A Mother Forever

My beloved children both my son and daughter returned back to New York yesterday. This has been a bittersweet summer to say the least. I learned many things about motherhood, patience, and tolerance. It’s definitely not easy being a mother of 4 on a fulltime basis. I have no idea how moms do it everyday, every second of their lives juggling responsibilities as a mother and wife.

 

Control

The mysterious knight that stole your heart has left you with only his tracks of dust which dissipate quickly once you lose sight of him. It has taken quite sometime to heal from those inner wounds. Your dark and handsome knight discarded you because you suddenly weren’t good enough for him.

 

Another Day in This World

As days pass and years roll it doesn’t cease to suprise me when I tune into the news I hear of another terrorist plot to harm innocent civilians. It doesn’t shock me anymore. I think I’ve become unresponsive when they report the latest occurances in the world. I feel horrible that I have become this way. I know what they will say next in their reporting. “This is an outrage, we must protect our borders, end illegal immigration” and the one I’m already used too “We are on alert color yellow, orange…com’on is there a blue in there by any chance…let’s get real here. You know sometimes I feel we’re lab rats who are in science experiments. We can never completely be off-guard.  

 

Restraint? Sure. Oppression? Hardly.

By Leila Aboulela 

 Sunday, July 22, 2007; Page B03

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates

The West believes that  Islam oppresses women. But as a Muslim, descended from generations of Muslims, I have a different story to tell. It starts like this: You say, “The sea is salty.” I say, “But it is blue and full of fish.”

 

Culture V Islam

As a reminder for all of us, both parents, soon-to-be parents, and the ummah. 😉

 

How Does the Media Portray Muslims?

I would like to urge all my Muslim readers to please take this survery.It is a very important survey. The explanation for this survery will be explained shortly.

There hasn’t been enough survey submissions these past few weeks so we are urging you to please take 5 minutes of your time to complete the online survey. We know everyone is busy  but I want to stress it will only take 5 minutes, and the poll closes in just 4 days! 

 About 4-6 weeks ago a research group in the US, the Pew Research
Institute released a study that made certain claims about Muslims in
America that were viewed with great negativity in many media circles.
Particularly they tried to extrapolate one of their figures to “prove”
that over one million terrorists live in the US and that they are
under the age of 25. The poll that I have arranged of course doesn’t
have the financial or institutional back-up to discredit the Pew
report nor is that the main intention; yet our poll does show the
public that we take these issues seriously enough to do some internal
investigation and find ways to address the problem. Furthermore, from
the responses received thus far there is a great deal of valuable
information that can be used to benefit our community.

There have also been those who viewed the questions with a lot of
skepticism and wondered why the focus on terrorism. As Muslims, we
cannot live with our heads in the sand and ignore the issues around
us. People around us in the West are very scared due to what they read
and hear. This does concern us greatly since Allah has sent us to
spread peace and with that security. The Prphet (saas) has commanded
us with “bashiru wala tunafiru” – bring people closer and don’t drive
them away. I already know that the overwhelming majority of Muslims
are those who are tolerant, peaceful and concerned about making this
world better and safer. Yet, your neighbors don’t know that and the
public in general doesn’t know that. So make your voice heard on these
issues and remember that this is primarily an internal study meant to
help give us direction. It has no intention of hurting anyone and is
totally anonymous.

The survey again can be accessed from www.jmerit.com or directly right
now through:

http://www.AdvancedSurvey.com/default.asp?SurveyID=53636

For those who have already taken it – may Allah reward you for your
time and concern – please don’t take it again of course, but try your
best to encourage your friends at the mosque and of course your
parents, siblings and/or children to also take it. You can help so
much this way. The deadline is Monday insha’Allah and afterwards it
will take a few days to process the results and then post them with
analysis and recommendations insha’Allah. Please once again forgive me
for taking your time but I wouldn’t if this wasn’t so important. Barak
Allahu feekum wa jazakum Allahu khayr.

 

Very Busy Spider

 I would have to say that I’ve been a very busy spider throughout this summer. I was surfing the internet and came across this childhood book on www.babycenter.com (trying to find potty training materials). The book  I came across is an oldtime classic “The Very Busy Spider” by Eric Carle. The first thing that passed my mind was “I’m definitely a busy spider”. 

 

Shattered Heart

                                         

Why do you hurt me?

Can’t you see through my eyes?

That I love you

Your emotions cold

And so bold towards me

 

Tests in Life

Patience is a virtue that is expressed at the time of hardship. Patience is defined in the dictionary as bearing pains or trials calmly and without complaint and manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain. Ok so I think I was at wits end with all the afternoon thunderstorms we’ve had this week. The lack of outdoor fun has had the girls very rambunctious and at each others throats which has left me exhausted sore, and crying for help.

 

Someone Out There Loves You

   I just read this comment which I found to be so sweet and heartwarming, and of course, had to share it with you. I read it on a comment from Unique Muslimah’s blog. The comment was sent by Desert Flower. This cheered me up and made my evening. Enjoy 😉

                                         

This should probably be taped to your bathroom mirror where one could read it every day. You may not realize it, but it’s 100% true.

1. There are at least two people in this world that you would die for.

2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.

3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you.

4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don’t like you.

 5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.

6. You mean the world to someone.

7. You are special and unique.

8. Someone that you don’t even know exists loves you.

9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.

10 When you think the world has turned its back on you take another look.

11 Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.

So………

If you are a loving friend, send this to everyone,

including the one that sent it to you.

If you get it back, then they really do love you.

Good friends are like stars……..

You don’t always see them,

But you know they are always there.

“Whenever God Closes One Door He Always Opens Another, Even Though

Sometimes It’s Hell in the Hallway”

I would rather have one rose and a kind word

from a friend while I’m here

than a whole truck load when I’m gone.

Forward to all your friends.

And don’t tell me you’re too busy for this..

Don’t you know the phrase

“stop and smell the flowers”?

See how many “bouquets” you end up with!

Happiness keeps You Sweet,

Trials keep You Strong,

Sorrows keep You Human,

Failures keeps You Humble,

Success keeps You Glowing,

But Only

God keeps You Going