I am proud to be on the Mattress Firm team and that our core mission is helping people sleep well to live well. While I am getting the training I am practicing most of what I’m learning with myself and benefiting from that better sleep quality, and that has changed my and my family’s life!

At Sinai Temple in Middletown, NY.

My wife and I joined Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities during Ramadan at this interfaith dinner hosted by Peace Islands Institute.

Impactful Substance Abuse Mental Health event hosted by the Muslim Professional Group (MPG) in collaboration with COPE and CAFA organizations🗓️ May 23rd, 2024⏰6:00-7:30 pm📍Parsippany Library 449 Halsey Rd, Parsippany, NJ 07054 Light refreshments will be served RSVP here:http://evite.me/VQPGyRuXbgSend in your anonymous questions to info@mpgmuslims.org

I’m honored to have been present with Muslim Writers Collective December event at ICNYU hall at New York University this last Friday!

And I’m honored to have been present in the same space with the Co-Founder Hamdan Azhar and his wonderful family.

Beside the talented performers of poetry, music, art, spoken word and comedy, the delicious food and chai tea, the diversity and vibes of human connection lifts one’s spirit and goes for an international and inter-universe emotional rollercoaster with a hint of unity and a divine calm.

Since 2014 and now 2023, success after success!

Alhamdulilah!

Thank you for having me!

Pre-Thanksgiving Dinner hosted by Peace Islands Institute

“Networking with the right people has been a joyful path for me. The people who grow you, and teach you, and even criticize you, to help you develop different strategies of moving forward.”

Email: Mfalhomsi@interfaith-encounter.org

Mohammed. F. Alhomsi

Mohammed Ferris Alhomsi applauds with his daughter, Hala Alhomsi, sitting on his lap during a Pre-Thanksgiving Dinner hosted by Peace Island Institute inside Pioneer Academy in Wayne on Saturday, November 19, 2022.

POMPTON LAKES — On a recent Sunday morning, Mohammed Ferras Alhomsi ushered the crew of Jews, Christians and Muslims into his backyard.

There were Jewish men wearing kippot and Muslim women in hijabs. The crowd ambled onto a cozy patioand dug into a halal and kosher brunch. They exchanged gleeful greetings and hugs. The pile of bagels dwindled.

The conversation flowed like a noisy stream until the dozen or so participants were nagged into a smiling silence.  

The intimate, bimonthly gathering in Passaic County is one of about 120 groups around the world that were created in the hopes that they can gradually point the way toward ending ancient animosities. The meetings are affiliated with the Jerusalem-based Interfaith Encounter Association, a nonprofit which promotes cross-cultural dialogue, mostly between Muslims and Jews.

To read the whole article please click on this link; https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/2022/06/10/nj-rabbi-interfaith-group-help-spark-global-muslim-jewish-dialogue/9925849002/?fbclid=IwAR2BO3tpDJCxEdwxtgx0OZvmev6jGYQuXYOqNNurppQS4KPu0GSXHU393Nw#l491k4us8ml1o1td8oa

Practice takes discipline and discipline takes practice. Mind and body are connected. This is the beginning.

From all of me to all of you, I plead.

I plead to find more immigrants who have immigrated with an Asylum, from smoking, drinking, gambling and drugs.

From sugar, obesity, gluten, and every offending ingredient that their body is sensitive to. Immigrants who immigrate away from stealing, cheating, backbiting, envy, ill language, holding grudges and aggression.

I plead with you to find more Immigrants who immigrate away from verbal and physical violence to themselves, their family, friends, and all of the creation.

On fb, and social networks I read about the recent tragedies that hit people in the Philippines, and tragedies across the world, family deaths, poverty, displacements and sufferings on an international to a national level, to even a local community level, and then birthdays, weddings, happy occasions, and I have a negotiation going on between me and my self regarding what emotion to feel.

The reason I’m having this negotiation is because partitioning my emotions is not an option for me.

