The Omen

I've been busy again lately. I've wanted to write about my recent self-discovery. Its got something to do with my recent bout of sickness. My last post serves as a reminder to what I am supposed to write.

While I was lying sick in bed, there was one time I thought "What if today is the day that I die?" I thought about it for a while... after a few second of thinking I thought there's nothing wrong with dying today. If that is God's will then I am ok with it.

When I got better, I remember thinking about it again and my answer was different. I don’t think I have enough good deeds in my pocket yet. I didn’t want to die anymore. But at the same time I am not as afraid to meet God, as I was before this.

And the reason is because while I was lying sick in bed I read a really inspiring book. The Alchemist was written by Paulo Coelho.

I was reading it during my schlumping period. I like to think that it was Allah’s will to let me read this book at this time. The book bursts with optimism and it makes you feel that everything is possible if you only put your mind and effort into it. It inspires me and made me think about my life and my spiritual belief. In a way it forces me to stop and look at where I am now and reflect upon my past deeds.

The book is about following dreams, observing omens from God and adventure of life. It is about a boy, Santiago, who had a dream and had the courage to follow it. The book relates on his journey of self discovery, his exploration of his hidden treasure and omens from God. Which I now believe is everywhere if we only look and believe. It reminds me of how generous Allah can be to those who seek.

Before going on his voyage, his father’s advice was “Travel the world until you see that our castle is the greatest and our women the most beautiful” In his journey, Santiago sees the greatness of the world, and meets all kinds of exciting people like kings and alchemists. However, by the end of the novel, he discovers that "treasure lies where your heart belongs", and that the treasure was the journey itself, the discoveries he made, and the wisdom he acquired.

The king that Santiago met told him “when you really want something to happen, the whole universe conspires so that your wish comes true”.

I used to think that maybe I shouldn’t ask Allah for too many things and for help every time I’m in a bind. But I realize that that kind of thinking is the thinking of someone who is too proud. And who am I to be proud in the presence of Allah? My mom’s advice to me is “Be humble, because to be humble is to be great.” She is so right. There will always be something we need to learn everyday. There will always someone better or worse than us.