A Visit to the Sea

For September

All of Creation Bear Witness to the Greatness of the Creator (God)

When we see a state-of-the-art building, often we get amazed by the intelligence of its architect or engineer. When we see a painting, we admire the talent of the artist. But when we see the sun when it rises and sets, the universe and its galaxies, the beautiful flowers and nature, do we see the Greatness of God, Who created them?

All of creation bear witness to the Greatness of the Creator.

Bouquet

How To Deal With Bitter Criticism

Those who are ignorant have uttered curses at Allah, so what treatment should we, who are full of faults, expect from people. You will always have to face criticism. As long as you shine, give, produce and have an effect upon others, then disapproval and condemnation will be your lot in life. Until you escape from people by finding tunnel in the ground, they will not desist from censuring you, from finding fault in your character.

So remain firm and patient when facing their insults and criticism. If you are wounded by their words and let them have an influence over you, you will have realized their hopes for them. Instead, Forgive them by showing them the most beautiful of manners. Turn away from them and do not feel distressed by their schemes. Their disapproval of you only increases you in worth and merit.

Verily, you will not be able to silence them, but you will be able to bury their criticism by turning away from them and dismissing what they have to say.

Say: ‘ Perish in your rage’ 

[ Qur'an 3:119 ]  

‘The true servants of the Most Merciful are those who behave gently and with humility on earth,whenever the foolish quarrel with them, they reply with [words of] peace.’ 

[ Qur'an 25: 63 ]

In fact, you will be able to increase them in rage by increasing your merits and developing your talents.

If you desire to be accepted by all and loved by all, you desire the unattainable.

[Source: Don't be Sad by Dr. Aidh Al Qarni]

My Life Lately

What I’m currently focused on nowadays:

1. Studying in order to have a clear concept of God and unity in His worship

2. Trust in the Will of God

3. A firm belief in faith and religion

4. Striving to live a life of principles and virtues

5. Believing once again in the inherent kindness, compassion, goodness, and sincerity in people

6. Not compromising my religion and my identity

7. Acceptance, forgiveness, and reconciliation with past troubles

8. Ignoring trivial and worldly things which are of no benefit to the Hereafter

What I’d like to develop more in myself:

1. Volunteerism and assumption of responsibility

2. Sacrifice and patience

3. Charitable acts for those in need

4. Less attachment to worldly matters and material things

5. Compassion

6. Optimism and heartwarming disposition in life

7. Humility

8. Empathy and understanding

9. Discipline and maturity

10. Firm conviction and strong faith

Books I'm reading:

1. The Noble Qur'an
2. Slavery by Ibn Taymiyyah
3. Ibn Taymiyyah Expounds on Islam: Selected Writings of Shaykh al-Islam Taqi-ad-Din Ibn Taymiyyah on Islamic Faith, Life, and Society
4. Islamic Creed Series Vol. 1: Belief in Allah In the Light of Qur'an and Sunnah by Dr. Umar S. Al Ashqar
5. Muslim's Character by M. Alghazali

Mosque

Conclusions

There's an ending. There's a beginning.

I miss updating here on a daily basis. Changes are happening lately. I'm dealing with all the uncertainty, and hoping to get used with it.

Rains and Ramblings

Hello blog, I just arrived at the library a few minutes ago. I've been having chills and fever for three days, and I decided not to take my fast today so my body could recover just for now. This is what usually happens to me when I'm over-fatigued and stressed, and the tiredness doesn't have anything to do with my job, it's more on thinking too much accompanied by worrisome anticipations. My body is still aching, and I have a dry and sore throat, but hopefully I'll get better before this day ends. I need to get properly hydrated as well.

I hadn't been into an active lifestyle lately with no rigorous exercise, and it truly weakens health, and mind. Unlike those previous years when I had been going to places, walking to and fro, sometimes stretching my bones and muscles, even my vocal cords, now, I literally sit almost all day long, losing all interest in human communication and interaction (where there are numerous reasons why). I get impatient when having to exert effort on physical activities, such as cleaning the house and organizing things, walking, etc., getting very tired easily, and also losing a lot of focus and concentration when doing what I have to do. My memory is likewise, also weakening. Just this morning, when I was about to go to the office, I realized that I forgot where I put the keys, so I was forced to go back to our house just to locate where I put the keys...oh my, I'm getting old and very forgetful!! I thought I had put them on my backpack yesterday, but when I opened my bag, they weren't there. When I got home, I was surprised that they were kept by my father and thus he gave them to me. I sighed with a sense of relief as I was on my way to the library, being very thankful that at least, the keys weren't lost.

Perhaps, even my fever has something to do with the inclement weather lately. The rains had been frequent for the past few weeks, and many places in Luzon, particularly on Manila and nearby provinces had been drenched with floods. Many families were forced to leave their houses and temporarily stay on evacuation centers. The skies had been grey and rains would fall anytime during the day. 

The month of Ramadan is drawing to a close, and I'm thankful to experience it once more this year. It is a blessed month that teaches sacrifice, patience, discipline, and empathy for others who are less fortunate.

Welcome August

I hadn't been writing anything here for quite sometime, just piling up photos and doing artworks. Life had been fairly stable lately and I guess putting words on it wouldn't have that much impact because there are no strong emotions or thoughts that would go with expressing it. I'm spending my days glued in front of the computer for many hours during work, drawing on my spare time when inspiration strikes, reading books before going to sleep, and helping to prepare breakfast (Iftar) as we spend the month of Ramadan. We as family get to travel every weekend which is also one of my favorite activities

I was a very surprised today that my photo storage on Picasa albums had been used to the maximum limit that I can no longer upload any photos to put on this space. So I'm relying on my Tumblr photo URL's so I can continue posting photographs here on my blog. You can also visit my Tumblr if you like, and I also put up an Islamic Blog entitled A Garden of Islam, feel free to visit and follow. :-)

Ah, gone are the days of exploding emotions, and bitterness. And looking back at it and how it used to be only brings a feeling of deep relief. No more angst, or judging, or criticism. God had given me much and ample time to now regard a sense of forgiveness to whatever had happened. It was all a Decreed Fate, a precious lesson that I can refer to in case future incidents might happen. I wish that I have that much time to gather my thoughts and write them down, so I can emphasize how I came up to this form of healing. But if I can't, all I can say is that I'm very thankful to God for letting me understand when it was all a refusal to accept and confusion. Life is a continued growth and process, a journey, of moving towards maturity and considering more important priorities and what truly matters..

On another note, I'm so happy to see that this little space of mine had been garnering some traffic from many countries all over the world. Until now, I still get amazed that somehow this blog can be viewed from many people who are so far away from where I am. I would like to thank all of you for kindly stopping by here and taking a look at my random works though they aren't that excellently made.

I'm wishing you a peaceful and blessed day wherever you are in this world.

Love, Maica

Rose Bouquet

Rainy Days

Joie de Vivre

Pastel Garden

A Saturday Walk

Film Photographs from the '90's