A NEW BEGINNING

Look back on your past not only in terms of achievement but failings,

Learn from our shortcoming and move on, 

Thank the Almighty. 

- Mufti Ismail Menk

The past has been filled with memories, happy and sad. I shall definitely treasure the wonderful memories and thank the Almighty for all my blessings. And I have certainly moved on from the little hiccups that life has sprinkled gently along the way. Even that is great blessings from the Almighty. 

Looking back, yes, there may be times that I would wish it could have been different but then again life challenges and tests are what we are made of. We learn from our mistakes and become better persons. If everything comes easy, we may not be appreciative and grateful with what has been bestowed upon us. We may take life for granted. We may not be strong enough to fight and move forward. 

Hence, there should be no regrets. Who or what we are now is a result of a series of process of growing up and progress of learning. 

Having said that though, if I can turn back the clock I wish I could have been a better parent to my two girls. For example, I would include books on Islamic History or the Stories of the Prophet during the time when I read them bedtime stories apart from the usual fairy tales books. I would maybe instill the habit if solat jemaah from when they are young. I would perhaps make them learn foreign language like Chinese and Arabic from when they started kindy as they say that we can learn language much easily before the age of 10. And I often wonder if I have prepared them enough to meet the challenges in this life while at the same prepare for the hereafter. 

Other than that, although there were other moment of regrets as to how I have been in the eyes of Allah, life has treated me well. Alhamdulillah. Praise the Almighty. 

Anyways, taking the same cue as everyone else, here I am wishing all my family and friends a Happy New Year. May the past be a reflection of joyous memories and may 2015 brings us greater and more meaningful living and most importantly may we be closer to our Creator. 

Aameen.  

BRINGING OUT THE BEST IN ME

Well, its almost the end of year 2014. The first year that I don't have to worry about the year target and achievement. He he. 

So what are my worries instead of that, you may ask? Well, to tell you the truth, nothing! He he. Envy all you want!!!

Well, I may be lying if I say that I totally do not have any worry at all. I do have tiny worries, more like concerns rather than worry I guess. I do have stuff to think and ponder about but not the same level of worry while I was at work. Being in a position where you have major responsibility and others who depending on you, one cannot run away from worries. Oh well, all that is over and done with. Wishing everyone else the best where ever you are. ❤️

I do have one immediate concern though : that is to complete my practicum for my Professional Coach Certificatification on time and ready for my presentation next month. Thereafter I will be a qualified Certified Profesional Coach! Yeay! 

Actually, the 3 months program has given me a lot more insight than I expected. So much so that I believe that all parents and teachers should be trained as a coach. They need not be certified but certainly with coaching skill they would be able to manage "difficult" children/student better.  Children nowadays do not like to be told what to do. And it would be better for them to do something that they like to do anyway, something that they are passionate about, not what the parents want them to do. Provide that its not illegal of course. 😁

Be it as an official coach or having a casual coaching conversation its always about them and not about us. Thats the beauty of coaching. Its a total act of selflessness. Its always about their agenda and not our agenda. We are only the enabler not the decision maker. 😋

Pssst... Fyi, coaching does not equal mentoring! A mentor is more often than not a subject matter expert while a coach is totally not! Just saying. ✌️

Anyway, 2015 is going to be a new adventure for me. I see coaching as a noble profession which will be rewarding and fulfilling. My first few attempts even though amateur have given me that "feel-good" feeling. Such that I am looking forward for real cases in the future. InsyaAllah. If the intention is noble, hopefully, the returns will be rewarding and fulfilling. 

Here's wishing that everyone will find your own calling and may 2015 be the best year you ever had!

InsyaAllah.

          

Hanya pada Mu ku berserah.

Sometimes we may go through challenges in our life  be it big or small. Whatever it is, if we have total faith in Allah, we will be able to overcome the situation in a less emotional or disturbed manner. 

Perhaps the following will be of some help: 

(copy and paste)

1.  Kenapa Aku Diuji?

Allah سبحانه وتعالى menjawab :

أَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوا أَن يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ ﴿٢﴾ وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۖ فَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ اللَّـهُ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ الْكَاذِبِينَ ﴿٣

 “Patutkah manusia menyangka bahawa mereka akan dibiarkan dengan hanya berkata: “Kami beriman”, sedang mereka tidak diuji (dengan sesuatu cubaan)? Dan demi sesungguhnya! Kami telah menguji orang-orang yang terdahulu daripada mereka; Maka (dengan ujian yang demikian), nyata apa yang diketahui Allah tentang orang-orang yang sebenar-benarnya beriman, dan sesungguhnya Dia mengetahui orang-orang yang berdusta.” (Surah al-Ankabut  ; Ayat 2-3).

Setiap ujian yang ditimpakan oleh Allah سبحانه وتعالى kepada para hamba-Nya sebenarnya Dia ingin mengurniakan sesuatu ganjaran yang lebih besar dan lebih baik. Allah سبحانه وتعالى akan menghapuskan dosa-dosanya dan memberi ganjaran pahala yang besar. Di hari akhirat nanti tidak ada balasan yang lebih baik melainkan mendapat balasan syurga.

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2.  Kenapa Aku Tak Dapat Apa Yang Aku Idam-Idamkan?.

Allah سبحانه وتعالى menjawab :

وَعَسَىٰ أَن تُحِبُّوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّـهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ 

“Dan boleh jadi kamu benci kepada sesuatu padahal ia baik bagi kamu, dan boleh jadi kamu suka kepada sesuatu padahal ia buruk bagi kamu. Dan (ingatlah), Allah jualah Yang mengetahui (semuanya itu), sedang kamu tidak mengetahuinya.” (Surah al-Baqarah  ; Ayat 216)

Sseungguhnya sesuatu perkara itu hakikat sebenarnya Allah Maha Mengetahui. Baik atau buruk sesuatu perkara itu, semuanya adalah di dalam ilmu dan pengetahun Allah سبحانه وتعالى. Yakinilah jika sesuatu doa atau hajat tidak ditunaikan-Nya ada sesuatu yang lebih baik akan diberi Allah سبحانه وتعالى sebagai penganti apa yang kita hajatkan. Jika tidak dapat di dunia, nanti di hari akhirat Dia akan memberkannya kepada kita, oleh itu berbaik sangkalah kepada-Nya.

