with this
with this [Music]
all of you appear pink
all of you appear pink [Music]
with these all of you appear blue with
with these all of you appear blue with these all of you appear purple but with
these all of you appear purple but with
these all of you appear purple but with these all of you appear normal in the
these all of you appear normal in the
these all of you appear normal in the last 30 seconds nothing about you
last 30 seconds nothing about you
last 30 seconds nothing about you changed the the lenses through which I
changed the the lenses through which I
changed the the lenses through which I saw you did and that impacted the way I
saw you did and that impacted the way I
saw you did and that impacted the way I viewed you similarly elements in our
viewed you similarly elements in our
viewed you similarly elements in our vicinities may remain constant though
vicinities may remain constant though
vicinities may remain constant though depending on the angle in which we
depending on the angle in which we
depending on the angle in which we approach them our interaction with an
approach them our interaction with an
approach them our interaction with an appreciation of the world will be
appreciation of the world will be
appreciation of the world will be altered the perspective of a person
altered the perspective of a person
altered the perspective of a person determines the manner in which they
determines the manner in which they
determines the manner in which they perceive and assign meaning to events
perceive and assign meaning to events
perceive and assign meaning to events and elements all around them this
and elements all around them this
and elements all around them this concept is brilliantly captured in a
concept is brilliantly captured in a
concept is brilliantly captured in a quote by French critic and Pont scar who
quote by French critic and Pont scar who
quote by French critic and Pont scar who said we can complain because rose bushes
said we can complain because rose bushes
said we can complain because rose bushes have thorns or rejoice because thorns
have thorns or rejoice because thorns
have thorns or rejoice because thorns have roses
it’s understood that when a person is in
it’s understood that when a person is in love with something everything around
love with something everything around
love with something everything around them reminds them of that love I have no
them reminds them of that love I have no
them reminds them of that love I have no idea how but mathematicians somehow see
idea how but mathematicians somehow see
idea how but mathematicians somehow see the world in numbers engineers see it in
the world in numbers engineers see it in
the world in numbers engineers see it in equations investors and opportunities
equations investors and opportunities
equations investors and opportunities authors and stories doctors in cures
authors and stories doctors in cures
authors and stories doctors in cures poets and prose the same can also be
poets and prose the same can also be
poets and prose the same can also be extended to those who love their creator
extended to those who love their creator
extended to those who love their creator as they see his creation composed with
as they see his creation composed with
as they see his creation composed with messages from him as an individual of
messages from him as an individual of
messages from him as an individual of faith I confidently believe that within
faith I confidently believe that within
faith I confidently believe that within the heavens and the earth and the
the heavens and the earth and the
the heavens and the earth and the alternation of night and day there are
alternation of night and day there are
alternation of night and day there are signs for those who reflect at the age
signs for those who reflect at the age
signs for those who reflect at the age of 12 I began a journey with an
of 12 I began a journey with an
of 12 I began a journey with an unbeknownst destination I’d lay in the
unbeknownst destination I’d lay in the
unbeknownst destination I’d lay in the grasp and look up and around for hours
grasp and look up and around for hours
grasp and look up and around for hours upon hours pretending I was some kind of
upon hours pretending I was some kind of
upon hours pretending I was some kind of Pocahontas and so my loving parents
Pocahontas and so my loving parents
Pocahontas and so my loving parents calls me inside I repeated this practice
calls me inside I repeated this practice
calls me inside I repeated this practice week after week month after month year
week after week month after month year
week after week month after month year after year the more I reflected on
after year the more I reflected on
after year the more I reflected on nature the more I became convinced that
nature the more I became convinced that
nature the more I became convinced that none of what was around me happened by
none of what was around me happened by
none of what was around me happened by accident things taking place on a
accident things taking place on a
accident things taking place on a universal scale we’re mirroring part of
universal scale we’re mirroring part of
universal scale we’re mirroring part of my individual life and surely that was
my individual life and surely that was
my individual life and surely that was not by mistake when I started to immerse
not by mistake when I started to immerse
not by mistake when I started to immerse myself in identifying these connections
myself in identifying these connections
myself in identifying these connections I came across a holy verse which says we
I came across a holy verse which says we
I came across a holy verse which says we will show them our signs in the horizons
will show them our signs in the horizons
will show them our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes
and within themselves until it becomes
and within themselves until it becomes manifest clear to them that this
manifest clear to them that this
manifest clear to them that this guidance is the truth
guidance is the truth
guidance is the truth these words struck at my core and served
these words struck at my core and served
these words struck at my core and served as confirmation for me to continue on my
as confirmation for me to continue on my
as confirmation for me to continue on my journey as I watched physical and
journey as I watched physical and
journey as I watched physical and spiritual worlds merge seamlessly
spiritual worlds merge seamlessly
spiritual worlds merge seamlessly suddenly everything around me had a new
suddenly everything around me had a new
suddenly everything around me had a new meaning nature was not just a place for
meaning nature was not just a place for
meaning nature was not just a place for diversion and relaxation as I had
diversion and relaxation as I had
diversion and relaxation as I had formerly thought but a place for
formerly thought but a place for
formerly thought but a place for discovery and inspiration I looked up at
discovery and inspiration I looked up at
discovery and inspiration I looked up at the sky see the beaming blue the
the sky see the beaming blue the
the sky see the beaming blue the three-dimensional clouds be captivated
three-dimensional clouds be captivated
three-dimensional clouds be captivated by the brilliant colors at twilight then
by the brilliant colors at twilight then
by the brilliant colors at twilight then softly the ombre would fade and an
softly the ombre would fade and an
softly the ombre would fade and an indistinguishable blackness would set in
indistinguishable blackness would set in
indistinguishable blackness would set in wrapping around what was once bright and
wrapping around what was once bright and
wrapping around what was once bright and beautiful and it would stay but after
beautiful and it would stay but after
beautiful and it would stay but after time gentle colors of light would appear
time gentle colors of light would appear
time gentle colors of light would appear in the distance until they boldly