What I mean to say is that I don’t know how to be sad enough for someone and happy enough for someone else at the same time, because I simply feel that I don’t do each individual emotion, justice.

I think, although it was tough for man to live before the virtual world made this world so small, was a happier man because they were able to give their whole them to every emotion.

I express my sincere apologies to all of those who are dealing with a suffering or a happy occasion.

I apologies for falling short.

I apologies for simply not being able to give you all of me and be fully compassionate with you.

Please forgive me and know that it is not me who is intentionally ignoring your pain, or happy occasion. It is not me who doesn’t care about every you, but it is the time that we are living in.

It is the slavery age that obligates each one of us to give a mandatory time of our lives just to simply survive. To simply fulfill our duties, and responsibilities.

And I promise you that I had acknowledged this negotiation between me and my self, and I am working on it daily to make it better inshaAllah

I am able, willing, open, and ready.

I had stripped my self out of what I had presumed was my identity.

Nationalism, Blood ties, Religious sectors, Societal impose-ments.

Cultural ideologies. I am unlearning knowledge that was planted in me.

I am undoing the my self that was imposed on me.

And so, I am ripping the me out of me. Converting, reverting back to my naturality.

Being a stranger in my own community. In my own family. In my own neighborhood and society. Being a stranger in my own bed, and environment. Breathing oxygen through your presence.

And, so; The process was something familiar to You! So now you say that you is me. While I’m still undoing the me from me. Coming into me while smiling, shines my sun.

Shaking the core of the core of me and me.

Your building my foundation from In to out.

You’re a bursting energy bursting out of the me and me.

Perhaps the me and me, can come together for peace.

And let the world know that a change is possible.

All you need is to be able, willing, open, and ready.

Not to change society.

But to bring our selves back to our naturality. That is Humanity.

One by one. It isn’t always fun, but so as medication when our nose is on the run.

And so my silent heart screams to the Healer. O Healer heal. Heal O Healer!

Over a lake, on a cloudy, drizzling morning. As the birds chirped. Movement began, yet another day is here. Another opportunity to do things differently. Better this time. The old wood stair case that led to the lake, spoke to me. In a language I didn’t understand. In a language that I didn’t need to understand. Just feel. Trees rising so tall, they hover over the edge of the lake. Home for the birds, and the squirrels, and the insects. They’re sheltered by the leaves for a while. Whichever direction you look in, you will see trees surrounding a lake. A tree that is bent. A tree standing tall. A tree greener than another. Another day just began. Heart shaped leaves. Heart shaped seats. Everything is heart shaped in the land of love. Hasidic Jewish, Christian priests, Muslims with long beards have this thing in common, they’re in love with their loved ones, and they are in the land of love. In the land of love, we all live with each other in harmony. First you’re afraid of any strange sound. In minutes you are anxiously anticipating new sounds of ducks, and birds, or even seeing a deer. All on top of a mountain, in the land of love.

Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Mohammed are brothers in faith and all of the prophets and messengers are our saviors. They have all contributed equally in trying to bring the message of God to us. Using the simplest form of human knowledge that a child can understand and a scholar can appreciate.

I said why me?
He said: My Mercy is special.
I said: The weight is always heavy.

He said: When weight is light on you, you don’t feel that you need me, so you call on everyone but Me.

You depend on your knowledge.
On your strength.
On your friends, and family.
Although that too, I gave you.
I increased the weight to make you stronger.
To increase your capacity.
To increase your ability.
To make you able to help your self.
And help others.

I am proud of you in front of my angels.
I say to them: Look. Look at my Servant

Crying to me.
Broken before me.
Worshipping me.
My servant never saw me, but He believes in Me.
I gave him free will, and he chose to worship Me.
He fought with himself, and his desires for Me.
He believes that He has a Merciful Lord he can cry to.
Be broken to.
Listen to His tears.
See Him on dark nights.
That’s My Servant, and He believes in Me.”

I said: oh God, give me more tears. Break me.

