It has been ages since I blogged about anything. This morning I read this piece and I loved it. I hope you enjoy it too.
I thought I would keep it here as a mental reminder of the things I need to teach my daughter.
If You Really Pay Attention
When I was a little bitty kiddy, about five, my Dad began a process … anytime somebody came and said something to us, my dad would say, "You remember what he said, honey girl?” I would tell my father what the person said until I got so good at it that I could repeat verbatim even long presentations of what the person had said.And he did this all the time.Finally, one day there was this old gentleman, Richard Thompson. I still remember his name, he lived across the street. And every time my Dad started to mow the lawn, there came Mr. Thompson. And so I would stand out there.Dad says, “You might come and listen to this man, honey girl. He’s pretty interesting.” And so I listened to him, and then my dad would say, “What did you hear him say?” And I would tell him.Well, eventually I was repeating all the stories he liked to share with my dad verbatim. I knew them all by heart.And my Dad says, “You’re getting pretty good at that. But did you hear his heart?" And I thought, what? So I went around for days with my ear to people's chest trying to hear their hearts.Finally my Dad created another learning situation for me by asking my mother to read an article from the newspaper. He says “Well, I guess if you want to understand that article, you have to read between the lines."I thought, "Oh, read between the lines. Hear between the words."So the next time I listened to Mr. Thompson’s stories, I tried to listen between the words. My Dad said, “I know you know his story, but did you hear his heart?” And I said, "Yes. He is very lonely and comes and shares his memories with you again and again because he’s asking you to keep him company in his memories."It just came out of me. In other words, my heart echoed his heart.And when you can listen at that level, then you can hear not only the people. If you really pay attention, you can hear what the Universe is saying.--Paula Underwood, clan mother of the Turtle clan, Iroquois nation
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Lesson of the day !
Lesson of the day
I was feeling down since this morning. My brain has been running with grim ideas without control- sometimes I feel that my stream of thought is hard to break- I have been searching frankly about and googling the subject that is on my mind all day.
So I thought I will need to do something to stop the stream, work is slow today so what can a workaholic do ? I grab a book – one of my favorites – that I keep in the office and randomly open a page.
My book is ( Men around the prophet ) and the story I opened randomly was about ( Obadiah Bin Al-Samet) I read it and then started to think, in relevance to my mood today what can I learn….lets see this is a man with enough connections, power and inelegance to enable him to have what ever he wanted in this life. Yet he wanted non on the fruits of this life since he had his eyes on the big prize, the eternal life in heaven, thus forsaking power and connections.
So I have to learn to keep my eyes on the goal, and use my brain to do good and move towards and prize and not run around in circles without any use. Especially about things I cannot change and have very little control on.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Pork in Pepsi
Pork and Pepsi
I was at an engagement party and a friend tells me, don't have the Coke or Pepsi that is served! I said why ? because its not healthy ? she replied " because it contains a substance that is derived from pig" I tried to convince her that not ever thing you read in the internet is a fact.In any case I decide to do what a freind has done about the Nike issue. I emailed both Coca-Cola and Pepsi about my concern. I got the answer from both. Please see below their confirmation that both brands carbonated drinks don't contain any mammal derived ingredients.
Dear Tamara,Thank you for contacting us here at Pepsi Cola.Any rumors stating that any of our carbonated soft drinks contains animal products or by-products are completely false. From time to time these misleading rumors circulate throughout the country, and it is difficult to say why or how they began. We are pleased to inform you that none of the product ingredients contain pork or animal products or by-products of any kind.Here at Pepsi, we will continue to work hard to ensure the quality, great taste and wholesomeness of our products. We hope you find this information helpful, and we appreciate your allowing us the opportunity to set the record straightSincerely,
Gail AhearnConsumer Relations Representative
012039611A
Thank you for contacting The Coca-Cola Company, Ms. Al-Manaseir. We appreciate the opportunity to respond.None of the carbonated soft drink brands of The Coca-Cola Company contain ingredients derived from mammals or poultry. We abide by the laws and practices in every country where our brands are sold. This includes countries where Islam is the principal religion such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Pakistan, whose governments have accepted our brands as suitable for consumption by members of the Muslim community.If you have any additional comments, please feel free to contact us again.
