Amir Fadlan Quotes

Amir, you look hideous." My fiancée, Samirah al-Abbas, stared at my outfit in horrified disbelief.
"Really?" I looked down at myself. "But it's a tux!"
"A baby-blue tux!"
"With a matching ruffled shirt and floppy bow tie," I said defensively. "My uncle loaned it to me. I think it'll impress your grandparents, don't you?"
"It's Jid and Bibi's fiftieth wedding anniversary!" Sam sputtered. "You can't wear - "
"Samirah." My father emerged from the kitchen. "He is pulling your leg."
Sam's reddish-brown eyes blazed dangerously, and I suddenly realized that playing a practical joke on a Valkyrie might not be the best idea I ever had. ~ Rick Riordan

Sam stood in the middle of the store. With a spear of brilliant light in hand and wearing a suit of chain mail with a helmet over her green hijab, she looked drop-dead dangerous. If our religion didn't forbid it, I would have kissed her.
"Let him go." Sam's voice radiated Valkyrie power. "Amir belongs to me."
My heart swelled with pride. I felt like we could take on the whole world together, and -
"Not anymore," Stan snarled. "As long as he wears the nábrók, he is bound to me."
Oh. ~ Rick Riordan

I scooped up the coins from the floor. "I'm taking these for the Chase Space," I told Alex, referring to our friend Magnus's shelter for homeless children. "Anonymous donation for the kiddos. ~ Rick Riordan

What tipped you off - about Stan, I mean?" I asked.
"Couple of things," Alex replied. "He referred to Blitzen as the dwarf and claimed you hadn't been in. Knowing how terrified you are of Sam - "
"I am not!"
" - I thought it was unlikely you'd skipped the shopping spree. So, I tested his story and called your phone. When I heard my ringtone, I knew he was lying about you being here. But the biggest clue? He refused to sell me anything. I mean, come on." He gestured to his pink cashmere sweater vest and tight lime-green pants. "A real clothing salesman would have seen dollar signs the minute I walked into the store. ~ Rick Riordan

Planet Earth simply the training ground, while soon we will be tackling the galaxies ~ Tahira Amir Khan

Basically, secure people feel comfortable with intimacy and are usually warm and loving; anxious people crave intimacy, are often preoccupied with their relationships, and tend to worry about their partner's ability to love them back; avoidant people equate intimacy with a loss of independence and constantly try to minimize closeness. ~ Amir Levine

if you're with someone secure, they nurture you into a more secure stance. ~ Amir Levine

A deactivating strategy is any behavior or thought that is used to squelch intimacy. These strategies suppress our attachment system, the biological mechanism in our brains responsible for our desire to seek closeness with a preferred partner. ~ Amir Levine & Rachel S.F. Heller

I love you," Amir told her.
Samirah stumbled backwards like she'd been hit in the face with a giant eagle egg. Alex propped her up.
"I ... yes," Sam squeaked. "Also. Too."
Amir nodded. He turned and got into his car. A moment later, his tail-lights disappeared down Flagship Way.
Samirah smacked her own forehead. "Also? Too? I am such an idiot."
Alex patted her arm. "I thought you were quite eloquent. Come on sister. Your neon-yellow warship awaits. ~ Rick Riordan

Avoidants often use sex to distance themselves from their partner. It doesn't necessarily mean they will cheat on their partner, although studies have shown that they are more likely to do so than other attachment types. Phillip Shaver, in a study with then University of California-Davis graduate student Dory Schachner, found that of the three styles, avoidants would more readily make a pass at someone else's partner or respond to such a proposition.

Intriguingly, they also found that avoidant men and women were more likely to engage in less sex if their partner had an anxious attachment style! Researchers believe that in relationships like Marsha and Craig's, there is less lovemaking because the anxious partner wants a great deal of physical closeness and this in turn causes the avoidant partner to withdraw further. What better way to avoid intimacy than by reducing sex to a bare minimum. ~ Amir Levine

Other studies have found that faced with a stressful life event ... avoidants' defenses are quick to break down and they then appear and behave just like people with an anxious attachment style. ~ Amir Levine

When a man is truly a man, it makes a woman comfortable to truly be a woman. ~ Amir Sulaiman

Whether plain or gorgeous, we've learned to appreciate [secure-type people] for what they really are -- the "supermates" of evolution -- and we hope that you will too. ~ Amir Levine

Khusrau darya prem ka, ulti wa ki dhaar,
Jo utra so doob gaya, jo dooba so paar.

