Sisterhood

Just felt the urge to post about sisters... was chatting with one of the funniest and coolest, MashaAllah, Muslimahs I know, Umm Ismail!

A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life.
- Isadora James

A sister smiles when one tells one's stories - for she knows where the decoration has been added.
- Chris Montaigne

A true sister is a friend who listens with her heart.
- Author Unknown

Having a sister is like having a best friend you can't get rid of. You know whatever you do, they'll still be there.
- Amy Li

Help one another, is part of the religion of sisterhood.
- Louisa May Alcott

Is solace anywhere more comforting than in the arms of a sister.
- Alice Walker

Sisterhood is powerful.
- Robin Morgan

Sisterly love is, of all sentiments, the most abstract. Nature does not grant it any functions.
- Ugo Betti

Sisters don't need words. They have perfected a language of snarls and smiles and frowns and winks - expressions of shocked surprise and incredulity and disbelief. Sniffs and snorts and gasps and sighs - that can undermine any tale you're telling.
- Pam Brown

Sisters function as safety nets in a chaotic world simply by being there for each other.
- Carol Saline

When sisters stand shoulder to shoulder, who stands a chance against us?
- Pam Brown

Do you REALLY love your sister?

I was just having a very refreshing chat with a sister and we touched on the subject as to whether or not sisters really love each other... because I know, if you really love your sister like you claim to, you won't "sugar coat" the truth to make her feel good and not "pull her up" when she's wrong. I mentioned in another post of mine I believe or in the comments of one of my post that here, where I live, when one of us is wrong, a sister or group will call you on your mistake- now, some of us a VERY tight so sometimes the words may seem to be a bit "rude" for others but we understand each other... we know that the sister is addressing the issue(s) because she loves her sister and don't want her to err- it's not about getting an attitude and giving people the "cold shoulder". We call it "constructive criticism". Please tell me... exactly how do you benefit from people telling you lies to make you feel good? Some people WANT to be pacified... and sorry, we tend to call them like we see them so I guess we're not a good group if you're looking for "feel good" friends..... :o

Love for your sister what you would love for yourself... if you love her, tell her the truth- she may NOT appreciate it then but if she a true sister and realize her mistake(s) then it was worth it in the end. It's not be rude but state your concern(s) with love and tactfulness that she may see where she went wrong. And she should thank you, if not aloud, in her heart. And if you're the type of person who allow your sister to continually make the same mistakes in her actions, words and/or behavior without correcting her, then know you are definitely not your "sister's keeper" and most infinitely not her friend...

My personal philosophy is "never co-sign garbage"... and I plan to teach my kids the same, InshaAllah- some may not appreciate your "direct" approach as most are accustomed to people telling them things to make them look or feel good when they themselves KNOW they're wrong, but in the end, you'll know that you did the right thing. That Muslimahs, is REAL love......

Hello stranger....

Hello, stranger.... it was an experience briefly chatting with you today although our conversation lacked "feeling". Inner intuition is telling me one thing but I won't put it out there for the world to scrutinize... I'm no psychoanalyst nor do I desire to be but there seems to be more than a few things going on- remember, I'm ALWAYS available whenever you want to talk... my door will NEVER close:

You wander as a lonely

Each day you wake up with a frown
Rumours keep spreading around town
That you’re suffering a mental breakdown

A solitary walk you walk
A lonely talk you talk
As you wander as a lonely

You wander as a lonely at night
You wander as a lonely on sight
You wander as a lonely at day
You wander as a lonely and pray
You wander as a lonely each day

Slow down, slow down
Shut down, shut down

Shutdown the lonely before you drown
Embrace your friends with warmth
They can give you assistance
Deliver you from your lonely existence

You keep fighting love
Bending it around like a curve
With your glowering face
Reserving only a lonely place,
Halting happiness to arrive in your life

Do you ever stop to wonder?
Do you ever stop to ponder?
Are you the reason for the lonely blunders?

Slow down, slow down
Shut down, shut down

Remove from your head that lonely crown
You wander endlessly as a lonely
Searching for a spot called homely
But your face is missing that vital smile called lovely

Copyright 2006 - Sylvia Chidi


Happiness Is Not Comforts

Does happiness depend upon comfort?
The answer is definitely a big, No!
Happiness lies in not comforts alone!
Happiness is not a static quality of the human mind, body and soul.

All can’t remain happy all the time.
It would be foolishness to wish for a life, filled with happiness alone;
Happiness is more when woes come in-between.
Happiness is just a feeling weird!

Life could become boring and monotonous, when happiness is prolonged.
Even the pauper can be happier than the prince.
Even the beggar smiles and sleeps well, despite much strife.

Happiness is a frame of mind that’s dynamic in nature;
Happiness is a kind of mood of feeling very well;
Happiness is a state of one, when life seems worth living;
Happiness is something strange that varies with time, experience and wisdom.

Happiness is all within;
Happiness is in giving;
Happiness is in sharing;
Happiness is the ceiling, whatever you fix!

Happiness does not wholly depend on comforts;
Happiness cannot be bought by money;
Happiness is not all luxury;
Happiness is abstract to the core!

