Knowing One’s Place

It might seem like a bleak and pessimistic perspective but the idea of living out the remainder of my life without a marriage partner, is something that doesn’t make me afraid. If anything, I feel a sense of relief and being unfettered from responsibilities of taking care of another person other than those related toContinue reading “Knowing One’s Place”

Measuring Happiness

The idea to write about this in today’s blog post was inspired by the fact that I was recently asked a question in a group discussion of divorced Muslim women. “Where would I place myself in terms of happiness post-divorce, on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest score?” Without hesitation,Continue reading “Measuring Happiness”

Forging Family Ties

Whilst many people were tucking into turkey and a roast dinner on Christmas Day, my family and I were busy attending the wedding reception of my cousin – my mother’s brother’s son. It was a beautiful occassion where I managed to meet up again with so many extended family members who I have not seenContinue reading “Forging Family Ties”

Any Regrets?

I’m sure the majority of adults have had that question asked to them when it comes to reflecting on their lives so far. The responses will be varied and some would say they wish they could go back to their youth and do things differently. Others are quite content and simply keep looking forwards insteadContinue reading “Any Regrets?”

Marriage: To Arrange or Not?

As my sons move through their lives and complete different milestones, so too do they reach new ones ahead which are yet to be accomplished. Right now, I am waiting for them to secure jobs in their respective fields and then insha’Allah, further down the line, think about marriage. This seems to be the naturalContinue reading “Marriage: To Arrange or Not?”

The Benefits of Being Busy

It’s one of the salient pieces of advice I was given a few years ago as I was struggling to come to terms with my new life. “Keep Busy.” Not only has staying preoccupied with my current daily chores and tasks helped me remain focussed on my present life, rather than the past, it hasContinue reading “The Benefits of Being Busy”

Hubris Miasma

To all absentee parents out there.. How do you do it? How do you manage to swan off and live your selfish dreams without compunction? How do you live in material and emotional comfort knowing you have abandoned a past life? How does your conscience rest easy knowing you took care of yourself without lookingContinue reading “Hubris Miasma”

No Looking Back

Life can occassionally place you in a position where you may be tempted to return to a previous situation be it a job, relationship or something else. Just last week in my blog, I mentioned about the decision to quit my role as Trustee with a small charity I’d been working for. By pure coincidence,Continue reading “No Looking Back”

Consistency or Adventure?

Some would argue that a predictable life is something to covet as it offers security in that plans can be made well ahead of time. Every stage of life is clearly and neatly mapped out. Part of that predictability is the foresight to include contigency plans for times when things may not go exactly theContinue reading “Consistency or Adventure?”

My Mother’s Footsteps

Looking at my elderly, octagenarian mother whose health has seemingly taken a downward turn in recent months, I reflect on many things and many years gone by. Firstly, I think of the sacrifices she made to come to this country as a fresh-faced, naive yet optimistic young married woman, looking to start out a lifeContinue reading “My Mother’s Footsteps”