Sanctity of the Dead

Growing up in a conservative setting, I inherited teachings of respect for the environment and life on the whole. If respect is given it shall in turn be received. The miracle of life still amazes the best of us and to respect this miracle was of high importance. We know the joy of bringing a baby into this world and we also know the grief of losing loved ones. Birth and death are aspects of life we accept and its consequences we accommodate. In a different scenario, what if it was not as straight forward to accept?

What if the dead became object and not person?

The scent of formaldehyde snaked through the air as I prodded a preserved, discoloured liver with forceps under the light of bright fluorescent bulbs in a student populated laboratory. At the far corner, the laboratory assistant gave out the ever “limited” supply of surgical gloves. Today yet again we would be confined to the use of one hand as it was one glove per person. As the professor surveyed the room of noisy chattering he explained that the “specimens” were disinfected and we should adopt from now, a more hands on approach.

The assistant was reaching nowhere fast and the professor was just upon our heels to oversee what we were viewing, so with a deep breath I pressed my fingers in. Cold and hard to the initial touch and then with great ease I found myself turning the organ to view the various lobes. Finding the ligamentum teres hepatis was a cause for rejoice and brief smiling until the thought of what I held in my hands further sank in.

I would always be anxious to tell my siblings what I had done and seen but now the stories seemed to shrivel and I no longer shared the passing of my day. These old cadavers that lined the anatomy room seemed like paintings on the wall, their place befitted the setting. My mind always remained estranged with the thought of there was once life in these beings just as I am.

We were told that the bodies were donated for the cause of learning and we should appreciate the sacrifice made by others for the benefit of life on the whole. If the body lived after dying then this would certainly be the closest it came in modern day society. Something so personal and guarded was left open on a bare metal tray in a “human icebox”. Was it vulgar and cruel or just too much thought into something inanimate and lifeless? We define serial killers who mutilate their victims as monstrous and we remain virtuous in our search for knowledge at others expense.

For my brief encounters, every time I felt the hint of a giggle or the thought of frivolity and idle blabber my conscience grew heavy and emotion would cease for a period. This course would certainly test our professionalism in training ourselves to remain objective on what was most definitely subjective.

We always justify before giving true thought, in the name of learning and progression these are the bitter sweet tools of the trade. In order to mesh my thought with reality I always place myself in the shoes that have been chosen to fit the roles. Would you consider this your dying wish for an unseen number of strangers to explore what you had chosen to keep private whilst you were alive? Many can argue the fact that the body remains physical and it bares no real resemblance to the one whom it lent its grace to. However, it still remains a mystery how some people after successful heart transplants have adopted similar practices of their donors. It is even seen in the survivors of the donor who feel an unreasonable and natural affection for the person to whom the heart was given to.

How many of these cadavers were actually donated knowing what their life beyond death actions truly entailed? If God forbid one of us were to die now, we would never picture that our last rites were not carried out and instead our bodies were preserved and strung out to be displayed and explored. I am in no way against progression and I see reason in having practical experience but until they remain as paintings on the wall I cannot feel at ease in violating the sanctity of the dead.

Thus with a taste of wonder, a hint of dissatisfaction, a choice of confession and a sprinkle of acceptance I begin my journey for knowledge.

Blogging with purpose,
Mariamlelue

Ongoing Struggle

I add another poem to be read,
Words written as conscience was fed,
Contemplative thought was bred,
When all has been said,
Comment if you so choose,
To add to a poet’s amuse,
Gratitude is what I offer to thee

