Dependence and self-reliance

To character and success, two things, contradictory as they may seem, must go together - humble dependence on God and manly reliance on self.

Focus only on getting help, and we begin to lose our sense of resolve and self-control. Focus only on self-reliance, and we become arrogant and merciless. It is not an either/or choice.

We need to be both dependence and self-reliant.

It's a little like walking, in quick turns, we used both left and right in equal measure. Similarly, we can be aware of the steady flow of both our vulnerability and our inner strength. With both, we stride toward success while strengthening our character.

I am equally aware of my need for divine guidance and my own strong resolve.

Focus on the remedy

Don't find fault. Find remedy! (Henry Ford)

Faults can be glaring, as if a giant spotlight is shining on them. We ,make progress when we deliberately open our focus to include all the resources available to remedy our faults.
Brainstorming, we consider any possibility in the hope of finding one that is feasible.

Then, we give ourselves permission to experiment. It will take trail and error. We will learn from mistakes, but, even while making mistakes, we have broken free of the narrow focus on the fault alone.

So when you see a problem in part of your life, be quick to look for ways to remedy it, rather than focus solely on the problem.

note to AH

Stillness first

One's action ought to come out of an achieved stillness; not to be a mere rushing on.

Much of our busy-ness is just busy work. Once in a while, when we go on vacation or if we take a couple of sick days, we discover that the multitude of day-to-day tasks we hurry to complete can be set aside.

In the stillness, we find a creativity that often is sacrifice to the normal schedule. That creativity is aware of which decision and action really matter.
To rest and consider  - this is important to being human. Hurry begets more artificial rush and stress.

Stillness naturally yields wise action and contentment.

We have to have time to be still, to create a peaceful moment where we can think and ponder before deciding what we will do with our day.

Accepting yourself

To accept ourselves as we are means to value our imperfections as much as our perfections.


It's easy to celebrate our strengths, yet in many ways we we only see our strength in light of our weaknesses.

We usually discover our imperfections as we interact in community and see other's strengths.

Our flaws are precious. By... taking care of ourselves, and through the kindness of our loved ones, we protect our imperfections and see them as part of our vulnerability and humanity.

We find ways to care for others in the areas where they are imperfect.

We have to value both our flaws and our strengths.

To me my weaknesses are precious quirks, I can learn to laugh about them and care for them gently.

Not knowing when the dawn will come, I open every door. I will look for and consider new possibilities, even if they seems a little odd. It may lead to the new dawn I seek. @_@

This is the time for soul searching.

This is not the time for finger pointing, being arrogant, or exerting self-righteousness.
This is the time for humility, self-reflection, and bonding for the sake of God.

This is the time for being calm and collected but determined and focused.

This is the time to side with truth and ...justice.

This is the time of looking inward into our spiritual mirrors.

This is the time for reorientation of our thoughts and emotions.

There is a real danger at this time that our emotions might take over and our sense of balance and the balance of sense might be lost. But remember! Vultures are hovering over us to take advantage of us or even to use this opportunity to tear us apart.

Global injustice prevails. Law of jungle seems to have taken over. ‘Might is right’ is being used as the norm. Poor and the weak are suffering. Truth is being sacrificed at the altar of prejudice and hatred.

This is not the time to indulge in useless arguments.

This is the time to burry our differences once and for all, and demolish any physical or mental or religious barriers that divide us.

War is being thrust upon us. If we remain steadfast and united, Allah guarantees our victory. If we don’t, then we will be on our own. Then Allah will not help us, no matter how much we pray for His help.

The only course we should adopt is the course of unity and balance based on reason and not on emotion.

Let us learn from the Quran the meaning of Siraat-al Mustaqeem, the straight and the most balanced way. We must maintain balance. Otherwise, we will fall.

SEXT

Age cannot reach me where the veils of God have shut me in,
 For me the myriad births of stars and suns do but begin,
And here how fragrantly there blows to me the holy breath,
 Sweet from the flowers and starts and hearts of men
From life and death.

We are NOT old. O heart, we are NOT old.
 The breath that blows
The soul aflame is still a wandering wind
 That comes and goes
And the stirred heart with sudden raptured life a moment glows.

