Reconstructing resolutions

As the world bids goodbye to the noughties, we welcome the new year with as much enthusiasm as we can fake. Yes, surely it can't be a year already? I found it really entertaining reading the remarks friends made (on Facebook of course!) with regards to making new year resolutions. The most common one was about never making resolutions: My new year resolution is to never make resolutions!

F.M.Knowles quoted one quite beautifully, "He who breaks a resolution is a weakling; He who makes one is a fool."

Still, resolutions aren't all that bad, are they? Without them, one will never be able to improve himself. It is often an act that comes after one pauses and reflects. Yet we often fail. Miserably. Resolutions should therefore be made more practical so that it is more feasible or achievable. If 365 days is too long a period, then why not make them daily? I find Henry Moore's quotation rather apt: "I think in terms of the day's resolutions, not the years'."

I have dropped 2009 into the oceans of the past. It has gone with all its flaws and imperfections, forcing me to step ahead more optimistically and hopeful than anything else possible.

So, assuming that making new year resolutions is just a waste of time, let me end this with Joey Adams' words:

May all your troubles last as long as your New Year's resolutions!

A New Year, A New Episode

I missed writing a post for the new Gregorian year, hence missed wishing everyone a prosperous one. I'm not going to miss wishing everyone a blessed year with the coming of the new Hijrah year - a more meaningful one.

Last year, I wrote this:

Putting it all in context, we are now at the starting point of our own hijrah. It is a point we have taken, after much thought and painstakes. Taking some risks, we walked into half-lit tunnels. There are several lighted kiosks on the way, and sometimes flashes from the other side. The journey is far, yet we hold on to each other for support because alone, we'd be lost. With perseverence and constant dua to the Almighty, our paths are lighted with signposts.

This year, it is still very much the same. We are still at the starting point of a new hijrah, and the only difference is - we are now one less. The journey? I'm led by the Almighty, so I have no fear. A bit nervous, perhaps, but the thought of Him looking after me keeps things in control.

The past year has taught me so many things and blessed me with so many friends. So here's wishing everyone a super duper new year because I know I'm going to have one!

ps: sorry for the loooong silence!

Our Hijrah

I have neglected this space. Which of the options below do you think is the answer?
a) I've been refraining myself from writing
b) I've been busy enjoying life
c) I've been bogged down with work
d) I've been avoiding the acts of pausing and reflecting
e) I've been too lazy to write
f) I've not been allowed to post entries

Or is it all of the above?? Tell me what you think, eh?

It's the new Hijrah year already. And it almost went unnoticed for us, without reminders from friends back home.

My children asked me why the Muslim calendar wasn't the same as the calendar we're all so used to - the Gregorian calendar. I explained that the Muslims have a more accurate way of measuring time, determined by the moon. It was invented by the prophet's sahabat, 'Umar ibn Al-Khattab. Like the Gregorian calendar, it has twelve lunar months. Interestingly, the Hijrah started from the year Prophet Muhamad (pbuh) migrated from Mecca to Madinah in about 622 A.D. .The prophet's hijrah was a very significant point, as it promised political, economical and social stability to the Muslim community. Hence, the reminder for Muslims to not be afraid of venturing into new sectors and areas.

Putting it all in context, we are now in the starting point of our own hijrah. It is a point we have taken, after much thought and painstakes. Taking some risks, we walked into half-lit tunnels. There are several lighted kiosks on the way, and sometimes flashes from the other side. The journey is far, yet we hold on to each other for support because alone, we'd be lost. With perseverence and constant dua to the Almighty, our paths are lighted with signposts.

Hey, who switched off the power????