My Bug Bears!!!

Oh boy have I got many!

Where do I start?

1. Why is a child of mixed race parentage always considered black? Even when the child's father is white? 

How does the paternal parents family feel? Key example: President Obama is considered a black man but his mother is as white as the driven snow!

2. Why do supposed learned journalist, commenters always brush together BLACKS with lesbians, homosexuals, and minorities. Skin colour like Caucasian white, Chinese, Hispanic brown isn't a matter of choice at birth. If this isn't the point they make when they brush the colour black with every minority,...then why don't say white is alike being gay? If it isn't a matter of choice??? Uhn!!!!

3. Why if I called a policeman a pleb or swear at him will I be cautioned and probably arrested. Yet certain Tory ministers walk free?

4. Why, when we scour the planet for living signs of poverty, the UK has over 20,000 people sleeping rough every night.  British people. The average family here now feed hand to mouth. Yet we give billions in foreign aids? It's called stockpiling for the future. However, for many in Britain the future is real and it's here NOW!!

5. Why there is a tv licence fee in a civilised western democracy? When statistics shows that less than 25% viewing public watch those channels or listen to those radio channels, what with the plethora of available station thru satellite, broadband.

6. Why a country considered inferior to GB uses traffic controlling measures to cut speed. Let me explain. Over 15 years ago, Portugal introduced a traffic light system that slows you down to red for speeding. No matter the car, If you shoot off, the next light would go red, stopping you again. These system were introduced along the coastal roads initially. Given, not a revenue collector but it can honestly claim to save lives. Now contrast that with the millions made in revenue in every western city like london and Zurich with their speed cameras. They argue, the money will be invested in road safety and improvement. Who do you believe?

These are just a few of mines. Do you have any? Is there anyone listening? Log in and send me yours.

Remember: runningwater, slips and slides and is a force of nature. Be good to the planet and the rewards are great. Isn't it ironic last week, Spain needed the rain to quell the forest fires but it was another part of Spain that got the deluge!!!

Be kind to the planet, we all have to use it.

Does it matter?

In the grand scheme of things, what really matters to you?
Think
About it,...

Don't get caught up in the hype
Be yourself,...
And if you can't,..
Be better.
Fight your demons
And never sleep with the devil
Because,...
One day the devil might want to f...!!!

Remember: set your mind free and your ass will follow.

Does the Prophet Mohammed Need Defending?

Does the prophet Mohamed need defending?

Forgive me but I am a new Muslim and I am often asked questions like:

Am I Sunni or Shiite?

Do I read the Hadith ? 

Do I follow any movements ? 

Or listen to any modern day preachers?

I always answer these questions in one vein. And that is this:

The prophet Mohamed was a prophet of Allah and the pronouncements delivered to him are internalised in the holy qu'aran . The living word of God. The qu'aran is available for ME to read and interpret and was given so I did not need an interpreter between me and my God. 

I am not Sunni nor Shiite because these are issues of succession by man after the death of our beloved Mohamed. May his holy name be praised. It's has caused more division than any other issue in our beautiful faith, while we forget the contents of the qu'aran that gives us all we daily need to survive.

I am asked, do I not read the Hadith of the prophet Mohamed? I always answer in this vein. Can a man who lived in the 7th century have a relevance in today's world? And my answer is yes. 

But, the Qu'aran is the word of Allah, the Hadith are the words of our prophet Mohamed, and other wise scholars. Living in the times in which he lived. He observed things from his simple and humble back ground and sought to change the world within the basic environment which he found himself, his people the rulers and tribes,  and decided to put in place remedies to cure that society. 

Those remedies were required then and it changed a society in turmoil and gave the world a beautiful faith in its purest form backed by observations of a true leader.  But, that's all the Hadith were in my humble opinion. 

I am asked if I follow the numerous Islamic leaders or scholars? But I always answer in this vein.  I find that most scholars, leaders and charismatic leaders have an agenda behind their agenda. I may have been fortunate that my parents gave me the the biggest gift in life. EDUCATION. This education allows me to examine things in details and not to be so easily offended.

