~ Life Storyteller : Motivational and Inspirational Stories for You and Me ~

Motivational and Inspirational Stories for reflection of hearts and minds. As a Life Storyteller, Sis Zabrina, author of motivational book series Life is an Open Secret writes motivational stories based on life daily happenings that are grounded in spirituality. All stories are themed as motivational and inspirational. Islam is easy to follow, simple, relevant and complete. Read your motivational stories today from your Life Storyteller.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Motivational and Inspirational Story about Peace in this World

Bismillah

As Salaamu 'alaykum and peace to all,

Friday Reflection: Motivational and Inspirational Story about Peace in this World

Weeks ago, I came across a very graphic picture of a war victim. The sight of it made my heart bled immediately. And I looked at it for a few more seconds...

Ya Allah... the poor soul... I whispered softly before hitting the 'Open Tab' button on my laptop to continue my work

The poor soul?

Suddenly, I heard a voice in my head.

What do you mean poor soul, Zabrina? Is that the only thing you have to say? Is this the only reaction you have? Say poor soul, and then quickly go back to your normal life without doing anything to help your so-called 'poor soul'?

That sudden angry thought stumped and stopped me immediately.

I remembered what William Penn once said,

I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.

And I agree with him. I should do something for my fellow being now for I shall not pass this second, this moment, this way again!

But what can I do?

That question bothered me for weeks.

Then, one day, an email came into my inbox.

And at the subject line was this:

International Conference, Tribunal & Exhibition "Expose War Crimes - Criminalise War"

Alhamdulillah, perhaps this is the answer I am looking for...

Didn't Allah once said in His Holy Book,

'O Help ye one another in righteousness and piety, but help ye not one another in sin and transgression: fear God. for God is strict in punishment' (Quran 5:2)

Absolutely! The least I can do is help the people who are helping others, right?

And during the conference, I learn many heart-wrenching facts about crime against humanity, how brutal and cruel the so-called 'human' can really be, and little bit too many examples of what greed, power and uncontrolled desire can make humans do.

Nikki Giovanni once said,

In the name of peace
They waged the wars
Ain't they got no shame

I guess they dont, Nikki. They really and truly dont...

Allah has clearly said,

'O ye who believe! Enter into peace whole-heartedly; and follow not the footsteps of Satan (the evil one); for he is to you an avowed enemy' (Quran 2: 208)

SubhanAllah...

If only we all take heed on His Reminder, this world would be a lovely, beautiful and peaceful place to live in, you agree, my brothers and sisters?

I have decided to continue no matter how small the efforts I made to support peace in this world.

And to all the people in power, maybe you can take heed of what William Ewart Gladstone once said,

We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace.

Definitely, we really do, dear leaders! And maybe, just maybe, the world leaders can all start giving the Citizens of the World who had voted you into office what we really want.

And what is that?

Peace, Justice, Equality and Prosperity for Mankind.

Do you think you can?

And to all my friends out there, even if war looks so far from us, even if we are blessed living in harmony and peace, even if we are able to smile, giggle and laugh daily, always remember that there are other human beings in this world who are not so blessed; who cried in pain everyday from the wounds and torture, who were orphaned when the rooftop collapsed on their homes, who longed just for a simple gulp of water and a bite of bread...

As we remind ourselves of the sufferings of others in this world, let us listen to this beautiful song by Yusuf Islam entitled 'Peace Train'

And if we want what Yusuf Islam is saying in his song, let us all find in our hearts to Vote for Peace and help the ones who are in need.

Please vote here...

