Ikigai , The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life

Bismillahirahmanirahim 

" Only staying active will make you want to live a hundred years"- Japanese proverb 

I have been eyeing for this book since last summer when I'm back to Malaysia for summer break. I first saw this book at Kinokuniya KLCC. Due to awlawiyat one some other books I decided not to purchase. Let us go straight to 2019, it was the day that snow falls heavily in Istanbul and I decided to visit one of the malls and enter a book store. Puff I saw this book on the shelves and without hesitation bought the book straight away. 

Ikigai, the Japanese secret to a long and Happy Life from my point of view is a guide book on seeking the meaning of ones ikigai. Ikigai means passions. We always are reminded to follow our passions and pursue our dreams but we always stuck when obstacles came in between. 

This book is more of a guide books on searching for your path to ikigai. This practice is found among the Japanese and what I can conclude that some of the practice are of Sunnah. For example, to eat only 80% and not until you are full. 

One of the chapters I enjoyed the most is chapter V (Master of Longevity). Under this chapter are stories on supercentenarians (those who live their lives up to 100 years and above). The way they describe life is simple and they choose happiness beyond everything. Other than that, the next chapter on the Japanese centenarians who lived in a town called Ogimi in the city of Okinawa whom it's known as the Village of Longevity. The people who live there mostly are the 90s and 100 of age. The outcomes from the writers' interview with the local area; 

1. Don't Worry 

2. Cultivate Good Habits 

3. Nurture Your Friendships Everyday 

4. Live an Unhurried Life 

5. Be Optimistic

I should stop here now. U should go and grab one and start to find your Ikigai! May the best be with you. Happy reading :)

the book and my favorite cup of coffee at my favorite coffee shop

To Commit , Be Committed To , Commitment

Bismillahirahmanirahim

As per said in the title, It's a huge word when and can vary in all means and situations. But first, let us go and see the literal meaning of the three words. The listed literal meaning was taken from the Oxford Dictionary Online. 

1. To Commit 

- Pledge or bind (a person or an organization) to a certain course or policy.

- Perpetrate or carry out (a mistake, crime, or immoral act)

2. Be Committed To 

- Be dedicated to (something)

- Be in a long-term emotional relationship with (someone)

3. Commitment

- The state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc.

- An engagement or obligation that restricts freedom of action.

Human and Commitment

As per said in the title, human and commitment are vital and interrelated to each other. Human is as we know God creations and commitment is the task given by God to Human. Living the life given by the Creator means to obey Him and obeying Him is a continuous effort that ones must abide by. The concept is living in the world as mentioned in the Quran is as below;

“And the life of this world is nothing but play and amusement. But far better is the house in the hereafter for those who are Al-Muttaqun (the pious). Will you not then understand?” (Quran, Al-An’aam: 32)

Little do we understand that life in this world is short. For living in this world means to gain the blessing from Allah SWT. For that we shall uphold on two important guides to life; The Quran and Sunnah. For both will lead us to the right path before we go forward to the hereafter. As a human, we started our journey to life with guidance from our parents, the teacher then nurturing oneself before the cycle started back to where our parents do. It is by nature we will be given the commitment for us to bring our life to another level. 

I still remember a camp I participated back in 2010. It reminds us of the sole purpose of Human on earth which is to be Caliphate for mankind. We were told to fulfill the task and understand the purpose for we shall not be astray. The duty is not easy but always to remember to hold onto the two guidelines Allah has equipt us with and we shall be fine. When we talk about caliph, it sounds so heavy and important of course it is but bare in mind it doesn't mean that you need to straight away go for an election and contest to be the leader but the best to start following the stairs accordingly. Kick off with improving oneself, then another step up the family, next society, district, nation and lastly the world. 

Why must we be committed?

We by nature love to have goals and task. If we accomplished the task we will fill the excitement in it. The satisfaction of success and happiness. For that to happen we put in the sense of commitment and be committed to it. The key to success often said was to be committed. Let's say if we were given a task but we sit and not doing it will it be done on time? With some motivation and consistent we shall complete it. Putting our heart and effort is another key point to it. If and if we decide to not perpetrate we will stay in the same place and what we will gain is only stress due to unfulfilled wishes and task. This lead to stress and depression. 

“Man is like an island set in isolation in a fathomless sea enveloped by darkness, saying that the loneliness his self knows is so utterly absolute because even he knows not his self completely.” 
― Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas, Islam and Secularism

A wise quote by a Professor I dearly adore of his work. From where it is said we shall not understand one epistemology on life and whats not for we ourself is yet to understand us. For that being said, we should walk our way to fulfillment for we can bring another level of serenity to life. Commitments are powerful because they influence how you think, how you sound, and how you act. Be wise and drive yourself on the right path.

Single out your commitment 

To close this topic I would like to ask you a question, are you able to list the important people and task in your life? If not I challenge you to do so. For it will reflect on us and lead us to see how far we are in the relationship and completing the task. Is it about time we refresh on the work we are up to?

#nota2018 Saya Jatuh Cinta

Bismillahirahmanirahim 

As per said in the title. Its not easy to admit nor to announced but one thing for sure. I fell in love. 

