Just so it’s abundantly clear: I have a fairly cynical side. Perhaps coupled with a kind of social impatience that lurks in the back of my mind. I just think certain interactions are far too longed out. It would do us all a favour if we popularised a notion of social interactional efficiency.

I hear conversations that always go to the effect of:

Person 1: So we have to go in through the front door

Person 2: So we can’t go in through the side?

Well yes. That’s what go in through the front door means. It eliminates all other possible ways to enter the place. Another reaction is person 2 says:

“Oh I thought we could go in through the side”

Sorry what? Who cares if that’s what you previously thought? It’s not longer the case. Please keep that as an internal dialogue as you correct and update the information in your own mind.

Now I understand how this may come across to some of you. Like I’m the grammar nazi’s cousin, a social interaction nazi. But look out for those types of interactions.

So what’s this got to do with the Coronavirus? Well, a new culture has emerged. The feel good, community spirit, we’re all here for each other culture. And of course it’s lovely to see and heart warming to witness the community coming together blah blah.

But at a time of crisis, who really has time for empty words.

“Stay safe!” Oh thanks mate. Changed my life. Was planning to put myself in danger actually. Thank goodness you came through with that advice.

“Look after yourself!” This one confuses me. Is this an order to not let anyone else look after me? Which I would respect more than the empty semantics it actually represents. Once again, cheers buddy. Wasn’t going to look after myself until you told me that. In fact, I was going to go out of my way to cause detriment to myself.

“Let me know if you need anything” Well, that’s actually quite a nice offer so thank you.

“Get well soon!” Thanks for this instructional masterpiece. Just thanks.

In all seriousness, I understand that this is the cultural norm for expressing good will to others. I get it, and truly it is a well intentioned and admirable thing.

But to my fellow Muslims, I request a dua instead of words. Your prayer might actually work, whereas your words will most likely just irritate me. I used to think it was cringe, probably when I was a SUPER WOKE Muslim, but having the name of Allah mentioned in everyday conversation, and having dua made brother to brother over the smallest thing, is a way for us to remain God conscious, and have our hearts at ease with the remembrance of God.

Kind regards.

……..Is what I tell myself every other day when my latest idea pops up in my head. It’s that age where you feel like you should have this grand life purpose but then you remember…bills. Then you compromise, I’ll work my day job and pursue my passion on the side. Well…then you remember, time constraint. Okay so I’ll work for a few years in a high paying job, save up some money, and then pursue my passion. Well…then you remember all the other people that have said that and didn’t follow through. That’s life. The likelihood is your life will follow the same trajectory as most others.

I have mainly drawn my inspiration from the polymaths of the past. Those who were both artist and scientist. Scholar and merchant. Ascetic and philanthropist.

If your passion is something religious, moral, social, or political, I believe you should never intend for your passion to become monetised. It can very often compromise the integrity and sincerity of your passion. If it so happens to become monetised along the way, then no harm done.

Back to the main point of this post: life is an experiential journey. Before I do anything, I like to have all the facts, formulate at least a rough plan, and execute it. Much to my surprise, life doesn’t work like that. The fact’s only belong to God. The rest of us are quite bewildered. We don’t know what the future holds, and have few ways of knowing (without going to a hippy with a magic 8 ball in a tent).

So, I made the decision. I do know what I’m going to do in life. And what I know is, that I don’t know. *That’s Kerfuffle*. There are two things in my control: my principles, and my adherence to those principles. That’s all I control. The means by which those principles are fulfilled are circumstantial and will always change depending on context. I’ve deliberately kept it abstract.

If you pursue a moral agenda for betterment of your locality or beyond, I recommend you have a secular means of income. Keep your income and business separate from your pursuit. It’ll:

A) Stand as a testament that you are able to achieve and

B) Maintain the integrity of your moral pursuit.