3.  Kenapa Ujian Seberat Ini?

Allah سبحانه وتعالى menjawab :

لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّـهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا ۚ

“Allah tidak membebani seseorang melainkan sesuai dengan kesanggupannya.” (Surah al-Baqarah ; Ayat 286)

Allah سبحانه وتعالى Maha Mengetahui kemampuan kita sebagai hamba-Nya yang kerdil, oleh itu apa sahaja yang berlaku ke atas diri kita sebenarnya masih ujian ringan dan di bawah kemampuan sebenar diri kita untuk menghadapinya. Anggaplah sesuatu ujian itu dengan fikiran yang positif dan cubalah renungkan bahawa terdapat orang lain yang lebih berat menghadapi ujian daripada kita maka dengan itu akan terasa beban yang ditanggung akan menjadi lebih ringan.

4.  Kenapa Kita Rasa Kecewa?

Allah سبحانه وتعالى menjawab :

وَلَا تَهِنُوا وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا وَأَنتُمُ الْأَعْلَوْنَ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ 

“Janganlah kamu bersikap lemah dan janganlah pula kamu berdukacita (bersedih hati terhadap apa yang akan menimpa kamu), padahal kamulah orang-orang yang paling tinggi darjatnya (mengatasi musuh dengan mencapai kemenangan) jika kamu orang-orang yang (sungguh-sungguh) beriman.” (Surah Ali Imran  ; Ayat 139)

Yakinlah sifat orang mukmin tidak akan rasa kecewa atau putus asa kerana orang mukmin akan sentiasa redha dengan Qadak dan Qadar. Jika kita merasai kita mulia di sisi Allah سبحانه وتعالى kerana kita orang yang beriman dan bertakwa maka akan hilang perasaan negatif ini.

5.  Bagaimana Harus Aku Menghadapi Kesusahan Ini?

Allah سبحانه وتعالى menjawab :

وَاسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ ۚ وَإِنَّهَا لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلَّا عَلَى الْخَاشِعِينَ

“Dan mintalah pertolongan (kepada Allah) dengan jalan sabar dan mengerjakan solat; Dan sesungguhnya solat itu amat berat kecuali bagi orang-orang yang khusyuk.” (Surah al-Baqarah ; Ayat 45)

Benarlah saranan Allah سبحانه وتعالى bahawa sifat sabar dan sentiasa mengerjakan solat wajib dan solat sunat akan membantu orang mukmin ketika dia menghadapi ujian dan kesukaran dalam hidup. Dia akan melapangkan fikiran kita dan melepaskan daripada segala kesusahan ini jika kita istiqamah dengan bersabar dan menjadikan solat kerana solat adalah doa dan munajat para hamba kepada Tuhannya.

6.  Kepada Siapa Aku Berharap?

Allah سبحانه وتعالى menjawab :

حَسْبِيَ اللَّـهُ لَا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ ۖ وَهُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ 

 “Cukuplah Allah bagiku (yang menolong dan memeliharaku), tidak ada Tuhan (yang berhak disembah) selain daripada-Nya. Hanya kepada-Nya aku bertawakal, dan ial ah yang mempunyai Arasy yang besar.”  (Surah at-Taubah ; Ayat 129)

Tidak ada tempat lain untuk kita bergantung dan memohon pengharapan hanya kepada Allah سبحانه وتعالى yang Maha Pengasih dan Maha Penyayang. Tuhan yang mengkabulkan segala doa dan permintaan.

7.  Apa Yang Aku Dapat Daripada Semua Ujian Ini?

Allah سبحانه وتعالى menjawab :

إِنَّ اللَّـهَ اشْتَرَىٰ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَأَمْوَالَهُم بِأَنَّ لَهُمُ الْجَنَّةَ

“Sesungguhnya Allah telah membeli daripada golongan Mukmin (orang-orang yang beriman) akan jiwa mereka dan harta benda mereka dengan (balasan) bahawa mereka akan beroleh Syurga.” (Surah at-Taubah  ; Ayat 111)

Tidak ada balasan yang paling berharga yang di miliki oleh manusia yang bertakwa melainkan balasan syurga seluas langit dan bumi. Semua ujian yang dihadapai tidak akan sia-sia kerana Allah سبحانه وتعالى telah berjanji akan memberikan balasan syurga kepada siapa yang sanggup berjihad dijalan-Nya dengan harta, masa dan nyawa semata-mata mencari keredaan-Nya.

8.   Sanggupkah Aku Hadapi Ujian Ini!

Allah سبحانه وتعالى menjawab :

وَلَا تَيْأَسُوا مِن رَّوْحِ اللَّـهِ ۖ إِنَّهُ لَا يَيْأَسُ مِن رَّوْحِ اللَّـهِ إِلَّا الْقَوْمُ الْكَافِرُونَ 

“…dan janganlah kamu berputus asa daripada rahmat serta pertolongan Allah. Sesungguhnya tidak berputus asa dari rahmat dan pertolongan Allah itu melainkan kaum yang kafir.” (Surah Yusuf  ; Ayat 87)

Orang Mukmin tidak akan putus asa dengan rahmat Allah Allah سبحانه وتعالى dan sentiasa bersabar dengan ujian yang melanda dirinya kerana sifat orang yang putus asa adalah sifat orang-orang kafir.

9.  Sampai Bila Aku Akan Merana Begini?

Allah سبحانه وتعالى menjawab :

فَإِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا ﴿٥﴾ إِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا ﴿٦

“Maka (tetapkanlah kepercayaanmu) bahawa sesungguhnya tiap-tiap kesukaran disertai kemudahan, (Sekali lagi ditegaskan) bahawa sesungguhnya tiap-tiap kesukaran disudahi dengan kemudahan.” (Surah al-Insyirah ; Ayat 5-6)

Benar apa yang dijelaskan oleh al-Quran bahawa setiap kesusahan itu akan ada kebahagiaan . Allah سبحانه وتعالى. Maha Adil dan tidak pernah menganiaya hamba-hamba-Nya dan akan sampai juga masanya Dia akan memberi pertolongan dan memberi kemudahan. Ingatlah bahawa pertolongan Allah سبحانه وتعالى cukup hampir bila kita baik sangka dengan-Nya.

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1.  Kenapa Aku Diuji?

Allah سبحانه وتعالى menjawab :

أَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوا أَن يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ ﴿٢﴾ وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۖ فَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ اللَّـهُ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ الْكَاذِبِينَ ﴿٣

 “Patutkah manusia menyangka bahawa mereka akan dibiarkan dengan hanya berkata: “Kami beriman”, sedang mereka tidak diuji (dengan sesuatu cubaan)? Dan demi sesungguhnya! Kami telah menguji orang-orang yang terdahulu daripada mereka; Maka (dengan ujian yang demikian), nyata apa yang diketahui Allah tentang orang-orang yang sebenar-benarnya beriman, dan sesungguhnya Dia mengetahui orang-orang yang berdusta.” (Surah al-Ankabut  ; Ayat 2-3).