This brings me to the issue of our beloved prophet Mohamed needing defending???

For those who don't understand,  our prophet was a man who lived among us, had issues in his personal life from a very early age to manhood and although may not have lead a life most perfect,...rose to give the world it's greatest faith as delivered to him by God. He has never claimed to be the father, the son and the holy spirit. He never assumed more importance than God, who used him as a messenger for all people.

This is why I am particularly at a disquiet when something as banal, at best insensitive as the film innocence of Mohammed would make Muslims respond so violently. By killing people, each other and essentially finding they need to defend the holy prophet Mohamed. 

The prophets work is done, he resides today with Allah, a journey we all hope to make, inshallah. Allah abhors violence in any form. 

Many may wonder why I am not condemning the actions of the people who made this film. But, my answer is simple. Their actions, in the global world we live in, I cannot be responsible for. I can only be responsible for my actions. My response is to show tolerance for the ignorant who chose to cause upset often in parts of the world where other Muslim brothers and sisters only have access to news that has been sanitised for their consumption.

 I believe if you follow the words of the qu'aran and you submit as our name means: those who submit.  You cannot go wrong. Why then would I feel offended by the assumption and collective nonsense of a few???

Why would I burn houses and fight my brothers when the people who planted seeds of destructions enjoy the laughter of a brotherhood that is intolerant.  I also mistrust leaders in the Muslim world who hide behind such news to hide the real problems we have in our individual countries. 

I guess the point am trying to make brothers and sisters is that almighty Allah is all we need and his divine words as given in the  Quran makes us complete.

Remember: runningwater never assume as to assume makes an ass of u and me.  These are the rumination and thoughts of a simple man. I mean not to offend nor to be misunderstood. I only hope to foster love.

What if I told you I loved you?

What if I told you I loved you?

What would it inspire in you?

Would you succumb?

What if I told you that from afar I've wondered and imagined 

What it would feel like to taste your lips

Secretly imagining a life fulfilled 

With you.

What if I told you that in a heartbeat you changed the course of my life?

And how I wonder how I've survived this long without you

Parce que,..toi sans moi

C'est pas possible!

What if I told you that I loved you?

Would your juices flow

Or would they gush? 

In moments I imagine you and me

Our present and future written

As only God could script it

There are no reasons for doubt

Is there?

What if you heard what I said 

And all became apparent

It all starts to make sense 

Pieces falling in place

My quiet whispers

My overburdened look

The never ending reply to a simple question asked

What if I told you that I loved you?

Would it inspire poetry?

I wish I was brave enough

Strong enough

To admit that,..

Your spirit fills me

Thoughts of you provokes me

What if I told you I loved you?

remember ~ runningwater never runs dry
with belief there is relief ~ never stop believing. 

How we are perceived

It's amazing how we are perceived 

In conversation with a friend recently, I realised in the small glib statement quickly proffered but seldom thought thru. People can lay bare your whole existence, your core without rhyme or reason. You see I have undergone a profound change in the manner by which I live my life. I had looked within and found my life lacked depth. However, unlike many who travel these same roads,... I made the adjustments I felt would make me a better person. Self awareness if you will.

Normally, it wouldn't matter to me too much what people thought as the only person that matters in my life is Allah. 

However, I was affected by the thoughts of this individual as I thought they would know better. As they had seen me fall and seen me rise. For a moment I was thrown. Now with my balance and equilibrium restored. I can see clearly now and I understand that sometimes its the people closest to us that judge us the harshest, but always they say from the intention of love.

I also learned in a contradictory manner from the same person that all that matters in life is how you see yourself. To be happy, being the most important thing in life. 

Lesson learned.

Remember: rh2O is a nutritious source of life. Live life without doubt, refuse to pander to the common theory, mad you may be thought. But sanity is a perception paper thin.

5th August, 2012@ 19.08

When is Corruption, Not Corruption?

