cerebrate

It has occurred to me that the somewhat inspirational or motivating quote, “Be the change that you want to see in the world,” is simply inadequate. Or maybe I have misunderstood it all this while.

Suppose that I want the world the change into say, a nicer place. Following the quote then, I have to be a nice person myself. It is then assumed that people will naturally take example from my lead. That everyone will be nicer after they interact with me. But experience tells me that this will simply not happen.

She’s 47, unemployed, single and never been kissed. She’s Susan Boyle.

Dawud Israel wrote an interesting article titled, “Metaphors of the Muslim Plight in the West.” Here, he highlights the feelings of typical Muslims in the US whom he argues are in a state of directionless - where they hope to find guidance from others but do not know exactly where to go to. He also briefly acknowledge that there are overzealous Muslims around too but such Muslims are somewhat unappealing to many.

In any case, I think the article boils down to the question of, “What is Islam and how to be a pious Muslim in the context of the modern world?” A question that I think is asked by many Muslims at least subconsciously.

(thx to my friend Firdaus for letting me know of this release)

Yasmin Ahmad’s second and latest ad for a pro-family campaign in Singapore. I love this one very much. As with her first ad, Yasmin stays away from portraying the image of a perfect family. But the idea of having a perfect life partner is not totally absent.

“In the end, it’s these small things (imperfections) that you’ll remember. The little imperfections that make them perfect for you.”