Each year I am left to answer this question. Although the answers have vaguely different forms, the primary essence of it remains: to purify oneself, submit wholly to Allah s.w.t, and to understand the meaning of having nothing.
More than often, Ramadhan has been said again and again as a holy month, a month to be respected by all Muslims. There's even a once-popular song (& still a popular song to me) that goes
"...bulan Ramadhan bulan cabaran, bukan bulan untuk menunggu perayaan..."
And I translate it as, "this fasting month (Ramadhan) is a challenging month, it is not a month awaiting celebration (Hari Raya Aidilfitri/Puasa)".
As it seemed, hordes of people welcomes this month with celebratory. The mosque will be full and chocked within the first week. Then subsequently, they will converge to one place for shopping and the likes. It is not wrong, but at the same time it doesn't feel right also.
I look at the massive amount of food cooked everyday and I get shocked too. It seems everybody is better off someone else's. It became like a race of who is the better cook with the better menu. The pure harmless thought of sharing with neighbours somehow have twisted the edge of the knife hasn't it?
Whilst I seek, I never have found the answer to the same question thrown to us every Islamic year. All I know is that I do my very best, within the circumstances that I have and within my limited abilities, to fulfil our obligations that were asked of us by Allah s.w.t.
May this be the bestest Ramadhan we all have. And may we be blessed to witness another Ramadhan again next year. Amin...
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Monday, August 08, 2011
Monday, August 01, 2011
Ramadhan
The first day of fasting starts today. Back to putting doing good deeds first and foremost, making it more special in this month, to be a better Muslim, to prepare yourself when our time is up.
To many, it could just be a new beginning. Their first fasting at a new home, as husband and wife, or with a new child, at a new work, or as a retired person, or even at a distant land. It would be a significant point in their lives.
Ramadhan is the time for compassion. To remember the less fortunate, assist them, help them. For each goodwill that we do, He shall reward us umpteen times better - as long as we are sincere.
Hopefully, this Ramadhan will be a blessed period for all Muslim comrades. We shall emerge victorious against the tempts of syaitan. Amin ya rabbal 'alamin.
Marhaban ya Ramadhan.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
To many, it could just be a new beginning. Their first fasting at a new home, as husband and wife, or with a new child, at a new work, or as a retired person, or even at a distant land. It would be a significant point in their lives.
Ramadhan is the time for compassion. To remember the less fortunate, assist them, help them. For each goodwill that we do, He shall reward us umpteen times better - as long as we are sincere.
Hopefully, this Ramadhan will be a blessed period for all Muslim comrades. We shall emerge victorious against the tempts of syaitan. Amin ya rabbal 'alamin.
Marhaban ya Ramadhan.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Work
Working life. You remembered those great times you had? The wonderful colleagues aka watercooler chat buddies, bitching buddies, joke buddies? Something happened and it breaks all of you up. Then you wished for it back.
I asked from God that the next working place I go to, I hoped it'll be a more relaxed environment - and true enough he gave me. I really think my wish has been given. But there were trade offs. My boss is unpredictable, my colleagues are boring and communication between working partners were mostly through emails.
I would think that we humans needs more face-to-face interactions. I really find it stupid for you to send email to ask a simple question when the person is in front of you (unless you are gossiping! hehe). People also pickup the phone to call someone else from across the cubicle. Sigh...
It's so different from the likes of my previous employments. I kindda miss it now. Oh well...
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
I asked from God that the next working place I go to, I hoped it'll be a more relaxed environment - and true enough he gave me. I really think my wish has been given. But there were trade offs. My boss is unpredictable, my colleagues are boring and communication between working partners were mostly through emails.
I would think that we humans needs more face-to-face interactions. I really find it stupid for you to send email to ask a simple question when the person is in front of you (unless you are gossiping! hehe). People also pickup the phone to call someone else from across the cubicle. Sigh...
It's so different from the likes of my previous employments. I kindda miss it now. Oh well...
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Friday, July 08, 2011
I Can't Get No Satisfaction
The title is from a song actually... haha and its reminisce from that movie White Chicks - catch it if you have not.
Now back to topic.
It has been written somewhere and spoken many times: humans are never a satisfied lot. When we have something, we seek to achieve another and the crave goes on. Given the technological marvel that we have achieved so far, it would be apt to say this human trait has been advantageous thus far.
Until you see the other side of the coin.
