Frozen stranger things pizza

The example of those who spend their wealth in the cause of Allah is that of a grain that sprouts into seven ears, each bearing one hundred grains. And Allah multiplies The reward even more’ to whoever He wills. For Allah is All-Bountiful, All-Knowing. 2:261

This verse praises the act of sincere charity with the metaphor of a corn crop which multiplies by ears and grains of corn. There are multiple interpretations for this metaphor. Some say it refers to the multiplicity/infinity of the heavenly rewards and the power that charity has or that of a simple charity act being multiplied in good deeds and significance. Another view is that it describes the ripple effect and power that a small act of charity can have that multiplies and benefits much more people that can be intended. An example of donating a water well which could benefit tons of people for years yet seems such a small act. And some see this verse as karmic to say that charity multiples and will benefit the giver materially as well. There are some nde stories in which a person is shown a small charitable act (watering a plant or feeding a bird) which we would consider insignificant yet this act is praised and loved by all beings in the realms for the love that goes into it.

And by the soul and ˹the One˺ Who fashioned it, then with ˹the knowledge of˺ right and wrong inspired it! Successful indeed is the one who purifies their soul 91:7-9

This verse speaks to the concept of objective morality and human intuition towards right and wrong. The successful are those who hone their intuition towards the good. To purify the soul is to develop virtue and cleanse the ego. To control the lower self of its demons like extravagance, greed, arrogance etc . These are very difficult and take years to control. I am also reminded about the levels of being in sufism and opening of chakras.

Worship God; join nothing with Him. Be good to your parents, to relatives, to orphans, to the needy, to neighbours near and far, to travellers in need, and to your slaves. God does not like arrogant, boastful people 4:36

This verse I like as it envisions warmth, hospitality and altruism to all beings, whether you know them or not. It envisions the famous African philosophy of Ubuntu which says "I am as you are" In its ideal form you would offer strangers and travellers food and stay, you would help others if you had the means as if they are your own family, going out of your way for them. To do this you need to humble and quiet the ego as the more arrogant are more likely to disregard kindness to strangers.

I did not create jinn and humans except to worship me. I seek no provision from them, nor do I need them to feed Me. 51:56-57

This verse is often criticized as being egotistic but the next verse to it forces us to think deeper about what this service to God really is. If God has no need for human worship. In fact verse 56 and 57 seem to oppose each other as a paradox. Some attempt to solve this by appealing to the concept of ibadah (service/worship) as being a multi level concept where worship is not merely a state of singing hymms and prayers all day long but as seeing all types of good deeds and deeds that fit into the attributes of God. For example the good, the true and the beautiful. For example charity, prayer, seeking wisdom, knowledge, creating art, providing for others etc are all thus acts manifesting the attributes of God.

That is why We ordained for the Children of Israel that whoever takes a life—unless as a punishment for murder or mischief in the land—it will be as if they killed all of humanity; and whoever saves a life, it will be as if they saved all of humanity 5:32

The sacredness of human life and intrinsic value is highlighted here as the verse shows the greatness of saving a life of somebody as well as the consequences of taking someones life without a just cause. To save a life through whatever means such as taking a bullet, defending people, donating an organ etc are all very noble acts reminiscent of a martyr and are in some metaphysical sense the worth of saving the world.

The Day when neither wealth nor children will be of any benefit. except to him who will come to God with a sound heart. 26:89

A sound heart is the sincere heart free of hypocrisy. Something we all fall prey to.

This worldly life is no more than play and amusement. But the Hereafter is indeed the real life, if only they knew. 29:64

From the higher world perspective this world is seen as simply a simulation, a dream or game which people take so seriously as if it is the only world there is. From the human POV this world is all we ever know and is thus the most important & real thing to pay attention to. The material achievements of this world are seen as most important. However this verse reverses the human view in stating that the hereafter is the real life worth much more which we cannot conceive of. Imagine if we had access to this hereafter life and witnessed for ourselves the joy this life has to offer. How would this impact the way we see this life. This is food for thought.

Know that this worldly life is no more than play, amusement, luxury, mutual boasting, and competition in wealth and children. This is like rain that causes plants to grow, to the delight of the planters. But later the plants dry up and you see them wither, then they are reduced to chaff. And in the Hereafter there will be either severe punishment or forgiveness and pleasure of Allah, whereas the life of this world is no more than the delusion of enjoyment. 57:20

This verse sums up the nature of the world as capitalistic societies that endlessly run like a perpetual motor through time. We often live pretence filled lives in endlessly competing with each other in money, prestige and importance. At the social level between families and individuals and at the macro level of politics and organisations. This ego pumping competition is good for a while but it cannot give us peace. There is something very illusory and pretentious about this false world of materialism that takes a spiritual awakening to perceive. The verse conveys a Buddhist vibe of the material desires as illusory.

And give them a parable of this worldly life. ˹It is˺ like the plants of the earth, thriving when sustained by the rain We send down from the sky. Then they ˹soon˺ turn into chaff scattered by the wind. And Allah is fully capable of ˹doing˺ all things. 18:45

This parable speaks alot to the nature of earthly happiness. It speaks of the diminishing law of returns whereby most things that we consider good eventually loses its appeal. Anticipation of the thing is always greater than the gaining of a thing. There are many examples in psychological studies that show pain in life overwhelm lifes pleasures for example, losses in life hurt more than gains feel good, losing a friend hurts more than gaining a new friend. Bad life events impact us emotionally more than good life events do. We judge people more on their bad than their good. Many more examples.

He will ask 'them', “How many years did you remain on earth?” They will reply, “We remained 'only' a day or part of a day. But ask those who kept count.” . He will say, “You only remained for a little while, if only you knew. Did you then think that We had created you without purpose, and that you would never be returned to Us?” 23:112-115

The nature of this world as waking up from a dream is fascinating to behold. From our perspective this world has so much power on us and we perceive time so strongly. To perceive a whole lifetime as simply a day blip is incredible to behold. Time is a force which has so much power on us. We are always stuck in the present moment unable to access the past and our perception of time can be warped by many factors. This passage makes the world and this life seem so irrelevant

Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. His lights is like a niche in which there is a lamp, the lamp is in a crystal, the crystal is like a shining star, lit from 'the oil of’ a blessed olive tree, 'located' neither to the east nor the westj7^] whose oil would almost glow, even without being touched by fire. Light upon light! Allah guides whoever He wills to His light. And Allah sets forth parables for humanity. For Allah has 'perfect’ knowledge of all things. 24:35

Another very mystical verse with multiple interpretations each one as interesting as the next. Light is a attribute of God, literally and metaphorically. It represents the idea of enlightenment and inner aliveness. One view sees the parable of light as a spiritual light within a persons heart. God as light is the source of truth and and the locus which brings out the good. Each object here represents layers of light. Light in all aspects of the soul conveys the ideal of perfection. The light of morality, intellect, heart, vision, knowledge, wisdom etc.

So when I have fashioned him and had a spirit of My Own 'creation I breathed into him, fall down in prostration to him.” 15:29

This verse reminds me of the eastern concept of cosmic consciousness and humans as being a drop returning to the ocean. In some sense a divine aspect has been given from god to humanity. Some translators try to avoid translating it as breathed into adam of MY spirit to avoid similarities to pantheism and panentheism.

