"at 21 you are more powerful than you can ever imagine"
-Alexandra Potter
When we are young, we imagine ourselves doing the extraordinary. Don't you think its ironic that when we enter school, our ambitions range from conquering the outer space and flying jet planes to becoming prime minister and ruling a country. And yet, when we leave school, many have settled for complete mediocrity. Gone are the great ambitions, and we are left with the bored-inary wishes of becoming yet another commonplace worker in whatever field we choose to enter.
Isn't the education system suppose to inspire? Inspire thought and creativity? Spark excitement and nurture greatness?
*sighs*
I stop and look around, I shudder at how many people I see that are 'tired'. We are young! We should be full of zest and excitement. You should feel delighted and happy doing whatever you're doing.
Life stretches before us, full of possibilities and chances and opportunities. We have the power to do anything we want, achieve and accomplish anything we want, should we only want it. And yet, why is it that so many people seem to not want it?
I am not saying that everyone should set their goals to be the next Bill Gates or Neil Armstrong. But, on second thought, why not? Why is it that as we grow older, we settle for less and less. Who says we can't do more? Who says we can't have more? We only get to live once. This one lifetime. Why should we spend it doing what everyone else have done. Why shouldn't we aspire to be different, aspire for greatness, aspire for the extraordinary?
Don't let the everyday routine and toll of daily demands dull your sparkle. If things get difficult, pause, recharge and go at it again. I don't care if this sounds cliched. I don't care if I sound like a self-help book gone wrong. I am just writing what I believe to be true right now. Enjoy life. Set your goals. Set them high and then have fun working hard to reach it. Go through life with zest and excitement. Be curious and thankful. Be excellent.
We can conquer the this world and beyond.
Fellow youths,
We are powerful.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Whipping drinking woman?
I seldom venture to write about serious issues, but this one intrigued me.
" A Muslim woman who admitted to alcohol intake, has been sentenced to 'religious' whipping as punishment. The woman is not challenging the punishment meted out for her and is willing to undergo it. "
So now, what's the issue?
Suddenly, progressive Malaysia is confronted with this 'punishement' form that is normally heard of only in countries like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Even though Malaysia is a 'Islamic' country by name, by law, Islamic ruling only governs personal and family matters. This means, 'punishment' for a crime is not under 'Islamic' jurisdiction.
And so, now, there's chaos.
The public is stunned. There being no precendence and no history of such 'punishment' being meted out by the court before, the thought of a Muslim being whipped for drinking in modern Malaysia makes people's jaw drop. (Despite the fact that drinking is clearly stated as Haram in Islam, and specific punishment for drinking being outlined clearly in the Shariah).
The foreign press is having a gala time covering the story. Reading their version makes a person believe that overnight, Malaysia has turned from a friendly and welcoming 'truly Asian' nation to a frightening place- rigid and backward.
The politicians are now scrambling to do damage control. Right or wrong aside, bottom line is that 'modern' Malaysia surely cannot be seen internationally with such image. Those in power release daily statements. In their hastiness though, some have even released statements that are spurring even more controversy. (Remember, in the last general election, 5 states fell to the opposition, and one of the main members of the opposition coalition is an 'Islamic' party- with strong supporters). Certain public figures who have forgotten this, continues to say things that shouts of their Islamic ignorance and understanding of the faith.
The non-Muslims of Malaysia are also joining in the fray. Having never heard of such methods of 'punishment' and having no knowledge of the Shariah, they are now innocent bystanders of the whole fiasco. Of course, for those non-Muslims living in urban areas (try Bangsar for example), they must be even more shocked- what with more than half of club-goers being Malays and the sight of a Malay drinking being commonplace in the more 'posh' side of town.
.......
So, where do I stand?
Islam is complete, complete in its teachings and its laws. When you pick and choose which parts you want to follow, and limit its scope, you are trying to secularize something which in essence is a way of life. And so, it gets warped.
This situation is an ideal example.
