Sadiya sailed through with sound success.
And all her knees bow to knowledge.
Doubled it, learning science and Islam.
In a straightforward and difficult manner.
Yelling at ignorance and misconduct.
Around her life's circle forever.

I gave up my intellectual mind at least 40 years ago as I recognised that it would  not guarantee or contribute to my happiness, success or fulfilment-- this mode of thinking would tend to impede my spontaneity, joie de vivre, sense of adventure, wonder and curiosity which I deem to be my raison d'être for living.

I've found from my experience that, in many cases, intellectuals have fixed and rigid mindsets and, as such, become inflexible and even intolerant and arrogant.  Being insular and inward-looking,  they find it hard to accept the views of others, even their colleagues' or peers'.
Their thinking tends to be along this line:  I'm an authority on this subject....'.

Such people don't make good company and might not attract others to become their friends.

They can also be awfully boring.  I attended a social dinner many years ago and happened to be sitting next to an academic whose field was chemistry.  He went on non-stop for a hour telling me and those around that he had written over 50 research papers and had received various awards.  His  wife seemed ravished by his outpouring.

The hallmark of a mature person ( Confucius in 600 BCE used the terms ' superior person' and 'the gentlemen' ) lies in their humility, grace, broadmindedness, tolerance, kindness, generosity, respect for others , sense of humour, willingness to share and co-operate, and, last but not least,  their altruism as manifested in their charity and contribution to society and the nation. Confucianism regarded people as part of society and that they were measured by the good they contributed.

Tolstoy in his later years suffered from a deep spiritual crisis. In his Confessions, he wrote that intellectualism stifled his life. He looked at the common people and was amazed that they were able to bear sorrow with such courage and equanimity which he would be unable to.  He said that as soon as he cast away his intellectual life, he was cured of his existential angst.  What a revelation!

I conclude:  happiness and fulfilment is found in understanding ourselves and our place and station in life, in living in simplicity and in harmony with our fellow-men, in kindness, humility and humaneness.  All this has nothing to do with being 'intellectual'.

Dear,
If you were here with me,
I’d drape my coat over us
so the unsympathetic winds
will pass over you, no fuss.
once you learn why
I did what I had to do,
in your heart, you surely will construe.

Cracked SOLES extorted
because third worlds must cry
YOURS are rubberized

we met again,
two strangers,
carrying the same memories.

time stopped too,
when our eyes met,
whispered hello.

but this time,
we walked away,
knowing the future.

You've conquered
every empire
of the world
but are still empty
as you've failed
to conquer yourself

time rushes on
too soon you'll become old
and discover you've
nothing of value to hold

you'll sadly say then
'  All this is but a burden-
   will anyone take over
    from me?  It's free--a present!'

(A lone voice whispers)


As a person, you must know

Deep down

You're part of one of the most spiritually

Illuminating

Literary movements there has ever been

A gift sent to you for self-expression from The Great In-Between

A means to pull down old towers with new or old siege hooks

Open closed doors
By maybe writing a blog or book

To walk through anthills and moors

Of poetic stanzas

To find who you really are
As you pause and really look

For above all things
Magic in poetry is real

A form of rebellion from the mundane

A resolution
A Bonanza

To push back boundaries in a form of grassroots resistance

To power and social control

To be able to purge the destructive nature of humanity and the need to share its beauty

To those watching on patrol

As they go
For you are so gifted

So never be afraid to share your Illumination of the soul

For someone somewhere
Always needs to be lifted


(C)
Copyright John Duffy

Let the sea and all its creatures praise the Lord
The skies filled with birds sing their song of praise
Let the rivers and streams clap their hands
The hills come alive with the sound of music
Let the song of the Lord be heard in distant lands
Shout with joy all you people here below
On cymbals, and strings, and trumpets blow
Make music for Him who gave us breath
Sing a new song to the victor o'er death
The Lord has done great things for us
Our eyes have seen His wondrous deeds
He remembers us and He loves us
His face has shone down upon us
He is faithful and just, righteous and true
The designer of the universe also created you
Sing with your voices, sing with your mind
Sing with your body, sing out all mankind
Sing from your soul, sing from your heart
Sing so every fiber of your being's taking part
Find a brand-new way to sing His praise
Let it permeate your nights and your days
Go out and create!

We are made to Create, Recreate, Procreate. We ourselves were created and creation, by definition, is life giving. We were made for LIFE. A song may take on a life of its own in our hearts and in our lives. A painting, a picture, a story, can seem to come alive, and bring other things to life. It is what drives us, pushes us, challenges us. It is what makes us special, and beautiful, and unique and it is why, when we come together, seemingly miraculous things can happen. Each of us has gifts, talents, graces, different than another person. We create (and are creative) in many different forms and areas.

My challenge is this: find out in what ways you are creative or can be creative and come up with something positive, something new, something that you can give life to and, in turn, something that gives you life. Find (at least) one place to be creative and do it. Make it happen. Celebrate LIFE and see the life and joy it can bring to those around you. Perhaps it will inspire someone else to create. Work with people who are/think/see differently. We were never meant to create in a vacuum. It takes at least two to make LIFE.

May God bless and keep you and your loved ones safe and close this year. May your days be filled with Joy and your nights be full of His Peace!

Praise the name of Jesus
Praise His Holy Name
Praise the one who loved us
Praise the victim who was slain
Praise the only Son of God
Praise the everlasting King
Speak His name and bring him laud
Praise the life-giving spring
Praise to Him the living word
Praise to Him the Holy Ghost
Praise to Him who took on flesh
Praise the Lord God of Host
Praise the Holy Name of Jesus
Praise to Him the great I AM
Praise the pure and spotless lamb
Praise the mystery and the gift
Praise the one whose name you lift
Blessing, honor, and Glory Be
To God, in persons, one and three