Wanna Go for a Ride with Me?

Bismillaah

As Salaamu 'alaykum and peace to all,

Wanna Go for a Ride with Me?



From the moment i posted the cover Life is an Open Secret- You, Me and We, i received many curious and excited emails from my readers and friends regarding the new book, alhamdulillaah. So, i thought, it would be best to use this week's (4th week) post to give a taste of the book, inshaAllaah.

So, what is Life is an Open Secret- You, Me and We is about? To explain what's it is all about, maybe i should explain why i wrote it...

Once, I was traveling and decided to buy some stuff for keepsake. It was then I saw this ID Badge bearing a picture and quote from one of the most successful women in show business, Oprah Winfrey. The quote said Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down. This very quote had haunted and made me think big time.

So, I started asking questions- Who are the people in my life who would be ready to ride the bus with me if my limo breaks down? How do I know who they are? What are their characteristics? Do I even have any of them with me?



But very quickly I realized something. These are not even the right questions to ask. What I should be asking are in fact these questions- Am I the kind of person who is ready to ride my friends’ buses when their limos break down? Would my family and friends consider me someone whom they would love to find sitting in their limos and buses? What are the things that I should do to ensure them that I am the person who not only would be there in their beautiful limos, but, more importantly, would still be riding joyfully with them in their big red buses too?

And those questions drives and motivates me to write this second book- Life is an Open Secret- You, Me and We. All the 18 stories in here are to facilitate us all into becoming the person others want to be with, both in their limos and buses.

As what Allah Almighty says, "So race each other to the good," (W2:147; H2:148)

Each story is written to provoke and tease our deep emotions on how we have been behaving towards ourselves and others, and how we could improve our characters.

Amazingly, as I wrote these stories, the whole journey has allowed me to discover something absolutely stunning!

The fact of the matter is simple- I discovered that if we could be of a helpful person, be valuable, be kind and be respectful towards others, we are not really servicing them.

Instead, I found that, it was us, the helper whom would ultimately benefit and get helped from the help we gave away!

Sound confusing? You don’t believe me? Pick up Life is an Open Secret- You, Me and We; read it and you will know what i mean!

In sha Allah, God willing, you will be so glad you did.

Life is an Open Secret- You, Me and We has been vetted by knowledgeable individuals who have verified the authenticity and validity of the usage of all Qur'anic verses and hadiths quoted.


What Others Says About It?

Below are just a short excerpt of the rave reviews received worldwide from people of diverse background and faith for Life is an Open Secret- You, Me and We



A groovy introduction to Islam! Carries a mixture between Mary Poppins, Shirley Temple and Aesops Fables!
Yvonne Ridley, UNITED KINGDOM
Journalist and Author

Wonderful secrets for those searching for better 'We'!
Azim Jamal, CANADA
# 1 Amazon bestselling Co-Author of "The Power of Giving"

Addresses many of the real life problems we face everyday!
Imam Suhaib Webb, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Muslim Scholar and Activist, www.suhaibwebb.com

Love the book, love the message and love her ability to make divine wisdom so simple!
Dave Rogers, SINGAPORE
Recipient of the Singapore Spirit of Enterprise award for Entrepreneurship for 2007

Greatly impressed with her stories as a pioneer in this blessed field!
Prof. Dr. Malik B. Badri, SUDAN
Department of Psychology, International Islamic University Malaysia

Very unique, relaxed writing style that makes it easy to read and enjoyable!
Leila Smith, SOUTH AFRICA
Producer and Talk show host



It is hard to put down as I felt like I was talking to an old friend. All that was missing was a good cup of tea!
Hatiq Mohammed, UNITED KINGDOM
Award Winning Journalist and Artist, www.teakster.co.uk

It really had me excited about doing more and giving more!
Eddie, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Host, TheDeenShow Chicago, www.thedeenshow.com

Reminds us of the many precious qualities of human many of us have forgotten...
Merve Cetinel, TURKEY
Writer/TURUNCU (Orange) Cultural and Literary Women Journal

Beautifully written by truly an inspirational storyteller, Ma sha’ Allah!
Just Muslim, UNITED KINGDOM
Fashion Designer, www.justmuslim.co.uk

Her message is so profound and impactful. It's hard to put down!
Sean Tay Choon Hui, MALAYSIA
President & CEO of Matrix Connexion

Shift your focus from earthly to spiritual, from self-absorbed to outreaching. A fabulous job!
Christine (Amina) Benlafquih, MORROCCO
Freelance Writer

Truly inspiring for living in better harmony
Balqees Mohammed, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
Author, Poet, Editor.

