An extremely inspiring bookmark message will begin this blog. I shall picture the bookmark itself at the conclusion of the blog. “When God pushes you to the edge of difficulty trust him fully because two things can happen. Either He’ll catch you when you fall or he will teach you how to fly. This book mark, as you shall see, was given to me by MY BOOKS, enterprise whose saying is : “Find a book to soothe your soul.”
The bookmark was nestled in a book purchased in KL during my stay. The book, Nakhoda Navigating The Sea of Leadership was ‘rediscovered’ yesterday. There is a sort of railing surrounding the bed in my tiny room. I had been using it to store my eye glasses and other paraphernalia. My Islamic books were piled on the long desk facing the bed.
Me: Instead, why not put the books on the ledge incorporating them into your space.
Alter Ego: Good idea.
I did it! Joyfully took a photo and sent it to some of my WhatsAppers with this message.
Me: Look what I did! I took my books on Islam and put them on the shelf behind my bed.. I am SO proud of myself.
She: Well done!
Me: Thank you! It feels like bringing the faith home to my tiny room. It feels sort of like I a shrine. I do pray in my room. Well, also sleep, read and write. Sort of an all purpose room. Hahaha
This morning, after Fajr prayer, looked about my collection choosing a book. I chose Nakhoda and began my read. Sipping my in-room coffee before sunrise. The book has two authors and is in two languages. The languages: Malay and English. The authors: Uthman Zaik and Wan Ainun Rakzi. He is an independent researcher in the field of Malay boats and navigation. She is a seeker, a facilitator, and executive coach. I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Wan Ainun Rakzi on August 28, 2026. It was so entirely coincidental that it HAD to be Allah. It was either magic or Allah. I believe in Allah – not magic. She is not only an inspirational person; she had an inspirational story to tell. It is her story – not mine, therefore I shan’t tell it here. Hahaha
The book begins with Acknowledgements from both of the authors.Both of them acknowledged Allah. Uthman Zaik wrote. “He who allows what has been planned to come to fruition. He who provides Guidance in times of darkness. He who is the source of strength throughout the journey. So much so nothing more can be hoped for except what has always been granted by Him.”
Wan Ainun Radzi wrote: “Every step of this voyage has been sustained by the Grace and Mercy of Allah (SWT) To him belongs all praise – from the strength to begin, the courage to continue and the blessing to arrive at the shore,”
You shall hear more of my journey as I continue my reading. I did purchase the book but it seems like such a gift. To meet one of the authors and to be able to read about the history of my adopted country, Malaysia..
This morning I announced to my WhatsAppers:
Me: Good morning!! I chose a book from my collection and began rereading it. I am reading Nakooda and will write of it on my blog. Alhamdulillah.
She: Good morning!! That sounds wonderful. Enjoy your reading.
Me: Reading and writing about it. Hey, I get to see you tomorrow!
I had the best of fun at my breakfast yesterday at Kenny Hill’s Bakers. A waiter brought me coffee with a side of milk – the milk spilled all over the table and my white dress. He was so apologetic, kept saying he was sorry. I just laughed.
Me: Dear, it was an accident!! It is not as if you said: “I am going to spill milk all over that lady in the white dress and Palestinian scarf.” The milk is white, the dress is white – no harm. Usually when I am wearing white I spill something like soya sauce or ketchup all over it. That would be a problem – this it not.
I helped clean up the milk.. We laughed and laughed. Later I told him I was writing about the incident and gave him my blog card, showing him the blog on my phone. Hey, I may have a new reader. What is a little milk between friends. Hahaha
I am meeting (and greeting) the most amazing people here in Malaysia. I shall give you another example. I met a Muslim Sister in KL when staying at Domitys. We have stayed in touch through the wonders of WhatsApp. She recently wrote: .
She: In case you wanna learn more about what I do. Then gave me with this link https://www.instagram.com/roboticist_malaysia?igsi=MWJqNzFrc-WZ3M29oNQ%3D&utm_source=qr
I did, of course link it – so should you. I immediately responded.
Me: Wow🤩 Impressive. I am going to look at it more, scroll through a look at all of your Instagram posts. It is most innovative and has had such long term effects in young people’s lives.
She: My sister and I founded this company in 2009 together with our late brother. He passed away at the age of 27 years old in 2014. So this business is very personal to us.
