A person I deeply know applied for membership to a community for expats who aim to support fellow expats. His primary purpose in joining this community is to grow and serve with his countrymen who are based abroad. He received a rejection letter and the reasons were not clearly stated. We all know for a fact that social discrimination in all colors and flavors still exist. But to get rejected by one's countrymen who are expected to support people of their own is a powerful slap on the face. It's similar to what we call "crab mentality," a metaphor that means "if I can't have it, neither can you."

 

I do not claim to be all-knowing and perfect but I just want to represent a certain voice of society in this blog post. I want to be that voice that cries out for the people who have been wrongly and unfairly judged ... The people who have been stereotyped according to race, religion, financial and civil status, cultural background, geographical location, societal class, educational and work qualifications,  fashion sense ... The list goes on. I want to be the voice of the people on whom full opinions, assumptions and impressions were created based on these stereotypes and half the facts ... Because if I prefer to remain silent and turn a blind eye to the unjust sufferings of my neighbors, this global social problem will persist and trillions will continue to work hard towards their goals of uplifting the world, only to see their dreams crushed by the others. 

 

Humanity, when are we going to learn? When are we going to start accepting and supporting each other towards a better world? By shunning our neighbors, by restricting them to who they are now and not allowing them to be who they want to be and to do what they want to do for themselves and for this world, we are trampling upon the very core of our existence, the foundation of humanity. Every person's potential is not fully realized unless he's given the freedom to do so.

 

To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity. - Nelson Mandela

I am still based in the UAE, a melting pot of diverse cultural backgrounds. I love hanging out with people from different races, communities and social groups. Don't be surprised if you see me joking with a cleaner across the street or chatting up a business executive in a suit. That's just me being me. I have always seen the world without borders. Humanity is my family and the world is my home. 

After A Long Hiatus ... I'm Back!!!

Hi everyone! After a long hiatus, The Little Rascal is back!!! I quickly went over my previous blog posts and decided that eventhough some YouTube videos and links I posted eons ago are no longer working, I'm going to leave them like that. Everyone and everything are works in progress after all. Let this blog witness how I have learned and evolved over the years. If I sound different now, it's because I am different now. I would like to believe that the life I have always wanted for myself is finally just waiting around the corner. I take big leaps towards it at times. Sometimes I slow down and take baby steps. Well, that's just me. I've always been happy living in my own shell. I'm unique just like everyone else. I am God's poetic masterpiece. You'll be hearing more often from me now. Cheers! :-)

Rainbow Connection - Weezer and Hayley Williams

My nephew Draco's fave song ... Awwwww ...

Iftar Night with the Black Culture Experience (BCE) Group

To all the beautiful souls who were present that night, you've definitely earned special slots in my memory lane :-) ...

 

Our cups of friendship
Filled with the finest conversations
Steeped in warm memories
That lovely Iftar night

 



Beethoven's 5 Secrets - One Republic (Cover by The Piano Guys)

Madiba says ...

Marius and Cosette - A Quote from Les Miserables

fineartamerica.com

“Marius and Cosette were in the dark in regard to each other. They did not speak, they did not bow, they were not acquainted; they saw each other; and, like the stars in the sky separated by millions of leagues, they lived by gazing upon each other.”

- Victor Hugo, Les Miserables

Major Turnoff for Women

HAHAHAHA! Major turnoff.

Ardella

I'd like to thank Gox for educating me about the Harlem Renaissance. I appreciate you. This beautiful poem was written by Langston Hughes, a great poet and leader of that significant period in history.

 

Ardella

I would liken you
To a night without stars
Were it not for your eyes.
I would liken you
To a sleep without dreams
Were it not for your songs.

 

 



Always on My Mind - Michael Buble

Love the song ... Michael Buble is a wonderful crooner. :-)

A Quote from Bob Marley

“Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.”   

--- Bob Marley

 

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As the clouds open their doors to shed

Volumes of answers to our silent questions

Abundant graces fill the cup we share

The sun sets on our destiny

And our footsteps close in

Reaching a single path.

Fake Friends vs Real Friends

A Long Walk - Jill Scott

An Irish Blessing



Source: zeninsights.com

May the blessing of the rain be on you—
the soft sweet rain.
May it fall upon your spirit
so that all the little flowers may spring up,
and shed their sweetness on the air.
May the blessing of the great rains be on you,
may they beat upon your spirit
and wash it fair and clean,
and leave there many a shining pool
where the blue of heaven shines,
and sometimes a star.
--- An Irish Blessing

Musings on a Friday - Technology

Technology ... Such a powerful word in this age of gadgets and gizmos. I had a discussion with my friend months ago regarding the role of technology in the world today. Technology, just like any other, has its pros and cons.

 

Technology has definitely made life easier for all. Everything is at one's fingertips. My only concern is, if we won't be very careful, people will start to become anonymous and interactions will start to become impersonal.

 

Whenever I go to restaurants, I see families who eat together. This would have been their perfect bonding time if not for the fact that some of them spend more time on their phones than actually talking to each other. I've witnessed some friends and couples who hang out together but do the same thing. Spend more time on their gadgets and gizmos than with each other. 

 

Technology has made it easier for us to widen our social circle. I have nothing against this. I have met awesome people online. I do believe though that if one decides to take friendships and relationships seriously, interactions should not stay online. It should get more personal than that. Gone are the days when a guy surprises you with a bouquet of flowers during a date. This rarely happens now because there's an easier alternative to that. He can just simply send flower icons to your phone. Random calls throughout the day that burn those landlines are slowly dying out as well. SMS and social media messages are slowly taking their place. Heck, couples can even go on virtual dates instead of meeting each other in person.

 

I am not against technology. These examples are okay if they don't happen frequently. Let's not dehumanize our lives.

 

I miss receiving postcards. I miss getting letters through snail mail. I miss hanging out with my dear ones and spending the entire time just focusing on each other. Well, that's what quality time is for.

 

Yes, I miss being "human" and spending time with "humans." I welcome technology but let it not kill the very essence of humanity.    

Life was much easier when ...

HAHAHA! Seriously missin' the good old days ...

 



Hey Soul Sister - Train

I am the Rain

I am the rain ... In every way ...

I am the rain ...
I fall
Bravely
Celebrating every drop
As I hit the ground
My purpose
Unquestioned.

I am the rain ...
I shimmer
Under the moonlight
As I tiptoe on your skin.

I am the rain ...
I tease your tastebuds
Add flavor to monotony.

I am the rain ...
My presence is constant
Gently coming and going
In your life.

I am the rain ...
A cascade of infinite possibilities
Flowing
Not resisting
Everything.