#about elwing

[thestateofardadreaming]

@lilacmuse asked me what were the songs that feel like home to me, or evoke a sense of nostalgia.

Penelope’s song by Loreena McKennitt. When I first heard it, it felt like I had always known it. Like a lament echoing in my soul.

Caravanserai by Loreena McKennit evoles a sense of homesickness within me… one that calls me back home to my Creator. A deep sense of longing, nostalgia? For my home.

Same goes for, Never-Ending Road by Loreena McKennitt. Makes my soul dance between lomging for what is lost and the realiaziation that home is here, on that path.

Loreena McKennitt holds a special place in my soul as the bard that can evoke the path and wake echoes in my soul. Many of her songs have that peaceful and yet poignant effect, like Lost Souls. Lost in the way, longing for Home. And that deep longing for that lost - and to ve found- home.

My daughter likes her voice. I guess it’s because I was expecting her when I saw Loreena live. A dream come true. She literally moved me to tears. The best show I’ve seen live (yet ! Hoping to see Sami Yusuf one day)

Wander my friends by Bear McCreary for the soundtrack of Battlestar Galactica.

It pierces my soul for those lost on the way : both parts of myself and loved ones. Homebound, a soulful cry coming from deep within the human race. Especially this live version sung by Bear’s brother (or so I’ve gathered). From those first notes to the chorus… it’s home, a melody that links me to my fellow humsns all trying to wander home.

Al faqir by Sami Yusuf.

I lack words to express what peace and homecoming I feel in this song And longing. (And longing is a form of nostslgia, isn’t it?)

All versions of this song is home : Pearl by Sami Yusuf but especiall this one with Capella Amsterdam.

Like Loreena Mckennitt, Sami Yusuf is a voice that is not only home but brings me back Home.

Puisque tu pars. Jean Jacques Goldman

(Now would be the moment when the profesor tells me I’m starting to stray out of the acope of the assignement but well) Nostalgia…

I don’t really like dwelling on nostalgia but I seem to be linking it to longing… But if I must really dip my toes in nostalgia, I go back to Damien Saez who akways have the right tunes, voice and poetic words to give nostalgia an unescapable texture.

Quick let’s run away before we are caught in the quicksand!!!

In Dreams from the LOTR soundtrack

Because Middle Earth is home.

… and I will have to stop here before I get lost. Thank you for tagging me @lilacmuse : it made me pause and enjoy some music.

I’m tagging @lapassionbeatrice @corvidae-quills

@falle-ness @duchesspeggy @scarletfantasiareally and anyone else who feels like doing it. (I’d tag you all my lovelies but I think I need to sleep now so forgive me for not tagging you.)

[laylaalisultan]

Homeward - Layla Ali Sultan

A collection of poems that depicts the poet's mystical and spiritual journey. This journey takes the reader through the valleys of nature, love and infinity. All these paths leads to the One. It's a love story between the poet and God. The poet takes you through many veils of illusions as she tries to find her way.

Kindle ✿   Paperback (amazon)  Book Depository  Bookshop.org✿ Kobo

[ladyhearthkeeper]

What should a traditional lady do if she is single?

A lot of what we are told about being a traditional woman has to do with marriage and children.

And indeed, it’s a path most of us strive for.

But sometimes, it’s not in the cards for us (for now), sometimes it’s simply not our calling.

So what should we do with all this space singlehood offer us? It’s a form of freedom but not the same one envisioned by modern people.

Many people tell me “Oh but it’s sooo great! You are single : you can focus on your career, have fun, meet lots of guys and travel.“ I just smile.

I was hoping to get married since my mid twenties and now I’m in my late thirties. I remain hopeful though. And believe me, all these years have not been wasted and shall not be wasted. I am grateful of whatever is given (or not given) to me and intent to make the most of it.

So here’s what we should focus on instead :

Just because you don’t have a husband and children, doesn’t mean you don’t have a family and loved ones. You can take care of them and nurture them.