Full of great smile material. Refreshing, humorous and definitely worth the read!
Peter Gould, AUSTRALIA
Designer & Artist, www.azaan.com.au

Excellent reminders for Muslims
Belal Khan, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Founder, Leechon www.leechon.com

I really liked the stories as they all seemed to be like diaries entries to me. Really convincing!
Noran R. Jarada, PALESTINE
11TH Grader, Al Zahra School for Girls

Inspiring, heart-touching and make you re-think the most of the everyday events in your life and make them blossom before you!
Abdul Sattar Ahmed, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Islamic Activist and IT Professional

I began reading when the print suddenly turned blurry and for the first time that my eyes watered!
Nayeefa Chowdhury, AUSTRALIA
Founding Director, www.light-of-islam.net

Very thought-provoking stories throughout!
Farzana Hussain, UNITED KINGDOM
Freelance Editor

If I may paraphrase another great writer,’ God has given Sis Zabrina a beautiful vision for mankind and the words to describe it.’ I for one am glad He did.
Jason Moriarty, MALAYSIA
Health and Exercise Specialist, www.jasonmoriarty.blogspot.com

After reading these stories, all I want to do is help others, make them happy and just give myself to the world!
Bareerah Nana, BARBADOS
Student of Life

Her stories are like an oasis in the desert and snow in the Sahara!
Tittu Riana, INDONESIA
Homemaker



An epitome of a true story teller, skillfully and nonchalantly entwines everyday stories!
Khadijah Tifla, UNITED KINGDOM
Blogger, www.pausetoreflect.blogspot.com

They drive you to reflect and implement upon their lessons while you think you are simply enjoying thoughtful and funny stories!
Deema Azizi, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Youth Division, Muslim American Society

It is a book that builds bridges, a book for this time and a book that everyone young or old should read!
Colette Garside UNITED KINGDOM
Colour Consultant & Teacher, www.windsofchange.eu.com

Excellent blend of contemporary life and Islamic values!
Faatimah Bibi Dulull, MAURITIUS
Student, MA of Human Sciences (English Literary Studies)

Gentle, sweet and warm reminders of those little deeds that help us to become better people!
iMuslim, UNITED KINGDOM
Co-editor, Ijtema.net

Her stories always trigger my brain cells and after reading I have always thought "Wow I never thought that way!”
Ayesha Fatima, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Mother, Wife and Servant of God Al Mighty

Need a kick in the pants to shift your focus from earthly to spiritual, from self-absorbed to outreaching? Life is an Open Secret- You, Me and We is the book to do it!
Christine (Amina) Benlafquih, MORROCCO
Freelance Writer

Sis Zabrina's magical, truly humble and graceful persona captures and makes sense of the essences, beauty, trails and tribulations of daily life in Life is an Open Secret- You, Me and We. A delightful, unique and inspirational read!
Kathy Kaiser, IRELAND
Spa Consultant, Aroma therapist & Reiki Master

Sis Zabrina has done it again! She brings more heart-warming story of joy, love, peace, compassion and forgiveness woven around her faith in her own inimitable chatty fireside manner in Life is an Open Secret- You, Me and We. Her legions of readers around the world will love it.
Hock Soh, MALAYSIA
Chief Dreamer and Designer, Ed-Infinitum (M) Sdn Bhd.
www.extradiction.com

Sis Zabrina's caring and energetic narrative voice pulls the reader into the heart of her stories, this collection is one to share with those you love simply because you love them.
S. M. Ayoub, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Mother, Writer
www.islamonmyside.com, http:www.ainsliebaby.blogspot.com

I think mothers should read Sis Zabrina's stories to their little ones as they are simple and very inspirational!
Neveen Shedid, EGYPT
Editor, www.readingislam.com

Now, perhaps you want to know what the CONTENT is like, right? I have selected these 18 themes that i felt are important to remind myself and my readers of. So, 18 stories with 18 Secrets...



