Why ' Happy renewal day? '

Assalamu Alaikum-:)

I hope you all enjoyed reading the poem in the post below just this one, by my talented friend Layla Khayyam. She will occasionally be posting more of her work here, so stay tuned. Also check out her poetry blog; the link is in the list of links at the side of this blog page.

I turned 20 yesterday. Yes, it was my birthday yesterday; the end of another decade.
Whilst we are on the subject of birthdays i'd like to share with you this excerpt; written by my dear friend Clement from Malaysia on the subject of birthdays. Enjoy.

Why ' happy renewal day'

I've always been thinking about the idea that you only celebrate your 'Birthday' once...
I.e on the actual day you were born on, and even on such events, its literally our parents
who are elated and celebrating the occasion.

And i guess
cakes, presents and parties would most definitely work for elementary years of life,oh yeah,
good measure for an immeasurable childhood memory...
But
as we reach the age of Mukallaf, i reckon birthdays are always good to be commemorated with deep reflections and in depth introspections,
what say you...?

Other than Ramadhan, this is also one of the best times for a new years resolution.
It is the time to look back (in time) into that one year of being 15 or 17 or '19'....and
to just simply ask ourselves what have we been up to for the past 1 year?
Y'know, its nice to actually introspect on how much wisdom we have actually acquired from life...and again, how much we have developed spiritually? intellectually? emotionally?... and of course, the physical growth is highly likely apparent...lol...
And with regards to our 'Amal (deeds) it should rightfully be a session of the 'end of the year' of self-Mutaba'ah (self assessment) the checklist being for example;

...Have we made any notable progress in our Ibaadah, worship? Are our deeds/practices enhanced or have they deteriorated?Some graphs would actually help! ...How many rounds of Tilawatul-Quran did we manage throughout that one whole year? ...What are the virtues that we have successfully nurtured and should continue grooming? ... What about the vices that needs to be eliminated immediately! from our personality.

If our 'Birthday' is scheduled tomorrow, then by right, we should be on the last page of the glorious Quran, as tomorrow a new cycle begins.
Heh, just my two cents. They are all reminders foremost for my own sin committing self before thay are for anyone else, i stand to be corrected for any mis-guided point of view.

' Ala Kulli Haal ' Happy Renewal Day and may we all be renewed , our Imaan refreshed, and our A'amal rejuvenated.