Blessing in Disguise

05:05 Nala Mazia 0 Comments



That idiom is one of my favourites. Although I have experienced many blessing in disguise things, I’m always astonished to realize the blessings. That if I found out the disguised blessing, which I always try to. Speaking about blessing in disguise, I have a phenomenon in thought. Are you wondering what it is?

Mocking and making fun of friends are common things around me. Of course, those are done for fun, we don’t really mean to insult. Self-praising is also usual, but once again, it’s just for jokes. Doing those things somehow make us closer as friends.

However, sometimes people can feel insulted by the jokes addressed to them. Who knows they smile outside, but hurt inside? This can be either they are too sensitive, or their friends have gone too far. Both are not virtuous. For those who likes making fun of friends (just for kidding), I beg please mind your words. Think first whether it’ll be okay for the people you are addressing. For you who are too touchy about your friends’ jokes, I have a special advice.

To begin with, my friends often criticize me of being crazy about pink. They show their disapproval in hilarious way that shows they don’t hate me. I’m always “bullied” in class, because of my predilection to pink, and girly stuff. Please note that quotation in bullied. By bully I mean is not serious bullying cases, it’s just how I express my friends’ way of joking. Sorry, I cannot find another proper word to describe it. We are used to calling that kind of kidding bullying (we use this term as parody, don’t take it serious. Of course, I’m not suffering from bullying). Sometimes I’m annoyed too with my friends’ jokes, because I have my right to like or have or wear whatever I want to. But, hey, I know that they are just having fun with me! The point is, with everyone mocks you, you get your conceit pressed down. 

Now, let’s contemplate. My friends and I like claiming ourselves to be great people. For instance, I like declaring that I am a princess; I am Princess Aurora, and so on. If my friends just admitted it, I would be surer and surer that I am beautiful, graceful, and honourable just like a princess. Eventually, it would grow my vanity. I would be bigheaded, and vain. How fortunate I am that my friends never agree with my claiming!

See? I am fully aware that my friends have helped me to keep my vanity in check. That is the blessing in disguise I meant. My friends might not realize that they’ve saved me from arrogance. I secretly thank them very much for doing so. You know, just a little arrogance can destroy all the virtues you’ve done. Can you imagine how dangerous arrogance is?

Therefore, for you who are often hurt by your friends’ jokes to you, please bear my words in mind. Their insults are actually blessings in disguise! Try to see the blessings before you jump into conclusions. You may be astonished and grateful by then.

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A Week Is a Long Time in Politics

04:59 Nala Mazia 0 Comments



Hey, Pals!

This time I want to share my thought that was actually my inner conflict. This has something to do with politics. To be honest, I hated politics, and I didn’t want to involve in it. That is why I didn’t take International Relation as my major although part of me wanted to. All this time, from my point of view politics is about corruption, clean hands, and dirty tricks. I used to think that politics is not important. Well, that is a childish thought of me.

Now, as I looked around, and be more critical to surrounding issues, I’ve changed my mind. I am aware that no aspect of my life can be spared from politics. Although politics still can’t be spared from dirty tricks, I now agree that politics is important. I don’t mind being the part of it. In fact, I want to be the part of it by joining Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Hope Allah grants my wishes. Amiin. Mucha suerte para mi :))

It is funny how things change in a few months. Well, in politics it’s natural. An idiom says a week is a long time in politics, which means that in politics, many changes can happen in a short space of time. Now, I try not to be indifferent about politics. Let alone I am a university student now, which means I need to be more sensitive with such issues. I realize that my mind doesn’t magically think critically about it in a blink of eyes. That is why I’ve been reading many political articles lately. In addition, I join a student press activity, which demands my critical thinking. You can see I’m working on my mind right now.

This is just something that popped up in my head months ago, but I just got time to write now. Unfortunately, just as I reconsider politics, big (yet again, full of tricks) occurrences in politics field are happening. No, no, I’m not holding back my words. The other way around, it’s kind of intriguing to follow.  I hope this will be the milestone for more-mature me.
Please wish me luck ;)

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Punctuality is So Me!

04:54 Nala Mazia 0 Comments

Photo by Nala

Have you ever waited for someone for so long, because you come on time but they don’t? Or is it you who is barely on time?

I want to tell a brief story that just happened today. This day is a special day for I had a kind of reunion with my friends, after months being apart. We decided to meet at 9 am somewhere. I had estimated the time I need to get ready and get there. I would’ve been on time if I didn’t drop by the gas station. As a result, I got there 4 minutes late. Can you guess what happened? Yep, no one was there. Later I knew that some of them had got there, but they went somewhere first. Oh, so I was the latest, I thought. Apparently not, my other friends hadn’t even left home yet! They finally came an hour later.

