The Last Days of Summer (San Antonio, Zambales)

Signs to Reflect

“Allah has created every moving (living) creature from water. Of them are some that creep on their bellies, and some that walk on two legs, and some that walk on four. Allah creates what He wills. Verily, Allah is Able to do all things.” (Qur’an 24:45)

I can’t believe that after I read this verse from the Noble Qur’an that I can’t help but cry. Seldom do I get truly affected when I read, but these words left an impact on to my heart. I felt like God was directly talking to me. These were very simple words which are easy to understand, but to fully comprehend the wisdom behind these words and feel them with ones own heart is one of the most beautiful things that ever happened to me. It seemed that all the heaviness that I carry on my chest is slowly being removed away. Tears fell and I cried with all my heart. This verse tells us how Wise and Compassionate our Creator is, that from this substance called ‘water’ He can create many different creatures. Some are small, some are big, and all of them have their own unique forms and characteristics. How amazing the Power of Allah is! He is Able to do all things!

When all of us are so drawn away from all the affairs of our worldly lives, Allah’s Wisdom and Compassion is able to reach even the other creations which we do not even take time to notice, and most of the time we take for granted.

No human being can create even a small worm creeping on its belly, out of water. But Allah emphasized that even a small worm has its own merit and that ‘Allah does not ignore even a small worm.’ No matter how intelligent and brilliant a human being is, no matter what kind of success he had achieved in his life, he cannot create even a small worm, out of water.

We are very busy with all the things that we work hard for but do we take the time to reflect on the many signs that Allah, our Creator, is showing us? Do we show Him our gratitude and do we obey His commands? Are we even aware that our life in this world is temporary and one day we will die? Of what use is our intelligence, hard work and perseverance if we are ungrateful, arrogant, and do not recognize our very own Creator? And when our time comes, are we prepared to face Him for fulfilling the purpose for which He created us, which is to worship Him, alone? Or had we spent our time in this world just to enjoy and fulfill what we personally like?

“And the life of this world is nothing but play and amusement. But far better is the house in the Hereafter for those who are Al Muttaqun (the pious). Will you not then understand?” (Qur’an 6:32)

Allah’s Mercy and Knowledge reaches all, even to the tiniest creature, or to the tiniest particle in the universe. He is All Aware of His creation and in His Infinite Power, He is Able to maintain the order of the vast and wide universe and prevent its destruction until the appointed time.

“See you not that Allah, He it is Whom glorify whosoever is in the heavens and the earth, and the birds with wings out-stretched (in their flight)? ...” (Qur’an 24:41)

And as these words were read silently on my heart, I heard the chirp of the birds outside my window. The tears flowed again on my eyes. As these words were being told to me, the birds outside my window testify to their truth. Who else lets these birds flying in the sky with all their wings outstretched in flight except Allah? Is there any human being who directs the lives, flight, the chirping, and the direction of these birds? No human being can do that. And these birds with their outstretched wings in flight, glorify Allah, their Creator, fulfilling the purpose for which He created them. All the creation of the heavens and the earth is a proof for mankind to learn a lesson and know that the only Creator and the only Organizer of this entire universe is One (Allah).

“And we created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between them for a (mere) play.” (Qur’an 21:16)

We are all given by God with free will, sufficient intelligence and abilities. Along with these gifts, lies a mission to undertake. Our life in this world is not a mere chance or a coincidence, but with a definite purpose. People had been searching for this purpose since a very long time, asking questions and making many theories and fields of inquiry. But we are not left by God to search for this purpose in vain, because He had given us a complete and concrete guidance. He had revealed in His final book, the Noble Qur’an the purpose for which He created us, so we no longer need to stretch our necks and backs just to know what the truth is.

“And I (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone).” (Qur’an 51:56)

              

Unexpected Vintage

Little Things We Ignore

A Girl’s Journey of Writing and Discoveries

Whew! So this little space of mine had turned a year old! I can hardly believe that time runs so fast and within the span of a year, so many things could happen (which I assume, because we’re unaware of it due to our busy-ness). This little space, I recently entitled The Petite Muse, had been a constant companion of my everyday adventures. I started it as a place where I could ‘refine’ and collect my thoughts, everyday life, works, and some random little things I could share to the world. It also became a part of a journey of healing and many discoveries. And starting from scratch, there were many, many things that were learned: exploring art, travels, photography, psychology, food, etc. It also became a treasure chest of memories, of acceptance and letting go of past troubles, some insights from observing life, and strengthening ones faith to God (which is the most important). It was a mixture of a variety of topics all condensed into one.

