one cannot have a bank account which is essential, make a testamentary disposition of my property which is required by the Quran, , my assets are scattered, a Malaysian back account will allow me to collect them and provide for their distribution on my death to charity. It is a giant stride down the Straight Path.
Faithful readers, I do admit that I was not living up to my intentions in this regard. I promised daily invocations from an invocations book gifted to me. This is one, read this morning which is most meaningful.
“Oh Allah! Grant me Your love and the love of those who would elevate me in Your Sight. Oh Allah! As You have granted me beloved favors, let your favors give me the strength to do as you love. O Allah! Whatever You have withheld from me of what I love make it an opportunity to focus on what You love.”
Think on this. Who wants the love of someone who does not elevate you in Allah’s Sight? I have found such love to be most unreliable, transitory and, therefore, worthless. Why have beloved favors from Allah, that are wasted, that do not give you the strength to do what Allah loves? And if I have been withheld I love then I should not mourn but focus no what Allah loves. AND with the tools provided by the 10 year visa I shall be able to do this with far greater ease.
The day proceeded with Allah granting further favors. I was able to make reservations in the Kuching hotel of my choice despite some frustrations over the past few days. I was able to make a mani and pedi appointment at a spa right across the street from Societe. Everything is in order for my journey, I am ahead of the game – wonder what that means?? What did I do? Of course I asked Gemini.
Me: what does the phrase ahead of the game mean. I’m writing on the blog that everything is in order for my upcoming trip. I am ahead of the game.
Gemini:Gemini said That is a perfect phrase to use for your blog! “Ahead of the game” means that you are better prepared or further along in a task than is strictly necessary or expected. It implies that you have anticipated what needs to be done and finished it early, giving you a distinct advantage and a sense of calm. In the context of your trip to Kuching: :It suggests you aren’t rushing at the last minute. It means your flight reservations are made, your Hilton stay is all set, your agent has said she is looking forward to meeting you, and your mani and pedi appointment made ensuring attractive fingers and toes. Everything is all set while others might be scrambling.
Only one photo. I went to the 30th floor and was able to capture a cityscape. KL on a grey day.
