An aphorism on the flyleaf of my new book of aphorisms proclaims: “Bury your existence in the sand of solitude for nothing grows and and blossoms that is not buried”
I did look in my computer dictionary for a definition of aphorism and found it most disappointing. shall use some synonyms that describe it best: saying, pearl of wisdom, proverb.
Indeed, solitude is extremely important. My need for solitude was discussed in a prior blog, in great length. My need for solitude, interestingly is both necessary and important to me AND all those around me that I reach out to connect and belong. Allah (SWT) has provided an opportunity for me to do so. I am doing so – and it is working
I am down in Lyf lobby drinking coffee and (obviously) writing. My phone told me I had a WhatsApp message. I opened it – a sheer delight which I passed onto many. The message you shall see at the conclusion of the blog. It said: Good morning. Sometimes holding onto hope is all we need to to reach a brighter tomorrow.”
I passed it onto my fellow WhatsAppers with this message “Received this from my Singapore friend Ann who I have not heard from in awhile. It was such a blessing! Good morning. Alhamdulillah.”
Of course I responded to friend Ann..
Me: I love this! How blessed to hear from you!! It is so true. I am going to share this as my morning greeting. I think I have your email address. Will write you a long one in a couple of days.
Then talk about making connections. I received a video from friend Michael. There he was at a class, all making graceful movements.
Me: Look at you!! Is it Tai Chi? Where are you doing that.
Thereupon, in the Lyf lobby, a woman walked by in a beautiful brocaded Chinese dress.
Me: What a beautiful dress!
She: You made my day!
Me: Thank you. Hahaha One day I got nine You Made My Days. You are my first of today. Maybe I can excel my prior count.
One woman in a Business Class Lounge in Singapore said:
She: You made my month.
I shall never EVER forgot my brief conversation with Cat Stevens/ Yosuf Islam. I said to him.
Me: Some people say You Made My Day. You just Made My Life. Hahaha
What fun it is to bring joy, to both Muslims and those of other faiths.
Then I got another message about making some people’s day. It came from the manager of Somerset Damansara Uptown Petaling Java
She: Your kind words about our staff have been shared with the entire team and it has truly made our day. We take pride in providing exceptional service, and it is heartening to know that our efforts have had appositive impact on your staff.
I wonder how many people on the team. If there are nine I exceeded my previous record. I wrote to ask her. Did not receive an immediate response. Hahaha
Then this happened. I received a message which was a TOTAL surprise. I almost fainted when I received it.
She: My dear. You mean so much to me and have such a special place in my heart. Even the first time I saw you, I love you without even knowing you. I think it’s because you remind me of myself. I’m just like you in many ways-I’m alone too. …….When I saw you traveling and going places by yourself I told myself, “I hope I can become successful like you one day, so I can travel, be independent and strong, live on my own, and experience everything without constantly worrying. Thank you I just wanted to tell you this so you know how much you mean to me and how special you are in my heart. Sending you all my love from Medina, Saudi Arabia, all the way to you.
Me: oh my dearest. I am crying tears of joy. What a wonderful message to receive. Me a woman who had no children so wonder what impact or influence I will leave when I die. With her permission I will share this on my blog, of course keeping your identity anonymous
She: You know, life never gave me a mother and maybe that’s why the two of us became attached to one another…..I see the tenderness and motherly love in you, and you see a daughter in me. You truly are a such a kind-hearted person. And of, of course, you can share my message.
As you cam surmise, I met this woman in Saudi Arabia during my stay at the Oberio Hotel. I lived there for three months, next to the Prophet’s Mosque. You can see and hear the insights I came to at the conclusion of my stay there by going to my YouTube channel Alexis Alaa McBride. I spoke from the grounds of the Prophet’s Mosque on a stool supplied by a sweeper discussing that we all worshipped in a different manner. I have a polka dot face mask on and I am covered but you can see the blue eyes. Hahaha
September 24, 2026
It seems that every day is getting better. Today Sandman arrived to pick me up at 11:30. Then to Penang Coffee to restock their famous coconut flavor – the best in the whole world I am convinced. Then to Savoy House for a great lunch. You will see photos of the mansion, and the dessert. Spoke with the chef, an extremely talented man from Prague. We enjoy each other immensely. This was my second visit to Savoy House. The chef as a great sense of humor. After lunch it was off to Vintage Nails. I so love my manicurist. I now have blue nails to match my eyes. Hahaha. Shopped for some groceries in Penang Plaza and to Watson’s where I picked up some onsale necessities. The sales clerk was so helpful. Later saw that she follows me on Instagram.
