COUNTING OUR BLESSINGS

Assalamualaikum guys. I'm taking a short break from my sabbatical as I am being overwhelmed by a sudden urge to blog.. :p


This morning whilst driving the kids to school, many things caught my attention and my deep thoughts escalated from one thing to another. I saw many of the kampung kids were either walking to school or catching a bus in the wee morning. And I thought : How lucky my kids are! They are being driven in a comfortable car to and fro each day without having to undergo all the hassle of waiting and later cramped up in a hot-humid bus full of other kids who by then are emitting unbearable odors. As we move along the narrow meandering road behind my house, we passed by several dilapidated wooden houses. I cringed with all guiltiness at the thought of the great comfort I draw from my brick house with all its modern amenities as compared to these shabby dwellings which probably still employ old-fashioned toilets . Then, just as I was overcoming the guilt of being lucky and overpreviledged, I passed by an old man, whom I noticed would walk unfailingly, every morning taking the same route. So what's with him, you asked. Well, you see, he has an abnormal gait which in medical term we describe as a broad-based gait. People inflicted with cerebellar disease, has this kind of gait. Imagine waddling treacherously slow, all the way with that kind of movement! By then, I was feeling so lucky that I can still walk upright without any impedances in my movement whatsoever! Alhamdulillah!

How many times in a day do we count our blessings? That we are still alive and healthy, able to enjoy all the pleasures in life. That we are given all the opportunities by Allah swt to better ourselves. That we have our family to cherish and their company to enjoy? And not forgetting the sheer joy of having friends in the blogging world!

I've always reminded my kids to never envy the lavishness and extravagances of the fortunate and lucky few but to empathise sincerely on the depravity experienced by many. Imagine yourself stopping at a traffic light. On your right there's a new classy 5 series BMW. You ogle at it and dream of owning it one day. Green with envy, you eye painfully at those basking in the car. The chic lady driver, adorning sporty shades looking all so cool. Or the chiselled-face-model-look guy beside her. Both emanating a certain kind of persona that befits the luxuriousity of the German made car. Shamefully, you ignore the people on your left who are in an old battered, paint-peeling-off car with malfunctioned air-con. Or the guy on the motorbike sweating under the scorching sun. Or worst still, the people standing in a sardine-packed bus, rushing to work! If we keep on reminding ourselves on the existence of these underpreviledged people, then, the great exhilarating feeling of contentment would fill our hearts. No, I'm not asking you to gloat but to be content with what pleasure we have. Don't go questioning why we aren't enjoying the comforts of a luxurious car but be grateful that at least you are much better off in your 'moderate' though not the 'ultimate' machine!

Another good, very apt and timely analogy (as there are many camera-crazy people around) would be on the issue of owning a camera. When Allah swt has given you the pleasure to create commendable pictures with your Sony Cybershot, don't harbor any grudge towards more professional looking pictures taken by say, a Nikon D50. And those in possession of a Nikon D50, be content with what you have, as a D70 would just be a waste of money!! Why, I have seen excellent candid shots taken with MUPA! So it's not so much of the camera but more importantly, the 'brain' behind the camera. And I'm sure imaging-sensor experts like Izhal can vouch this. Remember! To indulge moderately in a hobby is 'harus' but to splurge extravagantly is 'haram'! Then again, many 'loyar buruk' and 'auta' minds will argue like a pro lawyer on the exact definition of being extravagant and on where to draw the line. Oh well, you can never win with these people!

This entry is especially for my children to ponder on the little 'extras' they get in life, to be constantly grateful to Allah swt. Be conscious that what ever gained and possessed in this world, are all temporary loans bestowed by Allah swt. Take what is necessary and give away to the needy what is superfluous. (That reminds me of our long overdued community service for the kampung folks here)

p.s. Recieved a wedding invitation from Mastura (a pretty Mas stewardess), my cousin's daughter who is getting married to a pilot. May you have a blessed happy marriage, filled with Allah swt's guidance. Ameen!

The wedding card