There have been times when those three words couldn't hold up on their own. They had to be supplemented with promises of transcendence from this life to the next. They had to be said every night like a flossing ritual. They had to be reminded of by using them as a salve after a bruise... Continue Reading →
In a Flash
The other day a memory came back to me; one that I had lost. I was strolling outside the mosque next to the Spice Bazaar at Eminonu. There were a lot of pigeons stuttering on the ground. In small booths sat frail, old women who sold pigeon food for 1 lira, each in a tiny... Continue Reading →
Decadence
It has been an absolutely awful day. Nothing could salvage it - not a walk near a fountain, not the butterscotch ice cream, and not even french fries. In the larger scheme of things, I know that it won't matter and this day will be inconsequential. That I didn't pick up the threads and tie... Continue Reading →
For the Love of Grammar: Giveaway
When Joseph Brodsky gave a commencement speech at the Dartmouth University, he outlined 6 essentials for living a wholesome life. While most commencement speeches stress on courage, action, kindness and even drive graduates towards using their failures well (see J. K. Rowling's The Fringe Benefits of Failure), Joseph Brodsky's first piece of advice is to... Continue Reading →
The Number 12
The Prophet Jacob had twelve sons, the Prophet Jesus twelve apostles. Prophet Joseph, whose story is told in the 12th surah of the Qur’an, was his father’s favourite child. Twelve loaves of bread the Jews placed at their tables. Twelve golden lions guarded the throne of Solomon. There were six steps up to the throne,... Continue Reading →
Maybe
...we should stop punishing each other for the way we feel.
Decision
I have come to a decision that the world's problems are not my own. I don't have permission to go to pieces every time a tragedy occurs somewhere on this planet. This doesn't mean that I won't plant a tree. It just means that I won't fucking plant it because the world needs it. I... Continue Reading →
Rule of the Thumb
I can't remember when I became so mainstream. It's always easy if the tragedy happens to someone else. It's been taught and re-taught how to sigh and say how sorry you are, or how it shouldn't have happened. But I've still swapped my potato chips for the chocolates as an emotional eating ritual. And like... Continue Reading →
On Writing
When asked what I'd like to do with my life, it's very easy for me to say that I want to write. Whether this reply comes from the joy of writing or from the comfort of the presence of a purpose, however sheer it may be, it is hard to say. It could also be that my... Continue Reading →
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