Change is Within You

If you want something to change, you have to look into your own hands.
The answer is there… within you.
Change yourself.
Reflect your changed self onto the world around you.
Only then can you change your world.
As Ghandi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Radiate Confidence

Be confident!
If you are shy and withdrawn, then others also may not know how to approach you.
If you stand tall and be yourself, others will be receptive.
Don't let negativity bring you down- that's their issue to solve.
Be confident within yourself to grow.
If you cannot find true confidence, then pretend.
If you don't know how to pretend, then smile.
Be open to receive the world around you.
Little by little, your smile will grow into confidence and strength.
It will empower you to be who you are and want to be.

Expectations

There is comfort when we approach life without expectation.
Accept what is given, as it is.
Respect those giving it, as they are.
Absorb the environment, as it is.
Let it penetrate your heart to change you for the better.

Assalamu aleykum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh,

I pray you are in the best of health and iman. Ameen.

Do you ever lose or forget your direction? Knowing you used to be in a better place and wondering how to get there again from where you are?

This is my thought lately, I suppose. I need to find a way to get where I was from where I am today because although I cannot go backwards, I must move forward.

May Allah, subhnnahu wa ta'alla, guide us on the right path and grant strength, peace and wisdom along the way. Ameen.

What Draws You ~Rumi

There are two types on the path, those

who come against their will, the blindly religious,

and those who obey out of love.

The former have ulterior motives.

They want the midwife near because she gives them milk.

The others love the beauty of the nurse.

The former memorize the prooftexts of conformity

and repeat them. The latter disappear

into whatever draws them to God.

Both are drawn from the source.

Any motion is from the mover.

Any love from the beloved.

Assalamu aleykum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh,

I pray you are in the best of health and iman. Ameen.

I haven't written for a while and really not sure what to.

Last week, my husband took me to a poetry night. He's been trying to get me to go for about four months now. For one reason or another, we've not been able to go. So, last week we finally made it. His intention was to have me read one of my poems. I'm glad we were late and I was not able to sign up to read. It was good though, in many ways. Next time I may read. It motivated me to start working on my book again. And... it was a nice date with my hubby. :)

Assalamu aleykum wa rahmautllah wa barakatuh,

I pray you are in the best of health and iman. Ameen.

On my mind today is relationships. It’s been on my mind for a while. There are many of those cute sayings about our internal walls and justifying their existence. For example, “I didn’t build this wall to keep anyone out. I built it to find out who loves me enough to climb over it.” It makes sense, right?? Of course we want to be loved. After being hurt a few times, we start to think that our new love needs to prove himself so that we know he is safe for us to love. Is this fair? Furthermore, if our new love does not climb over that wall in the way we expect him too, then he fails our test. It’s not fair. Ironically, we still get hurt because our shining knight didn’t come for us.

What those cute little sayings don’t tell us is that perhaps our shining knight has been hurt too. He has built up his own fortress or walls. Although a damsel may not be expected to climb over his walls, she still may need to prove her worthiness.

So, here we are… two very lovable people with beautifully high walls, both protected and waiting for a savior to come and rescue their hearts. I ask this… If two people are waiting for each other, how are they to find each other? I see you and you see me, but our hearts are not connected because of our self-defense.

The solution: someone (or both) must change. Someone must take the first step to climbing over those walls. Perhaps we should climb over our own walls instead of expecting someone else to do it for us. Then, when we break free from the barrier of our painful memories, we can knock at the gate door of our love. Upon hearing that knock, we must be brave knights and damsels so we can open the door. Only then, we can live happily ever after. J

May Allah, subhannahu wa ta’alla, give us the strength to love without limits and without expectations. Ameen.
~ December 1, 2010