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”

A Few Days Off

It’s been wonderful to have had the last two weeks not tied to any appointments or fixed schedule. To know that I could dedicate complete days to my own whims and tasks, was something I was looking forward to before that time off had even started. Now that I am at the other end andContinue reading “A Few Days Off”

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”

Decluttering

I have just started a two week break from work and am silently rejoicing at the thought of having uninterrupted time to myself for this length of time. What a luxury! I am not planning to fly off to a faraway place. Instead, I’m looking forward to clear things out and tidy up. From doingContinue reading “Decluttering”

Charity in Action

Today, I’ve made final preparations for my first-ever trip to Bosnia. I am both nervous and excited as this isn’t a holiday that I’m going on but part of a charity mission. I hope these kind of trips will be more frequent in time to come – as long as my health, time and moneyContinue reading “Charity in Action”

Nature, Nature Everywhere

Withouth doubt, it is the simplest of things in life that give me the greatest pleasure. Added to that, I love things ad hoc. Spontaneous decisions are the spice of life. Who wants to wake up every day knowing exactly what they’re going to do and when? That kind of predictability is actually so uninspiring.Continue reading “Nature, Nature Everywhere”

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?”

A Good Read

It is a global tragedy that good old-fashioned books are anything but fashionable. Long gone are the days when we would find commuters with their noses buried in a book or newspaper, absorbed by the words which had the enviable ability to transport them to another place, far away from the monotony of their realities.Continue reading “A Good Read”

All the Reassurance I Need

There are times in life, when we plod along with the routine of things but, simultaneously, question the impact we are making with those actions. I am sure many people are familiar with that feeling. In my role as private tutor for children preparing to enter the grammar school system in the UK, I actContinue reading “All the Reassurance I Need”

Memories or Materials?

One of the advantages of being older is having greater wisdom. It isn’t always a guaranteed attribute a person accrues with age but it would be rather strange if it didn’t occur as well. I’d like to think I haven’t totally missed out on that score. At this end of life, it becomes more evidentContinue reading “Memories or Materials?”