Happiness is in being child-like, though adult;
Happiness is in making and seeing the less fortunate ones, smile;
Happiness is in acting adult-like, although a child
Happiness is in giving something to someone, although you still need it.

Happiness is in sacrificing for others’ sake;
Happiness is in giving up your chance to someone, who most needs it;
Happiness is in doing acts of charity;
Happiness is when you’ve led a righteous life.

Happiness to some is in dreams alone;
Happiness to some doing risky feats;
Happiness to a few is in a sheer lazy life;
Happiness to some is in yeoman service to mankind.

Happiness is a phenomenon;
Happiness is a quirk of fate;
Happiness is quite rare and scarce at times;
Happiness to some is in living in a virtual world!

Happiness is in braving the storms of life;
Happiness is in toiling for others’ sakes;
Happiness is in sharing your talents and ken;
Happiness is in loving your poor brethren.

Copyright by Dr John Celes 6-15-2008

How time flies....

My best girlfriend who recently moved to Saudi is currently visiting Cairo and we were chatting today about how fast time flies... on this same day, one year ago, we boarded Egypt Air from New York to Cairo- her and her youngest daughter and me and my two little terrors... with intentions on having a blast! Just a getaway, to take care of somethings for herself and me, to confirm my intentions (again) as to whether I really wanted to make that move. We had a trip planned to Hurgada when we were finished with shopping, shopping and did I mention shopping? lol

But things didn't exactly work out that way in the end- we had to cut our trip short after about 9 days as she had a very serious illness in her family. And on the night before we left, I had to have a frap from their Costa Coffee house in Al Rehab... it was raining and instead of me walking which seemed like a 1/4 of a mile (wasn't) I decided to cross a very wet wooden bridge which extended across a very elaborate water fall display... so guess what happened next? I went up the steep bridge okay but with having on high heeled boots, on the steep decline down, my feet began to slip... so I started to run-walk to avoid slipping... and all of a sudden, I couldn't stop! So, I had to think quick as I knew I was going to fall but definitely didn't want to fall on my stomach since I was 2 months pregnant and just a little paranoid (I had 2 miscarriages before that pregnancy) so I decided to brace my feet when I came to the end of the bridge so I ended up in a "arched cat stance"- when that happened, I heard three VERY loud snaps.... I couldn't walk! I managed to get up, limp to the coffee house (still had to get that drink... hey, I was pregnant!) and as I was standing there, I could feel my right ankle start to balloon up so big my boot felt tight around my ankle. Trying not to panic, I wasn't sure if it was broken as the pain was unbearable but I held it in like a trooper (helps to have a high pain tolerance...) and made it back to my hired car. The driver asked me what happened, and I told him I fell and I'm not sure if it's broken... he immediately drove me to my friend's flat, took my kids home and raced me to the hospital there in Rehab. Not long after arriving, they summoned the doctor from I think home, took three x-rays of my right ankle and we awaited the results... totally fractured in three places! The doctor made a cast, told me to buy a shoe, bear the pain since I was expecting and follow up with my doc when I got back home- I was ordered to wear it for 6 weeks and then have it evaluated further...

We left Cairo the next morning in route home... my husband was a wreck when we arrived for some reason he thought I said my right hand so he was a bit relieved to see it was my ankle... and that everyone in the end, was okay. On the flight home, I was miserable and feeling a little queasy which I NEVER do when I'm pregnant- my husband ALWAYS have my pregnancy symptoms eg: back pain, nausea, vomiting, food cravings, etc... talk about funny! But I couldn't wait to get home, in my house and elevate my feet...my kids were trying to rub it for me to make me feel better while I suffered thru that immense pain- I kept trying to sleep it off.... didn't work.

So we laughed today at exactly how time flies and reminisced about our lovely trip... I can't wait to see her late next month / early February, InshaAllah- may Allah reward her for being a very good sister (Ameen). I can't wait to have henna parties and sleep-overs! (LOL)

Raf, I love ya!

Moral Support

It has been said that a health benefit of friendship (or what I like to refer to as sisterhood) is a longer, healthier life... another great benefit of having "real sisterhood" is that your attitude and ability to deal with stress and problems are greatly increased.

Surprisingly enough, even spending time with your significant other can not provide the same healthy benefits as friendship. Good sisters offer a different kind of support than our husbands, siblings, parents or children can. Caring Muslimahs can provide a different level of understanding and communication... and this can positively affect your health, wellness and attitude coupled with a strong feeling of connectedness or place of belonging.

A good friend/sister can help you relax, take a deep breath and remember what really matters... and why. The connection you feel when you’re with your friends can boost your feelings of hope, faith and belief that things will eventually be okay. Friends provide comfort and companionship... laughter and honesty! A strong support network can make you feel motivated and energized... as it isn't just about our emotions and/or feelings.

So when you see your sister having a rough time or she may seem depressed or if you just feel things might not be so right in her life, ask her how she's doing and if she needs to talk about anything- and actually listen to what she has to say... you never know... just by asking a question you could lift her spirits, lighten her load and help put her on track to recovery.