It is unpredictable with someone whom i'm close to but Alhamdulillah Allah gave me the courage and space for both of us to know even more about one another. I'm happy at the same time scared for I had never be in such a comitment. Its thrilling and I'm hoping that we can go to the next stage soon. Please keep us in your dua. 

To you whom is next to me, Thank You. 

Alhamdulillah ala kulli hal. 

nota kaki : its easy to have crush to someone but not easy to fell in love. I'm bless Allah send you for me. I's hard to make me fell in love and it took a real men to make me agree to it. 

1204 pm 
Sanggar rasa, 

Capa Sehremini, Istanbul, Turkey 
17/12/2018

KEMBARA BALKAN RARA 2017 (NOTA MECEDONIA)

-SKOPJE AND LAKE OHRİD, MACEDONİA-

The land of Alexander the Great was the first city I step into on my recent Balkan trip. It takes roughly around 1 hour 10 minutes trip from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen airport to Skopje Alexander The Great Airport. The airport looks modern and have a statue of Alexander lying in the middle of it as a symbol of their pride. We then later took the airport transfer which cost around (175 denar) 2.5 euro to the Skopje Bus Terminal which is 40 minutes away from the airport. By the way, the currency used in Macedonia is Macedonian Denar. Oh yes I said yes for the trip after being ask by a sister from Malaysia by the name of Leeza.

Through out the way we can see the building looks exactly as it is back during the Yugoslavia era. The gloomy weather add in effect that make me draw a conclusion of the city seems to be like a ghost town (no offence). Upon arrival at the Terminal we grab the next ticket to Ohrid. The historical city of Macedonia. The ticket cost us around(450 denar) 7 euro per person.

It took around 3 hours from Skopje to Ohrid. The route taken by the bus mesmerized me as it goes through route in between mountains and forest. Passing through some villages, farm and rivers. As we are reaching the city of Ohrid we look to the window and saw the famous Lake Ohrid. We reached Ohrid around 5 pm and head straight to our hostel. It was located 300 m from the Bus station. We rented a room at Anastasia Villa Apartment. The room were a lil small but is comfy to rest in. I met 2 other traveller here, one from Korea and another from Turkey. I had a small chat with the one from Turkey. His name is Ismail and has been backpacking since 3 month before.

The next morning I wake up early, pray and had breakfast. Kak Leeza prepared bread with Tuna spread. A good way to start the day. We then head walk to the city center and decided to take cab halfway through. We went first to Czar Samuel Fortress which located at the highest peak of ancient city Ohrid. Upon arrival, we saw the sign showing that the place are yet to open. The taxi driver drove us to an ancient theatre which is an open space. This theatre reminds me alot of the Dionysus theatre back in Acropolis Athens. We then walk to the Fortress and at the fortress we can see the whole Ohrid from a bird eye view.

After we are done with the Fortress we head down to the lower part of the ancient city where a church of St John, Sinan Celebi Turbesi(which we looked from far), Church of Saints Clement and Panteleimon. From the Church of St John we took a boat ride around the lake Ohrid before heading to the city centre. The crystal clear water and emerald green colour is fascinating. Oh yes the taste of the Lake is slightly SALTY. The city centre were crowded with families who were out on a public holiday which is the 1st of May. The sun shine with breeze from the lake is superbly lovely. We walk back to the guesthouse and pack for our next destination.

I think Ohrid is the best city for retirement as it is so calm, the people were kind and their people are friendly too. Our next destination is Kotor in Macedonia but in order to go to Kotor we need to catch another bus from Tirana, Albania. We headed to Struga by minibus to their bus terminal to catch the next bus to Tirana but another experience were made there.

CIAO MACEDONIA. 

short notes:

Samuel Fortress - entrance fees 2 euros 

To be continue.....

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Bismillahirrahmanirrahim...

On Friday 30/11/2011 I decided to perform Jumaah Prayer in the SHAAS Mosque, IIUM .. It's been a while since i've perform the jumaah prayer in the mosque. Although the prayer is wajib for the men, but still sister can attend it too because it is sunat for the others :) Well the reason that brought me to the mosque was the jumaah khutbah was delivered by one of the speaker during twins of faith, a week before that, Sheikh Alaa ElSayed. I was impress with the way he deliver his speech. It's simple, easy to understand and struck straight away to my heart. AllahuAllah, his word all came straight from his heart. I never see him came into the mimbar with a piece of paper neither an Ipad. This is the khatib that we want. the one who can deliver a lecture straight from heart not from note. Early preparation and full understand on the subject is important I guess.  

who are we? where will we be afterlife, we have two birthday, first was when we born and the second one is when Allah grant u taubah. Once you have made a taubah don't ever look back. the best taubah of all is taubah nasuha . be the best muslim in all our doing and do it for the sake of ALLAH not because of dunya. Turn the negative to positive. Turn the sadness to happiness. We who can change our own life not others. Be the Ummah that can make the Prophet proud. 

After all I do believed that whatever that happens, our destiny, our doing has been set by Allah. We as His servant should give our best to please Him and seek help and be close to Him not to only seek for Him in time of sadness. May all of us be the best Muslim, who can help other muslims and spread the message of Islam to the ehole world .. Ameen ya Rabb