ذلك الذي لا يرغب في شيء ولا يأمل في شيء ولا يخاف من أي شيء لا يستطيع أن يصير فنانًا - Elif Şafak

Forty is a most beautiful age for both men and women. Did you know that in mystic thought forty symbolizes the ascent from one level to a higher one and spiritual awakening? When we mourn we mourn for forty days. When a baby is born it takes
forty days for him to get ready to start life on earth. And when we are in love we need to wait for forty days to be sure of our feelings.
The Flood of Noah lasted forty days, and while the waters destroyed life, they also washed all impurity away and enabled human beings to make a new, fresh start. In Islamic mysticism there are forty degrees between man and God. Likewise, there are four basic stages of consciousness and ten degrees in each, making forty levels in total. Jesus went into the wilderness for forty days and nights. Muhammad was forty years old when he received the call to become a prophet. Buddha meditated under a linden tree for forty days. Not to mention the forty rules of Shams.
You receive a new mission at forty, a new lease on life! You have reached a most auspicious number. Congratulations! And don’t worry about getting old. There are no wrinkles or gray hair strong enough to defy the power of forty!

When something needs to be said, I'll say it even if the whole world grabs me by the neck and tells me to keep quiet.

من السهل أن تحب إلهاً يتصف بالكمال، والنقاء والعصمة. لكن الأصعب من ذلك أن تحب إخوانك البشر بكل نقائصهم وعيوبهم. تذكّر، أن المرء لا يعرف إلا ما هو قادر على أن يحب. فلا حكمة من دون حب. وما لم نتعلم كيف نحب خلق الله، فلن نستطيع أن نحب حقاً ولن نعرف الله حقاً.