Penned by yours truly

Ongoing Struggle

Vision blurred in the fallen darkness,
Forever contemplating in this solitary abyss,
Inevitably sensing the world is terribly amiss,
As the devils continue to deliver their death kiss,
My screams fall upon deafened ears,
Distant eyes echo my growing fears,
Oblivious to the burning tears,
Flowing with all my hopes, dreams and cares,
Mocking pretenders plague this land,
Traitors laugh as I humbly stand,
My future an open book in God’s hand,
Their hearts sealed unable to understand,
From the innocence of the honest they plunder,
Sworn to cast us asunder,
Leaving the broken heart to wonder,
Breaking under the forces that thunder,
Keeping the faith, I will never surrender,
Desperately hoping for the arrival of a defender,
To survive the onslaught of the present,
In a time where justice is absent,
Patient throughout every torment,
Forgive my transgressions ever so prevalent,
With remorseful tears I sincerely repent,
Fragile faith forever penitent,
In dire need of a guiding light,
Wishing the sun would rise over this morbid night,
Barren hearts ignorant to my plight,
Ongoing battle forever testing one’s might,
To the last drop of blood I fight,
Bestow upon me all that is right,
Barriers removed revealing true sight,
Our blood is one, together we unite,
Will the deaf ever hear my plead?
Everywhere rampant destruction plants its seed,
All are victims of materialistic greed,
Exploiting this vulnerable creed,
Resulting in deprivation of those truly in need,
The call to the faithful unwilling to heed,
Falsely appointing the blind to lead,
Recurring wounds continue to bleed,
On fickle minds, the wicked feed,
Deeds stink with lustful intention,
Its foul stench devours any good action,
Systematically destroying any chance for salvation,
The game of guilt sets fire to any sacred emotion,
Relinquish the evil, a deliverance from temptation,
Seeking the peace to silence our frustration,
An enemy disguised as the soul’s mate,
Feverishly feeding on revengeful hate,
Man is responsible for their present state,
Hope lost but seldom too late,
Rekindle the flame of the lost faith,
The end to our inner struggles we await,
Only with shahadah on our lips may we breathe our ultimate.

(16-06-2007)

Blogging with purpose,

Mariamlelue

Learning Self-Restraint

“O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint.” ~ Qur’an (2:183)

In a life full of choices, two paths are distinguished from the others. These paths are literally defined by our actions and are a direct result of our beliefs. We associate actions of kindness and good-will as tenants of the righteous path and those of destruction and chaos as inroads to the path of evil-doing. Life presents to us numerous decisions with every breath we take, decisions whose consequences can be short-lived or instrumental throughout our lives.

In the hope of gaining eternal bliss, the average individual actively walks on the path of righteousness though faltering at times. We execute efforts to shun degrading actions that damage ours as well as others physical and emotional psyche. To materialise this in our conscience, we can think of the effect of an extra-marital affair on the married couple, on the “lover”, on the family and on the community and society as a whole. Thus it is only natural that many religious scriptures admonish adultery and all forms of it. No sane person can argue the fact that this action erodes the very fabric that supports sustainable life i.e. the family unit. The family is centred on building and so the choice of pleasure over faithfulness can never build but only destroy.

We can now appreciate why many of us choose a life of abstinence from such destructive actions as there is no true upliftment in degradation. In theory all that was said sounds achievable yet we live in crime-stricken societies that have broken away from the teachings of good-will. In reality many challenges exist that camouflage what was once just a simple choice of choosing good or bad. The line between good and bad merges and disappears with various degrees of compromise and so we can no longer distinguish what was good or bad and if good and bad even exists.

Many of us become lost at various junctions in our life where wrong becomes desirable and good becomes penance. We find it increasingly hard to choose good over bad and temptations toy with our emotions. As the world continues in this trend our conscience becomes ambushed with guilt and regret. The person who has relatively no choice but to passivley accept and does so in the fear of reprimand still has to learn the most fundamental teaching of exercising right over wrong. The only way to display true self-restraint is to actively choose to do good in the presence of choice and temptation.

“Restraint never ruins one's health. What ruins it, is not restraint but outward suppression. A really self-restrained person grows every day from strength to strength and from peace to more peace. The very first step in self-restraint is the restraint of thoughts.” ~ Mohandas Gandhi

As I uphold this month of fasting it becomes evident to me the small victory of self sacrifice and its consequent feelings of satisfaction and fulfilment. It is a training ground for self-restraint culturing us to choose with greater prudence. If one can learn to abstain from something as basic as eating for a set period of time, imagine the effect self-restraint would have on a person’s choices. Some of the veils clouding our judgement would certainly be removed if we can see reason in abstinence and make a conscious effort to practice it.