There are so many things wrong with the way this whole thing was handled that I can't even begin.
My only hope is that it doesn't become an avenue for people to misunderstand Islam and its teachings.
Ramadhan Mubarak~
" A Muslim woman who admitted to alcohol intake, has been sentenced to 'religious' whipping as punishment. The woman is not challenging the punishment meted out for her and is willing to undergo it. "
So now, what's the issue?
Suddenly, progressive Malaysia is confronted with this 'punishement' form that is normally heard of only in countries like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Even though Malaysia is a 'Islamic' country by name, by law, Islamic ruling only governs personal and family matters. This means, 'punishment' for a crime is not under 'Islamic' jurisdiction.
And so, now, there's chaos.
The public is stunned. There being no precendence and no history of such 'punishment' being meted out by the court before, the thought of a Muslim being whipped for drinking in modern Malaysia makes people's jaw drop. (Despite the fact that drinking is clearly stated as Haram in Islam, and specific punishment for drinking being outlined clearly in the Shariah).
The foreign press is having a gala time covering the story. Reading their version makes a person believe that overnight, Malaysia has turned from a friendly and welcoming 'truly Asian' nation to a frightening place- rigid and backward.
The politicians are now scrambling to do damage control. Right or wrong aside, bottom line is that 'modern' Malaysia surely cannot be seen internationally with such image. Those in power release daily statements. In their hastiness though, some have even released statements that are spurring even more controversy. (Remember, in the last general election, 5 states fell to the opposition, and one of the main members of the opposition coalition is an 'Islamic' party- with strong supporters). Certain public figures who have forgotten this, continues to say things that shouts of their Islamic ignorance and understanding of the faith.
The non-Muslims of Malaysia are also joining in the fray. Having never heard of such methods of 'punishment' and having no knowledge of the Shariah, they are now innocent bystanders of the whole fiasco. Of course, for those non-Muslims living in urban areas (try Bangsar for example), they must be even more shocked- what with more than half of club-goers being Malays and the sight of a Malay drinking being commonplace in the more 'posh' side of town.
.......
So, where do I stand?
Islam is complete, complete in its teachings and its laws. When you pick and choose which parts you want to follow, and limit its scope, you are trying to secularize something which in essence is a way of life. And so, it gets warped.
This situation is an ideal example.
There are so many things wrong with the way this whole thing was handled that I can't even begin.
My only hope is that it doesn't become an avenue for people to misunderstand Islam and its teachings.
Ramadhan Mubarak~
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Semput
Takde masa.
Blog surf n tengok semua orang aktif mengupdate.
Dengki.
Kagum.
Pasrah.
Aku semput r. Nak berfikir pun takde masa. Baca posts orang lain as bedtime story.. tak habis baca pun dah terlelap. Ops salah. Sebelum baca pun dah out.
bile semput, terasa nak amek solution mudah-
Get out! Apakah erti hidup kalau hidup takde masa nak berfikir.
bile dah tak semput, tersedar-
Apakah erti hidup kalau takde komitmen utk work hard and achieve something worthwhile. Nanti jadi manusia berpeleseran yang tiada tujuan in life, terbantut dgn mencari keseronokan.
okay fine.
kenapa kena jadi matang? -__-
"stand for something or you will fall for anything"
Blog surf n tengok semua orang aktif mengupdate.
Dengki.
Kagum.
Pasrah.
Aku semput r. Nak berfikir pun takde masa. Baca posts orang lain as bedtime story.. tak habis baca pun dah terlelap. Ops salah. Sebelum baca pun dah out.
bile semput, terasa nak amek solution mudah-
Get out! Apakah erti hidup kalau hidup takde masa nak berfikir.
bile dah tak semput, tersedar-
Apakah erti hidup kalau takde komitmen utk work hard and achieve something worthwhile. Nanti jadi manusia berpeleseran yang tiada tujuan in life, terbantut dgn mencari keseronokan.
okay fine.
kenapa kena jadi matang? -__-
"stand for something or you will fall for anything"
Sunday, July 26, 2009
^__^
Bile pak guard senyum bile keta lalu.
