(Im)Perfect

I’m perfectly imperfect

And I’m perfect in my imperfection.

I rejoice in the perfection of the Creator,

And I find refuge in the perfection of the Universe.

I don’t have to apologize for my imperfections.

I do not have to change I’m imperfections to perfect,

Neither do I have to perfect in order to “please”.

I’m perfectly comfortable in my imperfections.

Humane; I’m capable to see the perfection in the imperfection of the other,

To accept it and to life with it …

As long as these perfections or imperfections,

Do not lead us to a war or to a “Quest for Perfection”.

Your perfectly imperfect,

Nermine.

Photo source: http://cdn.tinybuddha.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Imperfection.jpg

Love knows know limit, Love knows no shame

This morning, we have been blessed with loads of snow. The city is entirely covered with flakes and roads are covered with endless white carpets. The scenery is beautiful and almost magic. But in this white morning, I have witnessed a scene which literally made my heart "melt". And for some reasons, I needed to share this with you...because something like this, I rarely see.

A couple were crossing the street and the woman almost fell. Her man held her tight, hugged her, asked if she was OK and looked at her boots. He kneeled in front of her, on the cold snow, while she rested her hand on his left shoulder, he removed his gloves and he tied her boot laces. Then he stood up, kissed the top of her head, held her hand and crossed the street together.

Rare are the ones who will help their partners dress up, ties their shoes or wash them up when they know they can't do it themselves or when they know they need help and support. Especially for men
who have been culturally speaking brainwashed or raised.


Love knows no limit. Love knows no shame. Love knows no embarrassment. Love knows no humiliation! Love is light. Love is to be lived and felt everywhere not only behind closed doors. Never be embarrassed of a person who loves you and who's willing to do the impossible for you.


Walk in peace everyone,

Nermine B.

Source of photo: http://www.hutui6.com/love-silhouette-wallpapers.html

School of Life

Every human being was born with a heart, but many hearts grow to be dead and blind. We were born with ears, but even those who "hear" can be so deaf. We have eyes to see, but we decide to “pretend” and to close our eyes on what really matters. We were born innocent, but we made the choice to be unjust toward others. Some are "educated" yet they are so ignorant and know nothing about the School of Life and Manners. Many pretend to be so practicing or religious, and yet they are full of selfishness, hypocrisy and lies.

Many don’t know the true meaning of Love, of Respect, of Satisfaction, of Mercy, of Sharing, of Giving, of Sacrificing …. Some people are simply made like that, they take but never give.
Sooner or later, these people will suffocate in their own miserable life. Sooner or later, they will regret but maybe then, it would be too late to look back.

In this blessed day, and with the Celebration of the Birth of our beloved Prophet, PBUH, let us all remember his Sunnah, let us all remember how he lived, simply and modestly. Let us all remember that this ummi man (illiterate) was the best of teachers, had the best of Manners, he was the most loving man and husband and father. He had nothing and yet he gave to others the last date he had in his house. Even when his daughter was sick and a needy and hungry man nocked on his door, he gave him the LAST Pomegranate he had to feed his sick daughter. But he knew that the mercy of God is SO big that he would soon be rewarded with MORE and Better than what he just gave up or lost. He used to help his wives, play with them, smile to them, greet them, hug them, he never insulted his wives or ANY other human being, not even his enemies, he never lied, he never cheated, he never spoke words that can hurt or humiliate the other. He was poor, he had no degrees, but he was the best of all mankind. He was the best to his people and to others.

On this day, may all of us learn from this great Man, salla Allaho 3alahi wassalam.
May our sons grow to be Men of honours and Manners just like our Prophet, pbuh.

I love you all for the sake of Allah swt


Walk in peace,

Nermine.

"If you give a little love, you can get a little love of your own."

"If you give a little love, you can get a little love of your own."

My younger sister shared this beautiful video with me and it's now my turn to share it with my circle of friends. A small act of kindness is never really "small". If you think about it, each act of kindness that you do or receive is endless and it opens a new circle over and over again. It doesn't cost you a thing and yet, it could change someone's Moment, it can even save someone's Soul or Life.

Sooner or later, it will pay back. You cannot possibly understand the beauty of "Giving", "Helping the other" and "Smiling" until it really hits you.

"O mankind! Allah created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (not that you despise each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things)." Nobel Qur'an (49:13)

Give it a try, it wont hurt :-)

Walk in peace,

Nermine B.

Giving Back on Your Birthday and on every other day

There is no joy or taste in life or in anything that we have if we keep it all to ourselves. To know that you made someone’s life a little easier today and that you allowed him or her to breath and to go to bed with one less thing to worry about; this makes life and our existence so worth living. To serve others and to give back is almost like giving birth to a new self. To know that you might have saved another person’s life by only smiling to them, isn’t this one of the greatest mission?

I don’t know about you but I personally always feel so extremely happy when I give away anything to others. Be it a present or something that I no longer use or need. Be it food, money, clothes, books, toys, flowers or even a letter; it doesn’t really matter what, how big or how small it is, or how much it’s worth, but it is all about giving, helping others and sharing!

