I am taking a recess from the Tale of Two Women to let the story develop. The happy ending is getting happier for many reasons. One needs to know where the story is going when one tells a tale; also when one lives life, actually. That is why the Islamic Faith works for me. I know where I am going if I follow along the Straight Path. Where you might say???
Me: Jannah That is my intention.
This morning I am in the lobby of Penang Lyf. I woke up for Fajr prayer, did some self care, threw on some clothes and went down the coffee machine to be my own barista. I greeted people coming and going and had great conversations with other guests. I also sent morning greetings to a select group of WhatsAppers.
This morning the photo was from one of the Love Stories Illustration & Writing Charity Exhibition. The event, which I attended, was over a month ago. Fortunately, the art and stories remain in the lobby. It provides so much humanity and connection to the community. Unlike Societe, (my former KL residence). There were only competing vendors, coldness and, as a result, inhumanity. But I am gone from there. Bye, bye Bamboo Hostility as I call it. Hahaha
I will now, as promised to a dear Muslim young woman, the daughter of a dear Muslim friend, provide the words that accompanied Chong Wei-Jian’s art.
“I grew up in a single-parent family. When I was ten, my parents divorced, and for three long weeks, I felt completely heartbroken. I couldn’t focus at school, and I often stared out the window window, lost in a fog of sadness. My Mom noticed how withdrawn I had become.
She didn’t say much, but she understood me in her own quiet way. She knew I loved dogs, so one day she brought home a tiny, wiggly puppy as a surprise. I still remember the first time I held it— its little paws scratching softly against my hands, it was breath on my cheek.
From the day on, whenever the sadness crept in, the puppy would curl up beside me, nuzzling my shoulder, making me feel less alone. My Mom may not be someone who speaks her heart easily, but through this simple gesture she showed me, that love doesn’t always need words. It can be quiet, patient and constant—like the soft paw of a little dog on a sad child’s lap.
Even now, I look back and realize how much she gave without asking for anything in return. Her love was steady, unspoken, and real. That tiny puppy became more than a pet—it became a bridge between her love and my broken heart. I will always carry that lesson with me. I will always lover her, not just for what she said, but for everything she did when I needed her most.”
Is this not an absolutely amazing love story??? So different than the romantic pap we are taught through movies, television, songs, all forms of media. It is what someone DOES when you need them the most, not just what they say. “I love you” are three words which can be meaningless when accompanied by either reprehensible or negligent treatment. Do remember that old maxim. “Actions speak louder than words.” Hey I am going to look it up. NOT using Artificial Intelligence. Hahaha
Cambridge Dictionary says that is said to emphasize that what you do is more important and showsyourintentions and feelings more clearly than what you say. It elaborates: what you do is more important than what you say, because the things you do show yourtrueintentions and feelings:
Here are some quotes to help both you, and me, make sure that our actions speak louder than our words.
- “Keep your face always toward the sunshine…” — Walt Whitman
- “Happiness is not by chance, but by choice.” — Shutterfly
- “You have power over your mind…” — Marcus Aurelius
- “Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.” — Suzy Kassem
- “Just one small positive thought…” — Dalai Lama
- “No act of kindness… is ever wasted.” — Aesop
- “The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.” — Marcus Aurelius
- “Don’t judge each day by the harvest…” — Robert Louis Stevenson
- “Do what you can, with what you have…” — Theodore Roosevelt
- “Opportunities don’t happen, you create them.” — Chris Grosser
- “It is never too late to be what you might have been.” — George Eliot
- “What you do today can improve all your tomorrows.” — Ralph Marston
Which is my favorite of all the quotes. I do think George Eliot’s. It is never too late to be what you might have been. Why is that??? It is because it was not until I was 77 years old that I reverted to the Islamic Faith. Most of the Muslims in this world became Muslims when they were born. It took me a very long time. Hahaha
I am going to go through my photos to find ones of me having unique moments, some actions which show me acting, not just speaking. Worshipping ‘uncovered’ and ‘covered”
It will be fun examining photos taken since my reversion to the faith on October 20, 2020 during those long days of Covid. Covid is behind us – but not the Iran War initiated by President Trump of the United States. It has recently been revealed that Trump listened to Netanyahu who emphatically told him that regime change in Iran was possible and imminent. Of course, that was far from the truth – opposite it has been revealed by actions, not by words. Trump is one of those people who can not admit that he made a mistake. I do laugh at that saying:” I learn so much from my mistakes, I an going to keep making mistakes.” Trump’s life is littered with mistakes – but he does not, and cannot apparently learn from them. Too bad, so sad. Unfortunately for the whole world who is suffering instead of him. Thankfully as a believer I know he will get his just dessert. And I do not mean a chocolate eclair, which will be pictured. I ordered one at Kenny Hill Bakery the other day. Hahaha
Getting your just desserts refers to receiving an appropriate punishment for whatever offense you have committed. As these examples show, just deserts is almost exclusively used to refer to punishment rather than reward: Sometimes beloved characters depart much too soon, and sometimes villains get their just deserts.
What will follow is photos of me worshipping, in one way or another.
