Disconnect to Reconnect

When we dine out during weekends, we get stares from strangers and fellow diners seated around us.

We make some mess, but of course, for we have 2 kids under 5 at our tables.

We are multi-lingual and multi-racial, sure, but we are eating in peace and harmony as a family without a care of what the latest political spin is.

People stare. 

They don't ask.

Honestly, we feel that they find us odd - that devices are not being used at our table during meals.

I let The Little Girl doodle with her colour pencils, fold origami and stare into space if she likes.

I let Bean make music out of table drum and laugh out loud at his elder sister.

They eat knowingly and aware of what goes into their little mouths instead of numbing it all down with screen time.

We are odd, yes. We have not invited the iPad or iPad Mini or iPhone to meals with us for a long time now.

We don't even have a data plan (on purpose). Those who need to reach us know how and when. The stock market is shut on weekends so our work is not really affected. 

We do disconnect to reconnect.

Family. Friends.

Face to face. Hand in hand. 

For real.

Yes, we are admittedly odd. We know that.

We are so proud of that!

Would you dare attempt this for just one weekend and report your experience? Let me know how it goes!

Disconnect to reconnect. Try it!

Toxic Input

Just as well I am fasting. Every time I refresh my Facebook newsfeed (limited to once a day now, without any group membership), I am faced with bits and pieces of toxic information.

Unforgiveness, hatred, jealousy, greed, gluttony etc. (this is beginning to sound like the 7 cardinal sins so I'd better stop summarising). 

When was the last time someone gave thanks or unconditionally forgave someone else?

Do make an effort.

Post something nice.

When the toxic stops, your heart will fill with goodness more than you can ever imagine. 

Think twice. Be nice.

Have a great weekend, peeps!

*device-free weekend starts in a few hours*

Happy Teachers' Day!

Many thanks and gratitude to all teachers who had taught, motivated and moulded me into who I am today. 

I would have been nothing without their love, devotion and undying confidence that I could proceed beyond times table and alphabets, doodles and treble clef. 

Many prayers and hope for great teachers to walk into the lives of my little ones. The Little Girl and Bean both alike, will be needing these lovely guiding angels in their lives forevermore.

Happy Teachers' Day! May Allah swt bless and reward your kindness. 

Purposeful Praying

Do you have a cause or person so dear to you it calls for intervention of the highest degree to resolve?

Mine is a simple prayer for His Will to be done. That seems to be the answer to every cause and person that troubles or burdens me.

Oh my cluttered mind, distracted time, diverted energy, heavy heart and tired limbs can only achieve limited results.

To all in my prayer list, remain steadfast. 

Let His Will be done.

Amin!

Social Media Fasting

Each of us has a different journey.

Each of us has a different test.

May our journey and test happen in ease as opposed to hardship. 

This is one tough journey for me at the moment. Spiritual fasting, that is. Specifically narrowed down to social media fasting because this is my ultimate comfort and I would feel the most amount of sacrifice (I don't watch the television so unsubscribing ASTRO doesn't jolt me).

So I chose the very thing with highest degree of 24/7 escape, enjoyment and distraction. 

Firstly, I had to leave a very strong bond within a group in Facebook. The direct and immediate results were fascinating. I freed up time for non-online activities and started to smell the coffee again, so to speak. 

So it is true that if we find it hard to cut a negative activity, we can fill it up with a positive activity. It being time. Scarce. How scarce. Irreplaceable.

Why fast? Specifically why spiritual fasting?

My intentions are simple. I need to be ready soulful and mentally for Ramadhan. Freeing my mind and leaving it to be as clean as possible a canvas is vital in purifying my heart and thoughts in order for repentance, forgiveness and glorification to come into my dry spiritual life, by His Mercy and Grace. 

Oh, how my weary soul heals for He is so Forgiving. So abundant is His Blessing I cannot possibly enumerate every single one.

Today is Day 3 and I cannot wait to embrace more rejuvenation.

Next up: purposeful praying.

Happy Mothers' Day

May yours be a very happy one celebrated with those close and dear. 

A prayer for all mums to be even more superb, blessed, healthy, happy, strong and full of iman.

May your year be filled with even more joy and laughter from the little ones!

New Bibik

No, not a human bibik. A robot bibik!

Thank you, my love. This is even better than 

Having both wouldn't hurt though.

Happy Mothers' Day!