Setiap ujian yang ditimpakan oleh Allah سبحانه وتعالى kepada para hamba-Nya sebenarnya Dia ingin mengurniakan sesuatu ganjaran yang lebih besar dan lebih baik. Allah سبحانه وتعالى akan menghapuskan dosa-dosanya dan memberi ganjaran pahala yang besar. Di hari akhirat nanti tidak ada balasan yang lebih baik melainkan mendapat balasan syurga.

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2.  Kenapa Aku Tak Dapat Apa Yang Aku Idam-Idamkan?.

Allah سبحانه وتعالى menjawab :

وَعَسَىٰ أَن تُحِبُّوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّـهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ 

“Dan boleh jadi kamu benci kepada sesuatu padahal ia baik bagi kamu, dan boleh jadi kamu suka kepada sesuatu padahal ia buruk bagi kamu. Dan (ingatlah), Allah jualah Yang mengetahui (semuanya itu), sedang kamu tidak mengetahuinya.” (Surah al-Baqarah  ; Ayat 216)

Sseungguhnya sesuatu perkara itu hakikat sebenarnya Allah Maha Mengetahui. Baik atau buruk sesuatu perkara itu, semuanya adalah di dalam ilmu dan pengetahun Allah سبحانه وتعالى. Yakinilah jika sesuatu doa atau hajat tidak ditunaikan-Nya ada sesuatu yang lebih baik akan diberi Allah سبحانه وتعالى sebagai penganti apa yang kita hajatkan. Jika tidak dapat di dunia, nanti di hari akhirat Dia akan memberkannya kepada kita, oleh itu berbaik sangkalah kepada-Nya.

3.  Kenapa Ujian Seberat Ini?

Allah سبحانه وتعالى menjawab :

لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّـهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا ۚ

“Allah tidak membebani seseorang melainkan sesuai dengan kesanggupannya.” (Surah al-Baqarah ; Ayat 286)

Allah سبحانه وتعالى Maha Mengetahui kemampuan kita sebagai hamba-Nya yang kerdil, oleh itu apa sahaja yang berlaku ke atas diri kita sebenarnya masih ujian ringan dan di bawah kemampuan sebenar diri kita untuk menghadapinya. Anggaplah sesuatu ujian itu dengan fikiran yang positif dan cubalah renungkan bahawa terdapat orang lain yang lebih berat menghadapi ujian daripada kita maka dengan itu akan terasa beban yang ditanggung akan menjadi lebih ringan.

4.  Kenapa Kita Rasa Kecewa?

Allah سبحانه وتعالى menjawab :

وَلَا تَهِنُوا وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا وَأَنتُمُ الْأَعْلَوْنَ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ 

“Janganlah kamu bersikap lemah dan janganlah pula kamu berdukacita (bersedih hati terhadap apa yang akan menimpa kamu), padahal kamulah orang-orang yang paling tinggi darjatnya (mengatasi musuh dengan mencapai kemenangan) jika kamu orang-orang yang (sungguh-sungguh) beriman.” (Surah Ali Imran  ; Ayat 139)

Yakinlah sifat orang mukmin tidak akan rasa kecewa atau putus asa kerana orang mukmin akan sentiasa redha dengan Qadak dan Qadar. Jika kita merasai kita mulia di sisi Allah سبحانه وتعالى kerana kita orang yang beriman dan bertakwa maka akan hilang perasaan negatif ini.

5.  Bagaimana Harus Aku Menghadapi Kesusahan Ini?

Allah سبحانه وتعالى menjawab :

وَاسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ ۚ وَإِنَّهَا لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلَّا عَلَى الْخَاشِعِينَ

“Dan mintalah pertolongan (kepada Allah) dengan jalan sabar dan mengerjakan solat; Dan sesungguhnya solat itu amat berat kecuali bagi orang-orang yang khusyuk.” (Surah al-Baqarah ; Ayat 45)

Benarlah saranan Allah سبحانه وتعالى bahawa sifat sabar dan sentiasa mengerjakan solat wajib dan solat sunat akan membantu orang mukmin ketika dia menghadapi ujian dan kesukaran dalam hidup. Dia akan melapangkan fikiran kita dan melepaskan daripada segala kesusahan ini jika kita istiqamah dengan bersabar dan menjadikan solat kerana solat adalah doa dan munajat para hamba kepada Tuhannya.

6.  Kepada Siapa Aku Berharap?

Allah سبحانه وتعالى menjawab :

حَسْبِيَ اللَّـهُ لَا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ ۖ وَهُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ 

 “Cukuplah Allah bagiku (yang menolong dan memeliharaku), tidak ada Tuhan (yang berhak disembah) selain daripada-Nya. Hanya kepada-Nya aku bertawakal, dan ial ah yang mempunyai Arasy yang besar.”  (Surah at-Taubah ; Ayat 129)

Tidak ada tempat lain untuk kita bergantung dan memohon pengharapan hanya kepada Allah سبحانه وتعالى yang Maha Pengasih dan Maha Penyayang. Tuhan yang mengkabulkan segala doa dan permintaan.

7.  Apa Yang Aku Dapat Daripada Semua Ujian Ini?

Allah سبحانه وتعالى menjawab :

إِنَّ اللَّـهَ اشْتَرَىٰ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَأَمْوَالَهُم بِأَنَّ لَهُمُ الْجَنَّةَ

“Sesungguhnya Allah telah membeli daripada golongan Mukmin (orang-orang yang beriman) akan jiwa mereka dan harta benda mereka dengan (balasan) bahawa mereka akan beroleh Syurga.” (Surah at-Taubah  ; Ayat 111)

Tidak ada balasan yang paling berharga yang di miliki oleh manusia yang bertakwa melainkan balasan syurga seluas langit dan bumi. Semua ujian yang dihadapai tidak akan sia-sia kerana Allah سبحانه وتعالى telah berjanji akan memberikan balasan syurga kepada siapa yang sanggup berjihad dijalan-Nya dengan harta, masa dan nyawa semata-mata mencari keredaan-Nya.

8.   Sanggupkah Aku Hadapi Ujian Ini!

Allah سبحانه وتعالى menjawab :

وَلَا تَيْأَسُوا مِن رَّوْحِ اللَّـهِ ۖ إِنَّهُ لَا يَيْأَسُ مِن رَّوْحِ اللَّـهِ إِلَّا الْقَوْمُ الْكَافِرُونَ 

“…dan janganlah kamu berputus asa daripada rahmat serta pertolongan Allah. Sesungguhnya tidak berputus asa dari rahmat dan pertolongan Allah itu melainkan kaum yang kafir.” (Surah Yusuf  ; Ayat 87)

Orang Mukmin tidak akan putus asa dengan rahmat Allah Allah سبحانه وتعالى dan sentiasa bersabar dengan ujian yang melanda dirinya kerana sifat orang yang putus asa adalah sifat orang-orang kafir.