They ask you 'O Prophet’ about the spirit. Say, “Its nature is known only to my Lord, and you 'O humanity’ have been given but little knowledge.” 17:85

Consiousness remains an elusive mystery, one which baffles all people.

Remember' when your Lord said to the angels, “I am going to place a successive 'human' authority on earth.” They asked 'Allah', “Will You place in it someone who will spread corruption there and shed blood while we glorify Your praises and proclaim Your holiness?” Allah responded, “I know what you do not know.” He taught Adam the names of all things, then He presented them to the angels and said, “Tell Me the names of these, if what you say is true? 2:30

This verse is famous for implying adam as being some successor to previous beings on the earth and is famous for demonstrating the Angel's shock at the evil in the world something we humans can relate to greatly. It also speaks to the origin of language. If such high pure beings such as angels can become appalled at the evil of the world, how much more appalled and troubled are we mere mortals.

Indeed, We offered the trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, but they 'all' declined to bear it, being fearful of it. But humanity assumed it, 'for' they are truly wrongful 'to themselves' and ignorant 'of the consequences' 33:72 & 41:12

This verse is unique when comparing to the Bible & rings similar to a concept found in some ndes of people choosing to incarnate on earth for some spiritual growth or to gain the reward. It also gives an impression of the cosmos being sentient something also found in the Psalms & in NDE anecdotes. In some anecdotes people report feeling the happiness of the plants and sensing the environment as being alive.

Never take those killed in the way of Allah as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, well-provided rejoicing in Allah’s bounties and being delighted for those yet to join them. There will be no fear for them, nor will they grieve. 3:169-170

This verse is interesting and speaks to some conscious state after death whereby these martyrs are happy and thriving. It is often asked what happens after death to people. Are they simply asleep waiting to resurrect or are they conscious in some other realm. This verse would also correspond to NDEs in which dead people are conscious in some realm where space-time works differently.

God takes the souls of the dead and the souls of the living while they sleep- He keeps hold of those whose death He has ordained and sends the others back until their appointed time- there truly are signs in this for those who reflect. 39:42

This suggests some soul journey, in other words at sleep the consciousness of a person travels to some other realm. Its interesting that some believe that certain dreams are unconsious astral travelling to other realms & lucid dreaming is part of the astral realm. Dreams & the subconscious still remain a mystery.

Exalted in Rank, Lord of the Throne: He causes the spirit to descend on whomsoever of His servants He pleases so as to warn them of the Day of Encounter 40:15

I am often reminded by this verse of Christians who say they are filled with the holy spirit. It signifies some sort of spiritual awakening. In this verse a similar idea exists. Some interpret this spirit to be the holy spirit ie Gabriel but others see it as the spirit of inspiration or revelation.

Whoever does good, it is to their own benefit. And whoever does evil, it is to their own loss. Then to your Lord you will 'all' be returned. 45:15

These are very karmic thinking with all good leading to good karma and bad leading to bad karma. In some nde stories people have life reviews in which they can feel the good done to others and the bad done to others as if it's their own.

The seven heavens, the earth, and all those in them glorify Him. There is not a single thing that does not glorify His praises—but you ˹simply˺ cannot comprehend their glorification. He is indeed Most Forbearing, All-Forgiving. 17:44

This speaks to some sort of metaphysical glorification whereby everything of nature and the cosmos is a manifestation of divine spirit. The animals, the oceans, land and celestial bodies all are in their natural path each with their own system resonating a mystical awe of the creator.

Had We sent down this Quran upon a mountain, you would have certainly seen it humbled and torn apart in awe of Allah. We set forth such comparisons for people, ˹so˺ perhaps they may reflect 59:21

This metaphor is an intriguing way of describing the majestic nature of what would be called the speech of the creator. It conveys the awesomeness of the divine speech.

Say, 'O Prophet,’ “If the ocean were ink for 'writing’ the Words of my Lord, it would certainly run out before the Words of my Lord were finished, even if We refilled it with its equal.” 18:109

This metaphor uses the imagery of oceans to illustrate the omniscience and omnipotence of God. If we were to take this verse literally it would of course imply that the creators power is limited to an ocean or two. The ocean is thus used as an image to show that the knowledge of God cannot be contained in a finite book. Some food for thought are the concepts of omni knowledge & power. Its is inconceivable for finite beings like ourselves to fathom what it could mean to be an omnibeing. Would the creator have knowledge of a finite or infinite amount of things. Would he be able to create an infinite amount of different colors, foods or sounds. These are mysteries of the infinite which we cannot comprehend.

This is truly a glorious Quran. ˹recorded˺ in a Preserved Tablet. 85:21-22
No! Indeed, the record of the righteous is in ʿilliyyūn. And what can make you know what is ʿilliyyūn? A written record, witnessed by those nearest ˹to Allah˺. 83:18-21
Each person has guardian angels before him and behind, watching over him by God’s command 13:11

Who these beings are, where are they with you and what purpose do they serve are indeed good questions. Do they literally guard or is this a metaphor for guidance

Indeed, Allah is the Knower of the unseen of the heavens and the earth. He surely knows best what is ˹hidden˺ in the heart. 35 38

To best know what is in the heart is to have the capacity to experience the consciousness of another in perfect empathy. This concept of omni subjectivity is considered a necessity of omniscience. To be able to not only know the suffering a person goes through but to actually be able to experience it as they do. To be able to feel the grief of losing someone, of being depressed, of cramps, of every teardrop.

But the Lord of Mercy will give love to those who believe and do righteous deeds 19:96

Love is a complex idea that occurs in multiple forms. The love of unity, of attachment, of compassion, passion, friendship, romantic etc. Divine love could be considered the combination of all these forms. Some beautiful descriptions exist in nde anecdotes. One person reports a feeling of waves and waves of cleansing white love soaking them as if they were under a waterfall. Another describes feeling as if they were the last and most important baby to exist. Another describes the feeling of being touched by something amazing, a piece of music for example and the feeling being multiplied millions of times.

And He is the Most-Forgiving, the Most-Loving, 85:14
But My mercy encompasses all things 7:156
Indeed, We granted David a ˹great˺ privilege from Us, ˹commanding:˺ “O mountains! Echo his hymns! And the birds as well.” We made iron mouldable for him. 34:10

Music & poetry is the one thing on earth that has the ability to convey subtle & complex emotions that language has no words for. It can inspire & invigorate. The sound of birds singing remind us of a peaceful melodious state in nature. Certain music pieces can bring about feelings of spiritual awe, feeding the soul taking you beyond the mundane into a mystical state. A good melody can illuminate and a good harmony of melodies transports you to other realms. Likewise the melodic singing of the creators word can inspire feelings of awe.

No soul can imagine what joys are kept in store for them as a reward for what they used to do

32:17 - This verse speaks to the heavenly realms having happiness that is unable to be put in words and unable to be conceived by people in their normal waking life. It may refer to pleasures that are beyond what the physical world can offer or to the intensity of joy which cannot be imagined and quantified. It's also interesting to note that in some ndes people report hearing music that no earthly music could compare to and to seeing colors that dont exist in this world at all. What other surprises could exist in such a realm is a mystery to be very curious of.