Sis Zabrina also known as Zabrina A. Bakar, is a Life Storyteller, motivational and inspirational writer and speaker; and author and creator of Islamic motivational book Life Open Secret book series http://wwww.LifeOpenSecret.com. She maintains an active blog at http://www.WisdomThruWords.blogspot.com. and social networking platform a Web 2.0 at http://www.LifeStoryteller.ning.com

Copyright © Sis Zabrina 2009

Sis Zabrina
Life Storyteller
Author of Life is an Open Secret Islamic Motivational Book Series:
Life is an Open Secret- Think about It
Life is an Open Secret- You, Me and We
Life is an Open Secret- Ramadan Special
Hidup Bukan Rahsia http://www.lifeopensecret.com

-18 Inspirational Stories from Ordinary life experiences-

Now blogging at http://www.wisdomthruwords.blogspot.com

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Favourite Videoclip: Life Is Like A Cup of Coffee - Motivational and Inspirational Video Movie about The Reality and Essence of Life

Bismillah

As Salaamu 'alaykum and peace to all,

Favourite Videoclip: Life Is Like A Cup of Coffee - Motivational and Inspirational Video Movie about The Reality and Essence of Life

I love the lessons shared in this video. It reminds me of what is really important in life.

Let me share the clip with you...

As I thought about the cup I choose to hold my coffee with, I remembered Allah's words,

Say: "My prayer and my rites, my living and my dying, are for Allah alone, the Lord of all the worlds." (Surat al-An'am: 162)

Reading this verse, I realized something significant.

That whatever cup I choose to hold, whatever coffee I want to drink- they all must and should be for Him and only Him, my Lord, my Creator, my Sustainer...

Ya Allaah... isn't this what the actual and real reason I am sent to this world?

Think about it...

Copyright © Sis Zabrina 2009

Sis Zabrina
Life Storyteller
Author of Life is an Open Secret Islamic Motivational Book Series:
Life is an Open Secret- Think about It
Life is an Open Secret- You, Me and We
Life is an Open Secret- Ramadan Special
Hidup Bukan Rahsia http://www.lifeopensecret.com

-18 Inspirational Stories from Ordinary life experiences-

Now blogging at http://www.wisdomthruwords.blogspot.com

~ Life Storyteller Blog: Your Source for Islamic Motivational and Inspirational Stories~

Tags : motivational stories, islamic stories, inspirational stories, spiritual stories, storyteller, muslim, islam, life is an open secret, motivational book, motivational quotes, short stories

Sis Zabrina, also known as Zabrina A. Bakar, is a Life Storyteller, motivational and inspirational writer and speaker; and author of Islamic motivational book series Life is an Open Secret http://www.lifeopensecret.com She maintains an active blog at http://www.wisdomthruwords.blogspot.com
and her personal Social Networking Platform http://www.LifeStoryteller.ning.com

Monday, October 26, 2009

Motivational and Inspirational Quotes from My Twitter Tweets and Facebook Updates - Monday 26th October 2009

Bismillah

As Salaamu 'alaykum and peace to all,

Quotes from My Twitter Tweets and Facebook Updates - Monday 26th October 2009

Zabrina A. Bakar ...

..... loves how simple Robert Byrne make life sounds when he said, 'The purpose of life is a life of purpose.'Question to self - Are mine purposeful enough?

..... agrees with Anthony J. D'Angelo, 'Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.' My Sunny Sunshine? Check! :-)

..... agrees with Mark Twain, 'The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up.' Ehem, anyone need cheering up? PLEASE call me!

..... wonders how much $$$ she has 'misspend' as Lilian Dickson said, 'Life is like a coin. You can spend it any way you wish,but you only spend it once.'

..... chuckles on Uncle Remus advice, 'You can't run away from trouble. There ain't no place that far.' Not even Timbaktu, Uncle ?

See you next week! :)

Sis Zabrina

Sis Zabrina's tweets are posted to her Facebook Profile. If you are on Facebook, be her friend!