It is completely in my opinion that if we were to practice more self-restraint then the world would definitely be a better place to live in.

“Grant that I may become beautiful in my soul within, and that all my external possessions may be in harmony with my inner self. May I consider the wise to be rich, and may I have such riches as only a person of self-restraint can bear or endure.” ~ Plato

Blogging with purpose,
Mariamlelue

Blurred Vision

“No hay ciego peor que el que no quiere ver” - “There is none so blind than one who does not want to see”

Many of us are preoccupied with great expectations and in its quest we become obsessed. The target is set far beyond our reach. Is it ambition or are we just inevitably marrying our dreams with disappointment? The choice to live rather than wait for death echoes an optimistic outlook to life. From that day onwards we demand from life what we perceive to be in our best interest yet life serves us individually and independently. Optimism becomes meshed with wishful thinking and we lose sight of what really exists. The vicious cycle of want and acquisition continues to spin the axis of our world. We want, we acquire, we want, we acquire… and the story continues.

“The grass is always greener on the other side” ~Unknown

These words remain etched in our subconscious and fuel our drive to acquire. It is only when the outcome does not mirror our expectations that we start to question our God-given right to hope.

“You only see what your eyes want to see” ~Frozen lyrics

Why do we expect more than what is there? When we cannot even accept the simple arrangement of our life, how can we begin to truly see? It is only when we look up we can appreciate the height of a mountain, yet we continue to focus on what is directly in front of us. The playing pieces are all around us yet we never learn how to throw the dice. Our fate is left at the hands of strangers rather than us taking the “bull by the horns”. We live in a world of technicolour yet our vision is monotone.

Our understanding is closed to accepting beyond our desires. In this thirst to satiate our wants we ignore the lessons of life being taught to us. Many of us believe our life is not truly in our hands and we cannot solely determine our future yet we can effect a change in our present by choice of will which would definitely be reflected in our days to come.

Our inner sight is concealed under the temporary fascinations of our day to day life. The first step to self rediscovery is on the path of clairvoyance. It begins with seeing what is actually there followed by appreciation and acceptance. If we surrender our fear of losing that which we desire and open our hearts to possibilities that can emanate realistically out of hope and not day dreaming, our eventual outcome would never be as disappointing.

In this world of serve or be served we have begun to compete for prizes that seem to always slip out of our grasp. We find ourselves racing against each other yet there is no finishing line. Trust becomes ambushed by our fear of being overtaken so we envelop ourselves in a cage of deception thinking we have solved the problems of life by compromising our own freedom. What is the use of wings without an open free sky to indulge in? Who or what are we truly protecting by limiting our aspirations? If we cannot submit ourselves to reality then we become engulfed by fantasy.

A person who can accept life for what it is and use the resources available to create an environment tailored to their needs rather than forever searching for wants beyond one’s reach has truly begun to live. Life will not give you what you expect of it nor will it comfort you when it deals with you harshly. The scars of experience are not meant for us to dwell in remorse or blame but it is meant for us to appreciate the worth of something in its absence.

“You waste your time with hate and regret
You're broken
When your heart's not open” ~ Frozen Lyrics

As we become clouded with the intricacies of disappointment we misunderstand the lesson of life. Life is teaching us to submit ourselves to possibilities in a world of reality. The initiation for true vision can only begin with us as no one can live our lives for us. The curtains are withdrawn and the sunlight is pouring in, do we awake from our slumber and restore sight or do we remain in our self built cocoons dreaming of castles in the sky?
As long as we continue to breathe, the choice remains in our grasp as we are the holders to the key of truly living.

Blogging with Purpose
Mariamlelue

These lyrics were featured to reflect what was said aforementioned
Frozen Lyrics

Humour Me

“I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose.” ~Woody Allen

Ever had a moment that you look back on and it always brings on a lighter mood…like a hearty snorting laughter? I’ve had more of those than one can imagine which shows I’m not afraid to laugh like a “pig”. Hmm, but does a pig laugh?
We’ve all had that moment where we just had to lean back and laugh it out of our system or applauded our appreciation or simply just rolled on the ground completely breathless!
Today I’m in one of those lighter moods and I decided to share some of those moments with you. Hope it does seem funny in the end after all laughter is said to be the best medicine.