We are your supporters in this worldly life and in the Hereafter. There you will have whatever your souls desire, and there you will have whatever you ask for. An accommodation from the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful 'Lord’.” 41:31

This one in particular is interesting as it seems repetitive but it is mentioning two different things ie having all the desires you ask for but also all the subconscious hidden desires of the soul that remain buried deep within us we dont even know it. There are different types of desires. There are desires by word (can be put into words), desire by mind (can imagine but hard to put into words), desire by heart (have an intuition but is hard to put in words and to imagine) and desire by unseen (those only an omniscient being could know of). Cognitive science talks of the self, the ego and persona which are separated by filters which filter out subconscious feelings.

The description of the Paradise promised to the righteous is that in it are rivers of fresh water, rivers of milk that never changes in taste, rivers of wine delicious to drink, and rivers of pure honey. There they will ˹also˺ have all kinds of fruit, and forgiveness from their Lord. 47:15

This is often seen as a reason to consider the hell and heaven descriptions as mainly metaphors over being literal. One sufi view sees these four drinks as symbols for differing things. The water signifies divine clarity and purity which refreshes & cleanses the soul with vitality, the milk signifies the strength, knowledge ,enlightenment and growth that nourishes the soul. The wine signifies divine bliss and a state of ecstasy. The honey signifies the sweetness of divine love which is the golden essence of mystical union. The fruits signify all the attributes of God.

Enter it in peace. This is the Day of eternal life!” There they will have whatever they desire, and with Us is ˹even˺ more. 50:34-35

This verse represents the hidden desires of the unseen which the limited brain of the material world cannot comprehend. Some interpret this as the beatific vision and others as things that no eye has seen, no ear has heard and no heart has imagined.

And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a paradise as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous 3:133

This verse conveys the grandeur and sheer size of the paradisal realms. Of course space and time could work completely differently in another realm and the concept of more space would be a meaningless concept. The verse should rather be taken as a metaphor to mean that an abundance of space is always available as needed.

And whoever will come to Him as believer, having done righteous deeds, for such people there are the highest ranks. The Gardens of Eternity, under which rivers flow, where they will stay forever. That is the reward of those who purify themselves. 20:75-76

Water is the source of life, soothing and purification. It signifies the feeling of peace through the sound, texture and coolness of water. Forests, waterfalls, gardens and fountains are universal symbols of peace & symbolize the primordial connection to nature a time when man is able to feel awe much more than a mechanised industrialised world. In Celtic culture and inspired stories such as the Lord of the Rings we see places like Rivendell a lofty dwelling upon a mountain with waterfalls and streams and the Shire a place of gardens & lush vegetation, places people would love to see one day.

And if you looked around, you would see ˹indescribable˺ bliss and a magnificent kingdom 76:20

One view is that this bliss is comparable to a heavenly ambience, one which is of an intoxicating nature in which a persons consiousness vibrates at a higher level of being becoming one with the place. Certain drugs aim to to mimic this intoxicating, peaceful and loving ambience such as cannabis and ecstacy. In some ndes people will report feeling the vibration of the place, the plants, the water. They feel it as if they are one with the textures and it is in them. Another view is that the kingdom of heaven is a vast realm aesthetically pleasing in which one sees all types of blissful things. Poetic verses such as these propel the mind to envision otherworldly realms.

The world is a prison for the believer and a paradise for the unbeliever.” Sahih Muslim 2956

This is an interesting parable with the world being compared to a prison. A prison stifles you, limits you and does not make you feel at home. Some struggle to see the world as a prison but the awakened one sees the world for what it is. They see how limited we are by time, how we cannot access the past, change it or go back to a good time. We are boxed into this world and dealt the cards we got. The world stifles you in being unable to reach your full potential or acheive self actualization. It restricts your passions and achievements and leaves you questioning the meaning behind this life. The awakened one sees how limited happiness is for we can never grasp it. They see that surely there must be more to the world than this mundane life.

And indeed, We adorned the lowest heaven with ˹stars like˺ lamps, and made them ˹as missiles˺ for stoning ˹eavesdropping˺ devils, for whom We have also prepared the torment of the Blaze. 67:5

The idea of the seven heavens is an interesting one with many trying to decipher it. Some have said it refers to atmosphere layers due to 71:15 and 67:3 saying layers whilst some associate it with 7 celestial objects of the moon, sun and solar system planets. One specific person says the lowest heaven is the solar system and the 7th heaven being the multiverse. The lowest heaven has stars or planets which some say is the cosmos as we know it full of stars and planets. Lowest Heaven (Samaa Ad Dunya) may also refer to the worldly life (physical material realm). Some also say the seven heavens are a metaphor for multiple heavens. What these 2nd, 3rd, 7th etc heavens are remain a mystery. There are much similarities with Sumerian & Babylonian cosmology.

Indeed, We have adorned the lowest heaven with the stars for decoration and made them a safeguard against every rebellious devil, they cannot eavesdrop on the Higher Assembly––pelted from every side. Repelled; and for them is a constant punishment. But whoever manages to stealthily eavesdrop is ˹instantly˺ pursued by a piercing flare. 37:6-10

This connects to 67:5 and 41:12. It deals with the concept of the lowest heaven and further it mentions some sort of higher realm or meeting. Where exactly this higher assembly is remains ambiguous. It does hint that beyond the first heaven into the 2nd heaven which may imply the heavens are mystical realms rather than cosmological. This passage has always been controversial with some calling it unscientific whilst others say its supernatural not scientific. Some interpret this pelting of devils as solar flares from stars, rather than shooting stars.

You were heedless of this. Now We have removed your veil from you; so your sight today is sharp. 50:22

This often reminds me of the filter theory of consciousness. The idea that our brain filters out anything supernatural or mystical and focuses on the material. It seems to say that humanity cannot perceive much of the unseen but on that day all filters will be removed and people perceive with absolute clarity the divine realms as real. Reduced brain activity in NDEs and psychedelic experiences is also associated with higher states of conscious awareness.

Taught to him by one intense in strength. One of great perfection. And he rose to his true form, while on the highest point above the horizon. Then he approached and descended. And was at a distance of two bow lengths or nearer. Then Allah revealed to His servant what He revealed ˹through Gabriel˺.The ˹Prophet’s˺ heart did not doubt what he saw. So will you dispute with him over what he saw? And he certainly saw him in another descent. At the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary Near it is the Garden of Refuge while the Lote Tree was overwhelmed with ˹heavenly˺ splendours. The ˹Prophet’s˺ sight never wandered, nor did it overreach. And he saw some of the greatest signs of his Lord. 53:5-18 He is the One Who created the heavens and the earth in six days and His Throne was upon the waters—in order to test which of you is best in deeds. 11:7

The throne is said to be beyond the seven heavens encompassing it in scale. In one hadith tradition it compares each heaven to being a ring in a desert. Beyond the seven heavens lies the lore tree boundary and beyond this is said to be one of the paradise realms. The paradise realm/s is itself considered to be as big or bigger than the heavens and the throne is said to be beyond these paradise realms. The throne is said to be upon the waters. This concept exists in Psalm 148 which speaks of some sort of waters above the heavens. In Sumerian cosmology there is also a similair concept of a primordial cosmic ocean that lies beyond the heavens.