English Translation.

Oh Khusrau, the river of love
Runs in strange directions.
One who jumps into it drowns,
And one who drowns, gets across. ~ Amir Khusrau

You know I like you just the way you are, right?"
I swallowed hard. "You haven't seen all of me yet."
"You're amazing," Jay said, kissing me softly. "And smart." Kiss. "And kind." Another kiss. "And funny." He kissed me longer this time, as if making a point. "And you have scars. It all makes you who you are, and I really like who you are, Amir. ~ Teodora Kostova

Network Marketing is taking a decision and sticking to it! ~ Amir Chaudry

Did you know the following surprising facts? "Surgery has been found to be helpful in only 1 in 100 cases of low back pain. ~ Fred Amir

And?" Amir asks. His gaze is sincere and resolute. "Can I kiss you?"
My throat carches, voice coming out rough. "Yeah, you can kiss me. ~ Laura Silverman

Science only answers 'How?'
Religion only answers 'Why?'
The two combined is the true design,
So respect to God cause He drew the lines. ~ Amir Mohamed

If the Charlie Hebdo attacks in Paris had nothing to do with Islam as President Francois Hollande suggested, why did he invite Muslim community leaders to meet him the day after the tragedy? ~ Amir Taheri

I lay on the side of the dirt road next to a rocky trench, looked up to the gray morning sky, thankful for air, thankful for light, thankful to be alive. ~ Khaled Hosseini

You might be too enmeshed with the other person, or "codependent," and you must learn to set better "boundaries."

The basic premise underlying this point of view is that the ideal relationship is one between two self-sufficient people who unite in a mature, respectful way while maintaining clear boundaries. If you develop a strong dependency on your partner, you are deficient in some way and are advised to work on yourself to become more "differentiated" and develop a "greater sense of self." The worst possible scenario is that you will end up needing your partner, which is equated with "addiction" to him or her, and addiction, we all know, is a dangerous prospect.

While the teachings of the codependency movement remain immensely helpful in dealing with family members who suffer from substance abuse (as was the initial intention), they can be misleading and even damaging when applied indiscriminately to all relationships. ~ Amir Levine

We can honestly say that everyone we've known who has used effective communication has been grateful for it in the long run. Often, effective communication brings about huge relief by showing you just how strongly your partner feels about you -- and by strengthening the bond between you two. And even though in some instances the response may not be what you hoped for and you'll be convinced that you've ruined everything -- if only you had said or done something else, he would surely have come around -- we've never heard anyone say in retrospect that they regretted raising an important issue in a dating or relationship setting. In fact, they overwhelmingly express gratitude that effective communication got them that one step closer to their long-term goal of either finding the right person or strengthening their existing bond. ~ Amir Levine & Rachel S.F. Heller

Then I'll tell you," Baba said, "but first understand this and understand it now, Amir:
You'll never learn anything of value from those bearded idiots."
"You mean Mullah Fatiullah Khan? ~ Khaled Hosseini

Judgement is not punishment, judgment is verdict. Judgement always gives an opportunity for life to change. ~ Tahira Amir Khan

Farsi Couplet:
Naala-e zanjeer-e Majnun arghanoon-e aashiqanast
Zauq-e aan andaza-e gosh-e ulul-albaab neest


English Translation:
The creaking of the chain of Majnun is the orchestra of the lovers,
To appreciate its music is quite beyond the ears of the wise. ~ Amir Khusrau

