For the Last Time

She shared with me a few more moments
Just that day
She joked
I laughed

I fed her oranges
I wiped the dripping juice away
I thanked her for letting me
Letting me care and love her for the day

I came by again that day
Still and serene
So beautiful was she
So fair and quiet

She lay in her bed
Resting, so I bent to kiss her
She was warm, almost living
Still scenting of life

We wrapped her with love
and knotted the ribbons
We made sure she was beautiful
As she came, so will she leave

I bid her goodbye on Monday
I bid my other mother, my favorite baker
And I whispered in all my prayers,
every possible goodbye

I watched her bathe for the last time
I watched her rest for the last time
I watched her being cared for, for the last time
I watched her until I had to kiss her for the last time

I watched them carry her for the last time
I watched them rest her for the last time
I watch the soil cover her as she slept for the last time
I thought I said goodbye for the last time

...I'm still saying goodbye
I doubt it'll ever be for the last time.
  

Who is the Bigot?

The latest report from The Heat http://www.theheatmalaysia.com/Main/No-one-is-born-a-racist-or-a-bigot, paints quite an interesting picture about an Islamic based preschool that are sympathisers of the Palestinian and Syrian plight. The content is newsworthy and I believe was a necessity but in one stroke, the author subtly threw a blanket of hate and fear onto school that suggested Islamic from an average Malay Muslim mindset, which I feel is unnecessary.  What caught my attention is the response the article is receiving and more disturbing is the feedback fuelled by the writing.  I’m reading comments by extreme intolerants from both ends of the spectrum; apparently equally ignorant about Islam.

The article hints about the growing FEAR and HATE amongst the Malay Muslims, and I have no doubt that this is true as I read through comments.  I can't quite argue against some of the shallow folks out there.  Yet, to truly reflect and stay objective, let’s read comments and feedbacks from everybody…do we not hear FEAR and HATE with equal intensity towards the Muslim?  Some with quick disclaimers of, “…but I have moderate Muslim friends who are nothing like this…”  

I question: who are the moderate Muslims?  

Truth be told…there is no such thing as moderate Muslims, fundamental Muslims, or any other labels.  There is just MUSLIMS.  There is nothing selective about being Muslim either.  A Muslim is either a follower of Muhammad saw, or not.  The Muslim subscribes to the Quran, or don’t.  A Muslim follows the the sunnah, or don’t.  Believers cannot be selective in the Ayats and the teachings that fits the convenience and rationalisation to the more preferred and popular lifestyle. 

In a nutshell - Islam is a light towards a perfected lifestyle.  It is a way of life.  It is a discipline.  The latter being the hardest because humans are gifted with free will.  For Muslims, we know that managing our free will is our Jihad - the battle of self.  This is the only knowledge that seems so obvious but so incomprehensible to too many, irrespective of belief system.  It does not help that it all got skewed and thrown out of proportion by irresponsible media houses.  

What I would like to suggest is for reporters, journalists and writers alike to stay objective, especially when putting to paper articles that are published for the mass to consume.  It is no secret that penned words are psychologically accepted as truth.  I would like to call for those with the gift of the pen, to remain responsible to the people and not spew unnecessary negativity.  

I am writing because the story is disturbing.  I am quite disturbed about the connotation of the Average Malay Muslim...who are they? As much as I trust in its necessity, I also would like to call for accountability.  There are myriads of Muslim schools that spread the message of love…Tadika ABS (http://tadikaabs.com/) being one where Islam is at its core but their work is very much focused on creating goodness with a special module on wealth creation.  A definite creative look towards learning where they extract the Prophet saw entrepreneurial skills into its modules.  There are quite a number of Malay Muslims there too. Now, isn't that a story to be told?

Coming back to the shared article, upon sharing what is definitely a concern, please also consider highlighting the good work that are being done by many good Malay Muslims -- Average and Beyond.  Certainly, in journalism there is a balance. Again, I'd like to highlight that trained journalists, reporters and writers know very well that while writing, we are conscious of our art that is created as an invitation for the audience to think.  When we write, we know that our writing guides emotions and thought processes, hence, it is highly irresponsible to inject FEAR and HATE and mostly Laying Blame. 

