What do you do when an opportunity that aligns with your set intentions knocks on your door the second time after you conveniently ignore it the first time? Well, YOU SAY YES!
When I realised that 2019 was a start to my YEAR OF YES, I told myself “hey, this is something I’d like to continue” and since then, made PLAY a priority in my day-to-day. In 2022, my YES TO PLAY included saying yes whenever I get the invitation from my kids to do something fun with them.
In the beginning of 2023 – I journaled that I will say yes to when I am asked to share my passion in creating. Ma shaa Allah, an email from MVHS came in early January offering me just that – inviting past students to participate in an upcoming Exhibition!
I have to admit, the first time reading the Email and looking at the deadline, I straight away came up with 101 excuses to take a pass at it. It was just the end of a year long course in December 2022 and I wanted a little break before going on to prepare for the examinations. But then, the second Email came informing us that the deadline has been extended for those who are still interested. This reminded me of a quote I once wrote on the back of a postcard sent to myself from Prague… Yes, I love sending postcards (to others AND myself) on most of my trips!
Make the right intention and then watch how He opens miraculous doors for you… because He is Al-Fattah – He who opens all things.
#prahaohpraha 2019
Of course, I had to take this as a sign that it had to be The Almighty opening up a door for a new experience. And after all, He is Al-Khaliq, the best of all planners. I smiled with gratitude and with some slight rescheduling in my plans, replied to the email with a big YES!
The exhibition is open and offered to students of Ivan Uzunov, Art Lecturer in MVHS. I took his course in November 2021 and never really imagined to take part in such event. Sometimes that is how it is, I guess. Sometimes not only do the dots connect, they actually draw up a map for you, Ma shaa Allah.
I have decided to combine some drawing techniques from Ivan’s course with my current passion in Printmaking (mostly skills I have learned from another MVHS Art Lecturer, Yoko Omomi) to produce the artworks. The theme was chosen to help raise awareness about five endangered animal species in the country where I come from, Malaysia. We have about a month to prepare and it’s been a fun experience so far, not forgetting to mention, all the fruitful feedback and tips received.
It is a small step but definitely a step forward. Wherever this may lead to, my heart is partly anxious but most of all, full of gratitude.
“…Sometimes not only do the dots connect, they actually draw up a map for you, Ma shaa Allah”.
WHERE THE SUN SHINES 