Humiliate me. Humble me. Rip me into pieces. Do as you please with me. 
Make me a good servant in my worship to You. 
Help me remember Your name. 

Help me mention You. Help me thank You, and think of You. 

Help me say the truth. Help me be patient. 
As long as You are not angry with me, I will never complain.
I will bear. I will endure. 

He said what ever you want to say, I already know. 
I know you will endure.

I made you. And I will not put weight on you that you can’t handle. 

Remember, I made weight too. 
When you called upon me, it was Me calling you. 

When you thought of me, I was thinking of you. 

When you walked to me, I ran to you. 
When you were lost, I guided you. 

When you were an orphan, I sheltered you. 
When you felt strong, I showed you My Greatness.  
When you felt weak, I showed you my Mercy. 
You think I am far in the sky, but I Am nearer to you, than you to yourself. 
Call upon me, I will respond. I will respond. I will respond.

How can I know what your heart feels~ Communication is knowledge, and heals the real treasure~ So many innocent from all sides have went~ Now, we need to talk to speak under one tent~ The tent of one LORD, who does not accept You or me to use His name in vein~ What is right is right for all, and the wrong is clear and so dark. Even if we do not agree, it will still leave a mark. How can I know what your heart feels, until you communicate with me?!

She gave me.
She gave me her knowledge.
She gave me her compassion, and empathy.

She gave me her trust.
She gave me so selflessly.
She gave me a strategy.
She gave me her perspective.
She gave me her eyes to see.
She gave me through her humor, academic, and poetry.

She gave me through her questions, illustrations, and advices.

She fed me gently, acknowledged my pain, thought of my temperaments, and fragility.

She is the best at what she does. A physician, a teacher, a nurturer, a mother, an aunt, a sister, a friend, and a buddy.
She gave me the emotions of her every cell, without ever directly saying a word to me.

She gave me at a time she couldn’t give herself.

How, just how, can I be ungrateful?.
How can I see her tear, and my heart ever be settled.

I swear on He who raised the sky without foundations.

I swear on He who fed the lost black bird, in the middle of a dark night, in the middle of a lost forest, in the middle of the largest ocean, my heart will not stop bledding until her tear dries. Until her heart is content, and settled.

Until I know that she is smiling, or tearing because of an overwhelming happiness in her heart, that her heart can’t contain.

As long as I breath, I will pray to God. Prostrate to Him. Beg Him to keep me steadfast on His way, that my prayers are accepted by Him for her. For her. Just for her!

As you go into adulthood from your childhood, you are faced with a disappointment, and it breaks your heart. You fall flat on your face and wave the white flag of surrendering, because that disappointment ruined your whole day, and you were thinking about it all day long. And as soon as you try to get back up, then you’re faced with another disappointment, and another, and another, and another. And now that breaks your heart even more. You fall flatter, and harder on your face and wave the white flag of surrendering. And if you’re still alive and functioning, you think it’s all over, and there’s nothing to look forward to. But that’s where it all begins!

Look at God constantly, even when you are looking at people. Remember that they are His creation. All of them. Treat them the way you want Him to see you treating His creation. Impress Him. Gain His satisfaction. For when He is satisfied with you, He will assign angels for you and only you, to assist you. To calm you with love and tranquility. To touch you with peace, and serenity. And to guide you all the way Home. Where He is waiting for you to reward you for your tolerance, patience, and good treatment of yourself and all of His creation. All!

Waiting for the train my wife and daughters are on. It’s quiet. It’s really quiet for a subway station. Well, it’s not a New York City subway station, but the light rail of New Jersey. I guess New Jersey until now is still not as crowded with as many people as New York City is.

What about me. I talked about my wife and children. I talked about the deafening silence in the New Jersey subway station.

At forty, I have learned something new today. I’ve learned a new way to choose. A new way to make a choice. And that’s by finding what has a personal story, that connects with you, and your soul with it.

