I am not sure when I started to love learning, but I definitely do and it has held me in good stead. Here is a ready example; realize that I do not know the meaning of stead – I think I do but not certain. I will look it up – knowing I could be wrong and I misused the word. Here goes!!Hey!!! I was right. To stand someone in good stead means to be advantageous or useful to someone over time or in the future. Used in a sentence: Her early training stood her in good stead.
At this moment, July 30, 2026 at 12:03 I am sitting upon my throne here at Mojo Restaurant . It is rather warm here near the kitchen, therefore, I have a fan. Not a royal subject hired to diligently fan me but instead a Lyf LED fan. I will provide a photograph. Chef Grandson Cole just handed me a book called Chocolate.
I began to read it and learned the remarkable story of chocolate. It was fascinating. I will pass on my learning to you and you can teach your chocaholics friends the background story of their obsession.
“The remarkable story of chocolate dates back to the 7th century, when the cocoa tree Theobroma cacao, was cultivated by the Maya of Central America. This ancient civilization established a flourishing trade, even using the cocoa been as currency. The explorer Christopher Columbus took the cocoa bean to Spain in 1502 and Herrán Cortes, who conquered Mexico for Spain, soon afterward got an idea of what to do with this curious object when the Aztec Emperor Montezuma introduced him to xocotlatl, a drink made of crushed, roasted cocoa beans and cold water. This bitter0 tasting brew soon evolved into something more pleasant when it was served hot with a flavoring of vanilla, spices, honey and sugar. By the late 17th century, Europe, and beyond, had fallen under the spell of the ‘hot chocolate drink, but it is a 19th century Dutch chemist Coenraad Van Hooten, who we can thank for cholocate we can eat. This veritable hero invented a method of producing pure cocoa butter for flavoring. Within a very short time, the chocolate industry was founded, going from strength to strength as different countries began to produce smooth, milt-in-the-mouth chocolate bars.”
There you go, more than you ever wanted to know. It is surprising to me in that it is a relatively recent invention. The cookbook goes non to say; “If you are one of the world’s many chocoholics, you’ll love this book. Just dip in and be indulgent.”
This is my plan. I am going through the book, find two or three recipes that appeal to me and ask Chef Grandson Cole to prepare one of them for me. If he agrees I will let you know and show you a photo of the masterpiece. Unfortunately you are not here in Penang to taste it.
I just accidentally made a movie of myself called Spiritual Journeys Over the Years but I do not know what to do with it. Oh well. It was a learning experience. I learned my spiritual journey became much more meaningful when I reverted as it leads to photos and reels of my Unrah in Mecca. Unfortunately I do not know how to save it OR upload it to my YouTube Channel, Alexis Alaa McBride. I am a failure at YouTube. One cannot be good at everything. That way you send up being a Jack of all trades but a master of none. I guess it is an idiom??? Well, it is not exactly.
Wikipedia: Jack of all trades, master of none” is a figure of speech used in reference to a person who has dabbled in many skills, rather than gaining expertise by focusing on only one.
I routinely read and refer to Invocations. I found a powerful one which speaks of knowledge. What does that say to me? Everything!! You see Allah loves all knowledge, not just knowledge of the Quran and Arabic. This is the Invocation. “Oh Allah, Let me benefit from what You have taught me, and teaches me what benefits me, and increase me in knowledge.” At this time I am rereading The Straight Path, which I read during Ramadan and another reread book, Living with the Quran: A Year Long of learning to love Allah’s words. I read the book cover to cover when I first purchased it, this read more thoughtful participating in the exercises and meditations. .
July 31, 2026,
This the next morning. Must tell you of my return visit to Mojo. Very successful. It was not a busy evening, for a change. Chef Grandson Cole kept repeating the word choco..late again and again. He had chosen one of the chocolate confections I had suggested – actually my favorite one, without me telling him. It was the blueberry chocolate pudding with rum syrup. He did not have blueberries so substituted plums. It was a brilliant substitution. . The staff and myself tasted the delicious concoction. ALL considered it a success. Grandson Cole said he wants the cake to have the pudding have lava like consistency and will make that his objective. We were all so enthusiastic and encouraging. In a way Alexis Alaa McBride was the inspiration. I respectfully declined having the ambrosia named for me. Hahaha One definition of ambrosia cones from Greek mythology: he food of the gods. something very pleasing to taste or smell. Used in a sentence. Grandson’s Cole’s invention was sheer ambrosia.
This morning sent an entirely different photo with my morning greeting. This was the caption. “This my Mojo made for me breakfast. So delicious and nutritious. A great way to start the day dedicated to self-care.” So far no responses. Hmmmmm. Perhaps everyone busy at their own self-care. Somehow, I doubt it.
Self care is important from the Islamic persecute. Self care isn’t selfish – it can be an act of stewardship, caring for others. In the Quran we are entrusted with our bodies, minds, and souls, and we’re encouraged to live with balance rather than excess or neglect. Quran 17.29 teaches moderation- not withholding everything, but not giving so much that you leave yourself depleted. Another Quranic verse reminds us to take responsibility for our own spiritual well being. The Prophet (PBUH) in a Hadith said: “Begin with yourself..”when speaking about charity, highlighting that caring for one’s own needs is part of fulfilling our responsibilities The Prophet (PBUH) offers another beautiful principle. This from Sahid al-Bukhari where he reminds a companion not to exhaust himself in worship at the expense of his health and other obligations.
This is another way to look at it. Self-care understood rightly is not self-indulgence. It is the quiet self discipline of rending to the life God has entrusted to us so that we have the strength, clarity and compassion to serve others well. We cannot pour from an empty cup I say as I drink coffee from my huge bottomless cup from the Lyf lobby coffee machine.
Looking over this blog and the events that led up to it I can say with impunity: We rarely know how far a few words of encouragement will travel. A simple invitation to bring out the best in someone can become gift that nourishes many hearts – not just our own.
Photos of the Lyf fan, two photos of the ambrosia created by Chef Grandson Cole, my personalized Mojo healthy breakfast.