9.  Sampai Bila Aku Akan Merana Begini?

Allah سبحانه وتعالى menjawab :

فَإِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا ﴿٥﴾ إِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا ﴿٦

“Maka (tetapkanlah kepercayaanmu) bahawa sesungguhnya tiap-tiap kesukaran disertai kemudahan, (Sekali lagi ditegaskan) bahawa sesungguhnya tiap-tiap kesukaran disudahi dengan kemudahan.” (Surah al-Insyirah ; Ayat 5-6)

Benar apa yang dijelaskan oleh al-Quran bahawa setiap kesusahan itu akan ada kebahagiaan . Allah سبحانه وتعالى. Maha Adil dan tidak pernah menganiaya hamba-hamba-Nya dan akan sampai juga masanya Dia akan memberi pertolongan dan memberi kemudahan. Ingatlah bahawa pertolongan Allah سبحانه وتعالى cukup hampir bila kita baik sangka dengan-Nya.

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💚Apabila penghuni syurga telah masuk ke dalam syurga, lalu mereka tidak menemukan sahabat-sahabat mereka yang selalu bersama mereka dahulu sewaktu di dunia. Mereka pun bertanya tentang sahabat mereka kepada Allah: "Ya Rabb. Kami tidak melihat sahabat-sahabat kami yang sewaktu di dunia solat bersama kami, puasa bersama kami dan berjuang bersama kami." Maka Allah berfirman: "Pergilah kamu ke neraka, lalu keluarkanlah sahabat-sahabat mu yang di hatinya ada iman walaupun hanya sebesar zarah." (Hadis riwayat Imam Ibnul Mubarak dalam kitab "Az-Zuhd"). Imam Al-Hasan Al-Basri berkata: "Perbanyaklah sahabat-sahabat mukmin mu, kerana mereka memiliki syafa'at pada hari kiamat nanti." Imam Ibnul Jauzi pernah berpesan kepada sahabat-sahabatnya sambil menangis: "Jika kalian tidak menemukanku nanti di syurga bersama kalian, maka tolonglah bertanya kepada Allah tentang aku: "Wahai Rabb Kami. Hamba-Mu si fulan, sewaktu di dunia selalu mengingatkan kami tentang Engkau. Maka masukkanlah dia bersama kami di syurga-Mu." Sahabat-sahabatku. Mudah-mudahan dengan ini, aku telah mengingatkanmu tentang Allah. Agar aku dapat bersertamu kelak di syurga dan redha-Nya. Ku Memohon kepada-Mu,Kurniakanlah kepadaku sahabat-sahabat yang selalu mengajakku untuk tunduk patuh dan taat kepada syariat-Mu. Kekalkanlah persahabatan kami hingga kami bertemu di akhirat kelak. Oleh itu, CARILAH SEBERAPA RAMAI SAHABAT YG BAIK YG DPT MENUNJUKKAN JALAN2 KEBAIKAN DAN JALAN2 KE SYURGA ALLAH..   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 "WAHAI SAHABATKU. JANGAN LUPA BERTANYA TENTANGKU NANTI JIKA AKU TIADA DI SYURGA.."

What I did last Summer. And Autumn.

Its been a while. A long while, I must say. My excuse is that I have been doing quite a fair bit of travelling. Up and down my hometown on a weekly basis. Spending half of my week or so with my Mom. Making up for lost time. As much as I can. While I can. 

Meanwhile, time goes on and the year is almost at the tail end. Looking back I can cross at least a couple of my after-retirement-to-do list. And I am half way of completing a couple more. Good progress thus far. Even if I say so myself. 😋

My only problem is that its not easy to keep my weight down for the past couple of months. I put the blame on the delicious homecooked meal and yummy orange cake that seem to be made available at all hours when I am at my Mom's. Thanks to my two sisters who love cooking and baking. Sigh... 😔

Oh well. Win some lose some. I may have to do a whole month of detoxing instead of a week next month. We will see if I am strong-willed enough to do that! 😝

Well folks. The year end school holiday has begun. So do take some time-out from the office and enjoy some quality time with your family where ever you are. As for me I am enjoying the quiet life when I am at my Mom's and here I share with you the colourful blooms found around the house. 

Life is such a joy and such a blessing! 

Alhamdulillah. ❤️

28 October 1990

Istiqamah

Believe in what You Do

PURPOSE AND INTENTION

Make your purpose BIG

It will become your PASSION!

Make your PURPOSE bigger

Even BIGGER than yourself

Then it will become your CALLING!

Time Travel

1. Venice Italy*

2. Seville Spain

3. New York USA*

4. Lhasa China

5. Rio de Janeiro Brazil

6. London England*

7. Marrakech Morocco

8. Petra Jordan

9. Rome Italy*

10. Varanasi India

11. Florence Italy

12. Havana Cuba

13. Kyoto Japan

14. Jerusalem Israel 

15. Paris France*

16. Beijing China*

17. Lalibela Ethiopia 

18. Granada Spain

19. Athen Greece

20. Bagan Myanmar

21. Kathmandu Nepal

22. Vatican City

23. Lisbon Portugal

24. Tokyo Japan

25. Istanbul Turkey*

26. Hoi An Vietnam

27. Amsterdam Netherlands*

28. Luxor Eqypt

29. Berlin Germany*

30. Jaipur India 

31. Lyon France

32. Oia Greece

33. Siem Reap Cambodia

34. Vienna Austria

35. Cusco Peru

36. Cartagena Colombia

37. Zanzibar Tanzania

38. Mexico City Mexico

39. Singapore*

40. Las Vegas USA

41. Samarkand Uzbekistan

42. Sydney Australia*

43. San Francisco California

44. Mont Saint Michel France

45. Dubrovnik Croatia

46. Bangkok Thailand*

47. Buenos Aires Argentina

48. Antigua Guatemala Guatemala

49. Prague Czech Republic  

50. Budapest Hungary

Above are the top 50 must visit places according to one website. The ones in * are places that I have travelled to. Well, maybe I do not have time nor the desire to visit some of the cities mentioned above, but I do have my wish list as follows (and they may not be in the order of preference)

1. Japan (any city)

2. Spain

3. Morocco. 

4. Vienna

5. Prague

6. Budapest

7. Turkey (other than Istanbul)

8. New Zealand (South Island)

If I live for another 10 years insyaAllah, I hope at least I would have visited the above cities/countries. If Allah permits. 

May Allah bless me with good health and given the opportunity to see His amazing creation.

Aameen. 

