Art of Listening

Freewrite...

"There is a real art to listening. It is not simply the silencing of our voice. It is to still the murmurs of thought, curtail the rise of judgement, and feel the world of the other. Only then can we hear the things others do not say." - Aisha Mirza

Community Spirit

Came home to my parents and found our wonderful neighbour Mrs M had popped in to see my parents.

This is what I call true community spirit. When they don't see each other in the street, they all visit one another, or ask after each other.

There are only a few families left who have lived in the street as long as my parents have. Many have passed away or moved, many others have come and gone, and new families have settled here. However the few who have remained over 3 decades have so much love and support for one another. Even if it's a "Hello" in the street or running each other’s errands, no one is left feeling alone.

We forget the importance of our duty towards our neighbours. How much difference something so simple can make. The difference can be restoring hope in times of despair.

This is home. This is community.

"This street is still awash with our cuts, grazes and scars, our laughter, tears and mischief. Every corner hold secrets of our childhood. These bricks are made of memories and cemented with stories of our past." Aisha Mirza

Been a while

freewrite...

"Two hours and nothing. Not one word. The unfurling of image after image of unbridled destruction, she felt the pangs of despair reach the pit of her stomach. Her finger had scrolled miles. The weight of what she witnessed grew heavy. Everyone seemed to be angry at someone; some caught up in lies, and some blinded by their own ego, "ruthless" came to mind. Fingers poised, ready to unleash the rage that rose through her chest, they receded gently pushing back into her soft palms as the thought of a sister counting her last breaths came to mind. 'Fighting fire with fire only evokes greater misery, rather create a space where fires may no longer burn'."

"Mercy" is the word. © Aisha Mirza 

Voids

There are some days we just need to escape. Spend time watching waves or making footprints in the sand.

There are days we simply do not fit it. Places where we do not belong, no matter how familiar.

Present but absent.

Similar, but different.

Visible, but unheard.

There are days we need to find our feet. Seek out what it is we are looking for. Reflect on the void as vast as the ocean, and refocus on the One able to fill it. Insh'Allah.