Sis Zabrina also known as Zabrina A. Bakar, is a Life Storyteller, motivational and inspirational writer and speaker; and author and creator of Islamic motivational book Life Open Secret book series http://wwww.LifeOpenSecret.com. She maintains an active blog at http://www.WisdomThruWords.blogspot.com. and social networking platform a Web 2.0 at http://www.LifeStoryteller.ning.com

Copyright © Sis Zabrina 2009

Sis Zabrina
Life Storyteller
Author of Life is an Open Secret Islamic Motivational Book Series:
Life is an Open Secret- Think about It
Life is an Open Secret- You, Me and We
Life is an Open Secret- Ramadan Special
Hidup Bukan Rahsia http://www.lifeopensecret.com

-18 Inspirational Stories from Ordinary life experiences-

Now blogging at http://www.wisdomthruwords.blogspot.com

Friday, October 23, 2009

The Story of the Four Squares : Motivational and Inspirational Story about Simplicity in Life

Bismillah

As Salaamu 'alaykum and peace to all,

Friday Reflection: The Story of the Four Squares : Motivational and Inspirational Story about Simplicity in Life

That day I was reading one of my favourite financial guru's newsletter. And his financial advice for the week was this:

SIMPLIFY. SIMPLIFY. SIMPLIFY.

Yes, a multi-millionaire asking us, the multi-thousand(aires), multi-hundred(aires) and multi-ten(aires) to simplify! :)

How about that?

Amazing, isn't it? That such a rich and wealthy man, despite having the capability to buy, purchase and get whatever his eyes sets on- decided that NOPE, he wants to simplify his life, his lifestyle; and he asked us to do the same too!

And I am totally in love with that idea.

I remembered Socrates once asked a question,

'How many things are there which I do not want.'

And you know something, my brothers and sisters? I asked myself the same question too- all the time!

Sometimes I wonder, despite loving the idea of simplicity, at times, I tend to go for the complicated.

Like when I am hungry and wants to eat- I had to complicate things by thinking where and what to eat.

The point is- I am hungry, right? And what do my growling tummy wants?

Yup, you got it, food!

And does it care whether it is Arab food, Malay food, Mediterranean food, Western food or Chinese food?

Nope, absolutely not! As long as it is halal, it doesn't really matter the type of food I choose to put into my mouth, you agree?

As I reflected upon myself, I remembered our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) had once told us the actual value of simplicity in our lives.

He (pbuh) said,

“Will you not listen? Will you not listen? Will you not listen? Verily simplicity is a part of Imaan. Verily simplicity is a part of Imaan. Verily simplicity is a part of Imaan” (Abu Dawood).

SubhanAllah!

I was taken aback on the fact that, he (pbuh) the beloved of Allah, repeated 3 times of each set of sentence. And we all know what it means when something is being repeated 3 times, right?

Yes, it is IMPORTANT. Absolutely!

And what was the thing that our Messenger (pbuh) told us we werent listening about?

Verily simplicity is a part of Imaan...

Verily simplicity is a part of Imaan...

Verily simplicity is a part of Imaan...

Astaghfirullah...

I have decided that from today onwards, I will start watching my thoughts, my actions, my decisions and my lifestyle.

I must work on simplifying whatever that I can... inshaAllah...

Let me share with you an amazing test that I found on the internet about our tendency to complicate simple things...

Four Squares

View more presentations from treebeard31.

So, did you get the last part, my friends?

I felt like pulling my hair out when I saw the answer.

Indeed, I have a long way to go...

If there are anyone out there like me, let us work on this together, shall we?

Lets!

