Anakku Sazali dengarlah
Lagu yang ayahanda karangi
Sifatkan laguku hai anak
Sebagai sahabatmu nanti
Anakku Sazali juwita
Laguku jadikan pelita
Penyuluh di gelap gelita
Pemandu ke puncak bahagia
Saturday, 11 June 2016
Wednesday, 8 June 2016
Dendang Perantau
Di tepian mandi
Danauku hijau yang damai selalu
Danauku hijau yang damai selalu
The morning wind today was cooling. It was gentle - sufficiently gentle. Grey. Blue. Dull. Dim. I sat down on the kitchen floor, back against the cabinet. There is something special about being close to the ground.
It's the late afternoon now. I see two yellow mynas chasing each other. There's a butterfly with a pair of soft lime wings in front of my window. How lovely. The sun seems a little special today. But the leaves aren't moving. I'm not sure if that's good or bad.
My heart is still today.
Ramadhan has been still thus far.
I hope to be understood.
I shall be grateful for these unique blessings.
Monday, 6 June 2016
Thursday, 2 June 2016
The senses are not genuine seekers
وَلَا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيْنَيْكَ إِلَىٰ مَا مَتَّعْنَا بِهِ أَزْوَاجًا مِّنْهُمْ زَهْرَةَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا لِنَفْتِنَهُمْ فِيهِ ۚ وَرِزْقُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ
"And do not extend your eyes toward that by which We have given enjoyment to [some] categories of them, [its being but] the splendor of worldly life by which We test them. And the provision of your Lord is better and more enduring." [20:131]
"And do not extend your eyes toward that by which We have given enjoyment to [some] categories of them, [its being but] the splendor of worldly life by which We test them. And the provision of your Lord is better and more enduring." [20:131]
Sunday, 22 May 2016
Friday, 6 May 2016
I haven't been good to the people around me
Alhamdulillah.
This morning I gained a little something. It is a lesson about unconditional love. I realized a little something about parenthood. It gave me a slightly tighter grasp on what it means to have endless hope and pray for our loved ones in silence, even if they don't understand what we do, even if they slip and bruise us in their own respective ways. What makes us think they're not doing the same for us too in silence? I'm not too pleased with myself. As the only child I feel a heavy sense of responsibility to support my parents in all aspects, be mindful of their silent efforts, and repay them not just in words, but in the sincere will of being a good son. Never hurt them. We can do better, and we will fight to do better. InsyaaAllah.
This morning I gained a little something. It is a lesson about unconditional love. I realized a little something about parenthood. It gave me a slightly tighter grasp on what it means to have endless hope and pray for our loved ones in silence, even if they don't understand what we do, even if they slip and bruise us in their own respective ways. What makes us think they're not doing the same for us too in silence? I'm not too pleased with myself. As the only child I feel a heavy sense of responsibility to support my parents in all aspects, be mindful of their silent efforts, and repay them not just in words, but in the sincere will of being a good son. Never hurt them. We can do better, and we will fight to do better. InsyaaAllah.
But what if our parents are the ones who slip and bruise us? Then I shall firstly remind myself, before sharing, that evil exists in all of us. Nevertheless, we don't respond to what we perceive as evil, with our own perceived evil. Afterall, evil is not our teacher.
Ya Allah, I make this rare, open and written dua here on this blessed Friday morning, and ask for Your gentle guidance. Soften our hearts and remove our egos. Instill in us useful wisdom, kindness and patience. Let us be strong yet gentle muslims, and weak and humble slaves whom you'll be pleased with. May those who have brought us closer to You, directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally, be blessed with goodness in this life and the Hereafter. May this dua be granted by You, the Most Merciful, the Most Kind, for the people around me, for those living in this world, and for those who say Amin.
Amin.
Sunday, 24 April 2016
Autumn
At times,
Muted by the winter's snow
Baked by the summer's spell
Choked by the colours of spring
The naive man screams -
Does the sun
Burn in distress
To provide warmth
For those embracing it!
We don't know!
Does the moon
Shiver in isolation
To provide faith
For the hopeful souls!
We don't know!
Does the wind
Blow in turbulence
To provide purpose
For the drifting sails!
We don't know!
Not the answers!
The questions!
Not the autumn!
The fall!
Muted by the winter's snow
Baked by the summer's spell
Choked by the colours of spring
The naive man screams -
Does the sun
Burn in distress
To provide warmth
For those embracing it!
We don't know!
Does the moon
Shiver in isolation
To provide faith
For the hopeful souls!
We don't know!
Does the wind
Blow in turbulence
To provide purpose
For the drifting sails!
We don't know!
Not the answers!
The questions!
Not the autumn!
The fall!
Friday, 22 April 2016
Time
Kindly bear with me.
Today, I got to experience my favourite phenomenon. It's ephemeral. It is. It's rare. Goosebumps. I first noticed it at an extremely young age and I've been passively seeking for it ever since. When I do see it, I just feel engulfed. With wonder. With mystery. With strange hues. With nostalgia. With understanding. With patience. Everything turns brownish pink. Everything. It gives me hope. Endless hope. It's there! See it. I believe in endless hope. I want the world to believe in endless hope.
