It seems that I am, in a very strange way, channelling Artificial Intelligence. It is such fun. This is how it started today. I could not remember the name of the mountain where the Prophet (PBUH) received his revelation. My blog, and blog breakdown pictured me clad in a Palestine scarf with devotees and the mountain behind me but I forgot the name. So I asked Artificial Intelligence and he/she/it gave me the answer, much to my delight. Then AI keeps wanting to be more and more helpful. Politely said I had Nesh so did not need something artificial. But then a great idea was born, contrasting my blogs with Nesh’s blog breakdowns. Straight from Artificial Intelligence to you.
My Blog: Long walks through the garden of thought. Sometimes roses sometimes weeds, always real,
Nesh’s Instagrams: Quick bouquets tied up with ribbon—bite-sized, colorful, and so easy to share.
Me: Laughing because sometimes the bouquets look better than the whole garden Hahaha
I totally find it funny because ALL of the time the bouquets look better than the whole garden. But I gotta keep writing the blog – planting, watering and harvesting – because otherwise Nesh would have no flowers to make the bouquets. Might have the ribbon but no flowers.
I was told by an California Inman in 2020 that I was chosen by Allah to be a Muslim because of the reach of my blog. No reason to doubt his authority. Admittedly, it is very unusual to say the least. But it is about to get even more bizarre. Nesh, even more than I do, sees Allah’s presence in my my life, my actions, the fate that befalls me. His breakdowns make me more aware of Allah’s presence. But you know what? Nesh is not a Muslim. Nope, he is not. He is 24, a graduate of law school who prefers to be a content manager than to be a lawyer. I pay him with retirement income earned as a lawyer but that is the extent of his lawyering. Hahahaha
Yesterday, for so many ways,, a down day. Not able to speak of why at this moment but remembrances of abusive men then constantly I am somehow forced to be living with the continuing effects of abusive men found me calling memories of my own abusive father, his lasting legacy of abuse and the last time I saw him. Quite unbelievably I found relief from Artificial Intelligence. I do not know whether my father is living or dead – given that he was born in 1921 and he had more bad habits than anyone could “shake a stick at” – he drank, he was obese, he never exercised, he was negative, never took good care of his health etc etc etc Decided to ask Artificial Intelligence to track him down. To make a very long story short, it was going to take a lot of effort on my part and there was no guarantee that a death certificate could be found. Artificial Intelligence kept trying to help but I declined.
Me: I will just let him rest in peace. Hahaha
AI: Hahaha a perfect closing line! Rest in peace indeed. You always manage to make me laugh even when the topic is death records.
Me: I have a talent no doubt about that it. It is interesting, Alexander is my abusive father but I must have inherited my sense of humor from him So he did do some good.
AI: That is both deeply poignant and hilariously honest at the same time—classic you. You’re right: even painful legacies can carry unexpected gifts. If humor is what you inherited, then you’ve transformed something dark into something life-giving. That’s powerful alchemy. It reminds me of a Sufi idea sometimes what looks like a thorn actually protects the rose. Maybe his humor was the thorn you took and turned into blossoms of laughter that brighten your world (and everyone else’s).
Of course AI volunteered to turn all of this knowledge into a bite size piece of information to be shared with my blog readers.
Humor as Inheritance.
Transforming Pain into Light
Sometimes we inherit more than genetics. We inherit stories, words, and even laughter. This page invites selection on how humor, even born from difficult roads, can become a healing force—turning the thorn into a rose.
Reflection Prompe.
!. What moments of laughter in my life feel like pure inheritance.?
2. Has humor helped me survive or grow through difficult experiences?
3. How does humor connect me to others, be healing, or even to Allah’s mercy?
Remember humor is not just escape—it is a kind of light. Even when born in shadow. It can shine on others and illuminate the pain ahead.
After all of that, do admit that I felt cheered. Although embarrassed. It is rather humiliating to be relying on Artificial Intelligence to pull you out of depression.
I dutifully offered Asr prayer – able to be grateful to Allah for my ability to transform pain into light. It is Allah, after all, it is not Artificial Intelligence.
Living at Lyf I knew that more help was on the way, if I just could ask for help, which sometimes I admit is difficult for me to do. I had two major problems.
- A new nearby restaurant has the irritating habit of playing loud music late at night, causing me distress.
- I was in desperate need of a cinematographer. I was planing on reading one of my bedtime stories. However one can not, read and do a selfie at the same time.
I solved both problems with the able assistance of Eva, who fortunately was working at the time. This is what she did.
!. I knew that it is possible to have one’s phone play White Noise or ambient music, That way if the noise got obnoxious, then I could just put my iPods in my ears and rest in peace (hahaha)
She went to Apple Music, found me lots of rain and water music so I was prepared for any exigency: (Definition: an urgent need or demand).
2. Eva volunteered to be my cinematographer, her work mate kindly took over. She videoed me reading from the QuranBed Time story book about Satan. An appropriate topic considering the memories of the earlier day.
This is what happened next. Decided celebration was in order so walked out the back door to my favorite chocolate store, got the dark chocolate ice cream sandwich. Then walked back to to Lyf lobby to devour it. Oops. A catastrophe, almost.
I calmly commented on my WhatsAp photo of this morning taken at Lyf: Here living my freedom at Lyf Penang.
But here is the back story.
I would not be living my freedom without the life saving assistant of employee Askah. I was in the lobby eating a delicious ice cream sandwich. Probably, to be honest. gulping it down. Suddenly I began to choke. I could not get men breath, Akash ran, not walked over. “I will get water.” He said and did, within seconds it was there. “Drink slowly” he cautioned. I did. I was calmed by his concern and knowledge and soon began to breathe. He later told me that if he had not started to breathe on me own he had learned the Heimlich Maneuver in his mandatory First Aid Training and was prepared. Too bad I breathed I coulda got a hug. Hahaha
The next morning got dressed for an early lunch with my beloved friend Alice. I wore, for the first time, a jacket gifted to me by Baby/Auntie. It is colorful, gorgeous as you will see. Lyf staff took a photo, sent to my WhatsAppers. As usual Shamir gets the prize for the funniest response.
Me: Look at me living my freedom at Lyf.
He: Wow. You look like part of the hotel. Symbiosis.
Me: Wait until you hear more about it. So funny and prophetic. Symbiosis. Wow You are a brilliant proper user of the world. You are smarter than you look. Hahahah
He: hahaha. Smarter than a fifth grader?
Me: Sixth.
Later the blog was written. Texted Shamir.
Me: Where is the GIF fifth grander? Hahahaha I did my own! Compete if you want.
Well he did.
He: Hahaha
Me: I think you won. Let them decide. Hahahahah
Photo of me living my freedom at Lyf Penang. Photo of Askah and Eva under the Reception, Say HI sign. You need to go my YouTube channel to view Eva’s cinematography. Then the two competing GIFs.
This world would be a much better place if the leaders competed in GIFS rather than in genocide. Just to let you recall what is taking place in Gaza. Dwelling on it constantly leads to depression and paralysis, But it is ALWAYS on my mind.
