🌈 1406 – Wednesday, 27 May 2026, 23:58
London
Thoughts of Croatia were on my mind just now.
Good food, easy to get to, friends were there, and it was great fun too.
Lost in thought again. It’s just gone 00:14 now. A little Bluetooth speaker on my right is playing recent pop songs. On my left is my work laptop sitting on my bed. Underneath it is a notebook that I’ve been using for Python practice, and next to it is a little Economics A–Z guide given to me by a mate, J****, dated 25.04.13, with a message inside:
“Ash, Good Luck, Love J*** x”*
Since I moved, somehow this book has found a place on my bed without any resistance, naturally placed there at some point during the move. I was thinking about starting a book again, as I recently realised how much I miss reading.
I remember a time when I used to read one page as soon as I got up and one before going to bed. Sometimes, if I woke during the night, I’d switch on the little bedside light and read a few pages. Thinking about that feeling now brings back good memories. Insha’Allah, I shall start doing that again with this book.
I woke up at 07:45 AM feeling fresh. It was bright outside. Last night was the first time I slept with the windows open by myself here in London. It was so hot yesterday and I was sweating loads. I even showered twice. In the end, I didn’t get to bed until 3:30 AM for no particular reason.
Despite that, I still woke up feeling fresh today without setting an alarm.
Today was Eid. Eid Mubarak to everybody on the planet.
At 08:10, I got out of bed, jumped in the shower until 08:30, put on a white T-shirt and white tracksuit bottoms, got the bike out, and headed to Holborn Masjid for Eid-ul-Adha Salah.
I hadn’t remembered to take my keys with me, but when I got there, there was nowhere to lock my bike. Next to the masjid was a house where a man wearing a jubbah was standing outside. He had obviously got ready for Eid. There also seemed to be his mother leaving the house wearing a burkha, and a little child, no older than five, playing nearby.
I greeted him with “Assalamu Alaikum.”
He replied, “Wa Alaikum Assalam.”
I said, “I forgot my key, but there’s nowhere to leave my bike. Would it be okay if I left it here for a little while?”
He smiled and said, “Yeah, sure. You can leave it. Not there by the plants – leave it over on this side.”
I thanked him and said, “I won’t be long, just going next door for Salah.”
So I left my bike there. Bless him. Later on, I saw him helping to lay out the prayer mats, and he saw me helping too.
The Salah was good. Salah means prayer. It didn’t take long, maybe around 30 minutes. Nobody said Eid Mubarak to me or offered a handshake or hug. I thought maybe the guys on my left or right would, but they didn’t.
Never mind.
I returned home. I was going to call Mother from there, but I thought I’d get home and log in for work first. When I arrived, I noticed a missed call from her six minutes earlier.
I called her back. She wished me Eid Mubarak and asked whether I’d had breakfast.
I said no, but I had just been thinking how, every Bakrid growing up, Mother would always make roti and gosht. It was the same meal every Eid.
We chatted for a while. Dad was at my sister’s new house where another concrete slab was being poured. My sister had just been on the phone with Mother, and they had both hung up because I was calling.
After speaking with Mother, I spoke briefly with Dad, then called my sister and sent a text to my brother, who seemed to still be asleep.
I had a nice catch-up with my sister, then called Mother back for another chat. Afterwards, I told her I was going to make breakfast.
I went into the kitchen and made roti and daal. While cooking, I received a voice note from my dear mother. She was singing a beautiful song, praising God and saying that she would visit me soon in London. I said to her, all these years, mamma this is the best gife you have given me on Eid, by singing me a lovely song.
By the time I sat down at my desk to work, it was midday.
I worked for a couple of hours. Around lunchtime, I met a mate near Portland Place for a quick chat. It was a beautiful day outside and a lovely walk.
I had also been chatting on and off with another mate, M****, who works around the corner from me. We had planned to meet after work, then cancelled, then ended up chatting on WhatsApp again.
Eventually, I said, “Okay, I’ll come and meet you outside.”
I got on the bike and took the long route around the main road. Russell Square was practically next door to me and should have taken about four minutes to reach, but I somehow managed to take eight.
My mate didn’t say anything. We had a quick chinwag and then bid each other farewell.
I returned home around 18:15, sat at the desk for a little while, and then took a nap from 18:30 until 20:08.
I woke up feeling refreshed.
I got the bike out again and headed to Marshall Street Leisure Centre on Carnaby Street. I spent 55 minutes rowing until exactly 22:00, when the staff announced it was time to close.
When I got home, one of my building mates was in the kitchen and offered me a large shot of Chinese whisky.
Afterwards, we all sat outside in front of the house for a little while.
Now I’ve sat down to write.
Three things I felt grateful for today
Grateful for ending up where I live, surrounded by lovely building mates.
Grateful for loving and caring parents.
Grateful that I got some writing done today and will head to bed shortly for a good night’s sleep.
What would it take for me – and for you – to wake up ten times bigger, stronger, leaner, muscular, more energetic, confident, happy, and grateful. To wake up early, make it to the gym, have a great workout, get to work sharp, have everything be okay with family, friends, and everyone around us, and still have a mentally relaxing, relaxing, relaxing yet a productive day tomorrow?
Sign up for the monthly letter below.
Goodnight, and good luck.
Ash Khaleem
MY LETTERS ARE 100% FREE.