Melanie is the host of SYW

QUESTIONS:

Why do we dream?

We dream during the night because we have a lot of things going on in our minds. Unsolved issues, worries, questions, and rouge memories running around in circles, which find expression in dreams. Some believe dreams to be signals from our subconscious to take certain actions or avoid others.

During the daytime, we dream because we need direction for our lives. Without dreams and aspirations, we wouldn’t know the way ahead.

Do you think a person’s name influences the person they become?

Not really. Yet people do try to find names with good meanings for their kids. No one would name their child after someone evil!

We are what we make of ourselves, and not what we are called.

Does hardship make a person stronger?  (example:  What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger)

It depends on the sort of person you are and the level of hardship. Some emerge stronger and victorious while others are broken and defeated. The age at which we face these hardships also determines the outcome. I can give my own example. I was a child of six when my mom passed away and it made my childhood and teenage very traumatic. But in the end, I am stronger with a strong faith.

Why do we judge ourselves by our intentions, but judge others by their actions?

We know our intentions so even if things go wrong, we know we meant well. As for others, we don’t know their intentions and hence can only judge them through their actions. But we should give them the benefit of doubt at least once, till they do something similar again.

GRATITUDE SECTION  (Always Optional)

Feel free to share some gratitude in the form of images, photos, or writing.  Thanks! 

Last few days, I have been fighting a stomach infection. It is quite severe and needs a prolonged course of treatment with multiple antibiotics. I am unable to eat anything but the blandest of diet and no coffee at all. The good side of this is that I have lost a bit of weight and am hoping to lose more. This the silver lining.

➰➰➰➰➰➰

#Keepitalive

#SYW

Melanie is the host of SYW

QUESTIONS:

What should you get rid of, that would make your new year better, and why?

I think if I get rid of my excess weight, I will be happy and healthier. For some reason for the last month or so I haven’t been able to lose any weight. In fact, I have a sneaking suspicion that I may be gaining weight. So this is number 1 on my priority list.

As for the world around me, I think if we can rid ourselves of this increasing negativity, we would be better off.

 What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done?

Uprooting myself and going to live in the United States for 5 years with my daughter and grandson. It meant adjusting to a totally different way of living. Luckily I knew the language, much to the surprise of people who I met there for the first time. Yet it was a daring step. But it broadened my life experience and gave me valuable insight into American culture.

Does your family have a “motto” – spoken or unspoken?

I don’t think my family endorses it but my personal mottos are;

“Things can always be worse than what they are”

And;

“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it”

On a scale of 1-10 how funny would you say you are?  (this does not mean ‘smell’ or looks; because this is a judgment free blog!) 

I think I am pretty funny, but I don’t think others agree with my view. I’ll give myself a 7!

GRATITUDE SECTION

Tell everyone something that you found personally lifted your spirits!  

I find many things that lift my spirits.

A good meaningful chat with someone.

Good weather, bracing wind, and a brisk walk in the nature.

Listing to some favorite songs

Good food

A hot cup of coffee.

#Keepitalive

#SYW

Melanie is the host of SYW

Welcome to Share Your World!

It’s a brand new year!  I hope everyone is making the most of the opportunity for a fresh start, a ‘do-over’ if you will.  That’s the best part (to me anyway) of January…it can be a month that leads us anywhere.  Here’s another ‘mixed bag’ for your perusal.

QUESTIONS: 

What’s a relationship deal breaker for you?

Mean and selfish behavior for one, small-mindedness, anger issues, and dishonesty.

Do you believe in extra-terrestrials?

Of course, isn’t the orange Cheeto from an alien planet, sent here to destroy our moral and social values?

In the morning, do you hit the snooze button on your alarm (sometimes repeatedly) or do you leap out of bed, ready to face the day?

I more or less get up when my alarm goes off. I set my alarm for my morning ( Fajr) prayer and have to get up to be on time. Afterward that I feel that the quiet morning time is better utilized for blogging. I answer comments, read blogs, and maybe write my posts too. I love early mornings as there are no distractions and I can concentrate on my tasks.

If you came back in the next life as an animal, which animal would you choose to be?  (and even if you don’t believe in that, let’s suspend belief for a moment just to have a little fun)

If, and it is a big if, I come back as an animal, I’d like to come back as a cute unicorn 🦄

GRATITUDE (Participation is always optional)

What do you plan to work on this year to make it better than last year  (personal goals, physically or mentally, or all three)?

As I’ve stopped making long-range plans, I haven’t made any plans for this year persé. But generally speaking, I hope it’s a better year for us all. I will stick to my walking routine, healthy eating and being careful of my diabetes. I will also work on being less opinionated and a better listener. Blog wise, I’d like to write more meaningful posts which can have an impact on my readers.

Thank you Melanie for letting us share our world with you and our readers.

#Keepitalive

#SYW

Melanie is the host of SYW

Questions;

Pick three words to describe this past year.   (please keep them PG. Thanks).

Wakeup-call, Sad, Unexpected

What were the best books you read this year?   Or the best movie you saw?  

I have read a couple of books from Louise Penny, a Canadian writer, which I liked very much.

I saw the new Mulan movie and liked it very much.

Because there was lots of time for looking inward, what is one big personal lesson you learned this past year?

One very important thing I learned was that I really don’t need all the stuff I used to buy compulsively. One can do very well on a lot less.

Do you think Covid has strengthened or weakened societal bonds?

The greed and selfishness that people showed by hoarding things at the beginning did show a very negative side to humanity. But it was balanced out by the selfless devotion to duty by all the medical personnel, essential service worker, and those who volunteered for providing care to others in need. So I think, it is a win for humanity and the bonds have strengthened.

GRATITUDE SECTION (Optional of course):

What is a New Year’s Wish You’d Like To Share With the World?

Here’s a toast to a far better year, next year.   Stay safe and healthy, and prosperity and abundance to you!!

I wish that we all stay safe and healthy and those who want to, get vaccinated against covid-19.

Also that we realize that we need to become better humans by caring for others as much as we care for ourselves and our families.

Make kindness popular again!

#Keepitalive

#SYW

Melanie is the host of SYW

Questions;

• What is your favorite type of cookie (they’re called biscuits in Europe I believe)?

Chocolate chip cookie is all time favorite. In fact any cookie with chocolate is my favorite.

• If you could choose one age and remain that forever, what would it be and why?

I would choose my current age. I think to date this is the best age for me. I am feeling good, pain-free. I have enough wisdom to not fret about things that are out of my control, like the behavior and thoughts of others around me. I have developed confidence in myself and have learned to live a life of gratitude.

• Do you have a traditional drink during the holiday season?

Not per sé, but in winters, we enjoy pink tea so it’s like a seasonal drink. It’s made with un roasted tea leaves and boiled in water till it attains a red color. It’s then strained and whole milk is added to it. It’s garnished with grated pistachios and almonds.

• Are you able to still believe in holiday magic as you did when you were a child?

Magic is when you feel it. All things can be magical, not only holidays if we believe.

GRATITUDE SECTION 

(Always optional)

The prompt is wide open today, for anything you care to share!

I am so grateful that the year is ending on a positive not for the pandemic. Many vaccines are now available and I am hoping that we will be able to come to some sort of normalcy by next year.

I am also grateful for my blogging family and their constant support.

Thank you!

#Keepitalive

#SYW

Melanie is the host of SYW

QUESTIONS;

Do you enjoy skiing or ice skating or if it’s warm where you are, hiking or enjoying outdoor sports? 

No, I am not into winter sports, skating, or skiing. I used to play cricket in school and college but an injury to my knee at the age of 19, stopped any participation in games. I go for long walks but in the area, I live in. Haven’t taken the risk of falling while hiking!

Do you give to charities or homeless that you might encounter, during this time of year, more than you do otherwise? 

As a family, we give to charities all through the year and especially at Eid which is our religious festival after the month of Ramadan ( Fasting month). It is mandatory for all Muslims who can afford to give a small percentage of their annual savings in charity to deserving families and people. It is called Zakat.

