"know thyself"

Assalaamu Alaykum, peace be upon you!

Ralph Waldo Emerson said "wherever we are, whatever we do, self is the sole subject we study and learn." What intrigues me is the fact that each and everyday, we learn something about "us." We discover new things and grow. Many of us have routines that we like to follow----but we cant really grow if we're not willing to break those routines. We have to experience life as it comes to us....sometimes it will teach us patience and other times it will teach us gratitude.Every step we take and every air we breath carry lessons if only we were attentive enough to take heed. Sometimes we put barriers between us and other people----maybe we're scared to give life a shot or maybe we've been betrayed before, so we shield ourselves to be protected from getting hurt. Whatever the case, life is not worth living if we're unable to enjoy the simplest things. If we are unable to smile and laugh, if we're unable to focus on the beauty that surrounds us.
The fact of the matter is, we can't really know ourselves if we don't explore what is before us----the world! For a second, try to be spontaneous. Talk to that sister you never interacted with, smile at random people, give compliments to the stranger, explore different food or just do something from that "insha'Allah list of yours." The best way to grow is to let love lead the way, this means that you forgive often, smile more, thank a lot and most importantly judge less. As you go through this soul searching process, know that you can only discover the inner you when you truly let yourself be vulnerable to love. So, allow yourself to feel because to do so completely opens the heart.
Lets explore easy steps to self-improvement---
1. Be a dreamer:
Sometimes we're so focused on work or school and forget to dream about possibilities. Go ahead and daydream---certainly imagination is always better than reality.

2. Be grateful:
Often we look into things we don't have, wishing that we had this or that. This makes us forget to appreciate what we already have. So, start been thankful for the things you have and be happy.

3. Move on with your life and leave the past behind:
We all know how it is, we stay with yesterday when the beauty of today is calling us. Try to live each day as it is, leave the past behind for it may only bring sorrow and disappointment. It's no lie that tomorrow is always a brighter day, so why stay in yesterday's darkness??

4. Get inspired:
Find out what you like and let it inspire you to do good! whether its poetry, painting, or writing---find it and let it be the inspiration that drives your soul.

5. Find time for yourself:
Busy, busy busy aren't we?? we basically have no time for "us." Man, we have more time for facebook and other social networks than for ourselves. Let's start taking some long walks by the lake or reading a book in the balcony while we enjoy the beauty of the sky and what it contains. How about ice cream and some nice movie?

6. Count your blessings!
When was the last time you appreciated your health, food, roof on top of your head and your loving family? Always look at the less fortunate person right next you and remember to say "Alhamdulillah" for truly the blessings of our Lord cannot be counted!

7. LOVE:
Yep, give much love to all people and be respectful---the more you give it, the more you receive it.

8. Ignore failures:
They always set us back.....you failed? so what, how many times did you succeed? focus on all the positive things and one failure should not put you down.

9. Take baby steps:
Change doesn't happen over time----start with small goals and achieve them. Then go up a level higher till you  cannot be stopped.

10. Make dua:
Last but not least, remember to make dua for success only comes from God almighty. Ask of Him for help and support, thank Him for all he has given you and most of all love Him with all your heart.

A teardrop

----Bismillah---

Assalaamu Alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh, peace be upon ya'll!

Sometimes it is hard to go on with life because it all seems so blurry and so meaningless. It hurts to not enjoy what you loved the most, to always feel so empty inside, to forever be lonely even though you're surrounded by many who love you. Oh, how you wish people actually saw what was inside of you, how you wish they could read your mind and comfort your aching heart, but you feel all alone in this strange state of painful emotions and heartache. It feels as though there is an actual void in your heart--one you never knew existed. The worst thing about this is that you cannot ever remember the last time you ever had a genuine smile and felt happy. Most often you break down in tears yet you don't know or understand why your tears flow uncontrollably. This pain you're going through is so unbearable yet you choose to go through it alone because you do not wish to worry those you love. So, you struggle to fake your smile, to fake your laughter and to fake who you used to be. Often you seclude yourself so the need to "fake" anything does not rise---however, you really want this out of your system and would love someone to talk to, someone to lend you a shoulder to really cry on, someone to give you a comforting hug and tell you its going to be alright. The reality is though, people look at you but they never see the pain you hide inside. You ask "Am I really good at faking or do people just ignore me? or Is there anyone who could ever see through my eyes and see the scars in my heart?"

