“…then God relented concerning the disaster that He had planned to bring upon them; and He did not do it.”
There is something profoundly striking about this ancient verse from the story of Jonah. It presents us with an image of God that feels unexpectedly intimate, perhaps even fragile. We see a deity depicted in remarkably human terms—capable of feeling the heat of anger, devising plans for…
How do you process a big relief?
Do you need quiet?
Distraction?
Movement?
Reflection?
A nap that lasts longer than intended?
Stop Competing, Start Trusting: Finding True Peace in Allah’s Endless Mercy | Shaykh Ahmad Dabbagh
In this thought-provoking video, we delve into the ongoing struggle that humans face in competing with one another—whether for wealth, status, or success. As we relentlessly chase after more, we often forget that Allah’s blessings are limitless, and He is never in competition with us. While human nature is often driven by jealousy and comparison, Allah’s mercy is infinite, and His kingdom knows no bounds.
What is your morning practice? Do you get up and start scrolling? Or perhaps you turn on the news? Maybe you jump onto your computer and check emails? If you said yes to any of those, I challenge you to ask yourself how they make you feel. My guess is that you immediately feel drained, overwhelmed, and stressed.
I used to start my mornings with these sorts of activities. Until about five years…
A Personal Note: This blog is raw and honest – it comes straight from my heart.
Lately, I’ve been asking myself three simple but powerful questions:
Will this bring me peace?Will this bring me profit?Will this bring me purpose?
I’m nearing 60 now. I’ve raised three incredible kids, built a career full of highs and lows, and faced some hard truths along the way. I’ve walked away from two…
If it doesn’t bring peace, profit, or purpose, then don’t give it your time, energy, or attention
i’ll let the light go out —
to finally see a glow
that doesn’t burn,
but simply shines.
i’ll stop asking —
and in the silence,
hear the answer
that doesn’t speak,
only knows.
i’ll release —
to make space
to receive.
and from what ends,
something will grow —
something that lived inside me all along
waiting quietly
for me to come home
Sometimes life gives you small reminders of where you really stand. Yesterday was one of those days.
My husband finally decided to go on his work trip something that’s been in discussion for weeks now. Last week, he casually mentioned that I could come along… but only if his mother gave permission.
And guess what? She didn’t.
So many excuses were thrown my way “the business partner will be there” (but he isn’t), "the situation in the world is unstable” (but not enough to stop her son from going), and a handful of other reasons that only made sense to her.
When I told my husband I wanted to go, he simply said, “Go ask her yourself,” as if I’m not already living under the weight of her silent disapproval. I did ask and as expected, she refused. No surprise there. Maybe she hates me a little more for asking.
A quiet part of me can’t help but think:
Did my husband set me up for this?
Did he offer the idea knowing full well she’d say no so he could go alone, free of guilt?
He says, “What can I do? She said no.” Like a boy still needing approval for his choices. It hurts to see him like this unable to stand on his own decisions, especially when even this trip, he said, was something his mother insisted on him doing.
I argued with him told him he should cancel his flight, especially now with the situation in the world turning uncertain. But of course… his mother defended it. As always. Her word seems final in everything.
It leaves me wondering:
When will we be able to make decisions as a husband and wife as two adults without this silent third person standing between us, pulling the strings?
Right now… that hope feels so far away.
“I offer myself as a sacrifice.”
The words hung in the air between us, a quiet, deliberate opening to a story I knew was steeped in pain. You were settled in your usual comfortable position, and I could almost picture a cigarette nestled between your long, slender fingers, a curl of smoke rising to join the steam from a coffee cup. But there was no cigarette, no coffee—only your gaze, fixed on…
It’s four in the morning, (Garth Brooks anyone?) and I’m sitting here trying to summon the energy to get up and move. But I don’t want to. There’s something about the night that makes me want to stay right where I am.
Many people fear the dark, and I understand why. It hides things. We can’t see as well. There are sounds we can’t explain—things that go bump in the night. But for me, I’m okay…
I find myself longing for a place where I can just exist without the weight of judgment pressing down on me. A place where I do not have to measure up to anyone’s expectations, where I do not have to be anything other than myself. No right. No wrong. Just being. Just breathing. Just feeling without the fear of feeling too much. Somewhere the world does not tell me who I should be or how I should act. A place where I can let my guard down, where I do not have to explain myself, where I do not have to prove my worth. Maybe that place does not exist. Maybe it is just a dream. But I keep searching for it anyway, hoping that one day, I will find it. Or maybe, just maybe, I will learn to create it within myself.