Why is it so difficult to explain!
I meant what I said. I just want people to know and understand.
Kindly bear with me.
Today, I got to experience my favourite phenomenon. It's ephemeral. It is. It's rare. Goosebumps. I first noticed it at an extremely young age and I've been passively seeking for it ever since. When I do see it, I just feel engulfed. With wonder. With mystery. With strange hues. With nostalgia. With understanding. With patience. Everything turns brownish pink. Everything. It gives me hope. Endless hope. It's there! See it. I believe in endless hope. I want the world to believe in endless hope.
Why is it so difficult to explain!
I meant what I said. I just want people to know and understand.
Kindly bear with me.
These are unedited.
Saturday, 9 April 2016
Hujan yang turun bagaikan samurai smell
Questions. Ask her questions. Learn about her. Learn from her. Be curious about her. Be interested with her past. Only child. Only one.
Just got to know my mom's favourite song from Arwah Sudirman. I was pleasantly surprised. It's my favourite from him too.
Just got to know my mom's favourite song from Arwah Sudirman. I was pleasantly surprised. It's my favourite from him too.
Hujan yang turun bagaikan mutiara
Berkilau bersinar berkerdipan
Subur menghijau bumi terbentang
Dan bayu berpuput lembut
Tuesday, 5 April 2016
Saturday, 2 April 2016
All, in relation to nothing
"Sometimes we forget what we believed in, and other times, we forget what we believe in."
"Know our bearings when we stand, as courage comes to those standing for truth in the right direction. And if you are to see your feet in the clear waters, have patience. The sand takes time to settle."
"The archetypal 'X' on our treasure map is the point where we stop questioning everyone and everything else. It lies within. Things get progressively unclear when we have layered decorations for what we want to feel, achieve and receive. It creates a gap between one's real and declared aims, turning it into a breeding ground for shrouded insincerity. And when visitors come knocking on our sanctuary, it's all swept under the rug. At times, reasons which seem justifiable with a fingersnap cause us to cringe when we recall about it. But slowly, we naturally grow to be better at things. Call it maturity. Yes. But essentially, isn't it the achievement of lucidity? It gets clearer when our lenses are clean. It doesn't make sense to walk away from our inner selves or distract our eyes with what we fabricate to see. Observe the veiled battle between the conscious and the subconscious, and pick both sides."
"It's amazing how complexity pays attention to itself and silently jades into simplicity. So dream, and trace the roots. Have the dignity of a fallen leaf when autumn's due. Come back, and crawl through the gates again. Progress, not perfection."
"Behold the belittled lily, purple heather and burgundy rose, for they give us hope to find contentment in our own novelty."
"Fly, little wing
Ride the waves of abiding faith
Across the old slumbering shore
With voiceless emotions of the setting sun
Till the heart finds a familiar cure"
"Our heart is filled with beautiful abstractness that we should learn to understand its rightful design before anything else. It isn't our duty to question other people's sincerity. And if it's ours that is doubted, take it as internal guidance. Nobody's perfect - A beautiful phrase of tremendous honesty, yet we can't accept it when others present it to us. Rather than questioning their rights, give honest thanks to them. They don't control what we lose, neither do we control what they lose. Keep a polite distance if you wish and let the light of your heart shine truth in what they're permitted to see."
"Moonlight: Oh sweet-toothed society. Don't let the ants crawl onto our black stones."
"Pride blinds the ability to see the truth in us. This realization and admittance can never be forced; only independence grants us freedom to our true needs."
"It is the nature of man to appreciate this beauty of inner perfection. He'll dedicate a personal trust in his judgement on what he sees, but what if he discovers a flaw in it? The way he responds, tilts on the equilibrium of his emotions. If he feels that his trust was betrayed, he'll question his judgement and becomes blind to everything else. While if he chooses to only be disappointed on the illusory perfection, he'll see the major goodness which still remains. If permitted to, I'll choose the latter."
"I've flipped my canvas into an empty page. Last year, I learnt that perfection can never be shown, only discovered. And only discovery itself, defines perfection in this world."
"Perfection in a team can never exist. As long as we physically share a different set of heart, body and brain, perfection itself becomes an ideal. To strive towards it as a team, a group, and even as a family - I learn that patience, wisdom, trust and commitment are truly needed. Leading is like giving a paper boat a push, with hope that it reaches a specific destination at the other side of the lake. The slightest bit of action defines the present, and it determines the future. O Almighty, I believe in Your Guidance."
"I don't think a leader would seek for sympathy. Instead he should search for himself in times of adversity. I'm lost. But I'm actually glad I feel like a wanderer at this present moment."
"There's something uniquely peaceful about this midnight rain. It makes us understand."
"Everyone's given a compass. Some may have lost it, but it's an excuse to lose ourselves in this one time journey. Anything can be a form of guidance when you walk with an open mind. A fallen twig's shadow can show you the way in the morning. Navigate after the Big Dipper or the Polaris at night and you'll do fine. Life's hidden beauty is unlocked by a humble heart, a pristine will and nothing else. Some seek for gold treasures at a far away island, while all the treasures that they need are sitting at their own backyard. Some see it, others don't. It's a unique set of treasure that can never be shared but can only be tasted alone. A treasure that can't be measured by weight or gold - words don't describe it, only experiences do."