Till Death do us Part

So I lost two of the most important men in my life just about a year apart. My husband in July last year and my father last week. It was tough the first time but I must say that I was more prepared the second time around. 

But it both cases, the death left behind vulnerable people to be looked after. Earlier it was my two girls and now my mother.

After 14 months my girls have taken on life challenges pretty well I must say. Being young and with so much to go for in life, there are plenty to keep them occupied physically and mentally. There is not much time to grieve for too long. Maybe occasionally, I must admit, especially during certain events that we have to go through, but overall they are okay. The 3 of us are okay. Alhamdulillah.

My mother on the other hand is more fragile. Physically as well. Well, what can one expect.  She is 91 going on 92 years old. (My father was 97 when he died. He would have been 98 in December 14). She is as well as she could be for a person at that age actually. Nothing major to complain about, if you ask her.

And she has been married to my Dad for more than 70 years. I hate to think that she is going through what I have gone through last year. For a person who have been together for that long, I am sure there is a much bigger hole left in her heart. But then again she is a person who holds firmly on "Qada" and "Qadar". So I am hoping that her grieving will not be too deep nor too long.  InsyaAllah. 

May Allah ease her pain and keep her strong physically and emotionally. 

Aameen. 

          

My Father

When I die, I want to die the way my father did

My father died three days ago. And in my opinion, he died in husnul khatimah. And on his last hour, he was surrounded by his loved ones; his wife, children and some grandchildren even.  I thought it was a beautiful ending fit for a person who has led a good life. 

My father was a very unassuming man with a quiet nature and gentle humour. He was not a person who talk much but when he did it was to be reckon with.

He was never a person who like to trouble others and right to his last few days he was still putting everyone else above himself. For that, I believe Allah has ease his pain and ease his path to meet his Creator. And Allah has also ease everything else in preparation for his burial. 

Allahuakbar. Allah is Great. 

We are sure going to miss him and his demeanour. There is no one on earth who is like him. Thats for sure.  And he is sure one tough act to follow. 

May Allah place him among the solihins and grant him jannah without reckoning

Allahummaghfirlahu

Allahumathabbithu

Aameen. 

     

The Creator and the Creation.

I love reading about how a non-Muslim revert to Islam in Hadith of the Day. (Check the website on www.hadithoftheday or on FB). 

In my opinion anyone who would make an effort to learn the Quran would discover the truth. That there is only one God and Islam is the true religion. 

And this discovery should not be limited to the non-Muslim only but also the Muslim who wishes to deepen their faith and get closer to Allah. 

After more learning and reading  of late I still believe in the basic principle of the religion that was told me more than 10 years ago. 

A non-Muslim asked our Arabic Language teacher "what is Islam really about?" And he said it is about establishing a good relationship with our Creator as well as all of His creation. 

Its that simple. 

Easier said than done?

Just imagine! What if?

You have lost everything! Your money. Your job. Your house. Maybe even your family. And even your friends. 

Every single thing then becomes a huge blessing. 

Every single bite to eat

Every single piece of clothes to wear

Every single smile of hello

Every helping hand, no matter how small. 

Every little bit of shelter from the sun and the rain

You will never complain that the "food is not so nice"

Or that your clothes is not as good as the others

Or a house with an air condition would have been way better

You would be more grateful with what you have. 

You would keep a better relationship with those around you. 

You would turn to Allah more. 

Lets not wait till then to do all that. 

May Allah keep us humble and be a grateful and obedient servant and never ever forget our Creator. 

Aameen. 

Syawal 1435

I have to admit that there are less posting in my blog since I have become a stay-at-home-Mom. Some would say that there should have been more since I have more free time. But no. Not in my case! The thing is,  truth be told, I have less things to write about. 😁

You see, more often than not, I write over something base on my observation or surrounding. Something that amuses me or puzzles me or even thought provoking. And now all that I do daily (almost) is attend "kelas ilmu" in the morning (albeit they are different ones) and stay at home in the afternoon/night. Hence the windows of opportunity for 'people-watching' is smaller. In addition, there is no more office dramas and eye-rolling incidents and anecdotes to muse over. 😉

I even used this platform to channel my feelings during those trying times, which has helped a lot since many a times I did not really want a solution, just someone to 'listen' to.

But now I find that I am more 'content' or at peace with myself. And stress free... ❤️

Mind you, life have not gone mundane or boring. Its still as happening as ever minus the peer pressure! I have the joy of going out for lunch or dinner with family and friends during the week days and enjoy the week end outings without having to worry about the monday blues. Plus the fact that I can zippity zip to my hometown any time I want. And of course the dont-be-jealous trip to anywhere anytime without having to worry about the paper work piling up on the desk in the office. 

Anyway, the rest of the year is going to be free and easy months for me. That's the plan anyway. Of course, Allah may have a different plan as after all He is the master planner. So don't give up on me just yet. Watch this space. 😊

On the occasion of the month, me and my girls would like to wish everyone Eids Mubarak. Taqabbal Allahu minna waminkum. May Allah accept (our fast and worship) from us and from you. Aameen.

It has been kind of a subdued celebration for us actually. Just a tad. For the obvious reason. Also because of the recent incidents. MH370. MH17. Gaza. 😔

May Allah bless their souls and place them in jannah. And may Allah also bless us all to become steadfast in our pursue to become the people with Iman and Taqwa. 

Aameen. 

In Loving Memory

Its almost a year since you were gone. Ramadhan is here again. And it has reminded me of the ramadhan of last year. I guess every ramadhan will be a reminder to me (and may be to our girls too) of the time that we spent at the hospital before you were gone

A lot of events have taken place since then. First and foremost, I have decided not to continue working in the corporate world. Many have asked what I have planned. And you may too.  Lets just say that I just want to lay back and let the world go by for now. 🌅

One thing I am blessed with now that I am no longer working is that I can travel the world without having to worry about targets and P&L. Last May I went all the way to Canada by myself to visit our friend Rashimah and Duane. They are doing well and have a lovely home with a beautiful garden. Remember Syafiqah, the eldest girl? She is now in college while Liyana and Imran are in secondary school. I am still not familiar with the terms they use over there. Sophomore and what not. Promised Rashimah that I will visit again with our girls. InsyaAllah.

And our girls. Hanna has just completed her degree. Seems like it was only a little while ago that we sent her to Penang to do her Diploma. And now she is ready to join the rat race! 

And Syaza. She has turned 21 in June! Alhamdulillah. Both events call for a big celebration. It would have been more joyful for both of them for you to be around to celebrate the achievement and milestone of their lives. Even so, they know for sure that you would be proud of them. You have always taken time to spend time with them. And they really valued that. In fact Hanna missed the 'analytical' discussion with you and  I am really such a poor substitute. Oh well, she may just need to get another man in her life for that purpose. Wink. Wink. 

