I've also been thinking and writing about how to sit with my cocoon of safety while acknowledging the apocalypse has already happened for many people, many times. I hope we can all grow to see the end of the world not as some dystopian fiction but something to actively stave off. I hope our awareness of death can bring us closer to life rather than a society full of death cults and death wishes. Thank you for sharing your words and the potent hadeeth ❤️🩹
"I hope we can all grow to see the end of the world not as some dystopian fiction but something to actively stave off. I hope our awareness of death can bring us closer to life rather than a society full of death cults and death wishes. "
Thank you for that potent response. Aameen aameen to those prayers.
Oct 9·edited Oct 9Liked by Noha Beshir, Tahmina Begum
Thank you, Tahmina and Noha. For all the ways I strive to focus on goodness, on when and how people show up for each other, on the incomparable beauty of the non-human world, the awareness of the privilege inherent in the ease with which I can do so is always there, just one level deeper. I wrote, today, about rededicating myself to the practice of staying present. It is, in many ways, the most impactful act we can undertake.
Elizabeth, I love that recognition of the fact that even being able to focus on the goodness is a luxury and a privilege. Thanks also for sharing the piece you wrote, and for always being here and sharing your thoughts - I've come to look forward to our little chats in the comments.
Very timely. Nothing in this dunya feels real anymore. I think to myself if the only certainty in life is starting to feel more real in catastrophic ways, I might as well try to love the life I live and hold onto my faith. What else is there truly- Palestinians teach us life and teach us how to do so.
Yes, exactly this. Have you seen that short video from Palestine that says, "we teach life, sir?" I can't remember the details but it was so beautiful. They truly do teach the rest of us so much.
Yes! I’ve seen so many. They truly have exemplified to us how to live life. When I fall into despair I remind myself how they have not fallen into despair yet so why should I?
I’m out here in these streets having similar thoughts. I push them away so that I can keep going as if the world isn’t really ending, as if there are actual things to look forward to. As if there is hope.
I should definitely write and publish my memoir because it matters. It matters to do something to help others. It matters to leave a mark on the world that may no longer exist.
You can’t wake up and not wonder when tragic circumstances are going to knock on the door, and not wait to be given permission before they come in.
You should write and publish your memoir - I'm sure it would help so many people. The thing I keep coming back to is that even after the world ends (and it's been ending for so many people for decades and centuries) we'll all still have to get up and get on with it. The ending is cyclical. After it ends, people will still need the wisdom in that book.
I feel like we’re pushed towards this version of the world that’s supposed to be better - higher towers, faster cars, ovens you can set from outside the house. None of this matters to me… The overload of convenience is not impressive but depressing. Is this really the best we can do with all our tech?
Compassion, humility, connection amongst all humans would be that better world, right? Unfortunately the bigger, faster, more powerful, convenient version has allowed for the inverse human aspect.
Yet, the gratitude that’s risen as almost tangible - double espresso, foam oat, carrots, cucumbers, son, husband - is a saving grace. I feel sorry for those experiencing life the same as a year ago.
You're kind enough to feel sorry for them. I mostly feel betrayed by them, which is my shortcoming. I need to stop placing my faith in people over God.
I'm so grateful to you for accepting them and welcoming them. I struggle to explain the anxiety that's often there, under the surface, and then weigh it with the real traumas of our brothers and sisters.
It's so hard not to imagine the vines! I do wonder what makes us see them while other people don't. And I don't think it's an inherent pessimism because there are other areas of life where I'm so much MORE optimistic than hubby...
Let me know what you think re Moon of the Crusted Snow when you read it! It was a huge shift in perspective for me me...
Thank you, Noha ♥️ I share your same thoughts about all of it.. sometimes I have wondered if my brain was broken because the end of the world sometimes plays so frequently there. I feel less alone now ❤️🩹❤️🩹
It’s been reassuring to discover in the responses to this piece that I’m not the only one who can’t see the forward motions of “progress” as just that. Much love.
Mashallah. I resonate so incredibly deeply with this entire essay. There is no part that didn’t feel as if I was reading my thoughts on your page. May Allāh give mercy to those being destroyed, and Justice to those doing the destruction, and peace to those fighting to bring a better world. 🤲🏼❤️
I've also been thinking and writing about how to sit with my cocoon of safety while acknowledging the apocalypse has already happened for many people, many times. I hope we can all grow to see the end of the world not as some dystopian fiction but something to actively stave off. I hope our awareness of death can bring us closer to life rather than a society full of death cults and death wishes. Thank you for sharing your words and the potent hadeeth ❤️🩹
"I hope we can all grow to see the end of the world not as some dystopian fiction but something to actively stave off. I hope our awareness of death can bring us closer to life rather than a society full of death cults and death wishes. "
Thank you for that potent response. Aameen aameen to those prayers.