It is not granted to any mortal that God should speak to him except through revelation or from behind a veil, or by sending a messenger to reveal by His command what He will: He is exalted and wise. 42:51

This verse ends with calling God wise. Perhaps this verse conveys the grandeur of the essence which the limited human brain cannot perceive or it portrays the destruction that the essence can create burning everything into oblivion.

To Allah belong the east and the west; wherever you turn, there is the Face of Allah. For Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing. 2:115

Direction and location is irrelevant to the divine as this divine being transcends space and time. Wherever one is, the divine is there and one can communicate with God as if he is face to face with you. The face is the thing with which we identify a person and turn our attention to. Wherever we turn the we can turn to God for the divine knows all that can be known and encompasses all in his presence and knowledge. In another interpretation everything natural is like a manifestation of the divine which the divine encompasses as part of his being. Its common for people to feel spiritual awe and a desire to communicate with the divine when one gazes upon the oceans, mountains, volcanos, valleys & galaxies. All of these convey grandeur.

Vision perceives Him not, but He perceives all vision; and He is the Subtle, the Acquainted. 6:103

The divine cannot be reduced to light and sound waves for vision cannot perceive such grandeur of the divine. Abrahamic Theology has always spoken of the divine attributes and of the divine essence. To be subtle is to be nuanced, to see details that others dont see. It is to also be interacting in the world in ways we dont perceive. It is to be manifest in the world that cannot be seen.

When Moses came at the appointed time and his Lord spoke to him, he asked, “My Lord! Reveal Yourself to me so I may see You.” Allah answered, “You cannot see Me! But look at the mountain. If it remains firm in its place, only then will you see Me.” When his Lord appeared to the mountain, He levelled it to dust and Moses collapsed unconscious. When he recovered, he cried, “Glory be to You! I turn to You in repentance and I am the first of the believers.” 7:143, 2:253

These verses are fascinating to the sufi and mystic minded who are curious as to the actual essence of God and what it actually would be like to speak with God directly or witness the beatific vision. The verse highlights Moses burning desire to witness the creator in all their majesty. The mystery of the essence remains. It has been a topic discussed by great thinkers such as Al Ghazali, Ibn Sina & Thomas Aquinas. Its interesting in Exodus that Moses is shown the back of God but cannot bear to see the face of God.

He is the Lord of the heavens and the earth and everything in between, the Almighty, Most Forgiving. 38:66

A phrase which makes the curious person contemplate on the mysteries of existence. Are these other realms, dimensions, universes, realities, worlds. Are these spatial, temporal. Are they connected to the heavens.

He is the First and the Last, and the Manifest and the Hidden, and He is All-Knowing about every thing. 57:3

God is the first cause of reality, the source of all being and existence, the source from where all attributes comes from ie goodness, beauty, truth etc. He is the eternal mind not being caused or created in time nor does he end. The manifest and hidden or outward and inward represent a paradox. Perhaps God is manifest by the attributes that manifest through the world such as in nature, music and art. Perhaps this may explain the transcendental mystic feelings people may feel through certain music, art, psychedelics, meditation and other spiritual experiences. But on the other hand God is the subtle, hidden, one whose essence is unknown.

I will approach them from their front, their back, their right, their left, and then You will find most of them ungrateful.” 7:17

A good film that acts as a commentary to this verse is the film A devils advocate. This verse essentially speaks to the nature of cunning that this being uses to tempt men to corrupt their souls. This being can use multiple paths and strategies. From inciting the human ego, to using religious fanaticism, making injustice seem normal, using extremism & every other negative ism that can be used to manipulate humanity.

God said, ‘Iblis, what prevents you from bowing down to the man I have made with My own hands? Are you too high and mighty?’ 38:75

This verse has commonly been used by creationists to suggest that Adam was the first human created by God personally. You can imagine a humanoid figure being molded and formed. Interestingly another part of the quran says that God has created cattle with his own hands which goes against this creationist version. Non literalists and mystics often see human anthromorphisms to be metaphors used by God. The eye of god suggests God watching over and guarding. The face of god suggests the locus to which we identify God. The hands of God can refer to power, protection, guidance & specific interventions that other creations have not been given.

Also mention in the Book the case of Idris: He was a man of truth and sincerity, a prophet: And We raised him to an exalted place. 19:56-57

Idris here is associated with Enoch & Hermes Trismegistus. He represents the mystic seeker, the learned , wise and knowledgable. He is often associated with the study of philosophy, astronomy & mysticism. Enoch is said to have travelled through the 10 heavens.

What will explain to you what the Crusher is?It is God’s Fire, made to blaze, which rises over people’s hearts. It closes in on them in towering columns. 104:5-9

This passage fits the interpretation of hell as a purification process that may be painful, such as the use of mouthwash or antiseptic which burns a cleansed wound. The towering columns convey the idea of some sort of penance chamber.

From the evil of the retreating whisperer, who whispers into the hearts of mankind 114:4-5

A good example in pop culture is the one ring from the lord of the rings. It whispers and entices the inner temptations of the heart to corrupt them. The gollum represents a creature that has become overwhelmed by the rings influence such that he becomes subhuman looking. Another example is the black suit spiderman. The black suit influences and draws out the inner dark side of Spiderman making him arrogant, aggressive & violent. As a wise person once said we never lose our demons. We only learn to live above them.

Good morning/afternoon to all you saucer drinkers out there. So the 2nd annual RSK Convention is this September in Manchester. They're still trying to sell tickets, and need to sell more; if they don't sell enough by the end of April, the event will have to be cancelled. I just wanted to spread the word and also have a bit of a giveaway. From now until 10am GMT+1 (5am EST) tomorrow the 24th of March, if you comment on this post with your favorite (or favourite? IDK how you Brits spell shit) RSK related quote you'll be in for a chance for a free ticket to the convention.
the RSK convention website: https://www.timeryderproductions.co.uk/rsk
Things to note: - In order for me to be able to pay for your ticket, you'll have to provide me with your First and Last name as well as an email address. If you're hesitant to share that info with a stranger on reddit, I understand but unfortunately you would be disqualified.... from the comp. -The way I'll choose a winner will be somewhat low tech. I will sort the comments with the oldest at the top, assign them numbers (just the main comments, not the replies to said comments) , hop on google and type in "random number picker" then use the widget thing that pops up to select the winning number. I'll then contact you via chat and we'll proceed from there. -One entry per user, please. If you have more than one comment/quote, only the oldest of your comments will receive a number. -If the chosen winner doesn't respond to my chat within 24 hours, I'll choose a new random number and contact that person.
I think that's about it. I'm hoping I haven't made a huge pain in the ass for myself, but I had a genuinely great time last year and hope to do it again. Alrite, see ya 'n that.