I think of how fortunate I am to have lived to an age when I am appreciative of learning new ways to do things, a new way to think of things, a way that is different than how I usually think of things, people, and ideas.

I love communicating and connecting with new people. I enjoy it with my whole being. To the core.

Having a colorful life is a state of mind. It is having the right people in your life. It is communicating with others like a music band plays all instruments separately, and together, they create the most beautiful song ever!

Most humans had been conditioned to do things. Some on a conscious level, and others, unconscious. Thinking is some thing humans do, so it’s included.

In our incognito thinking at times we find many answers that our brain already knows, but we are just unconscious of, because we are in a sphere. In our mind, we are the subject that we are focusing on, using our only means, our “Abused Mind”, to find a solution of how to fix.

In my humble opinion, a person who had an abused mind set, by parents, or their surrounding environment had been psychologically deformed. A Woman who had been raped, had been psychologically deformed. A Man who had been in the military, trained to kill, and exposed to war wounds, had been psychologically deformed.

When I say psychologically deformed, I mean that relative to an organic growth.

Abuse of any kind is a crime, and it is oppression. And it deforms our human brain, psychologically.

This is a fact. Whether we accept it or not, because in that case, we become “Unqualified” to determine our psychological health state, because the only means we have to use to determine our state of mind, is deformed. So that means that the root is deformed. And when we have a deformed root, anything we grow or build on it, will be deformed.

“Decorating a Mc Donalds, will not make it healthy. The only solution to make it healthy is to destroy the Mc Donalds, and build a Whole Foods ” I’m sure there are other solutions, please don’t quote me on this.

What I mean to say is , if exposure to this type of abuse, whether one experienced it themselves, or viewed another person experiencing it, when they are at an age where they had not been formed, yet. They had not grown yet , then there will Not be a healthy self that ever existed, so that person can’t return to their healthy self.

I think we now have a clear equation, that we have a subject, and that subject we both agree had been deformed.

Dr: Hadeil: says,  “I itch to verbalize a solution as I am writing this. Because people who are abused are in need of a solution, and yet inner compassion and self acceptance can never be replaced by lectures, quotes and quick fixes.”.

First part of a solution is acknowledgment. So, even if the subject has 50 degrees, and 70 Ph, d’s, and be the most intelligent person in the world. They still need to acknowledge, and admit that they are in need for help. Then help will begin to come.

Of-course it’s not an easy route, and of-course there will be a million reasons and excuses to fall off.

So the subject needs to be prepared, and ready to submit before the recovery process can even begins.

But before we go into the recovery process, let’s build some more solid foundations on understanding. and comprehending the magnitude of what we speak of.

It’s interesting that Dr: Hadeil had distinguished between the object of addiction, and the behavior of addiction. And acknowledged that it isn’t the object of addiction that is the problem, but it’s the behavior of addiction. And to me that’s like backing up your microscope to see the larger picture.

Dr: Hadeil: says: “In Psychological terms, the schedule of reinforcement is how praise or positive regard is administered and in this case because it corresponds to an intermittent schedule of reinforcement, much like gambling, the child’s behavior has nothing to do with the reward that they so desperately crave. The addiction is established when the child becomes compulsive in his search for the parents’ approval rightfully so which he never gets or gets at the whims of the parent.”

And in her words there’s a key. The problem is not in what we are addicted to, the problem is with our behavior. Our compulsive behavior is deformed. {The addiction is established when the child becomes compulsive in his search for the parents’ approval rightfully so which he never gets or gets at the whims of the parent.}

This tells me that a person who is addicted to cigarette smoking, although the physical addiction to the nicotine is valid and requires its share , but psychologically is not really addicted to the cigarette smoking, but is addicted to having an addictive behavior. So, even if it’s not the cigarette, there will be another addiction they will find.

Similar to a person who is addicted to heroine, while they are addicted to the substance psychically, but the real addiction is the psychological one, and the way it makes them feel.