Most traditional woman are believing women (or spiritual) : we might not have a spouse but we have God.  Take advantage of all this free time to spend time with God, read your Holy Book, pray and expand your soul.

Let’s take advantage of this freedom to work on ourselves, to become a better version of ourselves. Let’s understand ourselves better so that we can handle better our relationships with others.

Learn new skills, expand your mind. Read, follow a course, learn a new language. A well learned wife and mother makes her home a place of learning.

Learn more homekeeping skills. There are many other dishes to master, and tricks to learn to keep a home happy and neat. People dismiss housekeeping as something easy but there are a lot of skills involved in it.

Just because we are traditional women, it doesn’t mean we don’t have other dreams. Sure a happy home with a loving husband and kids is my ultimate goal and dream. But I have other dreams like... Publishing a book. So, since I’ve been given some time for myself : I’ll try to make this dream come true.

Your community needs someone like you who has time and energy to spare. Your Mosque, Church, Synagogue, Temple, social centre always needs helping hands and minds. It will give you the opportunity to meet new people and give a place for your nurturing nature to expand.

Take care of animals. Without falling into the cliché of the cat lady (all my respect to you wonderful ladies) you can feed birds, help out in the animal shelter, walk your elderly neighbour’s dog, help in wildlife protection... It’s a very rewarding work.

Get involved in a charity. Make good use of your heart and passion to help those in need. Find a cause that speaks to your soul and a charity that you trust.

I’m not one to say that we should define our lives with our job or career. But if you feel like it, why not work a little bit and earn some money to save for your future home or to help out your family. The trick is to pick a job that doesn’t make you become hard but a job that goes along with your nature.

Be a good friend and role model for younger ladies. I always hope that my failures can help young women not to make them. Give advice, offer a listening ear and give support.

There’s more and I’m sure other ladies can share their ideas with us.

The main theme is : just because you are single, you are not less traditional. You are not useless because you are single.

You are important for your family, friends, community and society. You can still nurture, love and help.

[thestateofardadreaming]

We're almost on the doorsteps of the month of ramadan... I can't contain nor explain my excitement. I see the confusion in my non muslim friends and colleagues : how can someone be excited about fasting?

Well, it's because it's a special month... Full of blessings. The doors of hell are locked and there's a light softness in everything. Strangers are friends. Even a few dates and tea is a feast. There's a lot of joy in the month of ramadan, in spite of the hardship.

It's like a special vacation... even though we must still go through the mundane reality of work and studies and human life... the veils of illusions are almost lifted and there's a miracle and blessing every day. Absolution and solace await us at every dawn and sunset.

Those of us who fast in Ramadan feel grateful to still be alive to take in this sacred month.

[thestateofardadreaming]

A soft golden day

... the birds are chirping, flowers are stretching and leaves are sprouting.

Peace.

[thestateofardadreaming]

I've volunteered to give a lecture on my country's schooling system to an association that helps refugees integrate.

It's all ready. It's not a big deal : I don't like public speaking but the challenge is good for me and I like to help.

But I had an epiliptic fit this morning and my brain hurts. I'm used to it, I've had it for years... It's just that sometimes my mind sometimes doesn't work well on the day it happens.

I don't want to cancel because I'm OK physically.

But please, pray for me... I really want that presentation to go well. With God's help it will be ok.

[thestateofardadreaming]

Yesterday, I was telling someone about my creative endeavours and achievements. And she said "but why din't you ever post that on your whatsapp starus. You only post pictures of your cat!"

I just shrugged and said that I was a private person and I like sharing pics of my cat.

What I should have said is that I don't need to share my achievements and interests with my whatsapp contact. I just share it in another appropriate place with people who are interested in those activities.

And my cat? He's a beauty. It's an honour for my contacts to see pics of his gorgeousness.

[thestateofardadreaming]

Softly existing, letting God guide me like a feather in the breeze.

All will be well.

Softly existing.