The Joy of Pottering: Finding Comfort in Solitude
There’s something oddly comforting about having a day with nothing much to do. No big plans, no looming deadlines, just me, my home, and the gentle rhythm of pottering about. It’s a quiet kind of joy, one that I’ve come to appreciate more as I’ve learned to embrace solitude rather than fear it.
Loneliness has a way of creeping in when you least expect it, but I’ve realised that being alone doesn’t have to mean feeling lonely. In fact, there’s a real beauty in learning to enjoy your own company, and for me, that often starts with the simplest of things—tidying up a neglected corner, rearranging a shelf, or just making a cup of tea and sitting with my thoughts.
There’s no rush, no pressure. I’ll pick something up, put it down, wander into another room, and suddenly remember a book I meant to flick through or an old song I haven’t listened to in ages. I might start one thing and get completely sidetracked by another, but that’s the joy of pottering—it’s not about productivity, it’s about presence.
Music has always been a big part of my life, and when I’m pottering, it’s the perfect companion. Some days, I’ll put on something soft and instrumental, letting the gentle melodies drift through the house like a warm breeze. Other times, I’ll play something nostalgic—songs that transport me back to different chapters of my life, filling the space with echoes of memories.
Then there are the days when I reach for my own music, letting my emotions guide the session. Whether I’m singing softly to myself, picking up my guitar, or just letting a track play on repeat, music turns solitude into something meaningful. It’s more than background noise—it’s a way of feeling, processing, and even healing.
Another thing I’ve come to appreciate is the way lighting can change everything. I’ve stopped relying on harsh overhead lights and instead use softer lamps, ambient lights or even candles to match my mood. If I need energy, I’ll brighten the space, but if I just want to unwind, a warm, low glow makes all the difference.
It’s amazing how much these little details matter. The right lighting, the right music, and a sense of ease—it all comes together to turn an ordinary day into something special.
On days like this, I find I notice things I’d usually overlook. The way the light moves across the room as the afternoon fades, the scent of clean laundry, the quiet creaks of the house settling into itself. There’s a deep sense of peace in just being, without expectation or agenda.
I used to think that being busy meant being happy, that stillness equated to loneliness. But the more time I’ve spent just pottering about, the more I’ve come to understand that happiness isn’t always about doing—it’s often about feeling at ease within yourself. Learning to be comfortable in your own space, with your own thoughts, is a kind of freedom.
So this morning, I’ll keep pottering. I’ll make another cup of tea, maybe flick through an old photo album or write a few lines of something that may never be finished. And that’s alright. Because in these little moments, in this slow and steady rhythm, I’ve found something quietly wonderful.
In today’s world, it feels like peace is an elusive thing. Every time you log on, open an app, or flick on the news, you’re bombarded with negativity, anger, and division. And let’s be honest—it’s exhausting. It’s hard to keep your mental balance when every headline, tweet, or post seems designed to inflame, not inform. The noise is so loud, sometimes you forget what peace even feels like.
This…
Finding Peace in an Unpeaceful World: Learning to Step Away from the Noise.
Letting go of a marriage means finding peace so it doesn’t hold you back. 🕊️ Your memories and experiences will always be part of you, but they don’t define your future. 🌞 Who you become next? That’s a new chapter in your life! 📖🍃
As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, there’s something magical about winter that brings out a deeper sense of reflection and introspection in me. Winter is more than just a season; it’s a feeling, a time to slow down, reset, and embrace the quieter moments. For me, winter feels like an arch—an elegant curve that leads me from one chapter to the next.
Daily writing promptWhat are…
Embracing Your Winter Arch: A Woman’s Journey Through the Cold Season
2025 is Upon Us. That makes the question, “What will we do with it?”
When the door opens on a new year, new opportunities open, too. Those opportunities usually require action. So what can one do to make this your best year yet?
ACCEPT WHAT IS. Last year is gone. For some it was good. For others it wasn’t. For most of us it was a mixed bag of ups and downs, good and bad times, and it held…
