Masjid Al-Istighfar‘s “Water for All” programme – a brilliant community initiative

I’m surprised this community initiative isn’t more well-publicised, even though it’s been running for close to 1½ years.

So I thought I’d spread the word about Masjid Al-Istighfar‘s “Water for All” programme.

The mosque on Pasir Ris Walk has two water dispensers installed outside its premises to provide water to all passers-by.

I love the idea for two reasons: First, it’s the epitome of what it means to be human – unconditionally providing sustenance to all in need.

Second, it’s one of those concepts that people will knock down a peg at first blush – then stare, slack-jawed in awe, when they realise how ingenious it is.

This project is a simple yet brilliant way of generating goodwill in the community and beyond.

For context, the dispensers are conveniently located along a park connector frequented by joggers and cyclists.

All the mosque has to do: Be there to quench parched throats and effectively meet needs.

The returns from the compassion it invests in people for the cost of a sip of water? Priceless.

Now, imagine if all places of worship across Singapore did the same.

My hope is for a non-denominational group to take up the reins and coordinate it such that the nationwide project could be sponsored by businesses, as part of corporate social responsibility efforts.

This way, companies would be more willing to donate to such a cause; it wouldn’t be tagged to a single religious organisation, which might create perceptions of preferential treatment.

If you’re interested in paying Masjid Al-Istighfar a visit, make it a fun fitness activity – it’s part of the National Heritage Board‘s Pasir Ris Heritage Trail.

Of roosting chickens, circling back and WISHBs

"Nothing will come of nothing." #1ismorethan0 #keeptruffling #obese #obesity #ohbabi #running #fitspo #fitness #fitspiration
“Nothing will come of nothing.” #1ismorethan0 #keeptruffling #obese #obesity #ohbabi #running #fitspo #fitness #fitspiration

The chickens came home to roost last Tuesday.

I spent the whole of that day privately making jibes at a PR company for using the term “circling back”.

They did so while corresponding with my colleagues, in instances like these:

  • “Thank you for circling back to me.” (I think they meant to say “replying”.)
  • Circling back to our previous conversation…” (“Returning”, perhaps?)

While they weren’t exactly wrong, I was amused because their usage of the phrase was unnecessarily cumbersome.

So I mercilessly mocked them by “circling back” to the same phrase at every opportunity I got, during conversations with my office mates.

I guess it was only fitting to receive my comeuppance by inadvertently making a typo on the same day.

Shortly after knocking off, I accidentally interacted with an emotionally toxic person outside of work.

By the time I reached home, I was so drained from dealing with this person that I almost skipped my weekly run.

But I decided I wouldn’t allow myself to be affected by said individual.

So I thought I’d force myself to carry on with the workout through a bit of self-motivation, based on something I’d learnt from this post on Reddit.

Before heading off for the run, I created the image you see at the top of this post.

It’s supposed to say “1 > 0”, or one is more than zero i.e. don’t have a zero day by putting one foot forward, and then another, and so on.

Unfortunately, I only realised later that I used “<“, the lesser than sign, instead of “>”, the more than sign.

Adding insult to injury was the situational irony of my caption: “Nothing will come of nothing”.

It’s a line from the opening scene of King Lear by William Shakespeare, which I meant to use in a self-motivational manner.

However, the original line was meant to demonstrate the protagonist’s hubris…

I guess the moral of the story is: don’t “circle back” when you can “revert”?

In any case, a WISHB was in order – and duly published: