Positive provocation called love

Bismillah.

We all need it. We all cherish it. 

We need some kind of provocation every now and then to make us rush forward when we are a little slacking. Sometimes we are at our normal pacing and out of nowhere it appears - this positive provocation called love. And wow suddenly it puts a skip in our step, puts a smile on the face for no reason. Of course there is a reason - it's love.

Oh...the things people do when they found themselves love-struck. What have you done? It's amazing how people can do really strange things they wouldn't otherwise do, had they not been love-struck. It gives  us plenty of energy, an enormous amount of creativity, a soaring spirit and the list goes on. As we look back, we would all smile and think, oh how sweet, I mean, sweet sweet!

But let's not restrict it to typical love affairs, like the attraction a man and a woman have when they are courting. It can be anything, anyone, anywhere. Think about the first time you felt that rush of blood when you first saw him/her in school, at uni, at your workplace, at a gathering, on the train etc. He/she who made you nervous a little. You might not necessarily have ended up with him/her, or have anything to do with him/her later, still we cherish the excitement all the same don't we?

I think it's good to be able to dig it out, this positive provocation called love, which we have all experienced  in one way or another. It enriches our psychological well being. It could increase our emotional intelligence quotient one notch each time we recall the feeling. 

But intense love-struck can be difficult to contain. It pervades our entire being, our very essence to the core. No matter how beautiful it is and how addictive to lose oneself in the sensations, we must put it aside when we are in prayers. Or we will be guilty of hidden polytheism.

I know it's easier said than done. Let's learn something from this beautiful...beautiful Indonesian song called Ayat-Ayat Cinta (Verses of Love).

Bila bahagia mulai menyentuh
seakan ku bisa hidup lebih lama
namun harus ku tinggalkan cinta 
ketika ku bersujud

"When happiness begins to engulf;
it feels like I could live so much longer;
Alas I  must leave love behind,
while I make a sujud..."

Hmm...
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Note: Sujud is prostration; to gracefully drop on one's knees with both palms touching the floor to the side of one's ears, elbows lifted, and forehead touching the ground. It is a moment of nearness with the Lord and hence none should occupy one's heart and mind save He.