COUNTING OUR BLESSINGS

Driving through the haze one day last week made me realize how much we have taken our life for granted.  We have been blessed with living in a country with wonderful temperate weather. We have blue sky and sunny days with temperature  of about 30 degrees C on average with the occasional showers. We have the odd hot season and dry spell a couple months in a year and of course the monsoon season at the end the year. Both bringing calamities at times. But other than that we do not suffer major catastrophe like earthquakes or typhoons.  

And now we have been experiencing bad haze for the past few years and it has worsen each year. This year has been especially bad. Such that schools have to be closed for many days. Some countries have snow storm alert where they declare schools to be closed and now in Malaysia we have the haze alert. The air has become hazardous especially to those with respiratory problems. 

Having said that, there are many other things that we have taken for granted. Our health. Our family. Our friends. Our job. Etc. etc. Some simply forgot to count our blessing and say our thanks to the Almighty. Until its been taken away from us. 

Some of us did not realise or completely forgotten that hardship and calamities are not the only "test" from Allah but being rich and powerful is also a test. To me its a much bigger test as more often than not human being tends to forget when they are riding high. We forget to be thankful and forget to play our role in helping others.

As I am approaching closer to my "appointed time" and since I have retired, I have plenty of time to reflect. I am thankful that I have been given the time to make amends. To increase the weight of the scale on the right. To enrich the content of the "book" on my right hand.

But that doesn't mean that I sit on the prayer mat all the time. I spend time to watch my favourite Korean drama (a new pass time since I retire *grin*) and I go out as much as I can to chat with friends over coffee or lunch and even dinner. The drama gives me plenty of room to reflect such as, everything happens for a reason, among other thing. While the chat over coffee strengthen my relationships with family and friends ,which everyone knows is very much demanded in Islam. 

I believe in quality over quantity. I believe that God has created many things on earth for us to utilise and make use of. Everything on earth are for our takings, of course within limits. As long as we don't abuse or misuse. As long as we don't get greedy and mean. As long we remember who we are and where we come from. (Read Surah Al Kahfi 18: 32-42)

Well, you get my gist. I think I have been rambling a bit too much. My sudden urge to write is rather overwhelming this week end. Let's  call it a night. 

Till then, have a good week ahead! 

 

FOLLOW YOUR HEART

Fix your heart,

and your heart will fix your mind,

and your mind will fix your action,

and your action will fix your life, 

and your life will fix your Akhirah. 

I had mentioned in a previous post that its ok to follow your heart as long as there is no greed, hatred or jealousy hidden in the corner. Now the tricky part is to keep one's heart absolutely free from greed, hatred and jealousy. By all means its not an easy feat. But if one can achieve that it will be the ultimate key to happiness in this life and the hereafter. I can bet my life on that. 

And you know what? I also believe that its not quantity but quality that brings us closer to our dreams to be in Jannah. How deeply passionate we are in doing what we are obligated to do, how heartfelt sincerely we feel when we are doing the good deeds. 

Our life on earth is a continuous battle against the evil to stay on the right path and fix our heart to be "pure" and it will continue to be a battle right until we die. Sounds daunting, doesn't it? 

The good news is that as long as we totally believe in Allah and no one but Allah, and continuously  strive to fix our hearts and stay on the right path, (by the way this is also a form of Jihad), insya-Allah we will gain Blessings (Rahmah)  from Him. His Blessings is all that we need. The reward that we seek. The "password" for our happiness in life on earth and the hereafter. 

Shall I share with you a secret? If we read the Quran, there are many hints on how to gain Allah's blessing and all that we need is to just do them. But of course, its not plain sailing as we also have you -know-who (yup. Just like he-who-shall-not-be-name in Harry Porter) who will also strive to keep us astray.

Personally, there are days when I feel that I am ready to leave this world for the hereafter and then there are days when I fear that I will surely be thrown into the Fire. 

May Allah accepts all our good deeds and heartfelt repentance and be among the chosen ones to be given His Blessings and Mercy.

Aameen.

     

The Law of Physics

The sketch below made me smile. I am not sure how the "purity" is measured but its amusing anyhow, 

even though I am not a practising Physicist. My Mathematician friends would be grinning from ear to ear. 