[Four Squares - Presentation Transcript

1. FOUR SQUARE QUESTIONS!
2. 4 Square Questions Look at the diagram carefully. Now, I will ask you FOUR questions about this square. Are you ready? B A D C
3. 4 Square Questions Q 1 Q 1 Divide the white area in square A into two equal pieces. Easy! Isn't it? B A D C
4. 4 Square Questions Q 1 Q 1 Divide the white area in square A into two equal pieces. Here is the answer! B A D C
5. 4 Square Questions Q 2 Q 2 Divide the white area in square B into three equal pieces. Not so difficult! B A D C
6. 4 Square Questions Q 2 Q 2 Divide the white area in square B into three equal pieces. Here is the answer! B A D C
7. 4 Square Questions Q 3 Q 3 Divide the white area in square C into four equal pieces. Very difficult? That's right! B A D C
8. 4 Square Questions Q 3 Q 3 Divide the white area in square C into four equal pieces. Here's the answer! B A D C
9. 4 Square Questions Be ready! Here comes the last question! B A D C
10. 4 Square Questions Q 4 Q 4 Divide the white area in square D into seven equal pieces. World Record is SEVEN seconds! B A D C
11. 4 Square Questions Q 4 Q 4 B A D C Divide the white area in square D into seven equal pieces. Any ideas?
12. 4 Square Questions Q 4 Q 4 B A D C Divide the white area in square D into seven equal pieces. Are you still puzzled?
13. 4 Square Questions Q 4 Q 4 B A D C Divide the white area in square D into seven equal pieces. Here’s the answer!
14. 4 Square Questions Q 4 Q 4 B A D C Divide the white area in square D into seven equal pieces. Was it really that tough?
15. 4 Square Questions Q 4 Q 4 B A D C Divide the white area in square D into seven equal pieces. If you didn't get the answer, it was just that your mind was conditioned to seek a complex solution!
16. 4 Square Questions
* Lessons learnt:
* Most of the times, our mind gets conditioned so much by the circumstances that we can not see the obvious.
* When we go to a specialist doctor with a simple headache, diagnosis starts from migraine, upwards!
* We assume that things are so complicated and we get entrapped in the ghost of it’s thoughts.
* We carry on the same syndrome to our relationships and make them complicated.
17. BE SIMPLE IN LIFE ! THE GREATNESS OF THIS MAN WAS HIS SIMPLICITY!
18. HAVE A NICE DAY! ]

Copyright © Sis Zabrina 2009

Sis Zabrina
Life Storyteller
Author of Life is an Open Secret Islamic Motivational Book Series:
Life is an Open Secret- Think about It
Life is an Open Secret- You, Me and We
Life is an Open Secret- Ramadan Special
Hidup Bukan Rahsia http://www.lifeopensecret.com

-18 Inspirational Stories from Ordinary life experiences-

Now blogging at http://www.wisdomthruwords.blogspot.com

Monday, October 19, 2009

Quotes from My Twitter Tweets and Facebook Updates - Monday 19th October 2009 - Motivational and Inspirational Quotes

Bismillah

As Salaamu 'alaykum and peace to all,

Quotes from My Twitter Tweets and Facebook Updates - Monday 19th October 2009

Zabrina A. Bakar ...

..... is honored to be in her friends' 'All My Friends' albums, 'There are big ships and small ships. But the best ship of all is friendship.' Thank you y'all!

..... learns @ her Eid visits Buckley was right, "Family faces are magic mirrors.Looking at people who belong to us,we see the past, present & future"

..... wonders Einstein words,'What does a fish know about the water in which it swims all its life?' Question-What do I know of the life I am living in?

..... knows she should follow Robert D Ballard advice when he said, “Don't confuse facts with reality.” But, the question is- which should win?

..... wonders how much she has dropped back while she was celebrating Eid this year as Chinese Proverb says, 'Learning is like rowing upstream: not to advance is to drop back.' Yikes!

Salaams and Love
Sis Zabrina

Sis Zabrina's tweets are posted to her Facebook Profile. If you are on Facebook, be her friend!