A moment here - a bulrush's brown head in the gray rain;
A moment there -  a child drowned and a heart quickened with pain;

The name of death, the blue deep heaven, the scent of the salt sea;
The spicy grass, the honey robbed from the wild bee

Awhile we walk the world on its wide roads and narrow ways,
And they pass by, the countless shadowy troops of nights and days
We know them not, O happy hearts, for you and I
Watch where within a slow dawn lightens up another sky

Expressing All

It is only expressing all that is inside that purer and purer streams comes.

It might feel safer to keep some of our thoughts inside. Yet, as with any creative process, our spiritual growth often requires us to face, acknowledge, and find safe ways to express all that is inside.

Anger, fear and regrets are emotion that seems too dark to share with anyone. "I'm fine", we say to ourselves and others.

Keep inside those feeling can block the flow of growth and change.

There are useful ways to work through our darkest feelings. We can journal, or talk with a safe friend or counselor.

There maybe a physical exercise that expresses it better than words. Once the internal feelings are released, fresh, renewed thinking can flow.

We need to acknowledge the place in our soul that seem blocked. We will look at these areas and listen for any feelings we need to express.

Fearless focus

Become so wrapped up in something that you forget to be afraid.....that's what fearless focus to me.

We hear it in the voice of a hero interviewed at an accident scene. The reporter asks; 'but weren't you afraid?' Weren't they afraid of the flames, the car wreck, the steep terrain? The answer is always similar; 'no, i just did what anyone would do in the same situation. I didn't have time to be afraid or even to think.

This kind of focus doesn't need crisis to exist. There are many other moments that are not life-or-death scenarios, SUCH AS FACING A DEADLINE, A DAUNTING CREATIVE TASK, OR A COMPLEX RELATIONSHIP.

We can tap into a focus so strong that fear no longer clouds our judgment.
I hope in future, choose to focus wholly on this task or relationship so that we no longer have the space to fret over fears.

To live is so startling it leaves little time for anything else. It's easy to fill our lives with mundane and pretty urgency's.
Make time for life-filled activities first. It is pragmatic? Honestly, not always. A few to-do list item may get lost in the shuffle.
The adjustment may be awkward, but our life becomes richer, our mind more alert, and we are happier as we complete our other task.

Releasing all our concerns, we take this moment to reflect in wonder and gratitude - TO LIVE.

hard work

'it's too hard, maybe it's just not meant to be,' that's what I always told myself. It is the most common excuse to avoid an opportunity disguised as a challenge.


The silver platter arrives, it's placed on our lap, but what lies scattered atop is the upended contents of a puzzle - and it seems someone has made off with the box!

Potentially grand and beautiful yes, but suddenly we realize our dream is going to require thought and energy.

We can't let that moment of re-evaluation discourage us or cause us to shrink. Now is the time to commit wholly to the challenge.

We need to take care of ourselves physically, emotionally, and spiritually to ensure we have the energy and creativity to face what is at hand.

The challenge I am facing is different from others I've had. But, I know I have the skill and experience needed to succeed.

self-discovery.

A single event can awaken within us a stranger totally unknown to us, maybe this is what they called self-discovery.


It could be a significant crisis or a joyful high point, or it could be a humble moment of clarity while taking an evening walk.

A drastic shift comes in our thinking and leaves us reeling with the choice of whether to become a new person or go back to the past.

How do we explain this new attitude to those around us? How do we explain it to ourselves?

The answers are not easy, but we know we will never be the same. Decisive now, we embrace our new identity and the internal and outward change it brings.

There were many events in my life that were completely out of my control. I see how those times have shaped, challenged and transformed me.

Some moments have been especially hard, yet I found the strength to grow through them.

I marvel at my story and at whom I am becoming.

asking

'Many things are lost for want of asking'. Sometimes opportunities are close enough to touch, yet we shy away.


It seems too good to be true, or we're scared of taking the risk of speaking up. The worst that can happen, if we ask, is that we might be told "no". That's the same result as if we hadn't asked at all, so no harm done. Sometimes, however, we get what we ask for - but only if we make request.

When i have a request to make, I will be courageous and ask it. I might be told "no". But, i might be told "yes" and that can be life-changing.

Likeness and difference

There's space within sisterhood for likeness and difference, for the subtle differences that challenge and delight; there's space for disappointment and surprise.

We grow irritated at our loved ones' differences.


Why can't they see things the way we do?

But, their differences are what bring life and surprise into our relationship.

When we loosen the reins of control and let each other be individuals, ...we grow together and appreciate the similarities and contrasts, the joy and challenges.
 
My loved ones and I have a lot in common, we're different too. I'll give them room to be who they are.