Something to Share

I am now cleaning up my office.

I have just found an old poster given to me years ago by a dear friend and straightaway thought of sharing its contents with whoever is reading this post.

These gems are something to ponder about.

QUOTATIONS FROM THE MASTER OF PIETY,

IMAM ALI

1. What refines man, is work.

2. What kills man before his death, is despair.

3. What is better than knowledge, is experience.

4. What brings man honour and esteem, is modesty.

5. What is more cherished when it is old, is a friend.

6. What gives man tranquility, is the avoidance of envy.

7. What is indeed more profitable than wealth, is wisdom.

8. What is indeed short, however long it may seem, is life.

9. What is indeed too many, however few of it there may be, is enemy.

10. What is indeed too little, however much of it one may have, is faith.

11. What is more horrific than all forms of loneliness, is selfishness.

12. What is sturdier than all other shelters, is the avoidance of sins.

Have a safe weekend!

The Holy Land Beckons

The 'test' of Ramadhan has passed, but if I passed it, is another matter: it's entirely up to Him. I am now back at work, and this whole week has been hectic -- but I managed to schedule a visit to the dentist for 1 p.m. yesterday. Yucks! But it had to be done. Now, I will concentrate on my other preparations for Haj. I am not buying many new things-- just whatever's absolutely necessary. Ahh... I feel so unprepared, not like the last time: almost everything was in order.

We have done the medical -- injections and all. Tuesday we attended a briefing by Tabung Haji Travel. That started all the excitement in me, yet I am wary. The last time, I was almost uncontainable in my passion about going. I am afraid the level of my iman (if I can describe it as that) is rather low, being busy with duniawi matters. I've tried to be more patient, but only yesterday I was angry with a driver who was indecisive about which lane she should get into: 'touch n go' or 'tunai'. Grrr. The closer it gets to the date of departure (7th November), the bigger the tests have been. What I need is more patience.

This weekend, AHS and I will camp in Putrajaya mosque for the Kursus Haji Perdana. I need that. As I was reading the book on haj before bed last night, I came across something I have quite forgotten about. When asked, AHS had no clue what it was. We're in trouble! AHS, however, seems cool about going; perhaps he's more patient. I have made a list of things to bring and have taken down the biggest luggage and satrted throwing things in, as soon as I remember them, and crossing out the item in the list. Next week, hopefully I'll sort out the house, room by room. I am thankful our house is tiny.

I just make lots of doa that our trip there, our stay there and our journey back are without any untoward incidents. Hope to get Haji Mabrur.

This Eid

Although some people may celebrate the Eid or Raya for a whole month, for me a week is the max.

Our Raya celebrations were done very simply, as always; this time we did not have as many people dropping by as in previous years. Possibly because the last couple of years we were staying right in front of the surau. It was quite natural for AHS to steer his friends in the direction of the house right after the prayers. So, it was serve, serve and serve till about noon.

This time there were lulls in between, enough time for us to clear up the table before the next round of guests arrived. Some even brought gifts for the new house: sooo nice of them. Our last guests left at about 9.30 p.m. and I was grateful to them for finishing my lodeh. I even made spaghetti bolognaise, for just in cases, which was swept clean as well.

On the second day, it was Kuantan: I was so excited to see my kin, especially the nieces and nephews. My, how fast they've grown. I feel that I'd missed their growing-up years. We hardly meet at other times, everyone busy with work or school. And Raya isn't the time for catching up with news or happenings; for so soon it was time to go.

Then it was time for the visits within KL. What I find this time was that most people were talking about the division of property to their children or family members after their death. It should be an easy matter, but it is made so complicated. So many considerations and 'jaga hati' to be thought of. So, is it better to leave something to your loved ones or not? So those discussions soured my Eid somewhat. We even had 'visitors' on Sunday asking AHS' advice on their mother's (mentally unstable) situation -- her sons are actually bickering to take care of her! Thank goodness AHS gave them sound advice, after a half hour discussion.

A tinge of melacholy, this Raya, for many reasons. My parents are getting older, I could see my mother having to make the extra effort -- she moves a lot more slowly than before. We still had the perennial problem of her full freezer; though I reminded her to empty it way beofre Ramadhan.

I am glad I got the chance to have a talk with my father, (on the verandah) about his concerns -- he's not a man of many words.

I didn't get to see more of the relatives I had wanted to, though. Perhaps next year.