This unsatisfaction that we have may rear its ugly head one day. People comparing with others and then leading to unhealthy level of competition. I'm surprised myself during the times in the previous employment. All that I was looking for after I signed the letter was the fat bonuses that I always hear people get. Then it hit me, no bonus for me during both the performance bonus and mid-year bonus period. It was afterall a bad economy. But what changed after that was a simpler expectation - of nothing. I told myself if I have no bonus at the end of the year, I'm still ok because I've been working without bonuses anyways. Then it came at the end of the year. And it came again for the performance bonus, and again and again. I must say I was really thankful for all that's been given. But I resigned slightly after because working there had reached unhealthy levels.
Coming into this new place, people have also been telling me that it will be exactly as how I've experienced in my previous employment in terms of bonus payouts. However, this mid-year I've yet to hear of any announcement about it so far and its baffling to the others maybe of how late the announcement is this time around. I must be the unlucky virus carrier.. haha.. everywhere I go, I bring the no-bonus virus with me.
But I've resigned knowing even if I won't get it, I am still ok. Must be lah.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Now back to topic.
It has been written somewhere and spoken many times: humans are never a satisfied lot. When we have something, we seek to achieve another and the crave goes on. Given the technological marvel that we have achieved so far, it would be apt to say this human trait has been advantageous thus far.
Until you see the other side of the coin.
This unsatisfaction that we have may rear its ugly head one day. People comparing with others and then leading to unhealthy level of competition. I'm surprised myself during the times in the previous employment. All that I was looking for after I signed the letter was the fat bonuses that I always hear people get. Then it hit me, no bonus for me during both the performance bonus and mid-year bonus period. It was afterall a bad economy. But what changed after that was a simpler expectation - of nothing. I told myself if I have no bonus at the end of the year, I'm still ok because I've been working without bonuses anyways. Then it came at the end of the year. And it came again for the performance bonus, and again and again. I must say I was really thankful for all that's been given. But I resigned slightly after because working there had reached unhealthy levels.
Coming into this new place, people have also been telling me that it will be exactly as how I've experienced in my previous employment in terms of bonus payouts. However, this mid-year I've yet to hear of any announcement about it so far and its baffling to the others maybe of how late the announcement is this time around. I must be the unlucky virus carrier.. haha.. everywhere I go, I bring the no-bonus virus with me.
But I've resigned knowing even if I won't get it, I am still ok. Must be lah.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Another step forward
Being scared of the unknown is a common flaw amongst us humans. Seldom we venture out of our safety line and seek out what lies beyond. And when we past that moment, we wondered what would've it been if I had...
I think I've done my best to venture out as far as possible, within means and ability. I've made choices and even if it turned out bad, thankfully seldom do, I never look back upon it again. Given the next leap towards adulthood, there should be more to explore and experience - to open your eyes and understand, appreciate the world, the community and the surroundings.
When I ended my National Service duties, I told myself that by 28 I shall have a stable job and time to concentrate at that. And by the time I am 30, it would be time to get married. Though the latter might be a bit harder, the former may be within grasp - may, I shall enforce. Who knows... I may actually like the job and stay on till my mid-life crisis comes about.
Given the opportunity and time, I wanna adventure physically and beyond. Wanna try new things, wanna meet new people and make friends and to venture out to unknowns and things that I may have ignored and refused before. Have done it just this week and hopefully can do it somemore.
I'm needing to remind myself that I am contented and blessed with what I have and have been given. A good family, a good life, good friends and acquaintances. Thank You God for these past 28 years, through laughter and pain, tears and joy.
I wouldn't have it done any other way.
(except maybe to have a little more money to buy me a car? hehe... but nah I can't maintain it). Yah, ok I'm done.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
I think I've done my best to venture out as far as possible, within means and ability. I've made choices and even if it turned out bad, thankfully seldom do, I never look back upon it again. Given the next leap towards adulthood, there should be more to explore and experience - to open your eyes and understand, appreciate the world, the community and the surroundings.
When I ended my National Service duties, I told myself that by 28 I shall have a stable job and time to concentrate at that. And by the time I am 30, it would be time to get married. Though the latter might be a bit harder, the former may be within grasp - may, I shall enforce. Who knows... I may actually like the job and stay on till my mid-life crisis comes about.
Given the opportunity and time, I wanna adventure physically and beyond. Wanna try new things, wanna meet new people and make friends and to venture out to unknowns and things that I may have ignored and refused before. Have done it just this week and hopefully can do it somemore.
I'm needing to remind myself that I am contented and blessed with what I have and have been given. A good family, a good life, good friends and acquaintances. Thank You God for these past 28 years, through laughter and pain, tears and joy.
I wouldn't have it done any other way.
(except maybe to have a little more money to buy me a car? hehe... but nah I can't maintain it). Yah, ok I'm done.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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