Thank you, Tahmina and Noha. For all the ways I strive to focus on goodness, on when and how people show up for each other, on the incomparable beauty of the non-human world, the awareness of the privilege inherent in the ease with which I can do so is always there, just one level deeper. I wrote, today, about rededicating myself to the practice of staying present. It is, in many ways, the most impactful act we can undertake.
https://elizabethbeggins.substack.com/p/on-the-contrary
Noha, as always, your insights are profound and honest. Tahmina, I'm grateful to you for amplifying them.
Elizabeth, I love that recognition of the fact that even being able to focus on the goodness is a luxury and a privilege. Thanks also for sharing the piece you wrote, and for always being here and sharing your thoughts - I've come to look forward to our little chats in the comments.
🥰
Thank YOU for being here ❤️
Very timely. Nothing in this dunya feels real anymore. I think to myself if the only certainty in life is starting to feel more real in catastrophic ways, I might as well try to love the life I live and hold onto my faith. What else is there truly- Palestinians teach us life and teach us how to do so.
Yes, exactly this. Have you seen that short video from Palestine that says, "we teach life, sir?" I can't remember the details but it was so beautiful. They truly do teach the rest of us so much.
Yes! I’ve seen so many. They truly have exemplified to us how to live life. When I fall into despair I remind myself how they have not fallen into despair yet so why should I?
Could not agree more ❤️
We have to hope for peace for all or all is lost.
We do, Mary. I try to remind myself that our prophet was hopeful even in the most hopeless of times.
Big AMEEEN to this sentiment ❤️
I’m out here in these streets having similar thoughts. I push them away so that I can keep going as if the world isn’t really ending, as if there are actual things to look forward to. As if there is hope.
I should definitely write and publish my memoir because it matters. It matters to do something to help others. It matters to leave a mark on the world that may no longer exist.
You can’t wake up and not wonder when tragic circumstances are going to knock on the door, and not wait to be given permission before they come in.
You should write and publish your memoir - I'm sure it would help so many people. The thing I keep coming back to is that even after the world ends (and it's been ending for so many people for decades and centuries) we'll all still have to get up and get on with it. The ending is cyclical. After it ends, people will still need the wisdom in that book.
Your obsessions are my obsessions.
I feel like we’re pushed towards this version of the world that’s supposed to be better - higher towers, faster cars, ovens you can set from outside the house. None of this matters to me… The overload of convenience is not impressive but depressing. Is this really the best we can do with all our tech?
Compassion, humility, connection amongst all humans would be that better world, right? Unfortunately the bigger, faster, more powerful, convenient version has allowed for the inverse human aspect.
Yet, the gratitude that’s risen as almost tangible - double espresso, foam oat, carrots, cucumbers, son, husband - is a saving grace. I feel sorry for those experiencing life the same as a year ago.
You're kind enough to feel sorry for them. I mostly feel betrayed by them, which is my shortcoming. I need to stop placing my faith in people over God.
No shortcomings. We are all learning…
Noha, so many lines in this piece took my breath away.
Indoor shoes.
Thank you so much, Gracie…
Beautiful writing as always. The world’s paper thin these days 😞
Paper thin. That is so true...
Noha, thank you for this. Thank you for letting us in.
I'm so grateful to you for accepting them and welcoming them. I struggle to explain the anxiety that's often there, under the surface, and then weigh it with the real traumas of our brothers and sisters.
This piece is extraordinary. I love everything Noha writes but this one—with the juxtaposition of our western comforts woven throughout—really hit me.
I am your husband in that when we lived in Seattle I used to follow the construction of every new highrise and tower with keen interest.
And I am you in that I often imagined them covered in vines at the end of the world.
And I just checked out Moon of the Crusted Snow!
It's so hard not to imagine the vines! I do wonder what makes us see them while other people don't. And I don't think it's an inherent pessimism because there are other areas of life where I'm so much MORE optimistic than hubby...
Let me know what you think re Moon of the Crusted Snow when you read it! It was a huge shift in perspective for me me...
It's hard not to have those thoughts these days, Noha. Thanks for expressing them.
And I love the last verse you shared. I think acknowledging the fact that we will die gives meaningful context to our lives.
I totally agree about meaning. It feels meaningless otherwise... That teaching is one of the most powerful I've heard...
Thank you, Noha ♥️ I share your same thoughts about all of it.. sometimes I have wondered if my brain was broken because the end of the world sometimes plays so frequently there. I feel less alone now ❤️🩹❤️🩹
It’s been reassuring to discover in the responses to this piece that I’m not the only one who can’t see the forward motions of “progress” as just that. Much love.
Mashallah. I resonate so incredibly deeply with this entire essay. There is no part that didn’t feel as if I was reading my thoughts on your page. May Allāh give mercy to those being destroyed, and Justice to those doing the destruction, and peace to those fighting to bring a better world. 🤲🏼❤️
💔💔💔
Beautiful and heart breaking (and opening) writing. I offer this from a friend…https://open.substack.com/pub/joshliveright/p/a-call-for-global-keening-caoineadh?r=5hemq&utm_medium=ios
Thank you so much Josh. Looking forward to reading your offering as well.