I'm sure this happens a lot. Strangers hear about your job and want to give their opinions. But sometimes it just comes out of left field.
I was at the grocery store today (yesterday by now) with my partner, and we wound up having an extremely talkative cashier. I mentioned my job teaching ESL at local community colleges since he was asking about our jobs.
And suddenly this man is saying, "Well call me old fashion, but..."
He goes on a nice little rant about how he doesn't understand why they "put Spanish on things."
I inform him that the United States does not have a de jure language, and it's also pretty normal for any country to put multiple languages on things if the countries around them also speak that language. Also, not putting labels on things for the second largest language spoken in the country would be pretty shitty for things like medicine.
There are only a few items left that he has to scan.
He pontificates on the idea that if you are going to immigrate to the United States, you should learn English first.
I have about ten thousand things I want to say: How many languages do you know? Would you be able to move to a country and speak fluently from the language class you took in high school? Do you think every country has an intensive, comprehensive English program available? Do you think my Afghani or Ukrainian students planned on having to come here?
Teaching reading and writing in ESL is a sporadic gauntlet. Sometimes you get a paragraph about a nice vacation. Sometimes you get one about how her baby died in her arms before she could come to the states.
He had finished scanning things, I paid, and I just wanted to get out of there. My partner asked why I didn't let him pay, because he was supposed to pay for this trip originally. I told him that if I had been forced to spend another minute around that man, I would have started talking shit. My one regret is not using my partner's obviously Hispanic name and seeing if the guy would have suddenly realized.
I don't know if this cashier was genuinely socially unconscious, or if he was trying to get a rise out of me. I'm assuming he was coming from a place of pure ignorance. But it sure did piss me off.
Please feel free to comment here on how people have taken your job and made their own uniformed opinions to the point that you wanted to scream.

“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. He to whom the emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand wrapped in awe, is as good as dead —his eyes are closed. The insight into the mystery of life, coupled though

Have you ever done something silly while trying to be cool?

“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed.”

With the end of Jack O' Frost coming soon, I thought I would state my thoughts so far on Fumiya and his actions regarding Ritsu. Please note: I am not saying Fumiya is perfect, or that he has not made mistakes. This is just my take on the show so far:
I've seen a lot of people condemning Fumiya for the way he has acted ever since Ritsu got amnesia. Most of these viewpoints seem to be entirely from the perspective of Ritsu (understandably), but I have seen virtually nothing commenting on Fumiya's perspective, so here is mine:

• Just Broken Up* Just before the accident Fumiya and Ritsu have broken up, a major life event. When Fumiya arrives at the hospital he is caught between the Doctor and Ritsu's brother. He claims to be Ritsu's roommate. Technically, he is not wrong. They have broken up, but still live together; this would be an incredibly inappropriate time to reveal what has happened - not all LGBT rights are recognised in Japan so telling the doctor would complicate things, but Ritsu's brother doesn't know that they've broken up. Fumiya is caught between these two characters, unable to tell the 'truth' to either of them for different reasons.

How would it look to claim you had broken up just as he lost his memory? It would seem as though you didn't want to deal with them now they've become a burden. Realistically, Ritsu's brother should've taken Ritsu away when he discovered they had just broken up. This is where the major f-up happens imo. Letting Fumiya take care of Ritsu even though you know they just broke up is cruel. The family should have taken Ritsu back in to recover when they found out what had happened. And there is no way Fumiya isn't blaming himself for Ritsu's accident.

• Reason for Breakup The whole breakup occurred because Ritsu was constantly forgetting things that were important to Fumiya, leading to Fumiya believing that he wasn't important to Ritsu. The amnesia then seemingly confirms this, with Fumiya being the only person that Ritsu forgets entirely.

Fuyima has just gone through a breakup as well and isn't in a stable emotional state - he has been unhappy enough to break up with his long-term partner after a major argument, then later that night suddenly has to become the anchor in their life, act like nothing has happened, and be their dependant all while unable to vent his own sadness. He is constantly reminded by how miserable he is yet must suppress it as Ritsu has no concept of what has happened between them.

• Cares for him anyway Fumiya treats Ritsu as a friend throughout; at no point does he force anything on him. He gives Ritsu the bed and sleeps on the sofa in a different room, accompanies him on holiday as a friend despite knowing that it was supposed to be a romantic vacation for the two of them, encourages his drawing. It is only when Ritsu starts showing signs of interest and appreciating him like when they first started dating that he begins to outwardly struggle with his own emotions. He does have an inappropriate outburst that is definitely not ok - but (see below) he is seeing everything from an entirely different perspective to Ritsu. He also does apologise, albeit with it falling on headphone-stuffed ears.
  
• One-Sided History Fumiya had already implanted idea of roommates in Ritsu's head - how would it now look to claim they were dating? In most scenarios that would be considered taking advantage of a vulnerable person; it is only because we already know that they were in a relationship that we don't see it as such. Forcing relationship on amnesiac would be unsuccessful - only one side has memories, they could never trust what was said they would have to take it on faith. The history and shared experiences that created that bond are no longer there for one of them: a loving gesture by Fumiya would be seen as inappropriate by Ritsu, a casual touch would become forced intimacy.
  

Every interaction they have is in a totally different context for the pair of them: Ritsu is approaching every situation with a stranger that he is learning about, Fumiya sees everything in the light of someone he knows and cares deeply for but isn't reacting the way they used to - he knows what they do/don't like, he knows who they do/don't like, but the relationship between them is superficial. Even small things like 'who can come over?', 'let me know if someone is round', 'please restrict work things to the office' - small issues and rules that have been built over the years, suddenly all forgotten and swept away. Fumiya is constantly reminded not only of the loss of his relationship but in many ways the loss of the person as well. A whole section of his life has been erased.
Ritsu can blame Fumiya for everything because he isn't aware of what Fumiya has gone through, he only can see from the perspective of a stranger. Fumiya sees everything from the perspective of a lover, so what Ritsu sees as an invasion of privacy, Fumiya sees as a regular occurance. What Ritsu sees as an unimportant matter Fumiya sees as something they have been arguing over for years. What Ritsu sees as a work colleague, Fumiya sees as an ex-boyfriend and rival. Whilst knowing that someone has no memory or way of remembering these things, feeling it is an entirely different matter. Things done in innocence may feel like they are done to spite you.
This wasn't as eloquent or well-written as I'd have liked but I unfortunately don't have time atm so it's a rush job. I am interested to see whether I agree with myself after it's finished tomorrow, but hopefully this may be of interest to some people, even if everyone violently disagrees with me 😂
Basically it boils down to: I like this show. I like the way it's written. Both characters are flawed, and I like both of them. I believe the way they are acting and interacting is pretty believable, and for me that is probably the most important thing when it comes to enjoying a show - nothing feels unreasonable or unrealistic. This and Our Dating Sim are my two top shows atm, and likely will be right at the top come their finales this week.

I had tribunal this morning. I already remember nothing but I'm panicked. I have no clue how it went, but it's over now. I'm literally shaking. It felt like more of the same, and I just know I didn't get to say everything because I forget things. I'm so flippin edgy now, this stupid process has taken two years and I have a horrible feeling that it will all be for nothing.
Honestly, I just want the validation at this point. Being made to feel that I'm a bloody con artist is so hurtful. I'm fighting this invisible monster (MS) all the while these strangers are sitting in their comfortable chairs asking me if I can make a bloody sandwich. I'm not going to win the fight and I'm so so so tired, just want to give up.
Feeling quite alone and invisible.