Bile lecturer senyum sebelum start mengaja.
Bile membe sama2 kongsi senyum sbb sama2 bosan dlm lecture.
Bile MakCik Kantin senyum sbb tengok lauk bertimbun kat pinggan.
....
antara contoh2 bende yang boleh menggembirakan hari. So, SENYUM!!! =)
Bile lecturer senyum sebelum start mengaja.
Bile membe sama2 kongsi senyum sbb sama2 bosan dlm lecture.
Bile MakCik Kantin senyum sbb tengok lauk bertimbun kat pinggan.
....
antara contoh2 bende yang boleh menggembirakan hari. So, SENYUM!!! =)
Saturday, May 2, 2009
be-not-serious
Know what would be nice?
If people could stop taking themselves too seriously.
Notice how we laugh at other people, we laugh at stupid jokes, we even laugh when someone trips.
But, think..
When was the last time you laughed at yourself?
We can't all be perfect. We mess up and do silly things sometimes. Step back, admit your mistake, and laugh at yourself.
You'd be suprised how good it feels to just laugh at yourself for a change.
If people could stop taking themselves too seriously.
Notice how we laugh at other people, we laugh at stupid jokes, we even laugh when someone trips.
But, think..
When was the last time you laughed at yourself?
We can't all be perfect. We mess up and do silly things sometimes. Step back, admit your mistake, and laugh at yourself.
You'd be suprised how good it feels to just laugh at yourself for a change.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Today
At certain points in your life you start thinking about the future. Especially when you're ending a stage and beginning a new one. You start thinking about all that you've accomplished and all that you still want to do.
Everyone knows these points,
when you finish high school,
when you enter university,
when you graduate,
when you get married,
...
It's inevitable and great and all. But, I think even more important than those 'great defining moments' are the 'everyday moments' that people tend to overlook.
What have I done TODAY, not yesterday or tomorrow, but this very day. Did I make a friend smile or helped out with chores around the house? Did I spend even a few short moments sincerely thinking about My God in prayers? Did I say thanks that there's a person out there that loves me?
Or.... did I just laze around complaining about the extremely hot weather and watch re-runs of stories on my laptop?
So, here's my tribute to TODAY.
..try to make the most of it yeah!
Everyone knows these points,
when you finish high school,
when you enter university,
when you graduate,
when you get married,
...
It's inevitable and great and all. But, I think even more important than those 'great defining moments' are the 'everyday moments' that people tend to overlook.
What have I done TODAY, not yesterday or tomorrow, but this very day. Did I make a friend smile or helped out with chores around the house? Did I spend even a few short moments sincerely thinking about My God in prayers? Did I say thanks that there's a person out there that loves me?
Or.... did I just laze around complaining about the extremely hot weather and watch re-runs of stories on my laptop?
So, here's my tribute to TODAY.
..try to make the most of it yeah!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Disebaliknya
Ada apa pada rupa?
2 eyes, 1 nose, 1 mouth, 2 ears, 2 hands, 2 legs, 1 body= a human
Ciri-ciri yang terlihat begitu simple. Ada pada kebanyakan.
Tapi, dunia boleh berpusing hanya kerana rupa. Sellers and buyers in the currency of looks.
Betul kan?
Kalau nak kira, mesti ada berjuta kedai baju dalam dunia. Belum kira kedai seluar, kedai alat solek, kedai gunting rambut, kedai cat kuku, kedai majalah. Oh, tambah lagi, laman2 web seperti Facebook/ Friendster/ MySpace/ Flickr/ Fotopages...etc yang ahlinya sampai beribu, dimana gambar wajah2 Si Pemilik dan rakan2 dipampang untuk tontonan ramai. Itu belum kira lagi dunia filem atau dunia permodelan atau..dan atau....
Cukupla contoh sampai situ.
Tapi fahamkan maksud yang nak disampaikan.
Ada apa pada rupa?
First impression?
Cara menarik perhatian?
Cara mencari cinta?
Cara menzahirkan peribadi dalaman?
atau mungkin, anda pun tak pernah terfikir. Setiap hari menyarung seluar, setiap hari menyapu bedak, setiap kali membeli baju baru, setiap kali mengupload gambar ke internet, setiap kali meluangkan masa melihat gambar2 teman2.
Cuba fikir,..
Why are you doing what you are doing?
Lihatlah disebaliknya.
2 eyes, 1 nose, 1 mouth, 2 ears, 2 hands, 2 legs, 1 body= a human
Ciri-ciri yang terlihat begitu simple. Ada pada kebanyakan.
Tapi, dunia boleh berpusing hanya kerana rupa. Sellers and buyers in the currency of looks.
Betul kan?
Kalau nak kira, mesti ada berjuta kedai baju dalam dunia. Belum kira kedai seluar, kedai alat solek, kedai gunting rambut, kedai cat kuku, kedai majalah. Oh, tambah lagi, laman2 web seperti Facebook/ Friendster/ MySpace/ Flickr/ Fotopages...etc yang ahlinya sampai beribu, dimana gambar wajah2 Si Pemilik dan rakan2 dipampang untuk tontonan ramai. Itu belum kira lagi dunia filem atau dunia permodelan atau..dan atau....
Cukupla contoh sampai situ.
Tapi fahamkan maksud yang nak disampaikan.
Ada apa pada rupa?
First impression?
Cara menarik perhatian?
Cara mencari cinta?
Cara menzahirkan peribadi dalaman?
atau mungkin, anda pun tak pernah terfikir. Setiap hari menyarung seluar, setiap hari menyapu bedak, setiap kali membeli baju baru, setiap kali mengupload gambar ke internet, setiap kali meluangkan masa melihat gambar2 teman2.
Cuba fikir,..
Why are you doing what you are doing?
Lihatlah disebaliknya.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
The Thin Line
There is this Thin Line.
It divides the world and everything in it.
People are controlled by it, whether they know it or not.
It has many names.
And it is strong, unbreakable.
Yet, The Thin Line is elusive.
Look for it, and you may not find it.
Sit still, and you might find you already have it.
Determined by intention,
Manifested in action.
The Thin Line,
..that divides between Right and Wrong.
It divides the world and everything in it.
People are controlled by it, whether they know it or not.
It has many names.
And it is strong, unbreakable.
Yet, The Thin Line is elusive.
Look for it, and you may not find it.
Sit still, and you might find you already have it.
Determined by intention,
Manifested in action.
The Thin Line,
..that divides between Right and Wrong.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Menasihat & Ternasihat
Tersangatlah susah nak menasihati seseorang.
Sedih.
Geram.
Bengang.
Marah.
Helpless.
Sedih balik.
Nak dibiar je- sesungguhnya aku amat menyayangi hamba Allah ini, tak mungkin aku boleh biar je dier macam tu.
Nak cuba mengubah- aku dah takde idea nak buat apa.
Dah try semua cara. Pernah dengar ustaz ajar nak menasihat kena berhikmah. Tapi kalau dah habis hikmah, tak da kesan jugak...
Adakah bermaksud hatinya belum dibuka Allah untuk menerima teguran?
Atau, kelemahan aku sendiri sebagai 'yang menasihat'?
Last2, dalam usaha menasihat orang, rasanya aku yang ternasihat. Terdidik dalam sabar & tersedar akan kekurangan diri sendiri. Tiada apa yang berlaku tanpa izin Yang Maha Kuasa.
huhu.
berserah!
Sedih.
Geram.
Bengang.
Marah.
Helpless.
Sedih balik.
Nak dibiar je- sesungguhnya aku amat menyayangi hamba Allah ini, tak mungkin aku boleh biar je dier macam tu.
Nak cuba mengubah- aku dah takde idea nak buat apa.
Dah try semua cara. Pernah dengar ustaz ajar nak menasihat kena berhikmah. Tapi kalau dah habis hikmah, tak da kesan jugak...
Adakah bermaksud hatinya belum dibuka Allah untuk menerima teguran?
Atau, kelemahan aku sendiri sebagai 'yang menasihat'?
Last2, dalam usaha menasihat orang, rasanya aku yang ternasihat. Terdidik dalam sabar & tersedar akan kekurangan diri sendiri. Tiada apa yang berlaku tanpa izin Yang Maha Kuasa.
huhu.
berserah!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Berayat-ayat
Fuh!
Mantap tul. Cube buka blog sendiri tadi.
Aiseh!
Baru aku sedar tulisan aku kat blog semakin lama semakin panjang.
Apakah?!!
Penuh dengan ayat-ayat lak tu.
Tak leh jadi ni.
Kurangkan ayat.
Padatkan maksud.
..
..
..
Tapi kadang2 macam best lak biler tulis panjang2. Rasa puas.
-konfius tul la ak ni-
Mantap tul. Cube buka blog sendiri tadi.
Aiseh!
Baru aku sedar tulisan aku kat blog semakin lama semakin panjang.
Apakah?!!
Penuh dengan ayat-ayat lak tu.
Tak leh jadi ni.
Kurangkan ayat.
Padatkan maksud.
..
..
..
Tapi kadang2 macam best lak biler tulis panjang2. Rasa puas.
-konfius tul la ak ni-
Saturday, January 3, 2009
In words I know how..
Being affected.
I cannot imagine being stuck in a place where I can't escape from falling bombs. I cannot imagine living in a place where bullets rain down on me and I have no where to go. I cannot imagine not being able to get medical treatment because the hospital supplies have run out. I cannot imagine myself bleeding out on the streets simply because there is no other option. Worse still, I cannot imagine seeing my mother bleeding out and know that there is nothing I can do for her. I cannot imagine the desperation I would feel when I go to the border of this horrific war zone, and my neighbor refuses to let me in. To just be left standing there, dying, all the while, looking over the other side of the border knowing a few meters are all that separates me from peace. I cannot imagine the indignity that must fill my heart when I think about the millions of brothers and sisters I have,.. out there that are doing nothing for me,.. in here. Above all that, I cannot imagine wanting to stay in such a place. I cannot imagine voluntarily choosing to stay, fight and be killed in this place because I believe that justice will prevail- if not now in this life, then later, in the next.
I cannot imagine-
because I am here. There is no shower of bombs raining on me. I know that there will be food for me tomorrow as it has always been there for me in the past. I am healthy and my future stretches in front me. I feel blessed.
Yet, what if I close my eyes tonight, and, I die.
What value is my life to me then?
I will die. That is the certainty. So will my brothers in Palestine. But their life is a carefully calculated sacrifice. They are promised Jannah. They die on the last true battlefield of Islam in today's modern world. What is my life? A calculated plan for a comfortable life on earth? So when the ground welcomes me, who is the one who is blessed? The one dies covered with blood fresh from the battles of Islam shouting Allahuakbar or the one who dies full of ignorance in sleep with the lilting voice of Yuna acting as a lullaby?
I am ashamed.
Because, even as I am writing this I know I do not yet have the courage to buy a one way ticket to the grounds of Palestine. The thought of meeting my death and meeting my Lord so soon scares me, even as I know that death will come for me regardless of where I am.
I am ashamed.
Its been a week. A week where my brothers and sisters of Islam are being killed mercilessly by Israel. A horrendous week which saw witness to ground of Palestine get soaked with the blood of fellow Muslims. Yet here I am, snuggling in bed! I sometimes stop while eating because it struck me what my brothers in Palestine would give to eat as I am eating.
I am ashamed and horrified.