“Dad always thought laughter was the best medicine, which I guess is why several of us died of tuberculosis.” ~Jack Handey, "Deep Thoughts," Saturday Night Live

One such incident I remember with a hearty laugh occurred in secondary school. I was 13 years old at the time and I remember the entire episode vividly. I was seated in the third row from the front of the class and on my left was my desk partner Miss A. (For want of confidentiality I will refer to her as Miss A. The story is of essence and not the characters or so I would like to think as I was definitely part of it.)

It was at the end of first period and we had a five minute interval to indulge in our frivolous chatting though at that time these chats seemed to us quite important for the world to turn. She began relating to me a story about her dog and this is how the story goes… Mr. Doggie had decided he won’t share his meat scraps with the cat so he buried his meat. Later on an unsuspecting chicken was scratching the dirt at that particular spot and came across the treasure. Of course we both were giggling at this point without noticing the teacher had entered the classroom for the start of the second period.

I don’t know if it was my height as Miss A was remarkably short for her age and it was mandatory to stand when the teacher came in, but somehow the teacher called on me to relate what I found so funny to her and the class. Well you can imagine my face at this point…
Ah memories that still make me snort lol

"You can't deny laughter; when it comes, it plops down in your favourite chair and stays as long as it wants." ~Stephen King, Hearts in Atlantis

Reminds me of another story at school…
I was now 4 years older and we had been getting a lot more free periods for whatever reason. Free periods meant only one thing …MORE FREE time to DO just about anything we wanted.

“Idle hands are the devil’s workshop”
The chatter this time was about dancing, and I sought advice from one of my friends who had been taking professional classes. Miss L delightfully described the moves but being the person that I am, I needed a visual to cement the moves in my head. Miss L willingly volunteered to show me the moves. Thus our classroom became means for my first Rumba lesson. While fumbling around the classroom our teacher decided to show up halfway through the period and walked in our dance session. I don’t know if she was amused or just being sarcastic but she did make us perform for her and the class. That was the closest I came to a dance recital!

“When people are laughing, they're generally not killing each other.” ~Alan Alda

“I've always thought that a big laugh is a really loud noise from the soul saying, "Ain't that the truth."” ~Quincy Jones

“Dogs laugh, but they laugh with their tails. What puts man in a higher state of evolution is that he has got his laugh on the right end.” ~Max Eastman

I’m leaving you with a few of my favourite “funny” videos. Hope it has the same effect with you as it had with me.

“What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul.” ~Yiddish Proverb

Demon Banana


Dance Like Michael


Twinkle Twinkle


Laughing baby Ethan

LOL!!!

Blogging with purpose,
Mariamlelue

My Breath

A poetical endeavour to be shared but once a month
As true feelings give birth
Read what was expressed
Comment if it is of any worth
Gratitude is what I offer to thee
Penned by yours truly

My Breath

Upon the verge of falling eternally,
Lost amongst disillusioned mirages,
Thousands clamour yet I remain lonely,
Ink wet upon unwritten pages,
Breath of fresh air intoxicates,
Dispelling my predisposition,
Inevitably intertwining our fates,
Bond deeper than blood connection,
Melting into singularity,
Distance establishes itself more painfully,
Intellectual sharing solidifying one mind,
Expanding emotions inevitably bind,
Underlying ties strengthen,
As the days lengthen,
The heart weakens,
The breath tightens,
Every second of absence,
A served death sentence,
Dependant on the breaths you take,
Sacrificing all for your sake,
My existence lies at the feet of your existence,
This love exceeds the sunsets most intense,
I await my breath once more,
This stale air I abhor,
Stifling in the darkness,
Drowning in prior abyss,
Words unspoken,
Oaths taken,
Story still unfolding,
Patient heart surrendering,
I wait for true unity,
Sacred bond of beauty,
Engulf my spirit with your everlasting company,
With you may I thread destiny,
Restore my life with your presence,
Resuscitate my breath with your essence,
As my heart bleeds I continue to plead,
For once again to breathe…

(12-01-07)

Blogging with purpose,

Mariamlelue

What does a Smile mean to you?