What is the most enjoyable activity you engage in during December?  Is it a tradition for you and your family? 

Since we don’t celebrate Christmas, the other good thing about December is the winter break. Just like the rest of the world, the last ten days of December are off from school and we usually would make a vacation plan to visit another city and have a nice time. It’s not exactly a tradition but a sometimes activity.

What changes will C-19 bring to your festive celebrations this year?  

Like everything else, we have put all plans on hold. Waiting for things to settle down before we make any plans.

GRATITUDE SECTION;

 (Optional of course): Please share a goodwill wish for the world!

I do wish that people realize the gravity of this disease and take it seriously. Take all precautions that they can and stay safe at home. There will be more holidays, more occasions to celebrate. Concentrate on staying alive for now.

Thank you Melanie for these questions.

#Keepitalive

#SYW

Melanie is the host of SYW       Edition

---

Jim came up with some interesting questions for Share Your World this week.   Questions

What is worse than a dentist with bad breath?

• A dentist with bad breath and no mask. They would be the worst type because they can make you sick.

Have you ever been rejected by someone that you liked, or been told that you were not good enough for somebody else?

• I will tell you something which you’d find very interesting about my culture. When I was young, it wasn’t the done thing for girls to have boyfriends. So there was no occasion when I would profess my liking to someone and they would reject me. We were only allowed to go out with our fiancé after the engagement. And even then only very progressive parents would allow that.

Our life partners were chosen for us by our parents and so the onus of accepting and rejecting proposals was on them.

Did you ever want to have toast for breakfast, only to find that all your bread was covered in green mold?

• Yup, many times. But now I keep my bread in the fridge and it may go stale but seldom moldy.

Did you ever sneeze so hard that your whole body hurt?

• Many times. I used to pinch my nose when sneezing and that used to pop my ears. Then my grandma told me the I could puncture my eardrums by doing that.

Did you ever buy clothing on the internet that did not fit, but you wore them anyway, since you didn’t want to pay the $5 shipping charge to send them back?

• I bought jeans from Levi’s and they were too big ( surprise) and I returned them without checking the return conditions. They deducted $ 7 for shipping. After that, I never ordered from them directly.

As a nod to the upcoming American Thanksgiving Holiday which happens this Thursday, please share in the Gratitude Section anything you might be thankful for this particular November.   I know it’s tough (for some) to find anything to be grateful for, but there are always things if one cares to look for them.   Have a joyous week!   MBC

• Though I am not an American, I still am grateful for a lot of things this November. I had a wonderful birthday this week with all my kids and grandkids around me. This was very special.

• Donald Trump lost the elections and I think people all over the world are thankful for that.

• The weather here is wonderful. Slightly cooler and cozy enough for us to enjoy sitting near a heater and enjoying coffee ( decaf)

Thank you Melanie and Jim for this opportunity to share our world.

#Keepitalive

#SYW

Melanie is the host of SYW

                          

Welcome to Share Your World!

Oddball Questions:

Is cereal soup? Why or why not?

Cereal can be part of a soup but cereal with milk and sugar doesn’t classify as soup in my mind. Some soups do use corn, barley, or wheat.

What are some interesting ways to answer everyday questions like “how’s it going” or “what do you do”?

How’s it going;

Still alive and kicking!

Not dead yet!

As well as could be expected, considering who’s in charge!

What do you do?

I am a chef, nanny, housekeeper, and chauffeur! ( Mom)

Nothing much, just eat and relax!

I don’t think you’ll be able to understand if I told you!

What was your favorite toy growing up?

It was a doll that my father brought for me when he went to Harvard. I treated it with so much care that I had it till I was in high school.

If you have a pet, and you could ask it three questions, what would you ask?

Don’t have any pets.

Attitude of Gratitude Section (Always Optional)

What’s one simple thing society at large could do to improve our world?

If we as a society inculcated only one habit, we would improve the quality of life immensely;

To treat others as we want them to treat us!

Thank you Melanie for these wonderful questions.

#Keepitalive

#SYW