3rd Blog Anniversary

In the name of the Most High, the Most Beneficient, the Most Merciful

Side by Side...Year By Year

It has been more than 3 years since the start of this blog, on that fateful day of 20th August, 2008. I have grown with it and though my entries are far too few my words here are forever imbibed for all those who seek to read it. There is comfort in words lost and words long forgotten. Never forget to express that which is naturally gifted to us and that is our thoughts. Truly the poorest of minds are those that are void of thoughts. Let not the plague of television and direct media dull our senses to all that is around us and will remain around us for longer than any one of today's devices, or one should hope so.

Take a deep breath in and take in all the scents and all the feelings that the moment in time has to offer. The warmth of the sunlight on the window pane, the smell of an inevitable rainstorm, the pangs of hunger in the hours of mid morning and especially when one can't help but feel like dropping everything and getting something to eat.

Everyday brings with it its experiences and all that is incurred due to it. Lazy days make one appreciate busier ones and then sometimes it is just heaven to be able to do nothing at all. I am enjoying such days and my comfort feels inexhaustible. Beauty in the absence of ugly is nothing at all. Opposites are created for diversity and comparison in order to generate gratitude for what is preferred and what is better. The sooner we realise this the better one shall be to do justice to life's experiences.

"People are much like stained glass windows. When the sun is shining through them, they glow brightly and sparkle. But when the sun goes down and it is dark and gloomy outside; Their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within." ~ Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Remember to laugh, to cry, to thank everyone around you, not forgetting to greet them, to see, to breathe, to feel, to taste, to pray, to love and yes to eat :) In so writing I shall take a dose of my own advice and I would like to take the time now to THANK EVERYONE of you who have graced this blog with your presence. I remain forever indebted to you and your support whether it be the tiniest or more.

(still) Blogging with purpose,

Mariamlelue

Give thanks for life and its opportunities....

2nd Blog Anniversary

Assalamu Alaykum
Peace be unto you

Bismillah-Hir-Rahmanir-Raheem
I begin in the name of God, the Most Beneficient, the Most Merciful


If you focus carefully towards the middle of the picture you will see the new crescent signaling the start of Ramadhan 2010.

I started this blog back in August, 20th of 2008 and I used it as a means of expression and release. It has taken a very special place in my heart as words can effortlessly bring ease even to the most troubled of conscience. Since then to now I have not been as active as I would have wanted to be or at least as I should have been but life has a strange way of making time harder to manage as we get older. Maybe it is that we have more responsibilities but I intend to remain committed to what I started here and however few my posts are they will always express something meaningful at least to the writer's point of view :).

I graciously thank all of you have visited, read and contributed to this blog and without your support and visits I would not have been able to continue with it. To all the friendships that I have made from it I say Alhamdolilah (All praise is due to God), and may it last for all of time and beyond. They say quality is better than quantity but I would like to think the quality caused more than 2300 persons from more than 100 countries to grace my blog with their presence. Thank you sincerely to each and everyone of you.

Today is the 12th day of Ramadhan, 3 days after the actual date of my blog's anniversary and exactly 2 weeks from the start of the new semester at Medical School. Needless to say, today holds many key dates and I devote this post to all of them. Today is the day where I pay tribute to the renowned scholarly intellect of Maulana Jalāl-ad-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī. It is ironic that he is so renowned in the world of poetry yet he is far less known to many. He deals with Fasting in the verses that I have selected or should I say re-selected as I have already shared a part of this work in a previous blog post. It is not withstanding to say his work is timeless and can be read and re-read exacting awe and inspiration each and every time.

***

There's a hidden sweetness,

in the stomach's emptiness.

We are all lutes, no more, no less.

If the sound-box is stuffed full of anything, no music.

If the brain and the belly are burning clean with fasting,

Every moment a new song comes out of the fire.

The fog clears,

And a new energy makes you run up the steps in front of you.

Be emptier and cry like reed instruments cry.

Emptier, write secrets with the reed pen.

When you're full of food and drink,

Satan sits where your spirit should,

An ugly metal statue in place of the Kaaba.

When you fast,

Good habits gather like friends who want to help.

Fasting is Soloman's ring.

Don't give it to some illusion and lose your power.

But even if you've lost all will and control,

They come back when you fast,

Like soldiers appearing out of the ground,

Pennants flying above them.

A table descends to your tents,

Jesus' table.

Expect to see it, when you fast,

This table is spread with other food,

Better than the broth of cabbages.

***
I would like to share this beautiful nasheed by Sheikh Mishaari Bin Rashid al Ifasy, Ahlan ya Ramadhan. Since I've come across it on youtube I have not been able to stop listening to it daily. I hope that you enjoy it as I have and continue to.



During this blessed time I want to wish you all a productive and beautiful month of fasting and prayer. May Allah keep us all ameen ya Rab

Blogging with purpose,
Mariamlelue