Is there a kind stranger out there who has an easy guide to what gear and how to actually get started and doing it :)
I tried this a few times in my young years, it didn't click for me so i got it and gave up every time. Have wanted to "get into" it MANY times over the years but I'm Neurospicy so...
Now I've become really motivated. I became blind on one eye almost 2 years ago. I don't need to wear a patch but i have realized it comes with a few benefits. I'm visually impaired on the "good eye" so a blind cane isn't a necessity but a patch can indicate why i sometimes walk into people and things. I'm also quiting cigarettes and this feels like a good project project for that too.
I need to do it my way, so if i can crochet, i can make my own patches. 50 shades of patches :)
Can I be taught Reddit? Style ideas are VERY welcomed too.
In advance, THANK YOU.

Back at it again with the white Vans.
17 month old spayed female dog, with severe anxiety and reactivity. She is on a combination of 4 medications that do not sedate her, just calm her down / take the edge off a bit for context regarding her anxiety.
​
After my last post and all of your kind comments, I figured there was still more work to do (although I'm running out of ideas on my end). She is scared to go outside, scared of her triggers, scared of other dogs on leash, even scared to potty. We have now overcome her fear of potty by giving her a stuffed plushie to carry on potty walks.
​
I realise one thing we have never done for her consistently is decompression walks. Not for lack of trying, she just throws a tantrum every time she is out and pulls on the leash to go back home, and hits me with her muzzle repeatedly. Even the most patient person will get the hint after a large Leerburg metal muzzle hits you in the shins with force, every minute for 30 minutes, which is a behaviour she does only on these walks, not if muzzled in any other context (vet, car, around strangers etc).
​
Today I gave her the plushie for the potty portion of the walk, took her to a deserted park at 4 AM, put her muzzle on and let her sniff for the duration of the way there and back - about 55 minutes. It takes 20 minutes to reach the park, 15 minutes at the park, and 20 minutes back. She scavenges so muzzle is a must. We saw no other dogs or scary things. I let her lead the walk on a 10 foot line - she could run, pull, weave, sniff, scratch etc.
​
I thought the walk went well until we came home (as well as it could) and she began to have zoomies (AT 5 AM), barking loud enough that the neighbours could hear, growling, trying to bite me etc after I took her muzzle off to give her medication. I even tried bribing her with real meat during this time and she would settle for a second and then go back to this behaviour. She had peed and pooped so that was not the issue. We live in a split level right now so we have neighbours, who are well within their rights to complain and suggest we get evicted.
​
Is there something I did wrong? I thought a decompression walk would help calm her but it just made her more aroused and over threshold even though it was pitch black, no dogs or scary things around.

Built this 8 months ago, started using 6 months ago
about 3 weeks ago after about an hour or two of usage different programs start losing responsiveness and graphical bugs start all over. sometimes windows leaving smears, sometimes flickering, sometimes its just frozen but the computer is still playing a video but the screen is frozen. desktop background is black, really weird issues like that, i cant remember them all right now but'
some important things:
-Computer says no graphics driver is installed
-Trying to install the up to date correct graphics driver causes the pc to freeze, and needs a restart to return to function.
-Every time any of these issues show up, it may start small but it always ultimately needs to be restarted and then the timer starts again...issues show up about 2 1/2 hours into use usually though it may take up to 5h of use sometimes.
- i can play really intense games and its fine and has no bearing on the emergence of the glitches. HOWEVER arma 3 does crash alot with memory bugs
​
Any ideas? or anyone able to potentially teamview with me and get this mess sorted? Thanks for your time :D

My sister and I weren’t super close growing up, and I think she holds a lot of resentment because our mom made her work to pay for a lot of things while she was in high school. She never felt like she had a childhood, which is fair and I agree we both struggled a lot with our mom. But two years ago she moved back to our hometown and we got really close. It was a lot of smoking, but we hung out all the time. But slowly, over the two years things fell apart. My mom kicked me out, and I stayed with my sister and her husband for maybe two weeks and she couldn’t stand having me around anymore. I lived in a hotel for six weeks until I got into my own place, but I understood. I don’t have a good track record with living with people. But then I got my overnight job, and I was sleeping all day and working all night. She got mad I wasn’t helping her out with the kids anymore because of it. Told me that she cared more about family than I did because of it. And then when i got in contact with our dad after ten years she cussed me out on the phone and blocked me. And I understood all of it. Things are difficult, and I try extremely hard to not be the one causing problems in my relationships. But then I got covid, lost all sense of time for two weeks, and missed her birthday by a day because I was so sick I lost track of the days. She called me saying she does everything for me, and I never do anything in return. I never give anything back to her. And I told her I refuse to have transactional relationships. I gave her the present I got her, and we stopped talking by a lot. But we had christmas together, and it was fun! We all hung out, I had a great time. We texted happy new years, and then nothing. I haven’t heard from her since. I texted and she replied so impersonally, like I was a stranger. My brother in law gave a bit more, but only to give stuff back that I left at their place, and he didn’t even say hi, he just dumped it at my door. I want to believe he was just too busy, but idk. I wondering if I’m really so awful that one of the only family members I have left gave up on me. The rest of them did. And maybe my dad will too when he realizes how awful I am. I hate having family, they only hurt you.

As bad as this title seems, I've had people say this in the nicest way possible, but it's implied.
I saw a post by a married man, that since the pandemic, that his social connection had all but disappeared, while her social life continues to thrive.
He mentioned he tried Meetup groups, however, he found that these groups tend to socially awkward types, and he was quickly turned off by it.
When Meetup was first getting started, I would suggest it to some people at work or just some people in general, and some honestly thought that anyone that needs a group like Meetup to make new friends...that there was something wrong with that method of meeting people...like if you can't make friends....um...normally (organically)...that there may be something wrong with you?
Quite judgmental, right?
At least they were tongue in cheek about it when saying that.
That there ARE people out there that can simply make friends no matter where they go, be it a local watering hole, a local street party at a small town location, church, trivia or karaoke night, the gym, etc.
Apparently, to those people, THAT is normal.
But there's a certain amount of cringe I get from people when I mention an RSVP list, a meeting place and time at a local restaurant with a bunch of strangers. Name tags were also a thing too. Cringe even more there. lol

My partner of 6 years was fit and gorgeous when I met him and I didn't mind 4 years later when he got up to 300 as he's 6 foot 7. But ever since he started a new job he's been lying about everything especially food. He told me he was taking lunches and that sometimes someone would buy him tacos or Subway or he would buy sometimes and also he always told me he ate lunch at the job so I assumed this was true but then after a few months he's getting very big I would guess he's around 380 if not 400 and I kept asking if he's been eating a lot of fast food and he lies and says he ate what he brought and he was so hungry!! He would also eat dinner I made and every hour be eating sandwiches, burritos etc. But I trusted him and today his boss sends a group message that says "When you guys get back from Lunch Yada yada" so I texted my husband and I said Where are you eating lunch and I got a reply "Just leaving the Cactus bar." He thought I was his boss as his boss was also texting so he hurriedly replied "I mean Subway, we went to Subway and are passing the bar on the way home." So I ask my oldest son and he said that my man told him they had good food at the Cactus bar. So I found out he's going to this bar for lunch with his work buddy and I decided to dig in the car and found 5 crumpled up donut shop bags, receipts for John's Place, this Mexican food place he got a Godzilla burrito and he's also buying food for that guy sometimes. He came clean and told me him and his work buddy's eat out all the time and basically if I didn't like it there's the door. This man hasn't taken me on a date in months, has never even went to a bar with me, doesn't even go to bars but he's suddenly going to get Wings at some seedy hole in the wall? He never eats wings! He doesn't even order wings when we get pizza. Also would like to mention that he's bi and the guy he's eating out with all the time is a guy he worked with 2 years ago that created drama in our relationship and my man had a crush on! I believe that's why he's lying about these 30 minute lunches he's having with that guy. But even if nothing is going on with them why am I being lied to?? I stay at home with no car, no friends or family where I live, I never get out of the house and he's stuffing his face all day while I'm here cleaning and cooking his favorite meals for my "hungry husband" to come enjoy? I'm really hurt especially by the bar thing. He isn't a drinker and for 6 years we never stepped into a bar. I don't know what to think of these lies. The lies hurt more than anything.