Sometimes, I think that someone who might accidentally encounter this space will get confused as to what this blog is all about, or if it even makes any sense at all. It’s a work-in-progress, or so as I consider it to be.

Maintaining this space could be very challenging, sometimes a bit scary, and would take much time. Because it needs to be updated regularly, thinking of what topics and content to be included could get a little bit out of the way and tiring at the same time. But happily, I managed to make it a regular habit to drop by here every now and then, and leave something whether it seems interesting or not. And as the days and months passed, it was a truly worthwhile journey, as I’m able to chart how progress went, how insights were formed, and how ideas were put into concrete form. The content here albeit mostly personal, I maintained a style which is constructive, professional, and less emotional in approach, so that memories can be looked at someday as learning experiences which anyone can relate to. I also learned how to take better pictures and got a new camera of my own! What a better way to learn photography!

On the aspect of writing, I believe that it’s very difficult, especially if it’s not done on a regular basis. Because I’m really quiet in person, expressing myself in written form had been one of the better ways where I communicate to others. Although having been writing on newspapers since grade school, I still often get blank due to lack of maintaining a discipline of regular writing. There were many times when apprehension or laziness get in the way so I eventually find myself struggling to express a word on paper or on front of the computer screen. Most of the time, ideas are all jumbled up inside my head but it’s hard to put them into words in written form and making sense out of them. This is always a dilemma that writing people encounter. That’s why it’s very important to practice regularly and find ones pace in writing. In time, when it becomes a habit, words and ideas will come naturally and to express them into writing is indeed a fulfilling activity. In many ways, the writing exercises that I do in this little space every once in a while and keeping journals had helped me a lot in refining my ‘ideas’. I’m currently preparing for a project which will involve a lot of writing and researching. And I’m a bit nervous and excited about it. Hopefully, it gets started soon.

We never really know how and what to anticipate, especially when it comes to the future, but we must not take that into heart as an excuse not to move forward and make more improvements in ourselves and in our society. I’m very excited to look forward for yet another year of many things to be discovered, done and accomplished, if God wills. I hope that this little space will also accompany me with that endeavor as it did for the past year. As a whole, this is a wonderful journey of writing and many discoveries.

There’s a huge world out there, and let’s make ourselves count, let’s share and contribute, let’s make the most of our time and health so we can be productive and accomplish more important tasks, and most of all to be able to serve and worship our Almighty Creator.

A Visit to Botolan, Zambales: In Words and Photographs

Yesterday, we went to Zambales to visit my grandmother. It had become an every year activity of our family and relatives to visit my grandmother at her resting place. Our family, together with our two aunts and some cousins climbed the mountain early in the morning. We started out our travel around 4:00 am while it was still dark. We arrived at Zambales after 3 hours or so, but due to the summer heat, the sun was already up in the sky like it’s already afternoon.

The road leading up to the mountain was rugged, with many huge stones which sparkle with minerals, and red-colored soil. I think I accidentally slipped three times because I forgot to step at the stones. The soil is a bit slippery. Upon reaching our destination, we paid respects to my grandma and afterwards observed the beautiful scenery. The sounds of the gentle breeze, the wide vista overlooking the surrounding mountains, a huge patch of white sand, and the sea at the other end of the horizon was simply breathtaking. We discovered some unusual berries and tasted them including a different variety of cashew, which was colored red: the fruits being very tiny compared to the common yellow one. We picked some unusual stones as we trekked down the mountain since we noticed that the stones were streaked with many minerals glistening under the glaring sunlight.

Around lunch time, we went to a turquoise-colored beach. The sea was as beautiful as the mountains, and because it was an ordinary day, there were hardly any people so everyone enjoyed swimming with the waves! I didn't swim, I just let my feet feel the waves and water as I held my camera and shoot here and there. A happy day it was!

Below are some of the photographs I took (as promised), from the start of the mountain climbing until the sun sets at the sky :-)