I came across this video on my friend’s wall on Facebook  (Thank you Asma O.) and I thought to myself, WHAT AN AMAZING IDEA! This is another inspirational video and story which I had to share with you. This is something that I myself will try it on my next birthday (inshaAllah) and it’s something that I absolutely want to teach my kids and to other kiddos around me.

By watching this video, you will understand what I mean.

Enjoy it and let us make our birthdays a special and unique day to give back and to celebrate kindness, humanity and to be thankful for everything we already have!

“At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by ‘I was hungry and you gave me to eat, I was naked and you clothed me, I was homeless and you took me in.’ Hungry not only for bread — but hungry for love. Naked not only for clothing — but naked for human dignity and respect. Homeless not only for want of a room of bricks — but homeless because of rejection.” ~ Mother Teresa

Walk in peace, :)

Nermine B.

PS. Yes of course, you can make every day of the year as special as this one ;)

Insaan - إنسان

During the Egyptian revolution, like many others, I came across this song “Insaan” which translates to “Human” by the famous young patriotic, true and honest Egyptian artist, Hamza Namira.

In the middle of any war or crisis (and all the way in life), we always need a helping hand, a loving heart, a kind word, a merciful soul, a fair person, a human who can feel every hidden and unspoken pain.

The lyrics of this song and the artist’s performance have inspired many hearts all across the world. The message is honest and I pray that Humanity knows more hearts like the ones portrayed.

Hold your heart between your hands and revive it with love and mercy.

Walk in peace my sisters and brothers in Humanity.

Nermine B.  

PS. for a translation of the lyrics, pls click on the icon CC under the video. Lyrics available in different languages. 

I want you to meet AMMAR

This is the story of Ammar. A short inspirational story / film (5 minutes) of a young man who despite his heavy paralysis, he has been able to achieve his goals, to pursue and to realize his dream(s). 

Not only I'm deeply touched by his story and I know there are many like Ammar out there, but this is a lesson in life that we should all learn from and teach our kids (and a reminder to ourselves) to never give up and to never say it's impossible.

With courage, will, faith , self-discipline, education, love, patience, persistence, resistance and believing in your own power and capacities, Ammar was able to do what many of us couldn't do.      

Ammar, you are a true inspiration and thank you for this lesson.

May God bless your heart and soul.

Walk in peace,

Nermine B. 

Meet Amal Chaudry

Amal Chaudry is the first practising female Muslim lawyer to work for the Crown attorney's office in Windsor. She said she believes her faith will give her 'added perspective' in her job.

Photograph by: Tyler Brownbridge, The Windsor Star , The Windsor Star

Muslim lawyer wants to carve her own niche

Crown attorney a Windsor native

By Craig Pearson, The Windsor Star September 6, 2012

http://www.windsorstar.com/life/Muslim+lawyer+wants+carve+niche/7197673/story.html

Perhaps it's no surprise that Amal Chaudry has become Windsor's first practising female Muslim Crown attorney.

Even as a Holy Names high school student, she decided she would not follow a cookiecutter path through life.

"A lot of it was when I was in high school - I guess you could call it a rebel with a cause - but I just wanted to carve my own niche," Chaudry said this week. "The initial spark wasn't so much, 'Oh, world justice!' I wanted to do my own thing in my own way on my own terms."

The 26-year-old assistant Crown attorney, who may be the first Windsor-based lawyer to regularly wear a hijab - and who describes herself as a "huge" football and hockey fan - has already made strides toward her goal.

"I'm very proud to be a Muslim. It's a big part of who I am," said Chaudry, fashionably dressed in an intense-blue jacket over black head scarf and pants. "Now in the world, Muslims and Islam have become something where people think you're Muslim, and that's all you are. You can't be anything else.

"That's really weird to me, because the Muslim part of it is just how you go about life. But you can pretty much be whatever you want."

The Windsor native holds a bachelor's degree in criminology and political science and a law degree from the University of Windsor. She was called to the bar in June, the same month she got married and moved to Toronto, and has since been hired on a per diem basis with the Crown's office for the western region, meaning she works in Windsor, Chatham, Sarnia, London, Kitchener and Hamilton.

She was born the middle child of five sisters to parents who came from Pakistan. She says she has not faced many challenges because of her faith, if for no other reason than she maintains a positive attitude.

She manages to pray five times a day, as prescribed by the Qur'an, and believes her Muslim identity can help enrich the Crown's office.

"It is a different perspective," she said. "You see a lot of minorities in the criminal system, whether it's the victim or the accused. The problems minorities, in general, have are well-documented.

"I don't know if it (her upbringing) will be helpful, but I like to think it will be. I think it gives me added perspective."

Chaudry said Islam helps her see the humanity in people.

"The religious aspect of being Muslim is personal," she said. "It grounds me and humbles me. And it reminds me all the time of the human element that everyone has."

She considers working as a Crown attorney a great fit for her. But first comes how she conducts herself in life.

"My career is huge to me," she said, noting that criminal law exposes some dark parts of society.

"And I'm at the starting stages where you make a lot of sacrifices for it. But you still have to be a human being separate from a lawyer. It's really important that it doesn't consume you."

© Copyright (c) The Windsor Star

Read more: http://www.windsorstar.com/life/Muslim+lawyer+wants+carve+niche/7197673/story.html#ixzz25f5Vu69j