But does that mean that it is only people who are addicted to substances who are the only addicts?. I say, Nope.

Addictions come in a physical, mental, and emotional forms.

And a person who has an addictive behavior, is a person who can have an addictive problem , even if they had never gambled, never smoked cigarettes, drank alcohol, or taken drugs. It could be workaholic, or shopaholic, etc…

They could have an emotional addictive behavior, where they get addicted to people. And this is when relationships with people become deformed, when people are viewed as objects, rather than people, and because of the influence of our mind over our physicality, emotions and spirituality, there’s a very very good chance that we are totally deformed, as Dr: Damian mentions. In which case, a new personality needs to be built.

And I personally think that it’s less effective to go deep into tangents of receiving, giving, and accepting love, abuse, forgiveness, or any other topic for that matter, before we first build a new personality, in a new mind. Because once we do, all past topics will be detoxified, altered, anew, and a new personality will be born. Human to human. Soul to soul. Heart to heart.

This feels like a mission to Mars. It is a one way ticket. There’s no coming back.

Hi. I have nothing to say. I just heard Johnny cough and it hurt my feelings. Johnny is roommate. I wish I can do anything to help him get rid of his cough. He is a computer programmer, and while he’s programing he is always smokes cigarettes, and I used to smoke too, and so I understand. It makes me happy that I quit two months ago, and it makes me sad that He is coughing. I do understand that he is an adult and he is not my responsibility, but I still felt hurt. I wish that everyone in the world will feel healthy. I felt a similar emotion when I was in barns and noble today. When I heard a child crying really loud. I felt my chest tearing apart. I felt scared and terrified. I felt terrorized.

I wish to always be in an area where it’s calm and gentle.

It’s very special to me to be in this gym.

In 1991, I was a freshmen in high school. I had joined the cross country team, and received many medals for getting first as an individual, and third as a team for running the Manhattan marathon. Although I wasn’t as fast as a runner as some of the athletes, but I had endured long distances.

My first race, I had gotten first place, while the second place, came after me by one minute and twenty seconds.

Union hill high school took, and still takes pride in providing the best academics, but the truth is, Hudson county is where Union City is, which is the town Union hill high school is in, received 2nd place with 41% in illiteracy “Nationally”, in 1992.

I went to 8 different Grade schools, and 3 High schools, because my family kept moving, to eventually settling for the pressure put on me by my Father, to drop out of high school, and get a job. Which is what I did.

Some of the things I had experienced, is that we had many gang members of nietta, latin kings, and others, and so much bullying. High school was basically girls getting pregnant, hoods, alcohol, drugs, gang members, clubbing, robberies and a high crime rate.

Some of those who I had been to high school with, I read articles in the newspaper, they were arrested on murder charges, given orders by gang leaders, and are still doing time in state prison.

At the time, the local mosque had just opened up, and they had no youth clubs or organization, or activities. All they had are some really mean old men, who just arrived from overseas, and everything was haram/prohibited.

There were no Muslim community who cared, and nurtured the youth. There were no Adults who understood the needs of each youth.

And alhamdulilah, this week, we were in that gym with the Muslim youth.

It was interesting for me to be in that gymnasium after almost 24 years, and see that it’s still the same. Nothing changed, except that it’s now a middle school, because they built a contemporary high school now.

I’ve trained in that gym many times, and sweated so much running laps, and drills, and I’m back here running!

I’m lucky, and blessed to have had survived this environment, and I thank God that He has me where I am today.

Now my worry goes to many of the youth who are now attending this type of public schooling systems. And I’m determined that I will take part in assisting in any efforts that will help our youth become the best they can be inshaAllah.

I’m not writing this from information based on an article I read, or a subject that I had studied. I’m writing this from experiences that I had experienced myself and survived, alhamdulilah/ All praise are due to God!

So, people are running out of gas while searching for gas. Some people run out of hope while they search for happiness. And some people lose track of what they are searching for, while searching.