Ans: Only when its in the West.
Bear with me. Over the last few months, we have listened mouth agape and in awe at the revelations of the * bankers fixing the lending rates( am not going to bore you with the small details of each issues) * The issue at Barclays where its been discovered they have been money laundering for known drug cartel, Al Queda etc * This follows fast on the heels of the telephone tapping at the news of the world * illegal payment to our metropolitan police * The cash for questions/ visits to downing street * The MP’s expense accounts * The Quango’s – this is where the old boy school tie network give jobs to friends on exorbitant salaries for attending only 3/5 times a year. * MP’s employing relatives * National Reality TV Shows fixing shows. Can I stress at this point that all these examples are just allegations. 
They are my observations.

I find it pretty rich that in the West, issues similar to these noted on the African continent and in South America are often frowned upon and unequivocally called CORRUPT. Why are these same principle not applied to what is essentially theft in the West. What’s more bewildering is that these bastions of investigative truth finding, Journalist are just as corrupted. Can we really expect them to expose the majority of the examples given above?
Over the last few weeks, each of the accused merely  responded by apologising and or resigning.

Yet, if I walked into a branch of Tesco’s and left without paying. Upon being accosted by the security guard, I merely apologised, not even offering to return the item. I think you and I know what would happen to me!

All my earlier examples have led to huge losses by those directly involved. Ordinary tax paying citizens. Yet, my examples simply say sorry! However, we are up in arms when we hear of the Nigerian 419 scams. We accuse the government of that country of being corrupt and unable to control these issues. Afterall, it’s a blight on our society.

Am I missing something?

My Bugs bears: 
When people talking about themselves use the phrase: “me, myself”
Oh really, guess what buddy, if you are talking about yourself, it’s quite obvious that I may have worked out you mean: YOU!!! Hence, you do not need to say, “me, myself” The second bug bear is when people say: I, personally work,… 
Haba!!!
Aaaarrrghhhrrr!!  Doesn’t this just get you hot??

Remember: Runningwater is multi use,..you wash with it, drink it and at birth are anointed with it.
Any observations made here are my own and only an attempt to understand the world in which I live.

So there I was

So there I was 
standing on the edge of despair 
Fluent in the language of failure 
Seemingly predictively unorganised
In the throws of human weakness and inanity 
Versed in the chapters of lust over life 
My very being rich in the transient pleasure of ignorance 
Like flat palm wine on a hot day 
No pleasure did I receive from drinking this cup
 So there I was,... 
Unbowed 
Unperturbed 
Unbending  
Inspite of Or despite? 
Words fail me, 
I lack composure  
Structure, lexis and tense 
I mix verbs and nouns  
Adjectives and whatever else!

my inevitable demise 
When we sleep, do we sleep?  Or are we merely transposed ? 
When we are awake, are we awake ? or are we asleep in ignorant bliss? 
Yet I fail to react 
I fail to break ground, to find definition 
Like flat palm wine on a hot day
No pleasure did I receive from drinking this cup 
Who wants to know? ,...only those who care to ask 
So there I was 
,.... this is for you 
Today you entered my thoughts
Grabbed me by my proverbial and made me realise that we all face daily challenges 
And are often judged by our peers who have no right to make such judgements
You gathered me in like a gardener clearing the first offerings of autumn 
You offered me fresh perspective  
And inspired in me hope. 
I love you beyond mere words can tell 
Am inspired by your frailties and lifted by your innocence 
I love it that you are contrary to the given views 
And in standing alone, you are never alone 
So there I was 
Seemingly on the edge of despair 
Fluent in the language of failure 
Like flat palm wine on a hot day 
No pleasure have I derived from drinking this cup 
I was running on empty
But then you came 
Offered me the coolness of your gaze  
The deafening roar of your silence 
And like cool cold palm wine on a hot day  I am drunk with your love 
Shukran  
for fatema,...my inspiration
  
"Allahoma ini la asaloka radda al kada, walakini asaloka allotfa fih"

  Remember ~ runningwater never sleeps,..it runs wide, runs deep, it's a source of life. 01072012@ 07.18