Each and every New Year is heralded with The Best Of Lists, here, there and everywhere. I do love that phrase; here, there and everywhere. I was surprised to see that it is a song, written by the Beatles. But it is also an idiom with this meaning: in many different places : all over. Used in a sentence: I have been looking for you here, there and everywhere.
Decided after Fajr prayer that I would spend the day, the last day of 2023, writing this blog, thinking of my life and the Best Ofs experienced in the past year, 2023. But I must warn those who might feel neglected, ignored or dismissed. . I have the remarkable ability to live in the present, enjoy my life as it is in the moment. You shall see examples of that. For example The Best Hotel is the Bahrain Ritz Carlton, I am so blessed, so very fortunate to be here at this moment in time, for multiple reasons. I offer my apologies to many others, included but not limited to the Medina Oberlio, the Riyadh Hilton, the Jeddah Hilton etc etc etc. This is absolutely the best. One should save the best for last. Just occurred to me now that perhaps I should get married again, then the best would be the last. Number three was a real loser, a total dud. Well, that is as good a reason as any to get married I guess, Hahaha and LOL
Now this is a funny quote about saving the best for last. “*Saving the best for last* is only OK if you’re sure of when you’re going kick the bucket. Otherwise, I’m afraid, you could be *Saving the best for dust.*”
This has been so true in my life of late. 2. “Sometimes the bad things that happen in our lives put us directly on the path to the best things that will ever happen to us.” – Unknown
My all time favorite has to be: “The best is yet to come.” – Unknown
There may be setbacks and disappointments but they can be stepping stones leading us to something greater. This concept does not suggest that we should simply accept any negative circumstances in our lives. One does not have passively accept negative circumstances. Instead, we can in the midst of it actively seek opportunities for growth and improvement.
I have an example from this very morning. Went for a delicious breakfast, it was rather crowded. Found myself sitting next to two men who had the worst table manners, were totally rude to the courteous and attentive staff, and to make matters even worse – were dressed in ugly Western clothes. There was an extremely well mannered man, dressed in a thobe at a table in front and to the front of me. Noticed there was a table that had suddenly emptied in front of me. Smilingly, I asked the staff it I could be moved to the table.
They: Of course, Miss Alexis.
The rude men were behind me, I had a much better view. I did strike up a conversation with the well-dressed mannerly Muslim man at the adjoining table. He lives in Riyadh, said if I came there he would be happy to show me about. Hmmmmm Learned his name and gave him my blog card. Who Knows?
My all time favorite, my very favorite and accurate quote has to be: “The best is yet to come.” – Unknown
That is so true, it is found in the Best Religion in the World. .
The Best Religion in the World: The Islamic Faith. Remembering Islam is perfect, Muslims are not. It is another example of saving the best for last. I absolutely know that this is the last faith that I will every embrace.
One of the pillars of the Islamic Faith is the belief in the afterlife. In Jannah. The best is yet to come is the mandated belief in Jannah.
Stooping to more mundane matters.
Mundane has two meanings; both relevant to these proceedings. 1) lacking interest or excitement; dull. Used in a sentence: She was seeking a way out of his mundane, humdrum existence. 2) of this earthly world rather than a heavenly or spiritual one. Used in a sentence. The boundaries of the mundane world leave much to be desired.
The Best Blog in the World; alexismcbride.com. Hahaha. Why? Because there are no bothersome ads, it is honest and truthful. Well researched, can be both deadly serious and very light hearted and the writer does not actually care if you read it or not. She does not seek your approval. Rarely has her statistics done, is amused by her world wide appeal. Once wanted Saudi Arabia to constitute the most readers, now I no longer care.
I can be fickle, changing my earthly allegiances at a whim. Defining fickle, allegiances and whim will show you what I mean.
Fickle: changing frequently, especially as regards one’s loyalties, interests, or affection. Scary synonyms: capricious, mercurial, inconsistent, blowing hot and cold, labile. Mercurial is word that describes Geminis, my former birth sign. Unilaterally decided to adopt October 20, 2020, (the day I became of the Islamic Faith) as my birthday. Now I am happy to report that I am a Libra. This is a clear cut example of blowing hot and cold.
Allegiance, definition: loyalty or commitment of a subordinate to a superior or of an individual to a group or cause. Favorite synonyms are: fidelity, true-heartedness, staunchness.
Along now shall come the definition of whim: a sudden desire or change of mind, especially one that is unusual or unexplained:. Used in a sentence: She appeared and disappeared at whim. Favorite synonyms are: kink, whimsy, whim-wham. I can be very kinky, whimsical and whim-whammy.
It may look capricious but I am not. I begin by trusting people, believing in them but am silently watchful. Slowly, but surely, they reveal themselves. They are so confident, overconfident in my love for them – that they become careless. I suppose as a way of testing me. I fail the test – not offering them unconditional love. Actually criticize their behavior, their treatment of me. Or perhaps just disappear from their lives. I have no idea if they comprehend why I am suddenly absent – missing. No Idea if they miss me or not. They have a blog, they can read me, should they wish to. The blog does come in handy.
Back to the blog which shall provide more examples. Most recently, while still residing in the Medina Oberio, I accidentally had an excellent idea. I filmed a selfie of myself at the Prophet’s Mosque, musing upon the faith. Incorporated one of the reels on the blog. It proved to be a treasure trove for the following reasons. Chris, my computer guru, placed them on Youtube. When I went back to view them, rather accidentally, found that people had left comments. Purposefully, it is impossible to reach me on the blog. Chris and I decided upon this at the blog’s inception. Comments that people make can be so critical – who needs that? One sees it on Instagram all of the time. Noncreative lazy people spew out negativity and hatred, anonymously. Taking no responsibility for their words or thinking. (They seldom, if ever think) No thanks.
Go to the December 20, 2023 blog, There is a link to the YouTube selfie. I just saw that I have 695 views. MashaAllah. Alhanduillah. I was going to speak of all the wonderful positive feedback received from people but I cannot seem to retrieve their messages at the present moment.
So instead I am going to sign off, sending two more reels to Chris to post. I shall do so for the following reason, now revealed through our email messages.
Me: Blog for today. Looks like this was not posted.
He: Hi, all posted. We had a party got hella drunk.
Me: Wish I was you last night but not this morning. Hahaha Alexis
Then another message.
He: All posted. Drinking tonight. Still thinking of a plan for tomorrow. Happy new year.
Me: Will send blog quickly before drinking begins. Hahaha guess I better start writing.
Well I did and it is done. London is three hours behind so it is still morning there. Bye now.