JeffreyIndustry and Consumer AffairsThe Coca-Cola Company
This is my addition in investigating rumors : )
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Magical Moments
Magical Moments
Blessed, happy and hopeful and many many more feelings swept over me last night. I have lived through a night that is an answer to a prayer. Did you ever live in a moment like that? With singing angles, and butterflies of light hovering over and around you.
So many nights did we all pray for this moment in time, so many warm tears streamed down our checks. So many heartfelt prayers were maid. And finally the night came and the feeling is so surreal.
Two of our closest friends got married last night. At moments we thought this will never happen….but it did ! Alhamd LILAH
Light cannot be touched …happiness cannot be harvested … smiles don't have a distinct taste…yet last night so many beautiful things manifested. That I could have swore that in the air there was a blessing flouting that could be touched, smelled and maybe we had traces of it still on our shoulders when we left.
Blessed, happy and hopeful and many many more feelings swept over me last night. I have lived through a night that is an answer to a prayer. Did you ever live in a moment like that? With singing angles, and butterflies of light hovering over and around you.
So many nights did we all pray for this moment in time, so many warm tears streamed down our checks. So many heartfelt prayers were maid. And finally the night came and the feeling is so surreal.
Two of our closest friends got married last night. At moments we thought this will never happen….but it did ! Alhamd LILAH
Light cannot be touched …happiness cannot be harvested … smiles don't have a distinct taste…yet last night so many beautiful things manifested. That I could have swore that in the air there was a blessing flouting that could be touched, smelled and maybe we had traces of it still on our shoulders when we left.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
The Green-Eyed Monster
The green- eyed monster
According to wikipedia jealousy is an emotion and typically refers to the negative thoughts and feelings of insecurity, fear, and anxiety over an anticipated loss of something that the person values, such as a relationship, friendship, or love. Jealousy often consists of a combination of emotions such as anger, sadness, and disgust. Jealousy differs from envy in that jealousy is about something one has and is afraid of losing, while envy refers to something one does not have and either wants to acquire or to prevent another from acquiring.
Further, Jealousy is an emotion whose effects “frequently get out of control” (Goldie, 2000, p. 229). It is a common observation that the experience of jealousy can last much longer than the one of a basic emotion like anger, without losing its original intensity, and, in a paradox captured in Rochefoucauld's maxim, it may outlast the attachment which it fears losing: "jealousy is always born with love; it does not always die with it."
I find jealousy fascinating. I felt jealous several times during my marriage and I never can understand why. See sometimes I would joke with some male colleagues, or I would find myself commenting to a friend about a good looking guy and I would think if I found out the exact same thing about my husband would I be OK with it? And the answer is always NO! Even though having friends at work from the opposite sex does not mean I'm romantically interested in them, and finding some people good looking does not mean that it goes any further than that. But I still find myself jealous.
According to the definition on wikipedia I must fear to loose my husband. But I'm not. I'm completely sure of his love and devotion, and I still feel jealous from time to time from situations and things that are completely not logical reasons for jealousy.
For example I feel that way from previous crushes he had. Logically I should not because he told me about them, he did not pursue any real relationships with them, and he proudly introduces me to them, and I still get into the war mode! I'm I crazy? May I be insecure? What is wrong with me I wish I can kill the little green eyed monster.
According to wikipedia jealousy is an emotion and typically refers to the negative thoughts and feelings of insecurity, fear, and anxiety over an anticipated loss of something that the person values, such as a relationship, friendship, or love. Jealousy often consists of a combination of emotions such as anger, sadness, and disgust. Jealousy differs from envy in that jealousy is about something one has and is afraid of losing, while envy refers to something one does not have and either wants to acquire or to prevent another from acquiring.
Further, Jealousy is an emotion whose effects “frequently get out of control” (Goldie, 2000, p. 229). It is a common observation that the experience of jealousy can last much longer than the one of a basic emotion like anger, without losing its original intensity, and, in a paradox captured in Rochefoucauld's maxim, it may outlast the attachment which it fears losing: "jealousy is always born with love; it does not always die with it."