The golden door of harvest for the planet, it felt so ready to be opened ... ~ Tahira Amir Khan

the regular crying, lights on ~ Amir Gutfreund

The other sources, even when they mention Hel, rarely describe it. But when they do, it's cast in neutral or even positive terms. For example, the mention that the land of the dead is "green and beautiful" in Ibn Fadlan's account is mirrored in a passage from Saxo (The medieval Danish historian, as you likely recall). In Saxo's telling of the story of Hadding, the hero travels to the "Underworld" and finds a "fair land where green herbs grow when it is winter on earth." His companion even beheads a rooster just outside of that land and flings its carcass over the wall, at which point the bird cries out and comes back to life - a feat which is highly reminiscent of another detail from Ibn Fadlan, namely the beheading of a rooster and a hen whose bodies are then tossed into the dead man's boat shortly before it's set aflame. In both cases, the emphasis is on abundant life in the world of the dead, even when death and absence prevail on earth. ~ Daniel McCoy

So where does the secure attachment come from? As more studies become available, there is increasing evidence that a secure attachment style doesn't originate from a single source. The equation of a caring and sensitive parent producing a secure-for-life child is too one-dimensional; instead it seems that an entire mosaic of factors comes together to create this attachment pattern: our early connection with our parents, our genes, and also something else- our romantic experiences as adults. On average, about 70 to 75 percent of adults remain consistently in the same attachment category at different points in their lives, while the remaining 25 to 30 percent of the population report a change in their attachment style.
Researchers attribute this change to romantic relationships in adulthood that are so powerful that they actually revise our most basic beliefs and attitudes toward connectedness. And yes, that change can happen in both directions- secure people can become less secure and people who were originally insecure can become increasingly secure. If you are insecure, this piece of information is vital and could be your ticket to happiness in relationships. If you are secure, you should be aware of this finding because you have a lot to lose by becoming less secure. p140 ~ Amir Levine

It is a heartBreaking sound, Amir Jan, the Wailing of a mother. I pray to Allah you Never hear it. ~ Khaled Hosseini

Don't ya'll have anything better to do than to mess with Myles?" she asked. "Sadly, Mom, they don't," Myles said. It's the only respite they have from their monotonous, inconsequential tedium of an existence." Amir's eyes widened. "Duck, Pop! He's gonna big word us to death." Amir lifted his forearm. "Thesaurus-shields up! ~ Marcus Major

Islamic ethics is based on 'limits and proportions,' which means that the answer to an offensive cartoon is a cartoon, not the burning of embassies or the kidnapping of people designated as the enemy. Islam rejects guilt by association. Just as Muslims should not blame all Westerners for the poor taste of a cartoonist who wanted to be offensive, those horrified by the spectacle of rent-a-mob sackings of embassies in the name of Islam should not blame all Muslims for what is an outburst of fascist energy. ~ Amir Taheri

Merciful Father ... I have squandered my days with plans of many things.
This was not among them. But at this moment, I beg only, to live the next few minutes well.
For all we ought to have thought and have not thought ... All we ought to have said and have not said. All we ought to have done and have not done. I pray thee, God for forgiveness. ~ Ahmed Ibn Fadlan

...mismatched attachment styles can lead to a great deal of unhappiness in marriage, even for people who love each other greatly. If you are in such a relationship, don't feel guilty for feeling incomplete or unsatisfied. After all, your most basic needs often go unmet, and love alone isn't enough to make the relationship work. ~ Amir Levine

It wasn't only our country they occupied," Irene explained to Amir Shah. "They occupied our minds. ~ Sorayya Khan

If you have an anxious attachment style, you tend to get attached very quickly, even just on the basis of physical attraction. One night of sex or even just a passionate kiss and, boom, you already can't get that person out of your mind. As you know, once your attachment system is activated, you begin to crave the other person's closeness and will do anything in your power to make it work even before you really get to know him/her and decide whether you like that person or not! ~ Amir Levine

Anxious people may take a very long time to get over a bad attachment, and they don't get to decide how long it will take. Only when every single cell in their body is completely convinced that there is no chance that their partner will change or that they will ever reunite will they be able to deactivate and let go. ~ Amir Levine