Sis Zabrina also known as Zabrina A. Bakar, is a Life Storyteller, motivational and inspirational writer and speaker; and author and creator of Islamic motivational book Life Open Secret book series http://wwww.LifeOpenSecret.com. She maintains an active blog at http://www.WisdomThruWords.blogspot.com. and social networking platform a Web 2.0 at http://www.LifeStoryteller.ning.com

Copyright © Sis Zabrina 2009

Sis Zabrina
Life Storyteller
Author of Life is an Open Secret Islamic Motivational Book Series:
Life is an Open Secret- Think about It
Life is an Open Secret- You, Me and We
Life is an Open Secret- Ramadan Special
Hidup Bukan Rahsia http://www.lifeopensecret.com

-18 Inspirational Stories from Ordinary life experiences-

Now blogging at http://www.wisdomthruwords.blogspot.com

Monday, October 12, 2009

Quotes from My Twitter Tweets and Facebook Updates - Monday 12th October 2009 - Motivational and Inspirational Quotes

Bismillah

As Salaamu 'alaykum and peace to all,

Quotes from My Twitter Tweets and Facebook Updates - Monday 12th October 2009

Zabrina A. Bakar ...

..... decides to delete the words 'If Only" from her vocabulary agreeing with Mercedes L., “If only. Those must be the two saddest words in the world.”

..... reflects her life to learn about herself as Soren Kierkegaard proposes, 'Life can only be understood backward, but it must be lived forward'

..... realizes she must make the time as what Charles Buxton said, 'You will never find time for anything. If you want the time, you must make it'

..... loves what Zig Ziglar said, 'When you turn to God you discover He has been facing you all the time.' SubhanAllah, so true...

..... refects words of Shaykh Nuh Keller, “Hearts without trust in God have to listen to a lot of advertisements from hell.” Oh no..Mayday!Mayday!

Hope you liked them all. See you next week!

Salaams and Love
Sis Zabrina

Sis Zabrina's tweets are posted to her Facebook Profile. If you are on Facebook, be her friend!

Sis Zabrina also known as Zabrina A. Bakar, is a Life Storyteller, motivational and inspirational writer and speaker; and author and creator of Islamic motivational book Life Open Secret book series http://wwww.LifeOpenSecret.com. She maintains an active blog at http://www.WisdomThruWords.blogspot.com. and social networking platform a Web 2.0 at http://www.LifeStoryteller.ning.com

Copyright © Sis Zabrina 2009

Sis Zabrina
Life Storyteller
Author of Life is an Open Secret Islamic Motivational Book Series:
Life is an Open Secret- Think about It
Life is an Open Secret- You, Me and We
Life is an Open Secret- Ramadan Special
Hidup Bukan Rahsia http://www.lifeopensecret.com

-18 Inspirational Stories from Ordinary life experiences-

Now blogging at http://www.wisdomthruwords.blogspot.com

Friday, October 09, 2009

Friday Reflection: The Tsunami Disaster in Indonesia September 2009: Motivational And Inspirational Story of Human Weakness and Dependability on God

Bismillah

As Salaamu 'alaykum and peace to all,

Friday Reflection: The Tsunami Disaster in Indonesia September 2009: Motivational And Inspirational Story of Human Weakness and Dependability on God

It was just another normal day. And I was just doing my normal thing.

Then, BREAKING NEWS flashed on my TV set. My favourite News Channel- Al Jazeera brought me a devastating news.

The news that has reminded me of His Words in His Book,

Never did We destroy a population that had not a term decreed and assigned beforehand. [Surat Al Hijr 15: 4]

Ya Allah, immediately, I felt my tummy cringed.

Which country is being hit this time? How bad is it?

I kept on reading the scrolling news at the bottom of the TV set that says something like this,

A huge earthquake has brought death and destruction to the Indonesia island of Sumatra.

Footage from the town of Padang show how the 7.6 magnitude temblor flattened homes and hospitals leaving thousands of people trapped under the rubble.

Residents scrambled to put out fires caused by the quake while rescue workers struggled to reach the coastal town after access roads were cut by a landslide.

Visual, I need visual! - I could almost hear myself screaming.

And the visual I so wanted to watch came on...

Hours later, as I sat reflecting on the natural disaster faced by biggest Muslim-populated country in the world, I realized how easy things can change in our lives.

One second we are getting ready for work, preparing for a meeting, eating, drinking, teaching, withdrawing money from ATM, climbing stairs, waiting for the kettle to boil, switching on the computer, giggling with friends- not knowing just in a few seconds things could change dramatically.

