A sudden death game

Alhamdulillaah, when we left after the game event, I could go back to the office to get some things done, I could get the car that was parked near my office. I could attend class after that, and then meet my children and husband. I could return home, and lie on my bed. this morning, I'm having breakfast with my family and friends.

But not for Daniel.

He didn't know he'd leave this world at the game. He could not go back to office to clear his desk, or get his car, or return home and lie on his bed, or say goodbye to his family.

Last night I looked at my stuff in my room. And I thought about the stuff on my office desk. (Daniel will not be able to finish the project we were discussing). I should get rid of some things. I should leave behind things that would benefit others, insyaaAllaah.

Everyone knows death can come anytime, but it's not something that's on our minds often. Then something like this happens, like a slap of reminder to you. May God guide us all.

Muslimah aging gracefully.

As much as I don't want to grow old, I am. As much as I want to be young, I can't. There are just some things that does not fit already, even if I naturally feel it. I should not act it out.

I have imagined how I'd like to look like when I grow old. Perhaps like Jane (monkey researcher). She looks slim, capable, healthy and alert.   I would like to be able to think and speak wisely. I don't want to be weak and dependent on others.

"I don't want to be dependent on others" - I guess some old people feel that way too.  Perhaps that is why some of them seem stubborn about doing things on their own.  But I don't want to be that stubborn old woman too.  I don't want to be a burden to my children.

I want my children to able to be proud of me. To ensure that, I need to present a clean and confident image of myself. I must look well and dress well. I must not look sloppy. I have a lot of work to do to achieve that.

I strongly believe that Allaah has paved a way for us to achieve a healthy lifestyle. Our daily prayers, done properly helps us stretch and move our body regularly, and only God knows how much more hidden benefit there is for us, physically, mentally and spiritually.

Memorising and reciting the Quran regularly, helps keep our brains active and healthy, because we make use of them for a purposeful, needful and beneficial task.

Food intake should also be as per sunnah. Eat a little, stop before you're full, eat meat sparingly, sit when you're drinking. Appreciate all that Allaah has given to us. Be thankful to others too.

Purpose of Life

life pass fast
time is scarce

all these tests
they don't last

your soul's behest
to always redress

do your best
know you're blessed

-madame blossom-

Balancing Self Confidence and Humility

I attended a Middle Management course at work.

I work for a Japanese company whose founder's philosophy in life and business matches very well with my deen.   They include gratitude and humility.

There are a few interesting points I hear in the course that  I'd like to note. 

1. Do people respect you for your position or for who you really are?

To ponder.

2. When you have an objective, have you questioned WHY the objective is so important to you?

3. When speaking, use words that heal, not words that kill.

4. If you want to be a student, the world is your teacher.

5. Humility is an important trait.   The speaker says, it may be difficult or tricky to balance humility with self confidence - that is the confidence you have in your work.

In Islam, there is a way to manage that - it is when we all know that whatever skills or power or wealth we have, we only got it because God permits us to have it.  They are by God's will.  And God can take it away anytime.  If we remember that, insyaaAllaah, we can continue to be confident in our work, but at the same time, be humble, knowing that all is from God. 

Another part of humility is knowing that the more we know, the more we should realise that there are more than we don't know.  We are right, but we may be wrong; they are wrong, but they may be right,

And we know that we are put on this earth, to do good.  As such, if God has granted us the skills or the power or wealth, they are only to be used, to do more good. 

Aamiin.

Life skill

We need skills to be successful in this world.

What is skill?  Skill is a habit.

A habit is acquired through repeated actions, until it becomes something that does not require a person to extensively plan or think about.  It becomes the person's subconscious effort.

Part of having that skill, is the ability to express ourselves in that area, and explain it in a clear manner.

That is also why it is important for us to practise writing down what we've learned, in our own words - be it in school, at work or in life.