in the distance until they boldly
in the distance until they boldly dominated the sky with Wonder and this
dominated the sky with Wonder and this
dominated the sky with Wonder and this process would continue in its perfectly
process would continue in its perfectly
process would continue in its perfectly calculated repetition around the time I
calculated repetition around the time I
calculated repetition around the time I was focused on this pattern seeking a
was focused on this pattern seeking a
was focused on this pattern seeking a deeper message within it my parents
deeper message within it my parents
deeper message within it my parents called me inside to visit my
called me inside to visit my
called me inside to visit my grandparents while there my grandpa
grandparents while there my grandpa
grandparents while there my grandpa called me to his reclining chair and
called me to his reclining chair and
called me to his reclining chair and like any Palestinians said in his
like any Palestinians said in his
like any Palestinians said in his adorable accent I’m going to give you a
adorable accent I’m going to give you a
adorable accent I’m going to give you a riddle that prophet Solomon upon him be
riddle that prophet Solomon upon him be
riddle that prophet Solomon upon him be peace gave to his court as king he
peace gave to his court as king he
peace gave to his court as king he gathered his advisors and said I wish to
gathered his advisors and said I wish to
gathered his advisors and said I wish to have a ring with a single phrase
have a ring with a single phrase
have a ring with a single phrase engraved on it if I’m happy when I read
engraved on it if I’m happy when I read
engraved on it if I’m happy when I read it I’ll become sad
it I’ll become sad
it I’ll become sad and if I’m sad when I read it I’ll
and if I’m sad when I read it I’ll
and if I’m sad when I read it I’ll become happy after deliberation a
become happy after deliberation a
become happy after deliberation a fitting response was put forward this
fitting response was put forward this
fitting response was put forward this too shall pass immediately upon hearing
too shall pass immediately upon hearing
too shall pass immediately upon hearing this story I thought of the transition
this story I thought of the transition
this story I thought of the transition between night and day for you see the
between night and day for you see the
between night and day for you see the brightness of the day gets consumed by
brightness of the day gets consumed by
brightness of the day gets consumed by the darkness of the night and the
the darkness of the night and the
the darkness of the night and the darkness of the night gets illuminated
darkness of the night gets illuminated
darkness of the night gets illuminated by the brightness of the day like our
by the brightness of the day like our
by the brightness of the day like our emotions neither one of them permanently
emotions neither one of them permanently
emotions neither one of them permanently lasts they to do pass
lasts they to do pass
lasts they to do pass I came to found verses that commented on
I came to found verses that commented on
I came to found verses that commented on the changing cycle of the skies and our
the changing cycle of the skies and our
the changing cycle of the skies and our moods by saying night is followed by day
moods by saying night is followed by day
moods by saying night is followed by day and hardship is followed by ease indeed
and hardship is followed by ease indeed
and hardship is followed by ease indeed hardship is followed by ease the more
hardship is followed by ease the more
hardship is followed by ease the more reflected the more connections came to
reflected the more connections came to
reflected the more connections came to me as I prepared to go to high school
me as I prepared to go to high school
me as I prepared to go to high school for the International Baccalaureate
for the International Baccalaureate
for the International Baccalaureate program I was a bit apprehensive having
program I was a bit apprehensive having
program I was a bit apprehensive having only been in a private school all my
only been in a private school all my
only been in a private school all my life I was afraid to be in an
life I was afraid to be in an
life I was afraid to be in an environment that differed from how I was
environment that differed from how I was
environment that differed from how I was raised and hoped I wouldn’t be
raised and hoped I wouldn’t be
raised and hoped I wouldn’t be influenced for the worse I took these
influenced for the worse I took these
influenced for the worse I took these thoughts to my backyard then the tree
thoughts to my backyard then the tree
thoughts to my backyard then the tree sent me a message not only do those
sent me a message not only do those
sent me a message not only do those massive structures grow from small seeds
massive structures grow from small seeds
massive structures grow from small seeds indicative of the developments human go
indicative of the developments human go
indicative of the developments human go through from infants to adults but also
through from infants to adults but also
through from infants to adults but also no matter how tall they grow and how far
no matter how tall they grow and how far
no matter how tall they grow and how far their branches reach they always remain
their branches reach they always remain
their branches reach they always remain connected to their roots I saw that as
connected to their roots I saw that as
connected to their roots I saw that as the limbs of trees intertwined with
the limbs of trees intertwined with
the limbs of trees intertwined with those next to them no matter how tangled
those next to them no matter how tangled
those next to them no matter how tangled they got those branches held on to the
they got those branches held on to the
they got those branches held on to the trunk and the trunk held on to its
trunk and the trunk held on to its
trunk and the trunk held on to its beginning this image was a great relief
beginning this image was a great relief
beginning this image was a great relief for me because I realized
for me because I realized
for me because I realized that even as I grow from my isolated
that even as I grow from my isolated
that even as I grow from my isolated period of life that Bay’s being my trunk
period of life that Bay’s being my trunk
period of life that Bay’s being my trunk and I branch out into different
and I branch out into different
and I branch out into different directions always remain anchored to my
directions always remain anchored to my
directions always remain anchored to my upbringing and that beginning will
upbringing and that beginning will
upbringing and that beginning will continue to nurture me ever the same I
continue to nurture me ever the same I
continue to nurture me ever the same I later found a verse that helps comfort
later found a verse that helps comfort
later found a verse that helps comfort my social fear by encouraging positive
my social fear by encouraging positive
my social fear by encouraging positive peer interaction saying the result of
peer interaction saying the result of
peer interaction saying the result of speaking a beautiful word is like the
speaking a beautiful word is like the
speaking a beautiful word is like the growth of a beautiful tree its roots are
growth of a beautiful tree its roots are
growth of a beautiful tree its roots are firmly fixed in the earth and its
firmly fixed in the earth and its
firmly fixed in the earth and its branches reach high to the sky but
branches reach high to the sky but
branches reach high to the sky but adjusting to high school is rough as
adjusting to high school is rough as
adjusting to high school is rough as hounds the first time I was faced with
hounds the first time I was faced with
hounds the first time I was faced with so much diversity and so much division I
so much diversity and so much division I