What is our intention with our gift?

What I am calling for is for my comrades to be careful with our pen (now keyboards) because it can be both medicine and poison…let’s not be the latter for our society.

Staying Above Water in Uncertain Weather

No…this is not an article about weather uncertainties and future climate change.  This article is written about  managing the “new normal” - that is adapting to the erratic economic changes and knowing what is, “money in the pocket” vs “money in the market”.  Basically, knowing when to just hold on to it and knowing when to let it circulate in the economy.  After all, if you don’t spend, your economy will stall.  Come to think of it, it does sound like a “Catch 22” situation…or is it?

As an entrepreneur, I believe I am quite adapted to uncertainties in my financial life.  I would stand in front of a crowd of entrepreneurs and question, “why do we do it?”  Why do we constantly put ourselves in a situation where our heart races and we break into kabillions beads of sweat when the month comes to an end and our bank statement reflects…RM5.00 or less?

As much as this “RM5 or less”  truth invite cackles from self-checked in entrepreneurs…back in the banks, multiple records showcases too many bankruptcy and painful lives of business owners who allowed poor cash flow and unhealthy financial management take over their lives.  Sadder when there is a lack of acknowledgement from the business owners that there is an urgency to seek help.  Without help many sinks into an abyss of hopelessness and progressively into other psychological conditions like depression and suicide.

I, too, have sat nervously many times looking at my balance sheet hitting unsavoury numbers.  There are months when cashflow was simply NIL.  There was a dire need to smarten up, especially when I am a sole proprietor with dependents to feed. Then, again…looking at what I have accomplished month-on-month and year-to-year, I did learn something from the many gurus and mentors I listened at seminars, workshops and conferences.  As a constant learner, there is just ONE thing I’ve picked up in the many learnings…

It is called DISCIPLINE!

It was hard to begin and I cheated on my own rules the first few months to get into rhythm, but as soon as I understood that wealth is a habit…then wealth becomes a state of being and not just mere doing.

It all hit me when I started to have a strong desire to invest, but I had no money.  I thought I was a big JOKE. Then I learned about the 6-jars concept.  It was quite a simple exercise and I thought nothing of it until push came to shove and I gave it a leap of faith.  It is so simple, I cannot imagine not  discovering the formula sooner.  All I have to do is put percentages of my income into 6 jars and manage it with sound discipline every month.

Six Jars System

Jar 1: Financial Freedom Account (10%)

Jar 2: Savings to Spend (10%)

Jar 3: Education (10%)

Jar 4: Splurge (10%)

Jar 5: Necessities (55%)

Jar 6: Give (5%)

To date, I have enough.  I won’t say that it is overflowing, but my personal income has become healthier.  I’m am now attempting to put the same system into my business so I can replicate the wealth in the business and see how far I can go with it.  I admit that it is a process but the learning curve has been kind.  It is a comfort to know that money is growing in funds and other investments, and I always have enough to continuously educate myself.  I also don’t have to think twice before I decide to give and there is still room to splurge on myself and family.  With discipline, a system and sound faith, I am slowly learning and allowing myself to believe that there will be enough, insyaAllah.

The concept of abundance is slowly making more sense though the age old habits based on previous belief systems still haunts.  Sometimes the fear of scarcity comes to bite with a vengeance.  Yet, with perseverance, today I lead a life of discipline to keep myself above troubled waters.  Naturally, there are concerns about the future and the life of an entrepreneur will remain colourful…but I trust in the creation of systems and discipline.  I’m also going to quickly put in a disclaimer and strongly state, I never discounted faith and prayers.

Still, success comes with putting in the effort and I heard that in business (and I believe even life), 94% lies in the system and only 6% in people.  I strongly recommend that we find a system that works for us, and allow it to function before making a judgement. Alternatively, there is always Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit, AKPK.  All you have to do is ask for help.

Anyway, I took my leap of faith, picked a system, worked it and now charging into 2016 like the fiery tiger I was born to be.  

#http://www.akpk.org.my