Back to work after a week off. Only 150 emails in my inbox — not bad — and fortunately, most of them were workflow notifications. It’s always a relief to mostly go unnoticed. How I live my life.
From our old allotment with our old neighbours.
Coping with your teenager
Long gone, the playful lad, once so loving and kind. In his place, an aggressive brute, snarling ferociously, who would shove his old man violently and beat his own mother. May God grant his parents patience and protect them from harm.
How strange that some people can be so influential on our lives while at the same time being completely oblivious to our existence. When I was young, I imagined that some old Muslim acquaintances must have had a hand in my guidance, perhaps praying for me when I moved amongst them. But when I eventually …
I don’t have a problem with our son learning a trade and pursuing a career working with his hands. I might have done the same in different circumstances. A profession — medicine, accountancy, law, engineering — is not for everyone, whatever our parents and peers may think. Last night, we visited the construction facilities at …
My organisation doesn’t need Copilot or ChatGPT. They have me. I have been fielding all manner of queries today, mostly only very vaguely related to my specialism. Apparently, I have a reputation for being helpful. Well, that’s one talent, at least.
Having also struggled through education myself, I ought to be our son’s greatest advocate. At this juncture, my parents were despairing at me too, as my teachers predicted I was about to fail all of my GCSEs. That I didn’t and actually did moderately well in the final exams should position me well to encourage …
Do you believe in angels? I do. One morning, this week, three years ago, I was quietly working away at my desk when a name popped into my head. The name of an old friend from university who has lived in the Persian Gulf for twenty years. I immediately picked up my phone and messaged …
Naturally, my parents were not happy when I became Muslim. But that was then. Yesterday, my father wished me a blessed fast.
Your wealth and your children are but a trial for you, and with God is a great reward.
I’m a terrible dad. I told the kids not to talk at me. Explained how conversations are supposed to work. Asked for dialogue instead of monologue. Reminded them it’s okay to pause for breath, or fill the space between us with silence. A better dad would have stopped what he was doing, turned his entire …
In life, we are tested by whatever our hearts attach to.
Waking from a night stifled by memories, I interrogate myself: “How on earth did you arrive at such positive opinions of all involved?” In truth, all that I subsequently imagined was quite preposterous. But such is the heart, rendering us blind to what we do not wish to see. Looking back, I now remember every …
I really should stop feeling intimidated by people who tell me how brilliant they are. Most of the time, they’re just bluffing. Which will become apparent when they need help. Take it easy.