Like you said, we have good kids. Alhamdulillah. I constantly pray that they will turn to be good muslimah and be blessed with success in this life and the hereafter. InsyaAllah. 

May Allah bless you with His Rahmah and Barakah and may He place you with those He has given His nikmah. Aameen.

Journey of Love

It's been a month since my last post. And you would most likely not be aware that my last post was written in New York airport while waiting for my connecting flight. Seriously. I had  a 9 hour wait with nothing else to do and a subject matter that has been in my head for sometime. 😁

                      

Anyways, the month of May was my adventure month to faraway land. Travelled more than 20 hours from Kuala Lumpur to New York with a stopover in Abu Dhabi. And then flew to Winnipeg via Vancouver. After a week in a brand new home of Nazri and Firdaus plus 5 lovely children from age 5 to 11, I flew to Ottawa to stay with a good friend whom I made my promise to visit once I retire from my work. A promise fulfilled and a delightful stay that I had. 

After 2 week of warm hospitality in Canada I then flew to a warmer city of Dallas. My final stop in my journey and my last week of travel. 

It has been a really fulfilling journey and kind of different from my past travel. It's not the usual kind of vacation, more of a reconnection or renewing relationship between friends. Best of all I felt truly blessed that I get to embrace the life of 3 families and for a little while be part of them. 

But of course there were other excitement too. Too many to write down but suffice that I include some of the photos above.

To my friends who have taken me in their home, thank you is never enough. I feel truly blessed. May Allah strengthen out friendship and may He give all of you and your family his barakah and rahmah.

Till we meet again. InsyaAllah. 

Stay strong

Its not the first time that I get comment that I am one strong person. In relation to the sad and trying time that I (and my family) went through last couple of years. 

The truth is, every time someone says that, I feel such a fraud. I don't believe that I deserve to take that compliment. Simply because what I went through is certainly not tragic enough as compared to many others. I have to say that I had it pretty easy or rather easier than many many others. If it has happened to me when my children were still young and I didn't have a permanent job and no relatives or friends to fall back to and still make it to the world, now that is what we can call one heck of a strong person! 

For me, after each turn of event, I just went on to accept the fact that "it is what it is" and the only way to go was to take the next step and move forward. And when dealing with cancer, there is never a sure thing. It can go either way. One just have to hope and pray after each treatment but prepare for the worst at the same time. While carrying on with the day to day as normal as one possibly can. The sixteen months that we went through from the date it was diagnosed have given us time to "prepare" ourselves emotionally.

The fact that I accept what happen around me more easily than others, does not make me one strong person. All I am doing is to apply what the poster say "Keep calm, Allah is here". In another word, I have total faith in what God has in store for me. Of course there was some period of grieving. After all I am only human. But I guess I get over and move on faster than some others. 

I also remember what my husband used to say. He said that there are many who are unhappy and always have something to complain about simply because they are never grateful with what they have. He said that we should count our blessing more often and realise that there are many others who are worse of than us. 

Anyway, keeping total faith in God's hand keeps us away from a lot of stress and headaches. Try it sometime!

May Allah bless us all and keep us steadfast in our faith in Him. Aameen.

Good nite Malaysia!

          

Paying forward

Here and Now

In a couple of days will be my official retirement date. There will be a big red X on my virtual calendar to mark one of my biggest history of my life.

Oh! In case anyone ask why I have been quiet, the answer is - I don't know why myself. It's not that I didn't want to write or didn't have the time to write or nothing to write about. I have a lot in my mind actualy. There were a few attempts. I started a couple of paragraph and abandoned half way through. I can say that my mind is pretty clutterred of late.  It is not as structured as it used to me. Another effect of retirement maybe. I told my girls that my brain has become befuddle duddle... 😁

Whats that? What have I been doing for the last 3 month? Plenty actually. Photos below show some of my favourite events and activities.

          

Time well spent with family and friends as well as plenty of opportunities to do what I like to do but never had the time before. Best of all, no work pressure and no traffic jam. Oh.  And bestest of all is that I get to balik kampung anytime without having to wait for the week end. Bliss! 

          

So anyway, insyaAllah I will be embarking in a long journey into the faraway land to fulfil a promise. If I get that visa, that is. 

With a little hope and a little prayer. 

Whatever Allah wills.

Have a great week end everyone!

Keredhaan Mu yang ku Pinta

Allah The All Knowing

With Him are the keys of the Unseen.

No one knows them but He.

He knows what is in the land and the sea.

No leaf ever falls but that He knows about it, 

and there is no grain in the dark layers of the earth, 

or anything fresh or dry that is not recorded in a manifest book. 

Surah Al-Naam 6:59

Tired Retiree

Lately I have this feeling that I should not be wearing too much pink. You know, an all pink jubah or baju kurung. Suddenly I feel that its not age appropriate anymore. 

The thing is, since when do I consider age in relation to any behaviour? Not before. Well ok. Except for physical activities that are lilmited due to health reasons or a wonky knee like in my case. So I figure this must be another post retirement blues. (See my earlier post). 

Actually, that was not the first thought that I have. There was also another behaviour which I brought up to my girls that I should not be doing. And they just grinned. Not saying yay or nay. So, me think that perhaps it not appropriate after all. But for the life of me, I couldn't remember what it was! Tsk. Tsk.

So seeing that now I have started to attend knowledge sharing sessions (majlis ilmu) on a regular basis, perhaps I do have to dress and behave more appropriately. Anyway, I can always make good use of a few jubah dress that I used during my period of eddah. Yup. Just the ticket. Plain. Dark. The funny things is the pink jubah dress that I bought were also purchased during my eddah days too. To be worn after my eddah to mark the end of my mourning period. So happened that there were days that I was bored out of my wit during those days I ended up doing quite a number of shopping on line. Tee hee....

Anyway, back to our topic. What are the age approriate behavior anyway? What do you think? For a women of the late 50ies? 

Do tell...! 

          

April Spring

When I decided to retire and do 'nothing' for a while or at least a year, some friends said that I will be bored after 3 months. April marks my third month of being a lady of leisure. I must say that it has not really been a total leisure in a sense for I have been busy here there and everywhere. And definitely not bored yet. With May promising to be an even more eventful month, insyaAllah ,  I will definitely pass the 3 months yardstick with flying colors. 😁

One thing though the pleasure of not having work pressure and I-can-do-anything-I-want flip-hair attitude is slowly wearing down. Especially after the national tragedy of flight MH370. I keep having this feeling of helplessness and I-wish-I-can-do-more creeping in more often than I like. Usually I can shake off any issues outside of my circle of influence easily. But this time the feeling still lingers. Somehow. I reckon the tragic incident has affected me more than it should. Not that I know anyone on the plane personally. 