Secret One
Love Your Kins
The Story of the Two Brothers …………..……
~ An ounce of blood is worth more than a pound of friendship ~ Spanish Proverb


Secret Two
Be Kind to Others
The Story of a Man and his Bag of Gold …………………..…..…
~One can pay back the loan of gold, but one dies forever in debt to those who are kind ~ Malay Proverb

Secret Three
Give and You Shall Receive
The Story of a Man and His Salary ……...
~ If you have much, give your wealth; if you have little, give your heart ~
Arabian Proverb

Secret Four
Forgive and Move On
The Story of a Girl and Her Poem …………..…….
~ Wink at small faults, for you have great ones yourself ~ Scottish Proverb


Secret Five
Don’t Judge Others
The Story of the Boy and His Grandpa…………………………………
~ Before I judge my neighbor, let me walk a mile in his moccasins ~ Sioux Proverb

Secret Six
Wish for Others What You Wished for Yourself
The Story of a Boy and His New Room…………....
~ The sun will shine into our yard too ~ Russian Proverb

Secret Seven
Learn to Be Happy for Others
The Story of Two Neighbors and Their Cars…………...
~ Envy was able to manifest itself as the power of the evil eye ~ Roman Proverb

Secret Eight
When You Point One Finger to Others,
Four Are Pointing Back Right at You
The Story of a Concerned Husband ……..……..
~ A bad workman always blames his tools ~ American Proverb

Secret Nine
Depend on Your Lord
The Story of the Egg Seller……………………...
~ Living without faith is like driving in a fog ~ Proverb



Secret Ten
Honesty Pays
The Story of the New Emperor and His Seed ....
~ A clear conscience is a good pillow ~ French Proverb


Secret Eleven
Accept and Adapt to Changes

The Story of the King and His Minister ……………………….
~ A wise man is able to adapt to the surprises of life
as water to the decanter it is poured in ~ Chinese Proverb

Secret Twelve
Listen and Follow the Wise Advice
The Story of the Highway Employee and His Card…….....
~ He who follows the river comes at last to the sea ~ Norwegian Proverb

Secret Thirteen
Patience is a Virtue
The Story of the Tornado………………………….……..
~ Great anger is more destructive than the sword ~ Tamil Proverb

Secret Fourteen
Love Our Children

The Story of the Little Boy and His Boots .………..……
~ The soul is healed by being with children ~ English Proverb

Secret Fifteen
Smile and the World Smiles with You
The Story of the Daughter and Her Crumpled Bed Sheet ……………………
~Life is short but a smile takes barely only a second ~ Cuban Proverb


Secret Sixteen
Listen, it Pays
The Story of the Teacher and Little Girl ……………………...
~ To speak is to sow; to listen is to reap ~ Kurdish Proverb


Secret Seventeen
Think Good of Others
The Story of the Lady and Her Umbrella ………………….……...
~ A mind conscious of innocence laughs at the lies of rumors ~ Latin Proverb

Secret Eighteen
Celebrate our Differences
The Story of Nine Sprinters………..…
~ Variety is the spice of life ~ American Proverb



In my next post, i will share one short excerpt from Life is an Open Secret- You, Me and We for your reading pleasure, inshaAllah!

And while we ponder and think of the We-ness a friend of mine of Facebook send me this video and i thought this is the perfect time to reflect on this video, inshaAllaah...





Note: I would like to thank my team members for lending and sharing me their great talents in producing Life is an Open Secret- You, Me and We.

Content Editor
Mohsen Haredy, EGYPT
BA (Al-Azhar University, Cairo), MA (Leiden University, the Netherlands),
Phd Candidate (Leiden University, the Netherlands)
Editor of Ask About Islam of www.readingislam.com
Former Editor of Shari`ah Special Pages of www.islamonline.net

Editor
Balqees Muhammad, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Da‘wah and Guidance


Illustrator
Mohd. Khazreen Mohd. Khalid, MALAYSIA
Entrepreneur, Designer, Bachelor in Arts and Design
(Industrial Design Engineering, University Technology Mara)
Entrepreneur and Owner of ID Reka Design
Freeweb.com/idreka
Id_reka@yahoo.com

Book Cover Designer
Rami Elsoud, UNITED KINGDOM
Designer, Director, Writer
www.ramielsoud.wordpress.com, www.myspace.com/rami_elsoud
Rami_Elsoud@hotmail.co.uk

Website Designer and Webmaster
Heather ElKhiyari, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
SingleStopWebDesignShop.com

Layout Designer
Aimy Zarina, MALAYSIA
B. Ed. TESL (UPM), M. Ed. Admin (IIUM)
Ph.D Candidate
aimyrashid@gmail.com



Copyright © Sis Zabrina 2008

Sis Zabrina
Life Storyteller
Author of Life is an Open Secret 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 Life is an Open Secret http://www.lifeopensecret.com She maintains an active blog at http://www.wisdomthruwords.blogspot.com