so much diversity and so much division I mean math class was really really
mean math class was really really
mean math class was really really difficult but in all seriousness I found
difficult but in all seriousness I found
difficult but in all seriousness I found that much of the separation and status
that much of the separation and status
that much of the separation and status between cliques was based off of race
between cliques was based off of race
between cliques was based off of race having been taught the importance of
having been taught the importance of
having been taught the importance of human dignity and the Equality of all
human dignity and the Equality of all
human dignity and the Equality of all colors in the eyes of the Creator this
colors in the eyes of the Creator this
colors in the eyes of the Creator this racial disparity was most bothersome I
racial disparity was most bothersome I
racial disparity was most bothersome I mean the ignorance of racism was
mean the ignorance of racism was
mean the ignorance of racism was something addressed by Prophet Muhammad
something addressed by Prophet Muhammad
something addressed by Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him 1400 years ago in the
peace be upon him 1400 years ago in the
peace be upon him 1400 years ago in the deserts of Arabia when he said all of
deserts of Arabia when he said all of
deserts of Arabia when he said all of mankind is from Adam and Eve an Arab has
mankind is from Adam and Eve an Arab has
mankind is from Adam and Eve an Arab has no superiority over a non-arab nor a non
no superiority over a non-arab nor a non
no superiority over a non-arab nor a non Arab has any superiority over an Arab
Arab has any superiority over an Arab
Arab has any superiority over an Arab also white has no superiority over black
also white has no superiority over black
also white has no superiority over black nor black has any superiority over white
nor black has any superiority over white
nor black has any superiority over white except by piety good action hi wondered
except by piety good action hi wondered
except by piety good action hi wondered how could it van stand progressive
how could it van stand progressive
how could it van stand progressive modern-day America still not have been
modern-day America still not have been
modern-day America still not have been able to grasp this concept fourteen
able to grasp this concept fourteen
able to grasp this concept fourteen centuries later I thought about this a
centuries later I thought about this a
centuries later I thought about this a lot well outside then a sign came to me
lot well outside then a sign came to me
lot well outside then a sign came to me by our garden was a hole
by our garden was a hole
by our garden was a hole the whole needed to be covered with the
the whole needed to be covered with the
the whole needed to be covered with the dirt the dirt used to fill that hole was
dirt the dirt used to fill that hole was
dirt the dirt used to fill that hole was brown black tan white some of it was of
brown black tan white some of it was of
brown black tan white some of it was of a mixture some of it was of a solid
a mixture some of it was of a solid
a mixture some of it was of a solid color it had no uniformity standard
color it had no uniformity standard
color it had no uniformity standard because it didn’t matter it was going
because it didn’t matter it was going
because it didn’t matter it was going underground all that mattered was it
underground all that mattered was it
underground all that mattered was it fulfilled its purpose and filled the
fulfilled its purpose and filled the
fulfilled its purpose and filled the hole this this was a message not just
hole this this was a message not just
hole this this was a message not just for me but for all of humanity
for me but for all of humanity
for me but for all of humanity our complexions and physical appearances
our complexions and physical appearances
our complexions and physical appearances are irrelevant because we will all
are irrelevant because we will all
are irrelevant because we will all return to the earth eventually becoming
return to the earth eventually becoming
return to the earth eventually becoming the material that fills a hole and when
the material that fills a hole and when
the material that fills a hole and when we get there it won’t matter how we
we get there it won’t matter how we
we get there it won’t matter how we looked it won’t matter how we lived if
looked it won’t matter how we lived if
looked it won’t matter how we lived if we fulfilled our purpose in nature
we fulfilled our purpose in nature
we fulfilled our purpose in nature colors are not used for differentiation
colors are not used for differentiation
colors are not used for differentiation of importance the colors of sand rank
of importance the colors of sand rank
of importance the colors of sand rank equal as should the colors of skin I
equal as should the colors of skin I
equal as should the colors of skin I came to find a clear verse that
came to find a clear verse that
came to find a clear verse that supported this saying o mankind indeed
supported this saying o mankind indeed
supported this saying o mankind indeed we created you from a male and a female
we created you from a male and a female
we created you from a male and a female and we made you into different nations
and we made you into different nations
and we made you into different nations and tribes so you would love one another
and tribes so you would love one another
and tribes so you would love one another not so you would despise each other
not so you would despise each other
not so you would despise each other indeed the greatest of you in the eyes
indeed the greatest of you in the eyes
indeed the greatest of you in the eyes of God is the most righteous
as I continued to grow I proceeded to
as I continued to grow I proceeded to branch out into different directions I
branch out into different directions I
branch out into different directions I moved to another city to attend
moved to another city to attend
moved to another city to attend University so sadly I couldn’t visit my
University so sadly I couldn’t visit my
University so sadly I couldn’t visit my precious place as often but I still held
precious place as often but I still held
precious place as often but I still held on to my roots of reflection by that
on to my roots of reflection by that
on to my roots of reflection by that time I can sell accustomed to seeing
time I can sell accustomed to seeing
time I can sell accustomed to seeing something physical and assigning a
something physical and assigning a
something physical and assigning a spiritual meaning to it that it was
spiritual meaning to it that it was
spiritual meaning to it that it was almost an automatic process of input and
almost an automatic process of input and
almost an automatic process of input and interpretation as I said earlier when
interpretation as I said earlier when
interpretation as I said earlier when you love something it’s the way you see
you love something it’s the way you see
you love something it’s the way you see the entire world loving my Creator gave
the entire world loving my Creator gave
the entire world loving my Creator gave me the ability to see communications
me the ability to see communications
me the ability to see communications through his creation and I saw them
through his creation and I saw them
through his creation and I saw them everywhere I would go to the grocery
everywhere I would go to the grocery
everywhere I would go to the grocery store and look at a spikey fruit and
store and look at a spikey fruit and
store and look at a spikey fruit and think even rough people can have a
think even rough people can have a
think even rough people can have a sweetness inside of them I’d go camping
sweetness inside of them I’d go camping
sweetness inside of them I’d go camping and watch bugs circulating the fire and
and watch bugs circulating the fire and