I find jealousy fascinating. I felt jealous several times during my marriage and I never can understand why. See sometimes I would joke with some male colleagues, or I would find myself commenting to a friend about a good looking guy and I would think if I found out the exact same thing about my husband would I be OK with it? And the answer is always NO! Even though having friends at work from the opposite sex does not mean I'm romantically interested in them, and finding some people good looking does not mean that it goes any further than that. But I still find myself jealous.
According to the definition on wikipedia I must fear to loose my husband. But I'm not. I'm completely sure of his love and devotion, and I still feel jealous from time to time from situations and things that are completely not logical reasons for jealousy.
For example I feel that way from previous crushes he had. Logically I should not because he told me about them, he did not pursue any real relationships with them, and he proudly introduces me to them, and I still get into the war mode! I'm I crazy? May I be insecure? What is wrong with me I wish I can kill the little green eyed monster.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
You are what you wear
You are what you wear
Naturally I do not agree with this statement. Not every one who is dressed well or groomed deserves our respect and naturally not every person who is not dressed well deserves our disdain.
What brought these ideas to my mind is what happened to me yesterday at one of the Ministries. You have to go the front desk to request the file you need, naturally you need to be an authorized person to do so. I filled the form gave it to the employee, he stamped it and I proceeded to get the file. Standing next to me was a simple man, and the employee at the desk asked for all sorts of proof that he was authorized to get the file. He did not even ask me my name!
During my maternity leave, other staff at my office had trouble getting one document-that is fully legal- accepted because they sent a driver. When I submitted the document they did not even look twice at it ! Which really made me mad, is the document worse or any less legal because it was brought in by a driver.
I was talking to my supervisor about this, and she said this happens all the time, people discriminate against each other all the time, depending on how they view the person in front of them, weather it was what they are wearing or how they look. Even in stores they look at what you are wearing to determine if you are a worth while customer!
Do the clothes really make the person? There are researches that say better looking people get promoted more often in work than their plainer looking pears. Is it possible that humanity has sunk this low !
Naturally I do not agree with this statement. Not every one who is dressed well or groomed deserves our respect and naturally not every person who is not dressed well deserves our disdain.
What brought these ideas to my mind is what happened to me yesterday at one of the Ministries. You have to go the front desk to request the file you need, naturally you need to be an authorized person to do so. I filled the form gave it to the employee, he stamped it and I proceeded to get the file. Standing next to me was a simple man, and the employee at the desk asked for all sorts of proof that he was authorized to get the file. He did not even ask me my name!
During my maternity leave, other staff at my office had trouble getting one document-that is fully legal- accepted because they sent a driver. When I submitted the document they did not even look twice at it ! Which really made me mad, is the document worse or any less legal because it was brought in by a driver.
I was talking to my supervisor about this, and she said this happens all the time, people discriminate against each other all the time, depending on how they view the person in front of them, weather it was what they are wearing or how they look. Even in stores they look at what you are wearing to determine if you are a worth while customer!
Do the clothes really make the person? There are researches that say better looking people get promoted more often in work than their plainer looking pears. Is it possible that humanity has sunk this low !
Thursday, May 07, 2009
advice
Advice
First let me start by saying this is my personal view. I don't claim that I know better than anyone, but I assume many of you will agree with me. I feel that people mistreat advice! Honest and wise advice is one of the greatest gifts you can receive. How many times did we stand on a cross road and did not know were to go, would it not have been amazing to get a good piece of advise?
Unfortunately people either don't give advice or they throw it at unsuspecting bystanders. What is the distinction between advise and interference. A rule of thumb is a person needs to ask for the advise, or really need to be close to that person to give it without them asking for it.
I had complete strangers share their parenting experience with me, I did not appreciate a complete stranger telling me that I'm wrong to take my baby out of the house or that she needs another layer of clothing. Again taking the advise is up to the person receiving it. You don't buy a frame for someone as a gift and say: "hang it in this room on this particular wall now!" you give the present that you took the time to pick for them, but they decide when and if they are going to use it.
Another issue with advice is that a lot of people just don't have the generosity of heart to give real advise, they just give a generic idea that is not useful to anyone and at times hurtful. I had people tell me while I'm pregnant, sleep and rest as much as you can because as soon as the baby is born you will not sleep again! After delivery I did not sleep much I was exhausted my hormones were out of control, and their honest little piece of advice made me feel my life is over. And there is no light at the end of the tunnel! I now make sure to tell moms to be, you will be very tired, you will have lack of sleep, but hang in there in a month every thing will be better. That way I hope that the light at the end of the tunnel will make someone have hope and enjoy their motherhood more.
