013: Forgive and Forget

Man oh man, do I miss Kenya.

I stayed there for half a year during my break from studying and needless to say, the experience was definitely priceless. If the place wasn't beautiful enough, the people whom I met on the way were the ones who made it truly what it was - special.

Although it was exciting, different and without a doubt, memorable, I was young, naive and practically alone in very foreign land, so I had much to learn. There were good people and there were bad people, and thankfully the former made up most of my trip. They made my trip because I chose it to be so. I could wallow in self pity and grudges due to the very serious circumstances that I had to endure which included being threatened with a flight cancellation and being put in prison, being almost physically assaulted and being cheated and lied to more times than I could count. But, these experiences taught me to be who I am today. And for the people, who made my life a tad bit difficult back then, I forgive you but more importantly, I thank you. Thank you for making my trip bittersweet as it painted a more realistic picture of life itself and it made it a tad bit easier to leave your beautiful country for my home in Malaysia - because at the rate that I was going, I would have seriously considered making Kenya my permanent home. 

If I could repay you, I would. 

Till the day I am fortunate enough to go back to beautiful Kenya,

Hakuna Matata.

All is well.

012: Today's Agenda

Persevere in patience.

And have faith that everything will be alright.

011: The House at the Corner

(Image from Inthralld)

I have always been intrigued by the notion of living out of a suitcase. Having your whole life fitting into a 4x4 feet box, but yet still have enough memories and experiences to last you a lifetime. I also like the idea of editing your life. Having enough to function, and to treasure what you have. It is human nature to want more - but more of what? The new and the shiny today will be replaced by the newer and the shinier tomorrow. So when is enough enough?

Which makes me come to the life with a 'small house'. A mentality as well as an entity, the house will force me to own little and treasure it. To prepare to live this mindset, presently I don't collect things - like I often don't take pictures if I am living a special moment, because I want to live it instead of documenting it. If I were to collect things, I collect experiences, relationships, knowledge and values.

And thankfully, they do not take up that much space :)

"We would like our customers to feel the rational sense of satisfaction that comes not with,

this is the best, but, this is enough. Best becomes enough." - Muji

010: Mine, Yours, Ours

This is an art piece that I've made and it hangs on my wall. Since I created it, technically I have the right to do whatever I want with it. Say, if I want to colour the pony pink - I can. If I wanted to add clouds to it - I can. Or, if I wanted to light the whole thing on fire and put it in the bin - I can do that too because I own it.

Which comes to my point, those who create owns. Thus, to think of it, do we actually own anything? Isn't everything in the Heavens and the Earth created by the Creator Himself?

Therefore, if He decide to take something away, He has all the authority to do so.

If we get into the mindset that we actually own nothing - we won't be that sad or in a stated of deep grievance if it was taken away. It will also really help diminishing that big ego that all of us carry around on a daily basis.

Great rewards await those who persevere in patience when distress befalls them.

So stay patient and steadfast in prayer, for at the end of every dark tunnel is a bright light.

009: Treasures aren't Hard to Find

These are my housemates.

They are awesome.

I am truly blessed :)

008: Curiosity Killed the Cat?

Having grown up in an Asian culture, I believe that I was taught not to ask. I was taught to believe what I hear and what I was thought without question. But since having the opportunity to pursue education in the West, I have slowly adapted to asking when I dont fully understand, challenge notions and most importantly, ask why?

The notion of blind faith has been something that Ive lived with for a long time. But I realised that hand in hand with that, is very shallow faith too. I started questioning: Can I believe without understanding? I guess you can. Look at the example of dark matter. As vague as it still is, the majority of the science community whole heartedly believes that it exists. Maybe its the best explanation for the missing account of matter for now. But we are still far away from properly understanding it so it is still extensively studied today.

But at the same time, we have to understand that there are limits to what we can and will know. Yes, it is our responsibility to pursue knowledge. But if we pursue the knowledge with humility and not in the mindset that we can explain everything, surely we will benefit more from what we learn. In the very least, you will definitely manage to shield yourself from frustration for when you fail to explain everything. For only God knows everything. And only He has the authority to reveal His knowledge.

