Last of 2016

Hello! This is the latest photo of me. Just to record how I'm aging at the end of this year. Hahahaa! Well, to be honest, I'm thinking this may just be my last blog entry for this year. My memory fails me of late, therefore writing a recap of the year would not be such a bright idea. How about I just type out whatever crosses my mind right now?

I wish to walk in a field of lavender, probably in France. I imagine staying a week in a chateau nearby where I can smell the soothing lavender in the breeze as I sit outside drinking cafe au lait while allowing sunset to do magic with the colors of nature surrounding me. Sigh... Even the thought of that relaxes me.

And just look at the sunlight interweaving between the lavender shafts! Gorgeous!

Its a week into my new one year contract with the university and I am looking forward to starting 2017 with an exciting new elective module: Crisis Intervention. I have so much planned and it feels wonderful to have the full support of head of department with regards to my plans. 

There are many who choose to have gloomy perspectives on the so-called bleak economy. But I truly believe that every crisis or conflict is, in actuality, an opportunity for growth. People who hate change or challenges are just purely lazy. And then they whine about how boring their lives are. 

I pondered upon my life so far and realized that I have never been unemployed. That is simply because I have always been (and probably always will be) self-employed. A year into this 'full time' gig has given me a clear picture as to why many people are sold into the illusion of job security and they do whatever they can to keep within their comfort zones due to their complacency.

A few months ago, my husband and I were called upon as consultants to mediate a work crisis happening in two factories that were closing down and laying off more than 200 employees in total. We prepared them with what to expect as well as help them plan out their future based on the severance packages they were receiving and the job opportunities available out there.

Most perceive employment as being hired for a full time position complete with a fixed monthly income, office, etc. Typical conventional setting. Those who are in between jobs tend to pick up driving Uber or Grabcar but they see this as something to do while they are "unemployed." When I brought to their attention the mindset of a person who drives a taxi for a living and how their commitment towards that job determines them being able to earn an honest living that is enough to support their families because THAT IS ALL THE OPTION THEY HAVE. It all boils down to attitude, perspective and commitment to the job at hand. Be careful how you look at something. It may be small, but it could be a diamond or a golden nugget. As opposed to a mountain high of trash; if you know what point I'm driving at. 

Being employable is an art many has yet to master. The moment they get employed, they tend to lose their employable-ness. They get complacent. They get lazy. They get bored. They become followers to stupid leaders because they are too afraid of losing their comforting toys and luxuries. They become slaves who complain they are treated as one when their attitude is the very thing that attracted that kind of treatment upon them. Well, enough words on things that are beyond MY control.

What plans do I have for next year? Gosh! New Year resolutions never work because they aren't important enough. So, the better question is: What are the important things I want to get done as soon as possible? Here are some:

1. NEVER LOOK BACK AT UGLY PAST.

2. FORGET THE INSIGNIFICANT PEOPLE AND FOCUS ONLY ON FAMILY AND GOOD FRIENDS.

3. PREPARE FOR MY FIRST NIGHT IN THE GRAVE BY NEVER MISSING PRAYERS AND DOING AS MUCH GOOD DEEDS TO PLEASE ALLAH.

4. INVESTING IN MYSELF TO INCREASE MY VALUE.

5. GO FOR ANOTHER UMRAH TRIP WITH HUBBY.

6. READ THE QURAN DAILY, EVEN IF ITS JUST A FEW LINES OR PAGES.

7. HAVE MORE CONVERSATIONS WITH ALLAH.

8. ALLOCATE SPECIFIC QUALITY TIME FOR MYSELF AS A SELF-CARE EXERCISE.

9. LOSE WEIGHT. 

10. STAY HEALTHY BY TAKING VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS AND RUNNING/JOGGING/JAZZERCIZING.

I think I'll sign off now. See you in 2017, everyone. 

By the way, I would appreciate if those who actually read my blog entries can just leave a short note in the comment section at the bottom of this entry, just so I can now how many actually do follow my writing. Thank you in advance and may God bless us all. Ameen.