From the hood of his car, he hefted a large green insulated pack - the kind Fadlan's Falafel used for deliveries. "This is for you, Magnus. I hope you enjoy."
The scent of fresh falafel wafted out. True, I'd eaten falafel just a few hours ago, but my stomach growled because ... well, more falafel. "Man, you're the best. I can't believe - Wait. You're in the middle of a fast and you brought me food? That seems wrong."
"Just because I'm fasting doesn't mean you can't enjoy." He clapped me on my shoulder. "You'll be in my prayers. All of you."
I knew he was sincere. Me, I was an atheist. I only prayed sarcastically to my own father for a better colour of boat. Learning about the existence of Norse deities and the Nine Worlds had just made me more convinced that there was no grand divine plan. What kind of God would allow Zeus and Odin to run around the same cosmos, both claiming to be the king of creation, smiting mortals with lightning bolts and giving motivational seminars?
Bur Amir was a man of faith. He and Samirah believed in something bigger, a cosmic force that actually cared about humans. I suppose it was kind of comforting to know Amir had my back in the prayer department, even if I doubted there was anybody at the end of that line.
"Thanks, man." I shook his hand one last time. ~ Rick Riordan

Amir Khan will come back and he will win back the world title because I know the guy personally, and I know what he's made off. There's no quit in this guy. ~ David Haye

The little red dot of my rebirth, the Christ Consciousness, the vast galaxy within aching to be explored. ~ Tahira Amir Khan

Mathematics is not a careful march down a well cleared highway, but a journey into a strange wilderness, where the explorers often get lost. ~ Amir D. Aczel

If you're still in a relationship, remember that just because you can get along with anyone doesn't mean you have to. If you're unhappy after having tried every way to make things work, chances are that you should move on. It's in your best interest to end a dysfunctional relationship rather than get stuck forever with the wrong person just because you're secure. ~ Amir Levine

I haven't had the recognition I deserve, You can go back to anybody's career - Ricky Hatton, Joe Calzaghe, David Haye, Amir Khan, Chris Eubank, Nigel Benn, Steve Collins, Naseem Hamed. My record is better than all of theirs. ~ Carl Froch

With avoidants, everyday interactions and conversations, whether they're about which channel to watch on TV or how to raise the kids, are actually negotiations for space and independence. You often wind up complying with their wishes - because otherwise they will withdraw. Research shows that avoidants hardly ever date one another. They simply lack the glue that keeps things together. ~ Amir Levine

It is time we learnt that a terrorist is no man's friend and everyman's enemy. ~ Amir Taheri

…The heart, the body and the soul
By her thought was consumed whole;
The only one left untouched
Was I alone, and none to console.

In front of the Beloved
I did not mention Khusrow's faults;
Entranced by her beguiling beauty
I forgot my honest duty! ~ Amir Khusrow Dehlavi

If you look closely at your relationships, you will see that the effectiveness of your relationships is determined by how well you communicate. How well you communicate with others is determined, by and large, by how well you listen. ~ Amir Fathizadeh

In this world, what is here is not necessarily here, and what is now may not really be now: place and time are malleable, and everything is seen through a haze of probabilities, rather than with certainty. ~ Amir Aczel

Amir took a deep breath. To his credit, he didn't collapse, curl into a ball, or cry, all of which would have been perfectly acceptable responses to finding out there were squeaky-voiced beings in the sky that would invite you up their rainbow. ~ Rick Riordan

It's important to remember that even with effective communication, some problems won't be solved immediately. What's vital is your partner's response--whether he or she is concerned about your well-being, has your best interests in mind, and is willing to work on things. ~ Amir Levine

But he also felt a stitch of hesitation. Did God put him in the same room with Rabin so that he could eliminate the Israeli leader and his Oslo process? Or would Amir be imposing his own plan on God? He thought about the bullets in his magazine, the hollow points and the regular rounds. Then he turned his gaze back to Rabin and watched him leave the hall; Amir had missed his chance. But he gleaned valuable information. Rabin was hardly protected. If protests didn't stop the peace process, killing him might be a viable alternative. At home, he related the events to Hagai. It was too early, he told his brother. He needed to build his inner readiness. ~ Dan Ephron

Amir Handjani - Member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, at the Atlantic Council. ~ Amir Handjani