and watch bugs circulating the fire and think how silly we sometimes are to be
think how silly we sometimes are to be
think how silly we sometimes are to be attracted to things that are harmful for
attracted to things that are harmful for
attracted to things that are harmful for us I’d visit the ocean and watch as the
us I’d visit the ocean and watch as the
us I’d visit the ocean and watch as the waves washed away footprints and think
waves washed away footprints and think
waves washed away footprints and think how beautiful is forgiveness as it
how beautiful is forgiveness as it
how beautiful is forgiveness as it cleanses a person from the marks of
cleanses a person from the marks of
cleanses a person from the marks of their mistakes I’d get in the car and
their mistakes I’d get in the car and
their mistakes I’d get in the car and rely on the directions of my GPS and
rely on the directions of my GPS and
rely on the directions of my GPS and think how important it is it for someone
think how important it is it for someone
think how important it is it for someone to have divine guidance in their life so
to have divine guidance in their life so
to have divine guidance in their life so they can be directed to the best of ways
they can be directed to the best of ways
they can be directed to the best of ways I pass by a health clinic where shots
I pass by a health clinic where shots
I pass by a health clinic where shots were administered and think how
were administered and think how
were administered and think how sometimes when in a difficult situation
sometimes when in a difficult situation
sometimes when in a difficult situation we perceive ourselves being hurt when
we perceive ourselves being hurt when
we perceive ourselves being hurt when really we’re being healed it used to be
really we’re being healed it used to be
really we’re being healed it used to be that in order for me to think like this
that in order for me to think like this
that in order for me to think like this I had to put on spiritual lenses but
I had to put on spiritual lenses but
I had to put on spiritual lenses but after time it’s as if the frames
after time it’s as if the frames
after time it’s as if the frames transcended into plain eyesight as if
transcended into plain eyesight as if
transcended into plain eyesight as if reflecting on nature of some kind of
reflecting on nature of some kind of
reflecting on nature of some kind of LASIK corrective eye procedure to help
LASIK corrective eye procedure to help
LASIK corrective eye procedure to help me see more clearly
me see more clearly
me see more clearly as I branched off further to the world I
as I branched off further to the world I
as I branched off further to the world I started teaching religion last year we
started teaching religion last year we
started teaching religion last year we came to a chapter titled signs and the
came to a chapter titled signs and the
came to a chapter titled signs and the creation with a big smile I remembered
creation with a big smile I remembered
creation with a big smile I remembered how I was their age the first time this
how I was their age the first time this
how I was their age the first time this concept occurred to me so many years ago
concept occurred to me so many years ago
concept occurred to me so many years ago I shared with them my reflections and
I shared with them my reflections and
I shared with them my reflections and techniques on how to see something
techniques on how to see something
techniques on how to see something physical and change it into something
physical and change it into something
physical and change it into something spiritual and they caught on to the
spiritual and they caught on to the
spiritual and they caught on to the concept fast and started to compose a
concept fast and started to compose a
concept fast and started to compose a plethora of parallels in fact in one
plethora of parallels in fact in one
plethora of parallels in fact in one week they superseded the progress it
week they superseded the progress it
week they superseded the progress it took me an entire decade to make I was
took me an entire decade to make I was
took me an entire decade to make I was in awe of their comparisons they found
in awe of their comparisons they found
in awe of their comparisons they found spiritual relations two backpacks bendy
spiritual relations two backpacks bendy
spiritual relations two backpacks bendy straws braces spiderwebs seasons road
straws braces spiderwebs seasons road
straws braces spiderwebs seasons road signs erasers I’m so pleased to see how
signs erasers I’m so pleased to see how
signs erasers I’m so pleased to see how quickly they changed seemingly
quickly they changed seemingly
quickly they changed seemingly insignificant things into something more
insignificant things into something more
insignificant things into something more meaningful this tradition of thought
meaningful this tradition of thought
meaningful this tradition of thought continued long after the chapter was
continued long after the chapter was
continued long after the chapter was completed one year and many lessons
completed one year and many lessons
completed one year and many lessons later I was in the middle of a sentence
later I was in the middle of a sentence
later I was in the middle of a sentence during class a student in the back
during class a student in the back
during class a student in the back gasped and shouted marshmallows
gasped and shouted marshmallows
gasped and shouted marshmallows initially confused I waited for an
initially confused I waited for an
initially confused I waited for an explanation for the interruption she
explanation for the interruption she
explanation for the interruption she said there’s nothing I’m sorry but I got
said there’s nothing I’m sorry but I got
said there’s nothing I’m sorry but I got it marshmallows they’re really soft and
it marshmallows they’re really soft and
it marshmallows they’re really soft and nice in the beginning if you leave them
nice in the beginning if you leave them
nice in the beginning if you leave them in the bag they came in they’ll stay
in the bag they came in they’ll stay
in the bag they came in they’ll stay that way but if you just keep them out
that way but if you just keep them out
that way but if you just keep them out on the counter they’ll become stale and
on the counter they’ll become stale and
on the counter they’ll become stale and hard
hard
hard I think our hearts are the same way in
I think our hearts are the same way in
I think our hearts are the same way in the beginning they’re very pure and
the beginning they’re very pure and
the beginning they’re very pure and innocent if we keep them in a safe
innocent if we keep them in a safe
innocent if we keep them in a safe environment they’ll remain that way but
environment they’ll remain that way but
environment they’ll remain that way but if we just leave them out in society
if we just leave them out in society
if we just leave them out in society without any protection they will be the
without any protection they will be the
without any protection they will be the same
same
same I too was proud of her mature thought
I too was proud of her mature thought
I too was proud of her mature thought process and I became overwhelmed with
process and I became overwhelmed with
process and I became overwhelmed with happiness for if a sixth grader can see
happiness for if a sixth grader can see
happiness for if a sixth grader can see a marshmallow with renewed meaning then
a marshmallow with renewed meaning then
a marshmallow with renewed meaning then I promise
I promise
I promise anyone can see the world around them
anyone can see the world around them
anyone can see the world around them more purposefully all it takes is a
more purposefully all it takes is a
more purposefully all it takes is a reflective heart and a spiritual lens
reflective heart and a spiritual lens
reflective heart and a spiritual lens thank you
thank you
thank you [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