The answer is YES....there is someone who sees your every pain, hears your silent cries, and works very hard to heal your heart. Its no other but the one who created you from dust and the one you shall return to. Allaah ta'ala is closer to you than anyone and He can help you through anything. You just have to completely trust His divine help and give your heart to him.

PS: I know its hard to do that part because of feeling empty within, but know that help is only with Allaah, so if it hurts too much, be close to Him--talk to him through your prayers and let His divine words heal you. Also know that you're not alone in this state of depression and loneliness. Dont be afraid to talk to someone you trust---even if it means that person sees your weakness through the tears! Don't ever be scared of putting your feeling out there because concealing your pain only makes it worse----

If all fails, keep a journal and write away all that pain---trust me you're going to lose so many tears and will not be able to finish a page, but by the time you're done, you're going to feel a lot better insha'Allah and always make dua to Allaah and ask Him to heal your heart! </3

FaFirru ILLA-ALLAAH! "Flee onto Allah"

BismiAllah!
Assalaamu Alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh,

I hope and pray that this reaches you in the best of health/imaan.

This dunya is filled with a lot of temptations and a lot of misguidance. It is no surprise that we sometimes lose it all and give up. There are these moments in life in which you feel like a fly with a damaged wing---falling every time you try to get back up from some bumps in life and moments in which you feel so empty within...alone in your own world. There is no denial in the fact that as we sail through the wonders of this Dunya, we sometimes lose our sense of direction and purpose. We lose our sense of self and start indulging in the moments that fill us up with instant pleasures---and consequently, we slowly start losing our connection with Allaah ta'ala.

The question is though, how does one loose connection with Allaah? How does one slowly become a victim of misery and loneliness? Well, dear reader, the answer is in the words of our beloved prophet (Sala-Allah alahi Wasalaam). Consider the flowing Hadith:  on the authority of Hammad Ibn Salamah, on the authority of Abu Jafar, on the authority of his grandfather Umayr Ibn Habib al-Khatmi, one of the Companions of the Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam), that he [the Prophet] said: "Iman increases and diminishes." He was then asked: "How does it increase and diminish?" He replied: "If we hold Allah in remembrance, praise Him, and glorify Him, our Iman increases. But if we hold Allah in little remembrance, our Imaan diminishes."

Like everything else in this Dunya, if one doesn't constantly work on beautifying and perfecting his/her Imaan, it will soon begin to diminish. Imaan is in need of nourishment and great care for it feeds the soul just as food feeds the body. As the prophet SalaAllahu Alahi wasalaam mentioned, the nourishment for our Imaan is remembrance of Allah.  When one becomes so focused in this Dunya, finding little or no time for Islamic activities, they start to forget Allaah ta'ala. They begin to do things that make their hearts hard as rock--indulging in the disobedience of their creator. However, deep inside it hurts to commit those sins, it hurts to go against the rules and regulation of Allaah and it hurts to face him once it's all done.

A person then goes through a period of depression--giving up hope on the one up above. They become fearful of going back to Allaah and making things straight with Him. They feel shameful of their wrong-doings that they constantly find themselves crying without a reason. However, they cant really force themselves to go ahead and make proper repentance---by praying to Ra'akts and asking for Allaah's forgiveness and guidance. This isn't because they do not want to do proper repentance, but because they're in great shame and are afraid of standing before the king of kings!

But how can one be shameful or scared to go back to Allaah ta'ala? Dear, know that Allaah does not reject anyone so flee unto Him when you lose track. For indeed your Lord is, the oft-forgiver, the most merciful, the most loving and the patient one---how then can you be scared of rushing to go back to him? The truth is that Allaah loves those who repent to Him, those who seek him after they have been lost. He loves it when a believer returns to Him seeking nothing but forgiveness and mercy and unlike humans---Allaah does not hold grudges! So dear, when you feel down, when you lose hope and when you feel like no one can help you....take few minutes and flee unto Allaah for He will never disappoint you.

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وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُواْ لِى وَلْيُؤْمِنُواْ بِى لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ

And when My servants ask you (O Muhammad concerning Me, then answer them:), I am indeed near. I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me.

So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright. (Surah al Baqarah v. 186.)

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Assalaamu alaykum Warahmatullah wabarakatuh,

I hope this reaches you in the best of health/imaan.

If ya'll havent seen the movie "A Beautiful Mind" you should see it now. I know it is old news now, but I am currently watching it for my Abnormal Psychology assignment and I just LOVE it. I am fascinated by the Schezopheranic brain. Watch it heree....



Watch A beautiful Mind Online for Free - Stream A beautiful Mind Putlocker, Novamov, Megavideo