Showing posts with label life. Show all posts

Awakening


H A P P I N E S S

A simple, common word. It’s nothing fancy, nothing grand, nothing posh. You hear it from people of all kind. Everyone can say the word. Everyone can use the word. College degree is not required to get acquaintance with this word. Sounds trivial. Sounds flat. But this word is high on demand. Everyone is craving for it. Everyone seeks it, driven nuts in order to find it. But, it’s just a word. What about it?

You too, I know, is heading to happiness, at least you think you are. But, are you? Do you even know where you’re heading? Happiness is intangible. Happiness is abstract. Happiness is a conception. Ah, perhaps you know! Happiness is... uh, right. What is it again? You know it, but you can’t really put it into words. It’s there, but not quite. How clear your destination is! Happiness. Thus, how will you reach it? Sorry, buddy, google maps ain’t got you nowhere this time.

What is happiness, really? Uh, wait, is it real? Ah, don’t know what to think!

Hey, don’t despair, my friend, let’s contemplate!

You may feel lost now. No worries, you’re not alone. Multitudes out there are still looking for happiness. They may look fine, but who knows inside there’s just a void raging to be filled. Many have wandered through continents, crossed oceans, climbed mountains, yet happiness is still nowhere to be found. Let me tell you a little secret, no matter how far you go, if you don’t know where to look, you will fail. Some may have been ascetics to find happiness, but again, let me tell you. If you don’t know the key, no matter how long you meditate, you won’t succeed!

Now, if you want to know what the key is, take your phone. Open Snapchat. Use the front camera. Apply any filter you like. See anyone there? Or you can just stand in front of a mirror. Or a spoon, whatever, to see your own reflection.

Yep, it’s in you! You hold the key all along, my friend. This key is special, it needs wielding. Just as how Excalibur is only forged to be wielded by Arthur, this key can only be used by you!

Now, let’s find your key.

Still cannot find it?

Well, then maybe you’ve been looking in the wrong direction!

You might always be thinking that happiness is when you get what you want. That sounds to be the true concept of it. But, really? If you can never have what you want, then you can never be happy? Oh, how sad. Luckily, it’s not that. That is what I meant to be the wrong direction.

Happiness is not about getting what you want. Not at all. Truth is, my friend, it’s about loving what you have and realizing how blessed you are to have it. I’ll let this soaked in to your brain. Let’s do a little reasoning. When you have all that you want, but you’re not grateful for it, there’ll always be something lacking. This won’t take you to happiness, but to greed instead. However, if you’re grateful and feel blessed to have it, happiness is yours! If you know how to be grateful, even when you have nothing, you will still hold that happiness.

Slapped? Nice to know you’re awaken.

Freefalling Expectations


Wherever we go, I hope we never leave gratitude behind. Let it accompany us along every step we take. If we spare a little time to think and look back on what we have been through, we will realise a great deal of blessings poured to us. Set aside the thought about how miserable our life is, and think of good things we have. That way, we will feel a little more grateful.

Wait, you still cannot feel grateful? Let’s take another trick. For this one, I have a recent experience. First, let me tell you I am far from pious, I am not yet meet the image of how a Muslim girl should be. I am trying to be, though. On my way there, right now, I am still learning to be grateful. Here is my story.

Ever since I was accepted in the university, I had been wishing to be a part of a language and culture learning service. The idea to be a tutor for foreigners who want to learn our language was intriguing. When the office finally held a selection for tutors, I enrolled right away. I passed the first test, I was grateful. Next phase, I passed it too, another gratitude. I had a high expectation that I would be accepted. As for the last test, I did not hear any news at the supposedly announcement day. Then, I thought maybe I was not accepted. I was a bit disappointed, and my high expectation suddenly dropped. I tried to let go, and kept thinking positive that Allah might have a better way for me. Until a couple of days later, a friend of mine told me my name was on the list of the new tutors! The rush of bliss was unexpectedly high in me. I expressed my gratitude as much as I could, for I did not expect it to happen to me. My gratitude might not be that much if I had known from the start about my acceptance.

