June Poetry Slam

So in case anyone is remotely interested in spoken word poetry (it can be quite spectacular, actually!),  my eldest daughter and her best buddy will hopefully be performing at tomorrow's Bankstown Poetry Slam (I say hopefully, because due to its overwhelming popularity, they have now taken to drawing performers' names from a hat, so it's the luck of the draw quite literally).

 

If you've never had the privilege of attending a slam, this one comes highly recommended:

 

https://www.facebook.com/events/1604676466416183/

 

 

Hope to see some familiar faces there!

 

The Lines Mean Something

That's Healthy!

 

 

I've got some very exciting news to share. I've ventured into the world of business with a dear friend of mine. Never in a thousand years could I have envisaged myself as an entrepreneur, but here I am, three months into it, and I couldn't be more chuffed.

 

So what is this new business of mine? Well, its an online store, specialising in bespoke organic, eco and natural gift hampers for all occasions.  We tailor hampers to suit all tastes and budgets and can cater for religious and dietary requirements, ensuring that all segments of the community are catered for sensitively and thoughtfully. There's even a 'shop' for those who want to buy individual products rather than gifts.

 

It hasn't been easy, far from it,  but the steep learning curve has been well worth it as far as I'm concerned. The fun part is having creative control and getting to sample lots of quality organic products. I've met a lot of people in the industry already and most have been super helpful and very supportive. Best of all, I'm creating beautiful earth conscious gifts that I'd like to receive myself, and that's pretty satisfying.

 

So, a plug if I may.

 

Our website is www.thatshealthy.com.au. We are growing the website almost daily, so do pop in every now and then to see our expanding range. We've just introduced some savoury hampers, on the behest of some wonderful customers' suggestions.

 

Do drop by and let me know what you think!

 

 

 

Ataynaka bil faqri

Nasheed # 2: Ataynaka bil faqri

My mother is a joyous person, and one of her efforts to impart joy is to fill silence with music. This nasheed was one of a number of nasheeds my mother would sing to me as a child. She'd sing it when she was putting us to bed, she'd sing it when she was doing the housework, she'd sing it in her stereo-less mini cooper, on our car journeys to and from anywhere. We loved that car because the best memories were made in it. So this one is in honour of her...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLhTf-Bonms

A is for Allah

Nasheed #1: A is for Allah - By Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens)

This nasheed (Islamic song) was one I learnt as a child, and have been singing ever since. I had the privilege of performing it before Yusuf Islam himself as a teen, on one of his trips to Australia. It was simultaneously a daunting and exhilarating experience, one that I still remember as though it happened only yesterday.

I sang it as a lullaby to my baby cousin Hannah, when I was staying with her family in Ohio, USA.

I sang it, and still do sing it, as a lullaby to my own children.

It's a great Islamic way of teaching children the Arabic alphabet.

I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as we do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-L-GOHa5-YQ

Welcome Ramadan!

I'm so glad to be welcoming the blessed month of Ramadan. It will be, God-willing, a much needed pick-me-up, a recharge of the spiritual battery, so to speak. It's been one hell of a journey since it last visited; let's just say, it couldn't have come soon enough.

 

Every year, I make some sort of resolution or commitment for the month. Last year, it was to read the entire Quran. This year, I would like to add to that the following:

 

• To post only positive things on social media, things that will promote spirituality and connectedness
• To show more patience when dealing with my family - less criticism, more praise
• To bite my tongue, even when I desperately don't want to - to choose silence over engaging in conflict
• To learn a new hadith, supplication or verse every week
• To share joy through nasheed - to share my favourite nasheeds on this blog, daily if possible
• To facilitate taraweeh prayers for my children
• To avoid overcooking/wasting food - more modest iftars in line with the true spirit of Ramadan
• To plan a beautiful Eid for my family, one that they will remember always.

 

Perhaps these resolutions will endure, forming new, healthy habits and routines. I do hope so.

 

Ramadan Mubarak to any and all who may read this post, Muslim or not. My heartfelt wishes for a blessed and meaningful month for you and yours. Ameen.