I also find that I get riled up more easily. To some friends who suddenly find me being defensive and aggressive over the matter of how the govt is handling the situation, please bear with me. It must be post retirement blues. Well, I have to blame it on something. 😁

One thing for sure my feelings is still for the family of those on board MH370 and I have faith that our govt has done all the right thing in handling the situation. If there is any conspiracy or external politics or even worldwide politics, I am playing dumb for now. 

We shall wait and see. 

#UnitingMalaysia

              

#unitingMalaysia

I have not written for awhile. Partly because I have been kept busy with some personal errants. Partly because I have not much to muse about lately. And partly because I have been deeply affected by the recent tragedy. Somehow everything else seems paled in comparison.

In my last post I have mentioned how deeply I felt for the family of the crew and passengers. And when the final news was broadcasted, I was just as devastated even though I do not know anyone personally. Well, of course they would have felt a lot more. A lot worse. Even though it was a kind of closure, still, there are a lot of questions unanswered. That is the hardest part. It is just sooo sad.

That thought has been occupying my mind. While as a Muslim, we learn to accept God's will in total good faith, one cannot help but wonder what had really happened. Why on earth did the plane changed course.... Yeah. Me and the rest of the world. 

And at the same time, while tragedy has brought some people and nations closer together, it has also brought forth the evil in some. 

I agree with many that this is the time that we put aside all our differences and stand together to defend our country. Perhaps there is something good that can come out of all this. If we can stand united and be patrotic for a change disregarding our political difference, race or religion. (we never had any issues on the last two anyway, only the first! )

Well as they say in our religion, there is something good out of everything that happened. In God we trust. I do believe. Totally. 

Wallahualam.

          

Flight MH370

The incident of the missing flight MH370 has been a shock to our nation. The airlines has been known to be one of the best airlines worldwide in terms of customer service with a sterling record in safety and has been free from 'accident' thus far. What has happened has left even the expert dumbfounded. While the search and rescue is being carried out the matter has been discussed long and wide by many accross the globe with theories and speculation all around. There are some comments from some twit brain which are downright rotten while some are ridiculous and others are rather shameful. Sometimes I don't know whether to laugh or cry. But that's not what I am going to write about.

I am more thinking of the immediate family of the passengers and crew on board the flight. Whenever the thought of them cross my mind, my heart feels heavy with sadness. Watching some one you love slowly dying in front of your eyes as what I have personally gone through is nothing compare to what this families are going through right now. Its the uncertainties and not knowing what has happened. The possibly of losing someone so unexpectedly in such a tragic manner. Hopes. Despair. Helplessness. All the emotion to the max. A person can easily breakdown from the emotional rollercoaster. 

And its equally tough for the rest of the family and friends of the immediate family. What do we say to make them feel better? When we ourselves feel helpless and perplexed and full of anxiety as well?

The only thing that we can offer is a shoulder to cry on, an encouraging word, and constant prayer. But it sounds so lame in such a depressing time. But then I do believe that sometimes the meer presence of a person or persons who genuinely cares is enough to provide some comfort and take away a little bit of the pain. I do hope so.

I sincerely hope that the mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, sisters, brothers and children of all the passengers and crew of flight MH370 are shrouded with love and care in abundance from family and friends. You are in our thoughts and prayers all the time. Its the least that all of us malaysian can do right now. 

I pray to Allah that whatever the outcome, it will be over soon so that the family will have a "closure". Then and only then, they will be able to move on with a "clear" mind. 

Ya Allah. You are the All Knowing and the Most Merciful. To You alone we worship and from You alone we seek help. Take us to the straight path. The path on whom you have bestowed Your Grace, not those who have incurred Your wrath, nor those who has gone astray. 

Aameen. 

March came marching in!

New semester has began for my girls. One will be in her final semester while the other on her fourth with 4 more to go. The house will not be the same without at least one of them around for me to holler to from across the bedrooms or from upstairs when they are downstairs. Hee.... Certainly quieter. 

March is a no-travel month except for balik kampung on the third week. My only travel plan is confined to Klang Valley. I have planned for a number of sleep overs during the week days while my girls are busy studying hard. (Yes, of course they are!). For various purposes. For company in some. To inspect a new home. To help out with pre-wedding chores. To help out an intense spring cleaning. And to go where water is available. Hee...

And I still have some outstanding errants to do. The only 2 left in my list (out 9) are located way in the city center and I am just dreading the parking woes and the long wait. Yes, I know. Leave the difficult task to the last. Get the easier ones done first. Exactly what I am doing. But I am pleased that I have managed to get most of the major ones out of the way.

Anyway, I had a couple of bad experience at a couple of government agencies last week that I nearly blew my top. Talk about terrible customer service. Luckily the second time that we went, we were treated nicely. Otherwise I would have carried out my plan to write an official complaint letter. 

Hee... 

Suddenly I feel like a real customer. Real full time customer. Is there such a thing? 😁

Anyway, after a week of sleep overs I am back home to deal with the house cleaning and laundry. Oh! I forgot to mention that I have 'loan' my maid to my parents whose maid has gone MIA. (Another reason for the sleep overs during the week days too). So now I am a real full time housewife as well. At least over the week end. (Btw, is there another word for "housewife" for a person who is not a wife/because she has no husband? Just wondering...)

Whatever it is it will be another real fun week end for sure. And. I shall have an early night for the upcoming activites over the next couple of days.

Hope that everyone would have fun too. You can you know, if you make up your mind to! So lets make it happen!

Good nite!

Assalamualaikum.

Maaf zahir batin.

                        

Life is sweet.

Alhamdulillah. Segali puji kepada Allah. Praise to Allah.

Today I feel so humbled and full of gratitude to Allah. Not that I don't feel the same at other times in the past. But especially so today. 

Its been a month since I have left the Office (aka TM) and to date I have done many things that I wanted to do. So far so good. Things seems to fall into places. The engine has started running albeit still in a slow pace. But then there is no pressure. No race. I am in my own time. There are a thing or two that I wish can be done faster, but it has a schedule on its own in which I just have to grin and bear with. 

I have started some routine of sort to keep me happily occupied with plenty of commercial breaks for breakfast or lunch or tea and even dinner with family or friends. It really feels good to catch up with all the lovely people for the last few weeks. There are still more that I need to meet up though. All in good time. InsyaAllah.

Yes. I feel so blessed. So much love all around and especially from Above. 

And here comes March. We will see what the month of March has in store for us.

Meanwhile, Good night. Sweet dreams. And have a beautiful week end! ❤️

         

Family and Weddings

There has been a series of weddings since Dec 2013. Every month since then. Hence my travel to Penang in Dec 2013, Melaka in Jan 2014 and the recent trip to Terengganu. (February wedding was in Selangor.)