A smile is an expression commonly used
A smile has no value yet it is priceless
A smile has neither a beginning nor an end
A smile knows no fatigue and can never be exhausted
A smile will continue to exist even though it is never used
A smile has a past, present and a future
A smile cannot be stopped yet it cannot be forced
A smile is witness to human emotion
A smile is silent yet heard
A smile cannot be stolen but only reciprocated
A smile can be a reflection of happiness/contentment
A smile can be a disguise if the need arises
A smile can camouflage hidden meaning
A smile can be thought provoking
A smile can be charity
A smile can be overdone
A smile can be scant
A smile can be generous
A smile can be tedious
A smile can be efficient
A smile can be deficient
A smile can be withheld
A smile can be withdrawn
A smile can be a confession
A smile can be loaded with intent
A smile can be unexpected
A smile can be calculated
A smile can be a reaction
A smile can be alluring
A smile can lead to temptation
A smile can capture innocence
A smile can erupt desire
A smile can be hope in the face of trial
A smile can convey peace
A smile never used can become regret
A smile often used can procreate
A smile can be a greeting
A smile can be farewell
A smile can mend
A smile can support
A smile can be genuine
A smile can be deceitful
A smile can be everlasting
A smile can be short-lived

A smile can have a thousand meanings that cannot be realistically explored in a world of limitations. These meanings are endowed upon the smile by us. A friend recently reminded me, a smile in essence remains just what it is. The words that my friend chose to reply were, “A smile is just a smile”. This response so usefully and profoundly captured a relatively prefect definition of a smile.

“A smile is just a smile”

These few words impacted heavily on my conscience. This initiated me to explore the true depth of such an unequivocal statement. For it is only when you open your eyes, then and only then you can distinguish between light and dark.

“A smile is just a smile”

If it is received with this belief, then it becomes the purest and simplest expression. Expectations beyond this are a perception of our own interpretation to what a smile means to us as individuals.

What does a smile mean to you?

The option remains do we take a smile to be a science of bewilderment or do we accept it in its truest form.

“A smile is just a smile”

There is the risk of over-thinking as compared to scant regard for personal intent with greater focus on presence or absence. The mystery of each smile can never be truly appreciated or fully understood, yet we desire that which we cannot fathom.

After all is said and written, the smile continues to express that which it was created for. Thus at the end of my analytical journey, I have come to accept that, “A smile is just a smile”. This in effect brought ease to my contemplation mirrored in my smile.
Blogging with purpose,
Mariamlelue

A Voice Amidst Silence

In the Name of God, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

A Voice Amidst Silence

Salam, La Paz, Peace, Shalom, Heiwa, Amaní, Ashtee, Der Frieden, La Paix, Barish, Damai, Fred, Pax, Pingan, Shanti.

Writing is a powerful tool that expresses our emotions. It reflects our personal beliefs, culture, attitude and most importantly our ability to think. The writings that I will voice from now on are solely an expression of my thoughts and beliefs and if it becomes discontinuous or opposing to anyone’s views then I humbly ask forgiveness for my inadequacies.

The sole purpose of this blog is to promote intellectual sharing. It is my hope that it can be a place of creation, continuity, growth, understanding and inspiration both for myself and others. I firmly believe if respect is given, it would in turn be received and so I ask that any comments or contributions be kept in a standard that is in tangent with optimism and useful discourse.

If I fail in this attempt to achieve such an ambitious and equally challenging task then it would only fuel future resolve for improvement.

Any and all contributions are welcomed.
“No man is an island”
For without any readers the voice would have achieved nothing.

Certainly I am not flawless and in the abundance of my flaws I seek refinement.

Sincere thanks for your time and visit. I look forward to building what was started henceforth…

May God’s blessings be upon his servants

Blogging with purpose,
Mariamlelue