with this [Music]
all of you appear pink
all of you appear pink [Music]
with these all of you appear blue with
with these all of you appear blue with these all of you appear purple but with
these all of you appear purple but with
these all of you appear purple but with these all of you appear normal in the
these all of you appear normal in the
these all of you appear normal in the last 30 seconds nothing about you
last 30 seconds nothing about you
last 30 seconds nothing about you changed the the lenses through which I
changed the the lenses through which I
changed the the lenses through which I saw you did and that impacted the way I
saw you did and that impacted the way I
saw you did and that impacted the way I viewed you similarly elements in our
viewed you similarly elements in our
viewed you similarly elements in our vicinities may remain constant though
vicinities may remain constant though
vicinities may remain constant though depending on the angle in which we
depending on the angle in which we
depending on the angle in which we approach them our interaction with an
approach them our interaction with an
approach them our interaction with an appreciation of the world will be
appreciation of the world will be
appreciation of the world will be altered the perspective of a person
altered the perspective of a person
altered the perspective of a person determines the manner in which they
determines the manner in which they
determines the manner in which they perceive and assign meaning to events
perceive and assign meaning to events
perceive and assign meaning to events and elements all around them this
and elements all around them this
and elements all around them this concept is brilliantly captured in a
concept is brilliantly captured in a
concept is brilliantly captured in a quote by French critic and Pont scar who
quote by French critic and Pont scar who
quote by French critic and Pont scar who said we can complain because rose bushes
said we can complain because rose bushes
said we can complain because rose bushes have thorns or rejoice because thorns
have thorns or rejoice because thorns
have thorns or rejoice because thorns have roses
it’s understood that when a person is in
it’s understood that when a person is in love with something everything around
love with something everything around
love with something everything around them reminds them of that love I have no
them reminds them of that love I have no
them reminds them of that love I have no idea how but mathematicians somehow see
idea how but mathematicians somehow see
idea how but mathematicians somehow see the world in numbers engineers see it in
the world in numbers engineers see it in
the world in numbers engineers see it in equations investors and opportunities
equations investors and opportunities
equations investors and opportunities authors and stories doctors in cures
authors and stories doctors in cures
authors and stories doctors in cures poets and prose the same can also be
poets and prose the same can also be
poets and prose the same can also be extended to those who love their creator
extended to those who love their creator
extended to those who love their creator as they see his creation composed with
as they see his creation composed with
as they see his creation composed with messages from him as an individual of
messages from him as an individual of
messages from him as an individual of faith I confidently believe that within
faith I confidently believe that within
faith I confidently believe that within the heavens and the earth and the
the heavens and the earth and the
the heavens and the earth and the alternation of night and day there are
alternation of night and day there are
alternation of night and day there are signs for those who reflect at the age
signs for those who reflect at the age
signs for those who reflect at the age of 12 I began a journey with an
of 12 I began a journey with an
of 12 I began a journey with an unbeknownst destination I’d lay in the
unbeknownst destination I’d lay in the
unbeknownst destination I’d lay in the grasp and look up and around for hours
grasp and look up and around for hours
grasp and look up and around for hours upon hours pretending I was some kind of
upon hours pretending I was some kind of
upon hours pretending I was some kind of Pocahontas and so my loving parents
Pocahontas and so my loving parents
Pocahontas and so my loving parents calls me inside I repeated this practice
calls me inside I repeated this practice
calls me inside I repeated this practice week after week month after month year
week after week month after month year
week after week month after month year after year the more I reflected on
after year the more I reflected on
after year the more I reflected on nature the more I became convinced that
nature the more I became convinced that
nature the more I became convinced that none of what was around me happened by
none of what was around me happened by
none of what was around me happened by accident things taking place on a
accident things taking place on a
accident things taking place on a universal scale we’re mirroring part of
universal scale we’re mirroring part of
universal scale we’re mirroring part of my individual life and surely that was
my individual life and surely that was
my individual life and surely that was not by mistake when I started to immerse
not by mistake when I started to immerse
not by mistake when I started to immerse myself in identifying these connections
myself in identifying these connections
myself in identifying these connections I came across a holy verse which says we
I came across a holy verse which says we
I came across a holy verse which says we will show them our signs in the horizons
will show them our signs in the horizons
will show them our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes
and within themselves until it becomes
and within themselves until it becomes manifest clear to them that this
manifest clear to them that this
manifest clear to them that this guidance is the truth
guidance is the truth
guidance is the truth these words struck at my core and served
these words struck at my core and served
these words struck at my core and served as confirmation for me to continue on my
as confirmation for me to continue on my
as confirmation for me to continue on my journey as I watched physical and
journey as I watched physical and
journey as I watched physical and spiritual worlds merge seamlessly
spiritual worlds merge seamlessly
spiritual worlds merge seamlessly suddenly everything around me had a new
suddenly everything around me had a new
suddenly everything around me had a new meaning nature was not just a place for
meaning nature was not just a place for
meaning nature was not just a place for diversion and relaxation as I had
diversion and relaxation as I had
diversion and relaxation as I had formerly thought but a place for
formerly thought but a place for
formerly thought but a place for discovery and inspiration I looked up at
discovery and inspiration I looked up at
discovery and inspiration I looked up at the sky see the beaming blue the
the sky see the beaming blue the
the sky see the beaming blue the three-dimensional clouds be captivated
three-dimensional clouds be captivated
three-dimensional clouds be captivated by the brilliant colors at twilight then
by the brilliant colors at twilight then
by the brilliant colors at twilight then softly the ombre would fade and an
softly the ombre would fade and an
softly the ombre would fade and an indistinguishable blackness would set in
indistinguishable blackness would set in
indistinguishable blackness would set in wrapping around what was once bright and
wrapping around what was once bright and
wrapping around what was once bright and beautiful and it would stay but after
beautiful and it would stay but after
beautiful and it would stay but after time gentle colors of light would appear
time gentle colors of light would appear
time gentle colors of light would appear in the distance until they boldly
