Aidil Adha 1433 H

There's no love without sacrifice.

As-Saaffat: 102 - 109

102. "And when he attained to working with him, he said: O my son! Surely I have seen in a dream that I should sacrifice you; consider then what you see. He said: O my father! do what you are commanded; if Allah please, you will find me of the patient ones."

103 "So when they both submitted and he threw him down upon his forehaed,"

104. "And We called ouT to him saying : O Ibrahim!"

105. "You have indeed shown the truth of the vision; surely thus do We reward the doers of good;"

106. "Most surely this is a manifest trial."

107. "And We ransomed him with a Feat sacrifice.

108. "And we perpetuated (praise) to him among the later generations. 

109. "Peace be on Ibrahim."

Alhamdulillah this year comes to my aunt's and uncle's turn to perform Hajj :) There are some latest pictures taken by them.

Makndak in front of Masjidil Haram

Rainy Day in Mecca

May we all have enough strength to carry on our sacrifices for better life in this world and hereafter. I define my sacrifices, you define your sacrifices.

P/s: Credit to FizGraphic for the very cool cute solehah little girl with the Apple Macbook. I just put the cartoon on a blue background and put some words. 

Stand By Me

 Image source: Daily Film Dose

This is an image from the movie "Stand By Me" released in year 1986. I remember the first time I noticed this movie was in the English class during my foundation time. I was in International Canadian Pre-University program at Taylor's University College. The story starts with a men who is recounting his childhood with his friends in all the ups and downs during journey to find the body of a missing boy. Something that has added the biggest value of this story is the soundtrack taken from the song "Stand By Me". The first time I heard the song in class, I appreciate the lyrics that give lessons, which convey the message of the story just nice.

At the end of last year, 2011, I watched Ra.One starred by Shah Rukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor and others. It is the Indian science fiction superhero film. I'm a bit surprised and entertained when the old "Stand By Me" by Ben E King is recomposed on which they based the song "Dildaara".

When the night has come and the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we see
No, I won't be afraid, oh, I won't be afraid
Just as long as you stand, stand by me
So darling, darling, stand by me, oh, stand by me
Oh, stand, stand by me, stand by me
If the sky that we look upon should tumble and fall
Or the mountain should crumble to the sea
I won't cry, I won't cry, no, I won't shed a tear
Just as long as you stand, stand by me
And darling, darling, stand by me
Darling, darling, stand by me
Whenever you're in trouble
Won't you stand by me, oh, stand by me
Lyric source: Metrolyrics

Pain

When his plan and His plan are different from what I've been keeping for these long, I'm devastated. How do I bear the pain my Lord

Note-To-Self

After a looooong holiday (well, not really long, it's about one week for Raya celebration). Finally I got to come back to work. And I should not forget that my progress report is not yet completed. So much to do after this and may Allah ease everything. Note to self everyday : Be strong for today, stronger for tomorrow.

May we all do the best no matter who we are, where we are. InsyaAllah :)

Dreams, lets be true

Yesterday I saw Productive Muslim was sharing an article from Psychology Today on Productive Muslim twitter page. The title of the article is "Do Your Dreams Die When You Get Older?" and its content has given me a slap on my face. Anyway thank you for your slap, article. 

I do question on myself, "Do Your Dreams Die When You Get Older?" I might need to agree some of the dreams just remain as, "Once upon a time, I want to be this and that." I have read somewhere "Motivation need to be revived, just like how we take a bath every day."

The article shared that, if this situation happened, maybe we have let these three things happened to us:
1. We want it to be easy
2. We watch others failed
3. We started to rationalize

And the remedies the article suggested:
1. Nothing’s easy. Get over yourself. Just deal.
2. Break out of the pack. Be the omega wolf and follow and discover your own path. Who knows, you may surprise yourself!
3. Be tough on yourself. Do not rationalize or make excuses. Make a commitment and follow through. Tell yourself that you wont get anywhere if you don’t – Believe it. 

Love this article as it is short, precise, helpful and practical InsyaAllah.
Psychology Today : Do Your Dreams Die When You Get Older