I guess i’m posting this because I can’t talk to anyone. My parents split recently. My mum is back with her heroine addict abusive ex and my dad is pretending to live a happy life with a woman he’s just jumped into a relationship with. My boyfriend has his own depression. So I feel like i can’t talk to the most important people in my life.
I just can’t be bothered anymore. Nothing makes me happy, and it’s not that i don’t try to be, it’s just never genuine and doesn’t last. I’m in debt, i have crippling emetophobia, and I just generally feel unloved. I don’t think things will ever change for me.
I think i’m going to take the rest of this week to think this decision through, and then we’ll see. I feel so lame posting this to strangers who don’t even know me.

I just think people being nice always has an agenda or reason, even if it isn't for personal gain. It could be as simple as they just liking you as a person. So when I see total strangers be nice to me it really is the most confusing thing I ever for me. Hypocritically when I do it I don't see it as confusing.
But anyways this girl has been giving me rides home now thats normal, i get rides home all the time from the girls and occasionally the guys i work with. But today was super weird for me because she got off before I did. But asked for my number so she could come back to the store just to pick me up and take me back home. It just seems so out of her way to do that when she's already in PJs and could just go to sleep or watch tv instead of going back to pick up some dude she barely even started talking to a week ago. So now im like "does she like me?" But she has a bf so idk
This is also coming from the fact my ex used to give some dude rides back home but she ended ip cheating on me with him which is also part of my thinking process right now
Now we live in the same apartment complexes and it's not even a 5min drive away its super close but it was dark and she wanted to drive me because "it was cold" I only said yeah because I like having company because I get super lonely tbh
Now I wouldn't date her, I'd never date any of the girls I work with for reasons ill keep to myself but she is super prertty and me not being interested doesn't defeat my curiosity to know if she is
Do you think she's just being nice? Or likes me

Hi Reddit,
I’ve been wanting to talk to some complete strangers about the situation I’m in.
Exactly one year ago, I met my boyfriend. We fell madly in love with each other, he just came out of a 14 year marriage - which should have been a warning maybe. Three months into us seeing each other (to be fair, it wasn’t defined yet, no label yet, but we were seeing each other couple times a week, madly in love) he met a guy in a bar, kissed, exchanged numbers and texted for a while. I found out after a while and it completely broke my trust, it hurt me, because it was in the midst of us being madly in love with each other.
Throughout the year, this event has been shadowed over us, because I never completely trusted him anymore. I caught myself turning into a person that I didn't like. Being jealous, being suspicious, being mean to him because I didn't trust him, because I was still in pain.
Now, exactly one year later, I found out that he has been texting with several guys. One guy in particular hurt me, because I’ve been seeing his text coming in and when I saw them meeting each other at a party, I felt there was something going on between them, I asked him back then, and his reaction was super aggressive. “Why are you sabotaging our relationship with these thoughts?” I tried to explain that he’s creating an environment where I cannot expressive my feelings, that if I feel a certain way, I need to express that or say that.
Now I found out they’ve been texting for over a span of three months. I found on in a very ugly way; when I had his phone in my hands, I just went to the WhatsApp and checked the messages. It was ugly, but I had to know.
Since then he’s been going through hell, saying he’s embarrassed, saying it’s also a ‘relief’, since now he can be completely honest, that he is admitting he has a problem and needs therapy. From now on: ‘no more lies’. This, until I asked about the specifics about this online-flirt, and I realised he kept lying. When I asked to show me the chats, he didn’t want to, I said I needed complete transparency, to be freed from lies. I threatened to block him if he wouldn’t send them. So he did, but he clearly deleted certain parts of the conversation, still hiding things from me. Apparently he said things this bad, that he still couldn’t be honest. I still feel we had a chance before this, because he seemed genuine to be honest from now on. But now, it felt like the final nail in the coffin.
What do you think? Am I overreacting? Shouldn’t I have asked for the screenshots in the end, forcing him to send them? Am I making big things out of an online thing, which is just a fantasy? He kept making me belief that this is normal for 'gays', to flirt online, or for his generation (10 years older than I am)
What would your reaction in this situation have been? Have you been through something similar? Is this betrayal?

*We may be anonymous strangers on the internet, but we have one thing in common. We may be a world apart, but we're here together!*
Welcome to the 24 hour pledge!
I'm pledging myself to not drinking today, and invite you to do the same.
Maybe you're new to /stopdrinking and have a hard time deciding what to do next. Maybe you're like me and feel you need a daily commitment or maybe you've been sober for a long time and want to inspire others.
It doesn't matter if you're still hung over from a three day bender or been sober for years, if you just woke up or have already completed a sober day. For the next 24 hours, lets not drink alcohol!
---
This pledge is a statement of intent. Today we don't set out *trying* not to drink, we make a conscious decision *not to drink*. It sounds simple, but all of us know it can be hard and sometimes impossible. The group can support and inspire us, yet only one person can decide if we drink today. Give that person the right mindset!
What happens if we can't keep to our pledge? We give up or try again. And since we're here in /stopdrinking, we're not ready to give up.
What this is: A simple thread where we commit to not drinking alcohol for the next 24 hours, posting to show others that they're not alone and making a pledge to ourselves. Anybody can join and participate at any time, you do not have to be a regular at /stopdrinking or have followed the pledges from the beginning.
What this isn't: A good place for a detailed introduction of yourself, directly seek advice or share lengthy stories. You'll get a more personal response in your own thread.
---
This post goes up at:
- US - Night/Early Morning
- Europe - Morning
- Asia and Australia - Evening/Night
A link to the current Daily Check-In post can always be found near the top of the sidebar.
---
Morning friends, happy Wednesday!
Sobriety has given me a whole lot of gifts in life I didn’t know I wanted or needed.
I have white knuckled through some really tough moments sober. On the surface, they looked like they were impossible to get through but I rode them out and found on the other side that it was so worth it. There were some incredibly beautiful moments with my family or friends, or even myself, that sober me was present for after riding a really tough craving.
Sobriety has let me start building the life of my dreams, moment by moment, by making the next right choice. Sometimes the next right choice is going to bed. Sometimes it’s a long walk. Once it was finally rolling the coins in my overflowing piggy bank so that I could dust my dresser and the mess was really pissing me off, and I came out like $500 up because I had also stuffed bills in there at some point. Once it was a government-issued cheque buried in a pile of papers and mail I had been putting off dealing with when I was drinking. Procrastination was something I was really good at as a drinker. I was always going to deal with everything “tomorrow.” Sober, I was learning to deal with things in the moment and on this day I decided to finally deal with the pile of papers that had been there for years because again the mess was pissing me off, and boom – I found $250 in an old government-issued cheque!
I have new friends I can be vulnerable and honest with in ways I never could be with family members or life-long friends. I can say things to them (you!) without fear of judgement or starting a fight. People on this journey just get it. Shame dies in the light.
But the biggest gifts sobriety has given me are trust in myself again, and far fewer regrets. I can look at myself in the mirror and feel pride. I can trust that while I’m going to make mistakes and sometimes I’m going to mess up, it’s not going to be because I drank.
And genuine joy that bubbles up and deep belly laughs that bring tears to my eyes because they’re so real.
Seriously – if you’re struggling through a craving, stay strong, stay sober, and look for the gifts – they’re there. You can do this, friends.
I will not drink with you today!