in the distance until they boldly
in the distance until they boldly dominated the sky with Wonder and this
dominated the sky with Wonder and this
dominated the sky with Wonder and this process would continue in its perfectly
process would continue in its perfectly
process would continue in its perfectly calculated repetition around the time I
calculated repetition around the time I
calculated repetition around the time I was focused on this pattern seeking a
was focused on this pattern seeking a
was focused on this pattern seeking a deeper message within it my parents
deeper message within it my parents
deeper message within it my parents called me inside to visit my
called me inside to visit my
called me inside to visit my grandparents while there my grandpa
grandparents while there my grandpa
grandparents while there my grandpa called me to his reclining chair and
called me to his reclining chair and
called me to his reclining chair and like any Palestinians said in his
like any Palestinians said in his
like any Palestinians said in his adorable accent I’m going to give you a
adorable accent I’m going to give you a
adorable accent I’m going to give you a riddle that prophet Solomon upon him be
riddle that prophet Solomon upon him be
riddle that prophet Solomon upon him be peace gave to his court as king he
peace gave to his court as king he
peace gave to his court as king he gathered his advisors and said I wish to
gathered his advisors and said I wish to
gathered his advisors and said I wish to have a ring with a single phrase
have a ring with a single phrase
have a ring with a single phrase engraved on it if I’m happy when I read
engraved on it if I’m happy when I read
engraved on it if I’m happy when I read it I’ll become sad
it I’ll become sad
it I’ll become sad and if I’m sad when I read it I’ll
and if I’m sad when I read it I’ll
and if I’m sad when I read it I’ll become happy after deliberation a
become happy after deliberation a
become happy after deliberation a fitting response was put forward this
fitting response was put forward this
fitting response was put forward this too shall pass immediately upon hearing
too shall pass immediately upon hearing
too shall pass immediately upon hearing this story I thought of the transition
this story I thought of the transition
this story I thought of the transition between night and day for you see the
between night and day for you see the
between night and day for you see the brightness of the day gets consumed by
brightness of the day gets consumed by
brightness of the day gets consumed by the darkness of the night and the
the darkness of the night and the
the darkness of the night and the darkness of the night gets illuminated
darkness of the night gets illuminated
darkness of the night gets illuminated by the brightness of the day like our
by the brightness of the day like our
by the brightness of the day like our emotions neither one of them permanently
emotions neither one of them permanently
emotions neither one of them permanently lasts they to do pass
lasts they to do pass
lasts they to do pass I came to found verses that commented on
I came to found verses that commented on
I came to found verses that commented on the changing cycle of the skies and our
the changing cycle of the skies and our
the changing cycle of the skies and our moods by saying night is followed by day
moods by saying night is followed by day
moods by saying night is followed by day and hardship is followed by ease indeed
and hardship is followed by ease indeed
and hardship is followed by ease indeed hardship is followed by ease the more
hardship is followed by ease the more
hardship is followed by ease the more reflected the more connections came to
reflected the more connections came to
reflected the more connections came to me as I prepared to go to high school
me as I prepared to go to high school
me as I prepared to go to high school for the International Baccalaureate
for the International Baccalaureate
for the International Baccalaureate program I was a bit apprehensive having
program I was a bit apprehensive having
program I was a bit apprehensive having only been in a private school all my
only been in a private school all my
only been in a private school all my life I was afraid to be in an
life I was afraid to be in an
life I was afraid to be in an environment that differed from how I was
environment that differed from how I was
environment that differed from how I was raised and hoped I wouldn’t be
raised and hoped I wouldn’t be
raised and hoped I wouldn’t be influenced for the worse I took these
influenced for the worse I took these
influenced for the worse I took these thoughts to my backyard then the tree
thoughts to my backyard then the tree
thoughts to my backyard then the tree sent me a message not only do those
sent me a message not only do those
sent me a message not only do those massive structures grow from small seeds
massive structures grow from small seeds
massive structures grow from small seeds indicative of the developments human go
indicative of the developments human go
indicative of the developments human go through from infants to adults but also
through from infants to adults but also
through from infants to adults but also no matter how tall they grow and how far
no matter how tall they grow and how far
no matter how tall they grow and how far their branches reach they always remain
their branches reach they always remain
their branches reach they always remain connected to their roots I saw that as
connected to their roots I saw that as
connected to their roots I saw that as the limbs of trees intertwined with
the limbs of trees intertwined with
the limbs of trees intertwined with those next to them no matter how tangled
those next to them no matter how tangled
those next to them no matter how tangled they got those branches held on to the
they got those branches held on to the
they got those branches held on to the trunk and the trunk held on to its
trunk and the trunk held on to its
trunk and the trunk held on to its beginning this image was a great relief
beginning this image was a great relief
beginning this image was a great relief for me because I realized
for me because I realized
for me because I realized that even as I grow from my isolated
that even as I grow from my isolated
that even as I grow from my isolated period of life that Bay’s being my trunk
period of life that Bay’s being my trunk
period of life that Bay’s being my trunk and I branch out into different
and I branch out into different
and I branch out into different directions always remain anchored to my
directions always remain anchored to my
directions always remain anchored to my upbringing and that beginning will
upbringing and that beginning will
upbringing and that beginning will continue to nurture me ever the same I
continue to nurture me ever the same I
continue to nurture me ever the same I later found a verse that helps comfort
later found a verse that helps comfort
later found a verse that helps comfort my social fear by encouraging positive
my social fear by encouraging positive
my social fear by encouraging positive peer interaction saying the result of
peer interaction saying the result of
peer interaction saying the result of speaking a beautiful word is like the
speaking a beautiful word is like the
speaking a beautiful word is like the growth of a beautiful tree its roots are
growth of a beautiful tree its roots are
growth of a beautiful tree its roots are firmly fixed in the earth and its
firmly fixed in the earth and its
firmly fixed in the earth and its branches reach high to the sky but
branches reach high to the sky but
branches reach high to the sky but adjusting to high school is rough as
adjusting to high school is rough as
adjusting to high school is rough as hounds the first time I was faced with
hounds the first time I was faced with
hounds the first time I was faced with so much diversity and so much division I
so much diversity and so much division I
so much diversity and so much division I mean math class was really really
mean math class was really really
mean math class was really really difficult but in all seriousness I found
difficult but in all seriousness I found
difficult but in all seriousness I found that much of the separation and status
that much of the separation and status
that much of the separation and status between cliques was based off of race
between cliques was based off of race
between cliques was based off of race having been taught the importance of
having been taught the importance of
having been taught the importance of human dignity and the Equality of all
human dignity and the Equality of all
human dignity and the Equality of all colors in the eyes of the Creator this
colors in the eyes of the Creator this
colors in the eyes of the Creator this racial disparity was most bothersome I
racial disparity was most bothersome I
racial disparity was most bothersome I mean the ignorance of racism was
mean the ignorance of racism was
mean the ignorance of racism was something addressed by Prophet Muhammad
something addressed by Prophet Muhammad
something addressed by Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him 1400 years ago in the
peace be upon him 1400 years ago in the
peace be upon him 1400 years ago in the deserts of Arabia when he said all of
deserts of Arabia when he said all of
deserts of Arabia when he said all of mankind is from Adam and Eve an Arab has
mankind is from Adam and Eve an Arab has
mankind is from Adam and Eve an Arab has no superiority over a non-arab nor a non
no superiority over a non-arab nor a non
no superiority over a non-arab nor a non Arab has any superiority over an Arab
Arab has any superiority over an Arab
Arab has any superiority over an Arab also white has no superiority over black
also white has no superiority over black
also white has no superiority over black nor black has any superiority over white
nor black has any superiority over white
nor black has any superiority over white except by piety good action hi wondered
except by piety good action hi wondered
except by piety good action hi wondered how could it van stand progressive
how could it van stand progressive
how could it van stand progressive modern-day America still not have been
modern-day America still not have been
modern-day America still not have been able to grasp this concept fourteen
able to grasp this concept fourteen
able to grasp this concept fourteen centuries later I thought about this a
centuries later I thought about this a
centuries later I thought about this a lot well outside then a sign came to me
lot well outside then a sign came to me
lot well outside then a sign came to me by our garden was a hole
by our garden was a hole
by our garden was a hole the whole needed to be covered with the
the whole needed to be covered with the
the whole needed to be covered with the dirt the dirt used to fill that hole was
dirt the dirt used to fill that hole was
dirt the dirt used to fill that hole was brown black tan white some of it was of
brown black tan white some of it was of
brown black tan white some of it was of a mixture some of it was of a solid
a mixture some of it was of a solid
a mixture some of it was of a solid color it had no uniformity standard
color it had no uniformity standard
color it had no uniformity standard because it didn’t matter it was going
because it didn’t matter it was going
because it didn’t matter it was going underground all that mattered was it
underground all that mattered was it
underground all that mattered was it fulfilled its purpose and filled the
fulfilled its purpose and filled the
fulfilled its purpose and filled the hole this this was a message not just
hole this this was a message not just
hole this this was a message not just for me but for all of humanity
for me but for all of humanity
for me but for all of humanity our complexions and physical appearances
our complexions and physical appearances
our complexions and physical appearances are irrelevant because we will all
are irrelevant because we will all
are irrelevant because we will all return to the earth eventually becoming
return to the earth eventually becoming
return to the earth eventually becoming the material that fills a hole and when
the material that fills a hole and when
the material that fills a hole and when we get there it won’t matter how we
we get there it won’t matter how we
we get there it won’t matter how we looked it won’t matter how we lived if
looked it won’t matter how we lived if
looked it won’t matter how we lived if we fulfilled our purpose in nature
we fulfilled our purpose in nature
we fulfilled our purpose in nature colors are not used for differentiation
colors are not used for differentiation
colors are not used for differentiation of importance the colors of sand rank
of importance the colors of sand rank
of importance the colors of sand rank equal as should the colors of skin I
equal as should the colors of skin I
equal as should the colors of skin I came to find a clear verse that
came to find a clear verse that
came to find a clear verse that supported this saying o mankind indeed
supported this saying o mankind indeed
supported this saying o mankind indeed we created you from a male and a female
we created you from a male and a female
we created you from a male and a female and we made you into different nations
and we made you into different nations
and we made you into different nations and tribes so you would love one another
and tribes so you would love one another
and tribes so you would love one another not so you would despise each other
not so you would despise each other
not so you would despise each other indeed the greatest of you in the eyes
indeed the greatest of you in the eyes
indeed the greatest of you in the eyes of God is the most righteous
as I continued to grow I proceeded to
as I continued to grow I proceeded to branch out into different directions I
branch out into different directions I
branch out into different directions I moved to another city to attend
moved to another city to attend
moved to another city to attend University so sadly I couldn’t visit my
University so sadly I couldn’t visit my
University so sadly I couldn’t visit my precious place as often but I still held
precious place as often but I still held
precious place as often but I still held on to my roots of reflection by that
on to my roots of reflection by that
on to my roots of reflection by that time I can sell accustomed to seeing
time I can sell accustomed to seeing
time I can sell accustomed to seeing something physical and assigning a
something physical and assigning a
something physical and assigning a spiritual meaning to it that it was
spiritual meaning to it that it was
spiritual meaning to it that it was almost an automatic process of input and
almost an automatic process of input and
almost an automatic process of input and interpretation as I said earlier when
interpretation as I said earlier when
interpretation as I said earlier when you love something it’s the way you see
you love something it’s the way you see
you love something it’s the way you see the entire world loving my Creator gave
the entire world loving my Creator gave
the entire world loving my Creator gave me the ability to see communications
me the ability to see communications
me the ability to see communications through his creation and I saw them
through his creation and I saw them
through his creation and I saw them everywhere I would go to the grocery
everywhere I would go to the grocery
everywhere I would go to the grocery store and look at a spikey fruit and
store and look at a spikey fruit and
store and look at a spikey fruit and think even rough people can have a
think even rough people can have a
think even rough people can have a sweetness inside of them I’d go camping
sweetness inside of them I’d go camping
sweetness inside of them I’d go camping and watch bugs circulating the fire and
and watch bugs circulating the fire and
and watch bugs circulating the fire and think how silly we sometimes are to be