That story is only one of so-and-so much other cases. It happens a lot, in any kind of situation. On account of how common it is, no one seems to mind their late coming (in informal dates). They knew that there would be someone coming late, so in case it happens, they deliberately set the time earlier. For instance, they will have an activity at 11. They tell others to come at 9 or 10, so even if someone is late, they will still be able to hold the event punctually. Everyone knows that old yet common trick. Unfortunately, as everyone knows this, they will have the same thought. They will say, “I bet people will come late. It’s better to be off an hour after the settled time.” In the end, no one comes at 9 or 10.
Yes, punctuality. It is rarely performed by people around me. In my area in Indonesia, it is no secret that punctuality is a scarce thing. Not always, though, but usually. Even the phrase “jam karet” (literally means rubbery hour) is so common. That is what I know. I know it since I’ve got many experiences regarding punctuality. So far, most people around me still set aside punctuality. I’m worried if it becomes a trait.

Luckily, punctuality has always been my priority. I always manage my time by having a sort of timetable in my head. Thanks God, latecomer has never been my label. The sad thing to be punctual, while your friends are not, is that you always come first, and are lonely for a couple of minutes. Yeah, that is my experience, which often happened. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t take it as a disadvantage. I keep telling myself that being on time will not give me any loss.

Nevertheless, guys, let’s remind ourselves to be punctual in any occasion. Don’t just follow your friends whose habit is coming late! Assure yourself that punctuality is so you! It is better if you can make them on time just like you. Finally, good luck with your self-improvement! :))

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Mother's Merits are Beyond Compare

05:10 Nala Mazia 0 Comments


¡¡¡Hola!!!

Pardon my long hiatus. I was a bit busy, and barely had a chance to compose an article. Now, I’m on a semester break, so I have plenty of time to write. This time, I’m writing about mother. I know, it’s not Mother’s Day, but there’s no mistake in writing about a mother, is there? Besides, Mother’s Day is supposed to be every day since her merits are beyond compare. Mothers need to be respected and appreciated every single day.

I’m sure we all know how great mothers are. In Islam, mother should be honoured three times more than that a father. It’s due to the difficult tasks a mother does for her children, even since they are still in the womb. Here is the hadith.
It was narrated that Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “A man came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, who among the people is most deserving of my good company?’ He said, ‘Your mother.’ He asked, ‘Then who?’ He said, ‘Your mother.’ He asked, ‘Then who?’ He said, ‘Your mother.’ He asked, ‘Then who?’ He said, ‘Then your father.’” (Narrated by al-Bukhari, 5626; Muslim, 2548)
Al- Hafiz ibn Hajar said: “Ibn Battaal said: what this means is that the mother should be honoured three times more than the father. He said, that is because of the difficulties of pregnancy, then giving birth, then breastfeeding."

Moreover, when mother gave birth to us, she is in between the death and life. No wonder Allah makes a mother died due to delivering baby a syuhada, the same level with those who died in a war defending Allah’s religion. Subhanallah.

Guys, don’t hurt her even just a slight. The chastisement for hurting mother will be very hard. In one hand, doing good deeds to mother will be given marvellous rewards. So, as long as your mother is still by your side, please her. I’m not as lucky as you whose mother is still there for you, but I still can show my obedience by sending her prayers every day. You know what? I listened to a song by Maher Zain titled The Number One for Me, and it slapped me so hard that I cried. Have a look at the piece of the lyric.

I was a foolish little child, crazy things I used to do, and all the pain I put you through, Mama now I’m here for you. For all the times I made you cry, the days I told you lies, now it’s  time for you to rise, for all the things you sacrificed. Oh, if I could turn back time rewind, if I could make it undone, I swear that I would, I would make it up to you. Mum I’m all grown up now, it’s a brand new day, I’d like to put a smile on your face everyday

My heart was aching when I was listening to this song. I know I didn’t do much for my mom back then, but I wish I had. I didn’t think that my mom would go that soon. I had been given over 16 years to be with my mother, and it should’ve been enough to please her and be obedient to her. However, I didn’t use my time efficiently. Now that I’ve lost her, I wish I didn’t do those foolish things that put her though pain. All I can do now is be a salihah (agreeable, pious) daughter and pray for her.

Pals, I’ve shared how I regret my inadequate obedience to my mother when she was still around. I hope after you read this, you will treat your mom well if she is still here. Read another writing about mother here to get motivated. If your mom has been by God’s side, then be a good kid for her, and send her prayers every day. Don’t worry, we still have the chance to make up our mistakes in many ways, insyaallah! ;)

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