I do not know what I can do for you my brothers!! I know that you are dying and I do not know what I can do. I don't know what I can do! I cannot shield you from bullets. I cannot help you escape. I can only sit and watch! I pray for you and cry for you but I fear that is not enough. I pray Allah gives you comfort. I pray Allah bestows peace in your heart no matter what situation you may be in. If you are dying and in pain, know that Paradise is welcoming you in a way I doubt it will ever welcome me.
I do not know what else to do, so, I am writing this. Let me write this for whoever that will read it. Let me write this so that you know, no matter how it may seem, your sacrifices will not be forgotten. Let me write this, so that other Muslims will also come to realise with whose blood are we paying for the ownership of Palestine. And most importantly, let me write this to always remind myself that my peace and comfort come at a price that is being paid for by others.
Let Allah always be with you my brothers. Let Allah help you through this. Amin.
I cannot imagine being stuck in a place where I can't escape from falling bombs. I cannot imagine living in a place where bullets rain down on me and I have no where to go. I cannot imagine not being able to get medical treatment because the hospital supplies have run out. I cannot imagine myself bleeding out on the streets simply because there is no other option. Worse still, I cannot imagine seeing my mother bleeding out and know that there is nothing I can do for her. I cannot imagine the desperation I would feel when I go to the border of this horrific war zone, and my neighbor refuses to let me in. To just be left standing there, dying, all the while, looking over the other side of the border knowing a few meters are all that separates me from peace. I cannot imagine the indignity that must fill my heart when I think about the millions of brothers and sisters I have,.. out there that are doing nothing for me,.. in here. Above all that, I cannot imagine wanting to stay in such a place. I cannot imagine voluntarily choosing to stay, fight and be killed in this place because I believe that justice will prevail- if not now in this life, then later, in the next.
I cannot imagine-
because I am here. There is no shower of bombs raining on me. I know that there will be food for me tomorrow as it has always been there for me in the past. I am healthy and my future stretches in front me. I feel blessed.
Yet, what if I close my eyes tonight, and, I die.
What value is my life to me then?
I will die. That is the certainty. So will my brothers in Palestine. But their life is a carefully calculated sacrifice. They are promised Jannah. They die on the last true battlefield of Islam in today's modern world. What is my life? A calculated plan for a comfortable life on earth? So when the ground welcomes me, who is the one who is blessed? The one dies covered with blood fresh from the battles of Islam shouting Allahuakbar or the one who dies full of ignorance in sleep with the lilting voice of Yuna acting as a lullaby?
I am ashamed.
Because, even as I am writing this I know I do not yet have the courage to buy a one way ticket to the grounds of Palestine. The thought of meeting my death and meeting my Lord so soon scares me, even as I know that death will come for me regardless of where I am.
I am ashamed.
Its been a week. A week where my brothers and sisters of Islam are being killed mercilessly by Israel. A horrendous week which saw witness to ground of Palestine get soaked with the blood of fellow Muslims. Yet here I am, snuggling in bed! I sometimes stop while eating because it struck me what my brothers in Palestine would give to eat as I am eating.
I am ashamed and horrified.
I do not know what I can do for you my brothers!! I know that you are dying and I do not know what I can do. I don't know what I can do! I cannot shield you from bullets. I cannot help you escape. I can only sit and watch! I pray for you and cry for you but I fear that is not enough. I pray Allah gives you comfort. I pray Allah bestows peace in your heart no matter what situation you may be in. If you are dying and in pain, know that Paradise is welcoming you in a way I doubt it will ever welcome me.
I do not know what else to do, so, I am writing this. Let me write this for whoever that will read it. Let me write this so that you know, no matter how it may seem, your sacrifices will not be forgotten. Let me write this, so that other Muslims will also come to realise with whose blood are we paying for the ownership of Palestine. And most importantly, let me write this to always remind myself that my peace and comfort come at a price that is being paid for by others.
Let Allah always be with you my brothers. Let Allah help you through this. Amin.
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