Me: Oh No! How tragic, But you are carrying this on, leaving a legacy!!
She went on to speak of the challenges and the lack of funding by CSR.
I look at the passage of days and am amazed to see that I have been back in Penang (which I call home) for scarcely a week. I determined to spend the first week back home immersing myself in self-care.
I have written of self care before in my blogs. It seems I have spoken of everything in in the past. In some ways this is discouraging.
Me: What am I doing?? I have said it already. There is no sense reinventing the wheel.
Oh my goodness, another idiom. I must look it up. It is sure to be applicable. I turned to, and made a contribution to Wikipedia. I much prefer Wikipedia to Artificial Intelligence for many reasons.
Wikipedia: To reinvent the wheel is to attempt to duplicate—most likely with inferior results—a basic method that has already previously been created or optimized by others. The inspiration for this idiomaticmetaphor is that the wheel is an ancient archetype of human ingenuity (one so profound that it continues to underlie much of modern technology). As it has already been invented and is not considered to have any inherent flaws, an attempt to reinvent it would add no value to it and be a waste of time, diverting the investigator’s resources from possibly more worthy goals.
I suppose the question might be this. What is more worthy goal then writing about my daily life and with the hardships and benefits I encounter on a daily basis. I will think about that more. Perhaps instead write a book? I am not sure at this moment. Will explore the question more thoroughly using Wikipedia. This would not be possible with AI – they would be trying to do my thinking for me, pandering me, distracting me.
Continuing to read Wikipedia did provide information that stimulated my thinking.
Wikipedia: “Reinventing the wheel” may be an ironic cliche – it is not clear when the wheel itself was actually invented. The modern “invention” of the wheel might actually be a “re-invention” of an age-old invention. Additionally, many different wheels featuring enhancements on existing wheels (such as the many types of available tires) are regularly developed and marketed. The metaphor emphasizes understanding existing solutions, but not necessarily settling for them.
So perhaps each time I return to my prior thinking while expanding my knowledge? I am not sure.
This is what I wrote before about self-care and the Islamic Faith.
The Islamic Faith holds the key and shows the pathway to self-care. The Faith values self-care, explaining its importance: “Allah (SWT) entrusts us to take care of ourselves first and foremost and maintain a constant connection to Him. As it is when we can look after our own through His Guidance that we can also care for others – our community and Allah’s (SWT) creations. From another source I learned: Self-care is a crucial aspect of the Islamic faith. It is incumbent upon every Muslim to care for him or herself as a way of showing gratitude for the blessing of health and wellbeing that Allah (SWT) has bestowed upon them On the twelfth day of Ramadan I formed the intention to practice self care. It was done in many ways, on the second Friday of Ramadan. Better organizing my belongs, ironing some clothes, fixing the doll I made at the Ithra Children’s Museum (her head fell off) , organized daily medication in the pill container, edited some photos. Most importantly, focused on matters of the faith, continuing with quotations from the Preface of Fasting for Ramadan.
“ Of course there is always traffic between reflection and expression, as between the mind and the body; between God and human, between past and present, between the external system of the world and the internal systems of the so-called self… Self care is important from the Islamic perspective. 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.”
Hmmm. I did learn something from rereading my prior blog. We cannot pour from an empty cup I say as I drink coffee from my huge bottomless cup from the Lyf lobby coffee machine.
Hahaha
Today has been a personally rewarding day. A woman whose work with the young I admire, began reading my blog and said I was a good writer.
She: I have started to read your blog and I must say I am enjoying it. You are a good writer.
Me: Wow Thank you. Love to talk to you about my writing sometime. Had to learn to write after retiring from the law. Third person passive does not make for interesting reading. Hahaha
Then another compliment of a different nature. I met a young woman here at Lyf. Observed she her coming steadily successful. Recently, she obtained employment at another hotel, an elevated and hence more remunerative position. I complimented her on her success, saying I was SO proud of her and felt so happy she was doing so well.
She: Thank you . I have learned to stand up more more for myself and be more confident because of you. I really appreciate that.
Me: WOW!! Thank you. I am glad that I was helpful. Confidence is SO important when you have earned it. And you have. earned it. Me too, she said humbly. Hahaha
She: 🤣
Photographs following this blog will include the book mark, the Islamic books surrounding my bed, a photo of the cover of the book I am reading