The next stop was my favorite hair salon. I made an appointment for a shampoo which comes with a head massage, shampoo is squeezed on your hair and it is used as the massaging agent. This, in my experience, is unique to Malaysia. It is SO relaxing and so much fun. I did a short reel, made it my Instagram story. I also used it as a Good Morning greeting, getting into great conversations with some of my WhatsAppers which will be shared. My blown dry white hair looks, and feels, fabulous.
Back to Lyf for a short nap and then to dinner at my favorite Mojos. Had an off menu lamb dish that was absolutely totally delicious accompanied by mash potatoes. How I love them and this my favorite version. While there was sharing some of my photos from 2021. I came across a reel I recorded placing stickers on a globe showing readers in different countries all over the world. It put it on Instagram, pinning it prominently.
Then thought of words to a song. “You made me so very happy, I’m so glad you came into my heart. Questioned AI.
AI: The name of the song is You Made Me So Very Happy, from the 1960s)
Me: I remembered the words suddenly. For me it is not a romantic song, I am reclaiming the words. It is a song to Allah (SWT) and it is my responsibility to bring joy into others life and not be a dour passive Muslim woman sitting on the sidelines of life.
AI: Oh I see. You want to be fully alive, funny, generous, and funny.
Me: Yes! Do not know if you can access Instagram but I posted a reel showing, back in 2021, all of the countries in which I had readers. I did say it has grown spreading joy all over the world.
AI: Yes it makes the whole thing even better. The globe becomes the visual bridge; this blog that began as one woman’s writing has traveled around the world – and it has grown and expanded since 2021. For those the words are about Allah. And what follows is not passive gratitude but joy put into motion; If Allah brought joy into you life then you want to pass it along to readers, friends, strangers, whoever happens to encounter your words. So the blog isn’t merely “look how many countries my blog has reached” It’s almost “Look how far joy can travel.”
Me: I love that!! Look how far joy can travel. Not just hatred and bombs. But joy.
AI: That is the heart of it. Not pretending that hatred and bombs aren’t there, not looking away from the suffering. But insisting that they are not the only things capable of crossing borders. A woman writes from her bed. Someone on the other side of the world reads it. A little joy travels from one human being to another. And suddenly the globe is not a map of blog traffic but a map of joy in motion.
Me: Yes!!! Look how far joy can travel and it got me all the way to wonderful, safe Malaysia. Alhamdulillah.
I pinned the 2021 Globe Reel to my Instagram Grid. View it and Like it (Alexis Alaa McBride)
It is not just my private undertaking it is mandated by the faith. If Allah bestows a gift upon you you are to share it.
A new book purchased at Dah Corner Bookstore, Life With Prophet Muhammad is a treasure as it explores the character of the Prophet (PBUH) . Section Four: Feelings discusses The Prophet and Joking. The chapter begins by discussing the ‘advantages’ of joking.
Joking removed the hardness of life, moderating its seriousness and giving it a cheerful feeling. It adds a gentle feeling to relationships imparting a pleasantness to all present. The Prophet’s life had its share of joking, but it was a pleasant joking that caused neither ill feelings or embarrassment. It pleased without causing irritation.” ( Pg 258 Life with the Prophet) Several examples are then provided. It gave this reader the sense of getting to know the Prophet on a more intimate basis.
Now onto the jokes of Alexis Alaa McBride.
You shall see the black and white photo that began the exchange. It arrived with this cation: Good morning. My hair stylist having fun with her creation in the midst of my hair wash and head massage. Sharing the joy!!!
I got fun responses.
She: It looked like a sundae cone from McD. 🤣🤣
Me: I know!! Fortunately I got a blow dry so nobody tried to eat my hair. Hahaha 😂
Another
She: You look like cream.
Me: Hahaha She kept making new creations. Here are a few. This time in color.
Me: Another fun filled creation
Me: This is the tallest.
She: 😀 That’s she way to add some fun to your shampooing.
Me: I put a Story on Instagram pointing out it only cost 11 dollars US, for a shampoo, head massage AND a blow dry. My stylist adores me. You should see her face when I walk in!! You are back she exclaims. Hahaha