But as I mentioned in my last post, I would have taken up Social Science if I had known better. Even if its at the bottom of the "food chain". 😝

I learnt about Social Science from a class that I attended last week. In fact I got the piece below from the Social Science class. The two weeks training was on the Technique of Translation. And there are technical streams for us to master apart from the general text; Science and Technology, Law, Social Science, Mass Communication as well as Creative Writing. I find that law is the most difficult as it has a specific jargon to adhere to but the rest are fairly straight forward to translate as long as you have a good command of the languange that you are translating to. But thats where the problem lies. To choose the correct words that gives an accurate message.  

And thats how I was introduced to Social Science. 

Someone told me that its not too late to take up a degree even at my age. Funny thing is that's exactly what I told my girls. Its never too late to learn or start something new. Like learning how to play the piano or roller blading. But they are in their twenties while I am in my late fifties. Even though it not something impossible, doing a second degree in Social Science will be right at the bottom of my to-do list. 

Top of the list now is to get my assignment done and submitted before the due date. This translation course is tougher than the Coaching course. The exam especially. 

The result will be in a month's time. So lets see how well or how badly I have done.

Untill then... See you in the next post!

NORCAT Reunion 2015

Lately the subject of my major in Physics kept coming up in discussions for some reasons or other. 

Truth be told, I was never an ambitious person even from school. I had no burning desire to be anything in particular like some friends who had dreams to be nothing but doctors or architects etc etc. When I was offered a scholarship to further my study in England I applied for the course in Engineering on my father's advise but was finally offered to do Physics since my MCE result showed that I was good in that. And I  took the offer without a second thought.

Last week I was introduced to a subject called Social Science. It suddenly dawned on me that this would be the subject that I would go for if I have known what I know today. Its a subject that would be closer to my heart. Something that I can be passionate about. Physics in school to me was very fundamental and came naturally to me hence I was able to do my exam well but it was never a passion like some of my college friends who are now Professors in some local universities. Most of them are doing pretty well, I am proud to say.

But whatever it is, Allah has mapped my path as such and I am grateful for how much I have achieved. I was not even ambitious while I was working. I carried out my job the best that I could without eyeing any particular position but I was given the opportunity to lead a few strategic divisions and even a couple of subsidiaries. Alhamdulillah.

Anyways, talking about the overseas study, I did my A levels in Norfolk College of Arts and Technology, as it was called then, with 14 others and last Sunday we had a reunion, a few meeting up for the first time.  We had fun reminiscing. Its heartwarming to see everyone with families as old as we were when we first met. 

Till we meet again, meanwhile stay healthy and continue to be great! insya-Allah.

And salam maal hijrah everyone. May the new year brings greater success in this world and the hereafter. Aameen. 

      

AS LIFE GOES BY (Part 2)

October. Before you know it, it will be December. So, what have I done worthy of mention? Mmmm....

For sure the event of the year was my daughter's engagement in August. And maybe my impromptu trip to Perth in April is worth a mention since I had a wonderful time despite it all. And also the first Abdul Jalil family reunion. And my school batch reunion. Strengthening the relationship with family and friends are definitely worth the time and effort. 

Other than that I must say that I have attended several training programs throughout the year such that I think the total number is more than the training courses that I attended the last 10 years when I was in the office. The wonderful thing about these programs is that not only I have gained knowledge but also new friends. Marvelous! 

For sure October is going to be a busy month. It would have been busier if not for the haze, since outdoor activities have to be avoided. 

Anyways, back to my post about a month ago (As Life Goes By), I have yet to make any headway in my traveling plan before the end of the year. A couple of destinations came to mind but somehow nothing is finalised as yet. My travelling buddy has limited number of leave and that limits us to short range destination. Still, I am pretty sure there will be light at the end of the tunnel soon. 

Meanwhile, I must browse the shops (and the internet) for a good compact camera with wifi function. Its really a must have feature now. I am green with envy whenever I see a great snapshot from someone else's instagram. Definitely cannot afford to upgrade my DSLR yet for now though. Anyway, I need a lighter camera for ease of travelling. Which would also enable me to even carry it around in my cycling rounds when the weather is no longer hazardous. (I am also missing my coffee time on the deck at home! Sigh...)

Before I call it a night, just want to wish my friends in the office, GOOD LUCK! with the year end events to chase the numbers! The last 3 months of the year is surely going to be hectic months with not just making ends meet for the current year but also struggling with business plan for the following year. Wooooooo.......! 

Hang tough my friends! Just give me a holler when you need to 'let off steam' and I shall buy you a cup of coffee or two. I promise! InsyaAllah.

Good nite. Sleep tight. Don't let the bed bug bite. 

         

I BELIEVE

I never believe in luck. And I don't believe in coincidences. I believe in fate. And I believe in Allah. 

Ever since the demise of my husband, most of the time I will just go with the flow. Whenever I feel strongly about something, I will take the shot without giving too much thought. Like that time when I decided to call it quit from work. Even though I didnt have any concrete plan of what I am going to do next. Since then I continue to carry on doing what my heart tells me. What ever and whenever I feel its the right thing to do. Whatever I feel strongly about. So far I have not gotten into any trouble yet. 😁

Anyways, to cut a long story short, one of those situation occurred and I found myself in a 3 days character building program, a Leadership Training. Yeah ok. I don't need anymore training you may say. But I was interested to learn more about ESQ (Emotional Spiritual quotient). And I am really glad that I did. 

Its all about realignment of our focus and priority. Correcting our ethics and integrity. Working our ways towards a successful journey of life in this world as well as the hereafter at the same time. 

I totally agree what the trainer said that we lack the spiritual strength to be a better person more so to be good leaders. In most training that I have personally attended in 30 years of my working life the focus were more to developed our technical or emotional skill. Hence its so refreshing to be in a program that emphasise on the spiritual aspect in life before everything else. And I honestly feel that this type of program should be introduced in school. Of course to be customised to the younger mind. Definitely better to start them at the tender age and get them in the right footing straight away. 

(Later on I found that there are existing programs for primary schoolers as well as teenagers.  I am so going to recommend this to family and friends.) 

Personally, the program has strengthen my believe in fate and faith. Afterall every success that we achieved can only happen with the blessing of our Creator. Hence He should always come first.  

And also, the fact that it's ok to follow your heart as long as there is no greed, hatred or jealousy hidden in the corner. There is an abundance of wealth to go round for everyone! And the hereafter is the ultimate goal anyway. 

May Allah grant us the success and happiness that we seek in this world and the hereafter. 

Aameen. 

P.S. If anyone interested to know more please look up about the program www.actconsulting.com.my

AS LIFE GOES BY (Part 1)

Its been more than a year since I left the office and I guess its high time that I have to seriously plan what to do for the rest of my life. Apart from drinking coffee on the deck or the balcony, I mean. 

Some friends warned me that I will start to feel bored after a year of doing nothing and I must say that I am  starting to feel restless. But truth be told, I am not quite restless enough to find a job though. I kind of enjoy the luxury of having the leisure of doing anything I like at anytime I want. Whats getting me antsy is that I am not travelling as much as I like to. 

In one of my earlier post I have listed down places that I would like to go and I have not been to anyone of them at all. Japan was in the schedule in this year's trip but my travelling buddies have changed jobs and unable to take long leave. The sakura blossom has to be postponed to another year.

Then there is an opportunity to go to Ireland in October. But with the currency going crazy England is not a good choice of destination for the time being. Strike 2.

And if the currency doesn't get any better next year, my plan trip to Canada and US with some friends may also have to be canceled. Strike 3. Sigh...

So I am thinking very hard of a destination that is safe to travel alone. Or take a tour package. Mmmm... Maybe I should check out Matta Fair tomorrow.

Anyways, while watching LI or Life Inspired channel last few days, I am inspired to get back into photography. Actually travel and photography go very well hand in hand. So I guess I have to plan something closer to home to embark in a photography trip. An hour drive can take me to the waterfall in Ulu Langat. A two hours will take me to Melaka. 

Maybe I should join a photography club that organises trips in beautiful country site in the neighbouring countries. Like Mount Bromo in Surabaya for example. Mmmm.... I wonder... Is there an age limit to be a member? With a knee problem to boot. Do I climb a mountain trail or is there a bus to go up? Mmm... 

(To be continued)