Months had passed, and I have been doing my responsibility in tutoring. However, I could not meet the total time allotment due to my activities and my student’s. At the end of a program, I would be given reward for some rupiah, hourly basis. I learnt that my senior earned much amount of money, when the others only received one-third or so of her wage. I was amazed, she said that she was diligent and even hold tutorials every day. No wonder she got that much. Then, I was wondering, how much would I get? I did not apply for the money, but, still, who was not happy to be given money? (:p) I was feeling inferior to this senior. She was so industrious and she got that amount. Compared to her story, I felt like I did not do that much. I did a simple math out of it, and came at a conclusion that I would probably earn a quarter of her amount. Again, my expectation was failed to fly high. I was like, okay, alhamdulillah, I got a reward and I made money on myself, how delightful.

I had not taken my wage until some days ago, when I finally had time. Do you know how I felt when reading a nominal on the envelope? I was so surprised of the amount I got. It was thrice as much as what I expected! An instant gratitude, a great deal of it, hit me in joy. I did not expect to get that much, so my gratefulness was many times greater. If I had not lower my expectation, I might not be grateful that much.

Can you see the pattern from those two occurrences? I did not expect too much of something. Through some disappointments, Allah had reminded me not to expect things too high. Fortunately, I did lower my expectations, so I felt like I had got a great deal of luck. The feeling was indescribably amazing, you should experience it on your own to know. I guess that was an easy way to get you more grateful of something. Remember, guys, if we are thankful, Allah will grant us more. I hope my simple words could help you better yourself.

Simply be grateful for everything, then the life of Riley is only some steps ahead! No te rindas! :)

The Temptation of Procrastinating


Support for you, created by Nala

Procrastinating is a common ‘disease’ among us. I do it a lot, unfortunately. Is it your habit too? Do you think you never procrastinate? Just look back for a while, see how you did your assignments, homework, or other duties. Does it ring a bell? If you are not a procrastinator, then congratulations, you are a special person! As I said, procrastinating has been very common. It means, you are one of a kind if you are not a procrastinator. Of course, it’s a good thing. While if you are, like myself, let’s try not to be anymore.

We often do something in the last minute. We might not mean to do that way, but it happens. Some of us might think that is fine as long as our duties done on time. However, have you ever thought that it’s actually a disturbance in our life? Does a second guess like: it’s actually the devils’ whisper, come across your mind? I’ve been thinking about it, and I think, yes, the devils (syaithan) are involved in our procrastinating.

The relax time in advance offered by procrastinating is very tempting, isn’t it? We enjoy our relax time, so we are reluctant to do something. We always say something like, “I’ll do it later, no need to rush. The deadline is still tomorrow anyway” on and on. You might end up doing nothing. Even if you do it eventually, you’ll be in hurry, and things will be messed up. I procrastinate almost every time. Shame on me. However, I do it in a measured and well-managed time. I usually work on my assignment close to the due date, but not really in the last minute. As a result, I do procrastinate, but I’m still able to do my works carefully, and without any pressure. It works, and I’m fine. Yet, it’s still not good. I have to change to be better.

With this, I invite you to quit being a procrastinator from now on. Let’s try together. Remember, everything needs process. We might move as slow as a snail, but we will surely hit the goal eventually. Slowly but sure, let’s stop procrastinating. To think about procrastinating, there’s no good in it. On the contrary, leaving it behind will give us many advantages.

Don’t do what the devils told you to do! We are the best creature, so we shouldn’t be the devils’ slaves who do whatever they order you. Just picture the devils around you laugh at you for their success in making you do what they say, whenever you’re lazy. Hey, don’t let them trick you! Don’t let them laugh at you! Devils’ whisper might sound tempting, but it will only lead us to destruction. The true happiness waits in the eternity, guys, be patient. Let’s remind each other not to be a procrastinator!

What's More Precious Than Gemstones?



I'm pleased that many muslimah (Muslim girls) have worn hijab (veil/scarf) nowadays. It seems like the number of veiled Muslim girls is increasing. However, some of us are still unsteady in wearing hijab. So, it's kind of ironic. While I'm pleased to the fact that veiled girls increasing, this other fact makes me concerned. Why won't we persist on wearing hijab?

Well, I'm not a perfect Muslim. I'm trying to be, but I know I'm still far from one. I share my thoughts here not to be imperative or patronizing, but to embrace you girls to learn together. I'm just very sad to know some of our sisters take off their hijab, and put it on again sometimes. Or worse, they wear immodest clothes instead. As a sister of those Muslim girls, I feel embarrassed for them and sad at once.