I imagined those were among the activities some of the people in Padang, Indonesia were doing when Tsunami hit them suddenly.

Ya Allah... please have mercy on their soul, and please give them strength to face this tribulation

Talking about tribulation, I remembered William Arthur Ward once said this,

“Wise are they who have learned these truths: Trouble is temporary. Time is tonic. Tribulation is a test tube.”

Exactly! Tribulation is a test tube. Test tube that is being shake and shaken non-stop until all and everything that is inside it are mixed up.

But, then, just like anything that is in a test tube, soon the shaking and 'experiment' will end, and it will definitely end, inshaAllah...

And I reminded myself that I should lengthen my prostrations to enable me to supplicate for my brothers and sisters, as what Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

“The closest that a person is to his Lord is when he is prostrating, so say a lot of du’aa’ then.” Narrated by Muslim, Abu Dawood and al-Nasaa’i.

And this would be my prayers for them, inshaAllah....
Ya Allah, please make the recovery fast and easy for the people of Indonesia; and for the families and victims of the Tsunami disaster September 2009, ameen...

Do you want to make your prostration longer too, my brothers and sisters?

Let's do it together!

Let's!~

Sis Zabrina also known as Zabrina A. Bakar, is a Life Storyteller, motivational and inspirational writer and speaker; and author and creator of Islamic motivational book Life Open Secret book series http://wwww.LifeOpenSecret.com. She maintains an active blog at http://www.WisdomThruWords.blogspot.com. and social networking platform a Web 2.0 at http://www.LifeStoryteller.ning.com

Copyright © Sis Zabrina 2009

Sis Zabrina
Life Storyteller
Author of Life is an Open Secret Islamic Motivational Book Series:
Life is an Open Secret- Think about It
Life is an Open Secret- You, Me and We
Life is an Open Secret- Ramadan Special
Hidup Bukan Rahsia http://www.lifeopensecret.com

-18 Inspirational Stories from Ordinary life experiences-

Now blogging at http://www.wisdomthruwords.blogspot.com

Monday, October 05, 2009

Quotes from My Twitter Tweets and Facebook Updates - Monday 10th October 2009 - Motivational and Inspirational Quotes

Bismillah

As Salaamu 'alaykum and peace to all,

Quotes from My Twitter Tweets and Facebook Updates - Monday 5th October 2009

Zabrina A. Bakar ...

..... believes William Ward has identified the cure when he said,"Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the handcuffs of hate."

..... gets it when reading Carl Schurz words, "Our country, right or wrong. When right to be kept right; when wrong to be put right". Absolutely!

..... is driven by Lincoln words,'I like to see a man proud of the place he lives in.I like to see a man live so that his place is proud of him'

..... agrees with Helen Keller, 'Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow'. Alhamdulillah for all the sunshines in my life...

..... Spanish saying,'A man too busy to take care of his health is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his tools'.Ramadan-tools caring time!

Sis Zabrina's tweets are posted to her Facebook Profile. If you are on Facebook, be her friend!

Sis Zabrina also known as Zabrina A. Bakar, is a Life Storyteller, motivational and inspirational writer and speaker; and author and creator of Islamic motivational book Life Open Secret book series http://wwww.LifeOpenSecret.com. She maintains an active blog at http://www.WisdomThruWords.blogspot.com. and social networking platform a Web 2.0 at http://www.LifeStoryteller.ning.com

Copyright © Sis Zabrina 2009

Sis Zabrina
Life Storyteller
Author of Life is an Open Secret Islamic Motivational Book Series:
Life is an Open Secret- Think about It
Life is an Open Secret- You, Me and We
Life is an Open Secret- Ramadan Special
Hidup Bukan Rahsia http://www.lifeopensecret.com

-18 Inspirational Stories from Ordinary life experiences-

Now blogging at http://www.wisdomthruwords.blogspot.com