think how silly we sometimes are to be
think how silly we sometimes are to be attracted to things that are harmful for
attracted to things that are harmful for
attracted to things that are harmful for us I’d visit the ocean and watch as the
us I’d visit the ocean and watch as the
us I’d visit the ocean and watch as the waves washed away footprints and think
waves washed away footprints and think
waves washed away footprints and think how beautiful is forgiveness as it
how beautiful is forgiveness as it
how beautiful is forgiveness as it cleanses a person from the marks of
cleanses a person from the marks of
cleanses a person from the marks of their mistakes I’d get in the car and
their mistakes I’d get in the car and
their mistakes I’d get in the car and rely on the directions of my GPS and
rely on the directions of my GPS and
rely on the directions of my GPS and think how important it is it for someone
think how important it is it for someone
think how important it is it for someone to have divine guidance in their life so
to have divine guidance in their life so
to have divine guidance in their life so they can be directed to the best of ways
they can be directed to the best of ways
they can be directed to the best of ways I pass by a health clinic where shots
I pass by a health clinic where shots
I pass by a health clinic where shots were administered and think how
were administered and think how
were administered and think how sometimes when in a difficult situation
sometimes when in a difficult situation
sometimes when in a difficult situation we perceive ourselves being hurt when
we perceive ourselves being hurt when
we perceive ourselves being hurt when really we’re being healed it used to be
really we’re being healed it used to be
really we’re being healed it used to be that in order for me to think like this
that in order for me to think like this
that in order for me to think like this I had to put on spiritual lenses but
I had to put on spiritual lenses but
I had to put on spiritual lenses but after time it’s as if the frames
after time it’s as if the frames
after time it’s as if the frames transcended into plain eyesight as if
transcended into plain eyesight as if
transcended into plain eyesight as if reflecting on nature of some kind of
reflecting on nature of some kind of
reflecting on nature of some kind of LASIK corrective eye procedure to help
LASIK corrective eye procedure to help
LASIK corrective eye procedure to help me see more clearly
me see more clearly
me see more clearly as I branched off further to the world I
as I branched off further to the world I
as I branched off further to the world I started teaching religion last year we
started teaching religion last year we
started teaching religion last year we came to a chapter titled signs and the
came to a chapter titled signs and the
came to a chapter titled signs and the creation with a big smile I remembered
creation with a big smile I remembered
creation with a big smile I remembered how I was their age the first time this
how I was their age the first time this
how I was their age the first time this concept occurred to me so many years ago
concept occurred to me so many years ago
concept occurred to me so many years ago I shared with them my reflections and
I shared with them my reflections and
I shared with them my reflections and techniques on how to see something
techniques on how to see something
techniques on how to see something physical and change it into something
physical and change it into something
physical and change it into something spiritual and they caught on to the
spiritual and they caught on to the
spiritual and they caught on to the concept fast and started to compose a
concept fast and started to compose a
concept fast and started to compose a plethora of parallels in fact in one
plethora of parallels in fact in one
plethora of parallels in fact in one week they superseded the progress it
week they superseded the progress it
week they superseded the progress it took me an entire decade to make I was
took me an entire decade to make I was
took me an entire decade to make I was in awe of their comparisons they found
in awe of their comparisons they found
in awe of their comparisons they found spiritual relations two backpacks bendy
spiritual relations two backpacks bendy
spiritual relations two backpacks bendy straws braces spiderwebs seasons road
straws braces spiderwebs seasons road
straws braces spiderwebs seasons road signs erasers I’m so pleased to see how
signs erasers I’m so pleased to see how
signs erasers I’m so pleased to see how quickly they changed seemingly
quickly they changed seemingly
quickly they changed seemingly insignificant things into something more
insignificant things into something more
insignificant things into something more meaningful this tradition of thought
meaningful this tradition of thought
meaningful this tradition of thought continued long after the chapter was
continued long after the chapter was
continued long after the chapter was completed one year and many lessons
completed one year and many lessons
completed one year and many lessons later I was in the middle of a sentence
later I was in the middle of a sentence
later I was in the middle of a sentence during class a student in the back
during class a student in the back
during class a student in the back gasped and shouted marshmallows
gasped and shouted marshmallows
gasped and shouted marshmallows initially confused I waited for an
initially confused I waited for an
initially confused I waited for an explanation for the interruption she
explanation for the interruption she
explanation for the interruption she said there’s nothing I’m sorry but I got
said there’s nothing I’m sorry but I got
said there’s nothing I’m sorry but I got it marshmallows they’re really soft and
it marshmallows they’re really soft and
it marshmallows they’re really soft and nice in the beginning if you leave them
nice in the beginning if you leave them
nice in the beginning if you leave them in the bag they came in they’ll stay
in the bag they came in they’ll stay
in the bag they came in they’ll stay that way but if you just keep them out
that way but if you just keep them out
that way but if you just keep them out on the counter they’ll become stale and
on the counter they’ll become stale and
on the counter they’ll become stale and hard
hard
hard I think our hearts are the same way in
I think our hearts are the same way in
I think our hearts are the same way in the beginning they’re very pure and
the beginning they’re very pure and
the beginning they’re very pure and innocent if we keep them in a safe
innocent if we keep them in a safe
innocent if we keep them in a safe environment they’ll remain that way but
environment they’ll remain that way but
environment they’ll remain that way but if we just leave them out in society
if we just leave them out in society
if we just leave them out in society without any protection they will be the
without any protection they will be the
without any protection they will be the same
same
same I too was proud of her mature thought
I too was proud of her mature thought
I too was proud of her mature thought process and I became overwhelmed with
process and I became overwhelmed with
process and I became overwhelmed with happiness for if a sixth grader can see
happiness for if a sixth grader can see
happiness for if a sixth grader can see a marshmallow with renewed meaning then
a marshmallow with renewed meaning then
a marshmallow with renewed meaning then I promise
I promise
I promise anyone can see the world around them
anyone can see the world around them
anyone can see the world around them more purposefully all it takes is a
more purposefully all it takes is a
more purposefully all it takes is a reflective heart and a spiritual lens
reflective heart and a spiritual lens
reflective heart and a spiritual lens thank you
thank you
thank you [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
Please follow and like us: