Courage

Courage is...

Delving deep within ourselves to face our fears,

Being truthful to ourselves and to others,
Daring to live the life desired.

Freedom, A Choice

When I was young I used to think how lovely it must be to be a bird. To have wings to take you wherever you want to go, to soar the skies, fly away from your woes, seeking happiness in far off places.

As I grew older I began to feel sorry for birds when a storm was brewing. Would the birds be able to seek shelter from the storm? What about the baby birds, would they be able to survive the cold and the rain?

To this day I love to hear the chirping of the birds in the early morning. The joyful optimism they have as they take each day as it comes.

I now know that birds face hardships too.

I am not a bird, but I too, can be free.

Living In The Moment

Enjoy the present.
Stop asking what lies ahead.
Squelch fears of the unknown.
Let your innermost feelings guide you.

Life Is But A Fleeting Moment

Watching my footprints being washed away as I walked along the shore was a stark reminder that life is but a fleeting moment.

Love each other for our similarities. Acknowledge and respect our differences. Appreciate each and every individual for the multitude of colours they bring into your life.

Time is too short to cling to worries, to hide behind fears, to harbour hatred.

Instead, make the most of our time enveloped in the pleasantries of friendship and the warmth of love.

We never know when we will leave our last footprint in the sand.

As The Tears Roll Down

I can imagine the delight in your eyes, the joy in your smile if you were in our presence now. To see the two young boys who brought sunshine to your rainy days, the grown men that they are today. I know you would have been proud.

I can imagine your sorrows vanquished as I hear you calling out the name of your great grandchild as you hold him so lovingly in your arms, cherishing every tender moment.

Times that I know you treasure is when thoughts of you cross my mind; thoughts filled with both sadness and longing.

I am sorry. I failed to see you needed me as much as I needed you.

Ashamedly Unaware

Just a few hours ago I got to know that a business acquaintance had passed away. The very few times we had been in touch, I sensed he was a man of calibre, committed to his work. More importantly, he was passionate about his religion, dedicated to spreading the knowledge and the message of Islam.

I missed the opportunity to see him for the last time on this soil when invited to his son's wedding. We casually put it off, saying we would meet at some opportune time. It was never to be.

He passed away close to two years ago and ashamedly, only now am I aware. Yes, I am feeling awful for not keeping in touch, guilty for not making the effort to stay in contact.

We take friends for granted. We take life for granted.

Inna lillahi wa inna illayhi rajioon.
To Allah we belong, to Him we return.

Lost, But To Be Found

Have I stopped seeking
Have my longings been overshadowed by the desires of this world?

Fear and uncertainty seem to have gripped me,
Ripping my senses apart.

In the midst of this maddening strife
I have lost my way.

I see the reverent beauty
Though from afar.

Mindlessly I have slipped,
Caught in the drunken stupor of the incessant frivolities of life.

Finding my way home....