"O night, bring to the earth the quiet charm of your mystery."
"At the end of the day, it's simply being who I am at the moment."
"Know our bearings when we stand, as courage comes to those standing for truth in the right direction. And if you are to see your feet in the clear waters, have patience. The sand takes time to settle."
"The archetypal 'X' on our treasure map is the point where we stop questioning everyone and everything else. It lies within. Things get progressively unclear when we have layered decorations for what we want to feel, achieve and receive. It creates a gap between one's real and declared aims, turning it into a breeding ground for shrouded insincerity. And when visitors come knocking on our sanctuary, it's all swept under the rug. At times, reasons which seem justifiable with a fingersnap cause us to cringe when we recall about it. But slowly, we naturally grow to be better at things. Call it maturity. Yes. But essentially, isn't it the achievement of lucidity? It gets clearer when our lenses are clean. It doesn't make sense to walk away from our inner selves or distract our eyes with what we fabricate to see. Observe the veiled battle between the conscious and the subconscious, and pick both sides."
"It's amazing how complexity pays attention to itself and silently jades into simplicity. So dream, and trace the roots. Have the dignity of a fallen leaf when autumn's due. Come back, and crawl through the gates again. Progress, not perfection."
"Behold the belittled lily, purple heather and burgundy rose, for they give us hope to find contentment in our own novelty."
"Fly, little wing
Ride the waves of abiding faith
Across the old slumbering shore
With voiceless emotions of the setting sun
Till the heart finds a familiar cure"
"Our heart is filled with beautiful abstractness that we should learn to understand its rightful design before anything else. It isn't our duty to question other people's sincerity. And if it's ours that is doubted, take it as internal guidance. Nobody's perfect - A beautiful phrase of tremendous honesty, yet we can't accept it when others present it to us. Rather than questioning their rights, give honest thanks to them. They don't control what we lose, neither do we control what they lose. Keep a polite distance if you wish and let the light of your heart shine truth in what they're permitted to see."
"Moonlight: Oh sweet-toothed society. Don't let the ants crawl onto our black stones."
"Pride blinds the ability to see the truth in us. This realization and admittance can never be forced; only independence grants us freedom to our true needs."
"It is the nature of man to appreciate this beauty of inner perfection. He'll dedicate a personal trust in his judgement on what he sees, but what if he discovers a flaw in it? The way he responds, tilts on the equilibrium of his emotions. If he feels that his trust was betrayed, he'll question his judgement and becomes blind to everything else. While if he chooses to only be disappointed on the illusory perfection, he'll see the major goodness which still remains. If permitted to, I'll choose the latter."
"I've flipped my canvas into an empty page. Last year, I learnt that perfection can never be shown, only discovered. And only discovery itself, defines perfection in this world."
"Perfection in a team can never exist. As long as we physically share a different set of heart, body and brain, perfection itself becomes an ideal. To strive towards it as a team, a group, and even as a family - I learn that patience, wisdom, trust and commitment are truly needed. Leading is like giving a paper boat a push, with hope that it reaches a specific destination at the other side of the lake. The slightest bit of action defines the present, and it determines the future. O Almighty, I believe in Your Guidance."
"I don't think a leader would seek for sympathy. Instead he should search for himself in times of adversity. I'm lost. But I'm actually glad I feel like a wanderer at this present moment."
"There's something uniquely peaceful about this midnight rain. It makes us understand."
"Everyone's given a compass. Some may have lost it, but it's an excuse to lose ourselves in this one time journey. Anything can be a form of guidance when you walk with an open mind. A fallen twig's shadow can show you the way in the morning. Navigate after the Big Dipper or the Polaris at night and you'll do fine. Life's hidden beauty is unlocked by a humble heart, a pristine will and nothing else. Some seek for gold treasures at a far away island, while all the treasures that they need are sitting at their own backyard. Some see it, others don't. It's a unique set of treasure that can never be shared but can only be tasted alone. A treasure that can't be measured by weight or gold - words don't describe it, only experiences do."
"O night, bring to the earth the quiet charm of your mystery."
"At the end of the day, it's simply being who I am at the moment."
Sunday, 27 March 2016
Reverie
Even in Kyoto
when I hear the cuckoo
I long for Kyoto
This is my favourite from Matsuo Basho.
when I hear the cuckoo
I long for Kyoto
This is my favourite from Matsuo Basho.
Saturday, 12 March 2016
What do we know about guidance and being guided
This morning, I gathered courage to queue for the teh o and kuih. I also played catching with Samurai. I hope for the same pleasant and meaningful morning for everyone.
Tuesday, 1 March 2016
I am in good company
The wind greets with a smile.
The wind speaks in poems.
The wind makes us feel like we're time travellers.
Please feel the wind, friends!
It is a blessing.
The wind speaks in poems.
The wind makes us feel like we're time travellers.
Please feel the wind, friends!
It is a blessing.
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