Please people think before you give someone advise, and remember what you tell people is to help that person, not to portray your self as an angel, martyr or a guru! And most importantly be honest to your self first and then to the person who has trusted you enough to ask for your opinion.
First let me start by saying this is my personal view. I don't claim that I know better than anyone, but I assume many of you will agree with me. I feel that people mistreat advice! Honest and wise advice is one of the greatest gifts you can receive. How many times did we stand on a cross road and did not know were to go, would it not have been amazing to get a good piece of advise?
Unfortunately people either don't give advice or they throw it at unsuspecting bystanders. What is the distinction between advise and interference. A rule of thumb is a person needs to ask for the advise, or really need to be close to that person to give it without them asking for it.
I had complete strangers share their parenting experience with me, I did not appreciate a complete stranger telling me that I'm wrong to take my baby out of the house or that she needs another layer of clothing. Again taking the advise is up to the person receiving it. You don't buy a frame for someone as a gift and say: "hang it in this room on this particular wall now!" you give the present that you took the time to pick for them, but they decide when and if they are going to use it.
Another issue with advice is that a lot of people just don't have the generosity of heart to give real advise, they just give a generic idea that is not useful to anyone and at times hurtful. I had people tell me while I'm pregnant, sleep and rest as much as you can because as soon as the baby is born you will not sleep again! After delivery I did not sleep much I was exhausted my hormones were out of control, and their honest little piece of advice made me feel my life is over. And there is no light at the end of the tunnel! I now make sure to tell moms to be, you will be very tired, you will have lack of sleep, but hang in there in a month every thing will be better. That way I hope that the light at the end of the tunnel will make someone have hope and enjoy their motherhood more.
Please people think before you give someone advise, and remember what you tell people is to help that person, not to portray your self as an angel, martyr or a guru! And most importantly be honest to your self first and then to the person who has trusted you enough to ask for your opinion.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Back
Back !
I can't believe it has been seven months since I have posted any thing. Life has been speeding,
and I did not have the time and at points the desire to write anything. Time has come to run a quick update and hopefully start posting regularly again.
Hmm where to start? Well the greatest news of all. Mira my daughter has been born on the 12th of Jan 09 at 20:05, I started feeling cramps from the previous day but I acted normally we even stayed out late, I had cramps that woke me up a couple of times during the night. I could not go back to sleep after fajer so I just went to the office and wrapped things up at work and handed over all the issues I was working on, well long story short I delivered Mira that night. I screamed for a c-section, kicked my doctor a few times, but eventually Mira showed up and as soon as I heard her cry for the first time I passed out !
The first week after birth with all the pain, no sleep and hormones I got a depression for about a week to 10 days. After that things started to look better and I no longer felt that my life is over.
During my maternity leave I studied for my PMP exam (Project Management Professional) and I passed from the first time! yay I'm now a mom and a PMP !!
Naturally I have been back to work for about a month now …and have just returned from Cairo ..
I have a lot more to share…. But divide them to several posts, these are just the highlights
Hmm where to start? Well the greatest news of all. Mira my daughter has been born on the 12th of Jan 09 at 20:05, I started feeling cramps from the previous day but I acted normally we even stayed out late, I had cramps that woke me up a couple of times during the night. I could not go back to sleep after fajer so I just went to the office and wrapped things up at work and handed over all the issues I was working on, well long story short I delivered Mira that night. I screamed for a c-section, kicked my doctor a few times, but eventually Mira showed up and as soon as I heard her cry for the first time I passed out !
The first week after birth with all the pain, no sleep and hormones I got a depression for about a week to 10 days. After that things started to look better and I no longer felt that my life is over.
During my maternity leave I studied for my PMP exam (Project Management Professional) and I passed from the first time! yay I'm now a mom and a PMP !!
Naturally I have been back to work for about a month now …and have just returned from Cairo ..
I have a lot more to share…. But divide them to several posts, these are just the highlights
PS: This photo of Mira is very recent from our trip to Cairo, I will post more soon
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