I don't know about you, but I love family weddings. Yes, it may be not be so much 'fun' for the parents/host but somehow I feel that it seems to always bring the family closer together. The pre wedding chores and to do list may be two pages long but the get together to get some of the things done can make a seemingly impossible task sorted out with some fun and laughter thrown in. And during the event day, family members automatically play their role without having the task 'assigned' to them.

The last wedding in the family took us to Terengganu for my nephew has chosen a bride from Dungun. There wasn't much for us to prepare since the bride's family is the host. Except for the preparation of the gift or hantaran. So it was an easier time for us. But what I like best about this trip is that it was also like a family outings for us. We put up at two homestays near a beach. Even though the water was not safe for swimming, it was a beautiful beach nonetheless.

Everyone who was there agreed that it had been like a family holiday; with the stroll on the beach in the early morning, the kids playing on the sand and the barbeque nite after the official events. The europhia was not the same when we were in Penang. The homestay was in the middle of nowhere. What has changed in the equation was the beach and perhaps the barbeque. 

So we all decided that we will plan for a family holiday near a beach sometime in the middle of the year.  Perhaps an island holiday. With snorkling and fishing. Its not the sort of thing that we do as a family. I know that some family make a yearly tradition of going on holidays together. But not us. Except for that all girls   trip to Jakarta way back in ... err... 2000? But its never too late to start a a delightful yearly event, eh?

I don't know about you, but I love my family. The whole nine yards! (Forgive the pun. There are nine of us sisters and brothers!). We may have difference in opinion at time but we never had a serious big fight! 

My wish (doa) is that all of our children will have an equally if not more happier times with their own siblings as well as their cousins and that they will have a wonderful relationship as their parents with their sibblings. Aameen. 

One step at a time

I think I have mention a few times some of the things that I plan to do upon my retirement. The one that have been mentioned a few times are the travelling and photography.

Well I must say that the travelling has started way before my retirement. Right after my eddah ended in fact. That was in late November 2013. Let's see. First of course, I went back to my home town in Johor or Batu Pahat to be exact, to visit my parents. Thats all the way down south.  In early Dec I attended a 3 days Development Program in Melaka. And then I went all the way up north to Penang for a family wedding. End of Dec 2013 and early Jan 2014 I went to umrah in Madinah and Mekah with my two sisters. When we came back there was another family wedding in Melaka. The following week end I made another trip to my home town. And then the trip to Hong Kong with my two girls at the end of Jan and early Feb. Soon as we were back I made a trip all the way down to Johor Bahru with a stop over in Batu Pahat on the way back. And this week end there is a family wedding in Terengganu.

Phew! I have never travelled so much in the last 3 years compared to last 3 months. Probably the last 5 years. The last time that I travelled like almost every week end (and that was only domestically) was during my first stint in Consumer when we organised the Sales Event in all the major town nationwide.

Anyway, no travelling has been planned for March and April. Yet. But you just may never know. A friend has just been bitten by a travel bug too and has started making plans to travel to all the states in the peninsula. And I may just hop for a ride with her...

Well, its not just all 'play' from now on. I have other big plans too. Other than travelling and camera clicking I mean. But that is going to take a lot more homework (literally) and  I am not ready to tell-all yet.  

Anyway, I am rather happy with the way things has got along so far. Alhamdulillah. And I am also starting to re-establish relationship by meeting up friends who have been rather neglected with my absence from the social scene. I know they fully understood my position and were truly supportive but hei, that's exactly why the need to meet them up in person to express my appreciation. 

Oh, have I mentioned that I have taken up cycling? Yup! Never too old for this activity. Starting it slow though. Will be awhile before I will be racing on the highway. Tee hee.

Going to call it a night. Another 'busy' day tomorrow. #jgnjeles

Assalamualaikum and Good nite everyone. 

Maaf Zahir Batin.

       

Reminder to Self : 25 Nabi/Rasul

The Road Less Travelled

Why Robert Frost took the road less traveled by Andy Anderson at www.backpackingdiplomacy.com

“The two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by and that has made all the difference.”- Robert Frost (The road not taken)

After reading this poem a few times, it is right for one to wonder what exactly Frost was thinking when he etched these simple yet convincing words onto his paper.  This poem has become a source of inspiration for millions who look to his words as a way of being ‘adventurous’.  I think that Frost’s message for us goes deeper than just adventure.  I think that he realized much about life, and the path that it has set for us.

The above excerpt presents the reader with a choice between two separate paths.  Both leading to different outcomes.  The first path, the most taken.  Is trusted, tried, and true.  We know that it is safe, and leads to ease of living.  The second path, is not tested.  Few take the path because there are unforeseen obstacles lurking in the shadows.

Frost, expressed how he took the road less taken.  One he knew would be more difficult.  One he knew would have ups and downs.  One he also knew would be an adventure.  A journey of a life.

I find his concluding statement in that sentence to be the most inspiring.  ”That has made all the difference.”  To me, Frost’s statement here is a statement of rejoice.  Expressing gratitude for all the turmoil and challenges that life has thrown at him.  He could have lived the easy life, he could have settled for something less, but he didn’t.  He went above and beyond.  He tested himself, and he was a better man for it.

Frost is known for the last two lines of his poem, but there are other great one liners, such as “long I stood” or “sorry that I could not travel both.” Even the two lines, “Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back,” express his deepest thoughts and convictions.  See, I think that Frost knew the consequences of his decision.  Every life decision has consequences.  He stood long pondering for he knew that his decision would be final.  We cannot choose two paths in life.  We must choose the one we see fit and do our best to make it work.  As he said, “way leads on to way,” not everything in life is an end, but everything builds off of something else.  He also knew that once he exposed himself to the untamed, he’d never be able to return to simplicity.

In many ways, I think that travelers face the same dilemmas.  We are often torn between choosing a life path that best suits us.  On the one hand, we see what average people in society do. On the other, we see a destiny of dreams before us.  We see everything that we have ever dreamed of being and more.  It is just often difficult to work towards, which is why we ‘stand’ for so “long” pondering our outcomes.  When we pursue our dreams at full speed, we know that we can never return.  We can never recapture the simplicity and innocence of life.  We are exposed to a different dimension.  We doubt if we should ever come back.

Frost’s message is a powerful one.  The two paths can represent a number of things metaphorically.  Perhaps, Frost knew that pursuing the more traveled road would be living someone else’s life.  Not his own.

He realized that life wouldn’t be as easy.  He knew that there would be new challenges and obstacles along the way.  Frost also knew that his new path would lead to personal glory.  He realized what few ever do: true freedom comes only from living your own path.