Stay hungry for knowledge.

But at the same time, know when to stop and start believing.

007: Justice

The US Harvard University has posted a verse of the Holy Quran at the entrance of its faculty of law, describing the verse as one of the greatest expressions for justice in history, a Saudi newspaper reported on Sunday. Verse 135 of Sura Al Nisa (women chapter) has been posted at a wall facing the faculty’s main entrance, dedicated to the best phrases said about justice.

Taken from: The Daily Reminders

006: A Melancholy Tune

When you're song is playing a melancholy tune, remember that it is never truly permanent.

"Verily, with hardship there is relief" (Qur'an 94:6) "

005: Sincerity in a Smile

This is my cousin, Adam. He doesn't say much but when he smiles, he lights up a room. I feel nothing is more sincere than a little one's smile. Even their laughter is so contagious that it can make a simple YouTube video famous. It comes so naturally to them - even a spoon can make them giggle hysterically.

Wouldn't it be good if everything we do could be as sincere as a child's laugh? If only every time we give a dollar to charity or even open our book to study, our intention could be as pure. You might even give 10,000 dollars away but if you let it be known and because of it, your ego was given a boost, there would have been no point to your good action. 

Like the words of Jason Mraz, "You are strong but you are needy, humble but you are greedy" nobody knows your true intentions except for you and God.

May we think and reflect before we act.

"Verily, all actions are but driven by intention and for everyone is what He intended" - Bukhari Muslim

004: New Clock Old Tower

This is a picture taken in the beautiful town of Cannes, France during my winter adventure. This clock tower has been standing tall on top of a prominent hill for many centuries. But if you look more closely, that clock on it looks new. That is because it is! The original clock stopped working and they had no way of repairing it because of its old model, so it was replaced by this very modern looking clock instead.

But despite the fresh uplift of this clock tower, the history of this clock very much still shines through. We are living in a fast developing nation where old things are replaced by new, shiny things every minute. But what intrigues me more is when the new quietly blends into the old - like this. We can move forward, but let us not forget our history in the process.

"Study the past if you would define the future." - Confucius

003: Community of Bricks

I love red brick. I cant possibly say that enough times. I LOVE red brick.

I cant actually explain the infatuation - maybe I'm just in love with the colour red.

Brick - more precisely, brick walls, remind me of a community. How one single brick is of no use other than breaking a glass window. But together, they are strong enough to shield wind, water and weather. Just like us - one person can make a difference, but you cant doubt that there is definitely strength in numbers. The closeness of a bond between brothers and sisters can be fostered by effort, but there is nothing like the bond of a human heart - which can only be established by Divine intervention. 

So, be grateful for all your relationships and foster many more bonds to create a stronger you.

"…And remember the favor of Allaah upon you – when you were enemies and He brought 

your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers…" Quran 3:103

002: Padlocks to your Secrets

This is a padlock that I stumbled upon during a trek around Eeze, France in December with my grandma and cousin. The shape of the lock itself as well as its keyhole really intrigued me. Made me wonder what was inside the gates that it guarded so protectively.

It is the same with us, people - we have alot of secrets which we actively shield from the world. No one knows them except for us and God. If God willed, He could just reveal your secrets in a heartbeat. But He doesn't. The dark things that we hold are locked away from people's view and attention. And because God granted us this favour, we should pay it forward. Keep people's secrets secret and guard their dignity. Remember if you do it to other people, what stops God from doing the same to you?

"If you don't have anything nice to say, best if you say nothing at all."

001: Morning walk in Hyde Park

Was taking a morning walk in crisp winter. Stopped to catch my breath on a bench. 

Looked up and saw this. Amazing. The tree branches intertwined although their roots emerged from opposite sides of the road. Made me think how our mortal lives cross paths although historically we originate from opposite sides of the world.

"Allah made us all a different shade and colour, nations and tribes recognise one another. 

Cause every single person is your sister and brother. So many different colours of Islam."

- Dawud Wharnsby Ali