“Over the years, I have learn’t to look the other way when another makes a decision that might look foolish and call for judgment. I’ve made many and sometimes, it’s those foolish decisions that propel us to places we least expect. Maybe all times even. Here I am.
It is always best to Leave God’s job to God.” – Balunywa Ibrahim
…
AYEH! LEAVE IT TO GOD.
All the while reading this book, I kept having pauses, taking deep breaths, and thinking about how best to tell Ibrahim Balunywa alias Ibrahim Soul’o, that he is such a prolific writer.
“You are such an amazing writer…” No, that’s an understatement. I would pause and think of something else, that would communicate how best Ibrahim’s book made me feel. And I settled with this.
“You are such an amazing, really really, awesome writer. Please, you should write more. Please, don’t you ever stop.” Pause, does that communicate what I think and feel best? I want that to be the first thing I tell him when I see him next.
I am still not sure if that describes best the vastness of worlds and perspectives that Ibrah’s book opened to me, but it is not a light matter. The imagery was painted very vividly, and I had a glimpse into this author’s world. Because reading ‘Ayeh! Leave it to God,’ evoked many things in me both emotionally and psychologically. First, the tone. As soon as you begin reading, the tone jumps at you. And as Ibrah delves deep into the stories, taking the reader on a ride over Ibrah’s childhood and various experiences, various emotions are evoked. There were instances when I read a story, reflected on an event in my life, and wept like a baby. Chapter 3, trinkets of Gold, made me hold my mouth in awe. The Elder Brother (chapter 4), and the interlude on the pages thereafter had me weep like a child. Those chapters went into my life, picked out an experience, and my mind concocted unbelievable scenarios. ‘Punjabi Land’ made me reminisce about my days in college, and so much more. Yet, this is not a sad book. But its the relatability is gigantic; of events around us. Some things have happened to us, some to a neighbor or someone we know. Yet this all is a recollection of the beautiful adventures Ibrahim collected. The narration of his mom and Nana was so beautiful. These seem like people I would hug if met in real life. Love is contagious.
The style is good, and later on, the structure is. An infusion of beautiful narration, a rich childhood, teenage and university experience, and remarkable poetry. Like Rap, like music, Ibrah’s literature speaks to you on a personal level. Speaking of deadbeat, absent, or chauvinistic fathers, liberal, loving mothers, High school escapades that yield suspensions, or drug addictions as a student in India. Something Ibrah said stood out to me. If I may paraphrase, it is that ‘people relate more to our sorrows than they do to our happiness.’ I had never thought of this. It opened a whole new perspective.
Here’s something I borrowed from the book; that I think you should borrow too.
“A lot of walking away will do your life good. Walk away from arguments that lead you to anger and nowhere. Walk away from the people who deliberately put you down. Walk away from the practice of pleasing people who choose to never see your worth. Walk away from any thought that underminds your peace of mind. Walk away from judgemental people; they do not know the struggle you are facing and what you have been through. Walk away from your mistakes and fear; they do not determine your fate. The more you walk away from things that poison your soul, the healthier your life will be.” Dodinsky.
THE END
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