PARENTAL TALK: MEETING OF MIYAMURA’S AND HORI’S PARENTS
And thus, Kyosuke died…
It was Summer and as they had graduated from high-school, Izumi, Kyoko and gang had went to the beach as once proposed by Remi. Using this opportunity Kyosuke and Yuriko decided to pay a surprise visit to Izumi’s parents – Iori and Naozumi. They had decided to go early evening around the time when the bakery closed, to visit them at the bakery so that they won’t interrupt their business. But there was a small problem….. Kyouske…..
“AAAAAAH!!!! WHERE IS THAT BAKERY!!!!!”, he screamed in agony as the 45th minute of him trying to locate the bakery passed. But to his rescue came, the one and only, the myth, the woman, the legend – Yuriko Hori! Giving a great speech (lecturing Kyosuke), taking the map from him (taking his phone) and seeing through the mist of traps and codes on the map (trying to understand the weird font Kyosuke uses) she declared -
“We passed the turn to their bakery twice before and we have been walking in the complete opposite direction, darling (you idiot).”
“Yuriko, I can’t wait anymore, I will run towards it, you can come as fast as you want.”, saying Kyosuke took off causing a sonic boom as he ran faster than sound leaving behind all the pleas of Yuriko to stop.
Meanwhile at the Miyamura bakery –
Iori stood behind the counter with a notepad, counting the remaining cakes and going over the day’s transaction once again. Naozumi came back from toilet and asked, “I think you are almost done, I will go and sort everything at the back, I have to set new supplies too….. aaaaah so much work!!”
“Now, now, don’t complain a lot.”, Iori replied.
As she completed her task she someone at the door; customer….. but her mind was bamboozled as she saw a “tall ash colour haired smoking man with a lot of sweat who looks like a mafia” (her interpretation).
Confused, she approached cautiously, she was greeted with a question, “Is this the bakery where Miyamura Izumi works?!”
“Yes…”
“Ah I see, he must not be home, we are the reason after all (he is with kyo-chan)”
Stunned Iori stood frozen, only one thought spread in her mind – HE HAS KIDNAPPED IKKKUN!!!!
“Is Izumi’s father here?”, he asked.
“Yes…” OH GOD HE IS GOING TO ASK FOR RANSOME OH GOD PLEASE NO!!!!
She was about to lose all hope but again, came the great savior Yuriko and said, “Dear, you must not scare your daughter’s boyfriend’s parents like this.”
Daughter’s boyfriend’s parents…. Wait does that mean…
Soon the misunderstanding sorted and Iori took them both to her house, telling Naozumi come from behind. She also packed a few cakes.
Back at the Miyamura household’s living room, Kyosuke sat near the center table staring out the large window trying to light a smoke. Iori and Yuriko were chatting and preparing tea and cakes to be brought out. But before Kyosuke can finish lighting his smoke a cold voice from behind stopped him, “No smoking in the house.”
As he looked back he saw a man with brown hair and familiar blue eyes that screamed only one thing – This is Izumi Miyamura’s father!
They both sat face to face at the center table with and awkward silence surrounding them. Kyosuke took the initiative, “So you know, you have a very brave son, he has been able to survive with Kyoko this long, living with her is like living with a dragon, you never know when you get attacked.”
He said it very casually but saw Naozumi thinking very seriously over it. He got scared for a second thinking how he might react but to his surprise he got a, “You know, Iori is not like that, but I was friends with a girl like that in High-school.”
And so the two past high-school popular boys began discussing with great interest, concentration and dedication – the girls they knew back in high-school. Only to be stopped by the intense stares of their wives.
As the great discussion came to an end and they all sat down and started discussing about everyday things.
Yuriko said, “You know these days we don’t get time at all. That day I saw a picture of mine and Kyosuke when we once went to search for clovers with slightly elder kids. Such great days they were.”
Kyosuke laughed, “I remember, that brown-haired guy who was with us got so angry that he couldn’t find any.”
Iori said, “I used to go hunting for clovers all the time. I met Naozumi during one of my trips.”
Yuriko intervened, “You know the elder girl with us had similar hair to yours…”
Iori said, “oh really, you also mentioned brown-hair, Naozumi has brown hair too, such coincidence….”
They all stopped talking for a second.
Naozumi said in a calm voice, “I bet I can beat you all in finding clover if we went head on today.”
Everyone instantly realized the situation and Kyosuke screamed, “You bet! I can beat you anytime!”
They all started laughing.
“Ahh.. they were such good days. Just carelessly enjoying out time.”, said Iori with a smile.
“Yes, and now we have to worry about our kids.”, added Yuriko.
“I know! I didn’t even know Ikkun had a girlfriend, his friend told me.”, said Iori
“They all grow up so fast, I remember when Izumi was still a child, crying every time he fell.”, sighed Naozumi.
“I don’t know about crying but Kyo-chan sure made Sengoku’s kid cry a lot!”, joked Kyosuke.
Everyone laughed and soon with their tea and cakes their talks ended too.
After a pause of silence Naozumi said, “I love how Izumi blushes every time I mention him marrying Kyoko.”
“I know right! Kyo-chan starts blushing too, though she also starts shouting how we are embarrassing him. I am sure Izumi-kun doesn’t do that, he is such a quiet kid.”, said Kyosuke.
“Oh not at all, he runs away all embarrassed too!”, laughed Iori.
Before they could continue further, they heard the door open and up came Izumi and Kyoko back from the beach, hands filled with bags, a slightly tanned skin and with lots of fun memories. They had decided to come here first and give the souvenirs to Miyamura’s parents, and then proceed to her house. But they were surprised to find all the elders together.
“What are you two doing here?”, asked Kyoko surprised.
“Nothing, just meeting Miyamura’s parents. You know, to discuss your marriage.”, teased Kyosuke.
“Our…. Our…. Marriage?!!”, they screamed together.
Izumi stood blushing at the door confused while Kyoko dragged Kyosuke a out who were followed by Yuriko saying farewell to Izumi’s parents.
“I will give them the souvenirs later! I need to deal with Kyosuke!!”, Kyoko screamed as she went away.
The great parental talk ended with laughs and warmth (and some screams and confusion).
THE END.