Hey beautiful ladies, don't you see that you're too precious to show your body to those who aren't eligible for you? Let's read again what Muhammad Ali said to his daughters about this (also read: Just Tryna Be Better).
"... everything that God made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to. Where do you find diamonds? Deep down in the ground, covered and protected. Where do you find pearls? Deep down at the bottom of the ocean, covered up and protected in a beautiful shell. Where do you find gold? Way down in the mine, covered over with layers and layers of rock. You've got to work hard to get to them. Your body is sacred. You're far more precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be covered too."

It's more alarming that this phenomenon happens around me in Indonesia, where wearing hijab is no longer a problem. While in other countries where Muslims are just a minority, they've been persistent to wear hijab. Such an ironic, but this is the fact.

Girls, have you got the point? I hope you get the light, and find the better way. If you haven't worn hijab, start now. If you're veiled already, be persistent. If you've been persistently wearing hijab, make sure you dressed appropriately as Allah ordered. If you've been doing so, keep doing, and always improve yourself.

Let's cover our beautiful body! Remember, we are far more precious than gemstones! :)

Let's Be An Ideal Muslim!


Hi, guys! I've been updating this blog lately since I have leisure time after attending lectures, and I've got inspirations thereafter. Okay, this time, let me share what I got today in religion class. Of course this class is different with the one in high school. Yes, it's religion class in college.

I wanna persuade you to be an ideal Muslim. Well, I'm not an ideal Muslim, not yet. But I'm trying to be. Nobody said it was easy. You and I are the same at this point; we're learning how to be an ideal Muslim. So, HOW to be an ideal Muslim? A good question. One thing we have to do is understand Al Qur'an and Hadith. Reading the translation on our own won't be enough. We have to learn with the experts. Because the Quran needs interpretation, we won't get the point just by reading the translation. But of course understanding isn't enough. The most important thing is we have to practice what we got from Quran and Hadith.

Next, how do we know if we're practicing correctly? Another good question. Our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is our role model, for sure. But, my lecturer said that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is beyond the ordinary people, so let's see at how the ordinary people practiced Quran and Hadith. Let the sahabah (companions) be your reference. Sahabah are also ordinary people like we are, but they were able to be the best Muslims. Try to read articles or books about the companions, and figure out their good deeds regarding to Quran and Hadith. Try to imitate those good deeds in your daily life.

After knowing the truth, and modelling the right people, the next thing to do is dakwah and tabligh (persuade and deliver) the truth we've known. Those prior two points are for our own selves, while this one is for others. Muslims are all family, one big family. We need to remind each other about Islam, so we'll be happy together in heaven. That way, we are showing our love and care toward them.

Oh and here's a fun fact: in 24 hours a day, we can actually do our daily activities based on sunnah.
For example, we eat using the right hand while sitting, not blowing our meal even though it's hot, eat all up without any leftover, and so on. There are simple things considered as sunnah, which sometimes are ignored. From now on, let's get used to these good little things.

 One more thing, to be an ideal Muslim, we need a process. We may move like a snail; slowly but making progress. No one expects us to be an ideal Muslim in a blink of eyes.

How can I do those things?
Well, start from YOURSELF. Start by doing LITTLE THINGS (this makes me remember about One Direction's song, Little Things, one of my favourites. Ouch, sorry this is out of topic. Ignore this distraction :p)
When should I start?
NOW!

So, what are you waiting for?


Just Tryna Be Better ;)

Everyone wants to be better. So do I. But, I realize that I'm still far from what ones expect me to be. There are times when I'm awake, and determine not to make the same mistakes. Well, minutes later, I do things like one of One Direction's songs --> we'll play, play, play all the same old games, and we wait, wait, wait for the end to change, and we take, take, take it for granted that we'll be the same, but we're making all the same mistakes.

 Oh, yeah... and by the way, I have attended some spiritual building and training. The result? I'm back to my sinful self. Astaghfirullah... I'm pretty sure, there are a lot of people out there who undergo the same thing as me.

 As one of my effort to be better, I post these quotes. I love these quotes, FYI. Read them, and get influenced!
Piece of Surah Al Kahf, taken by Nala Mazia
“Knock, And He'll open the door. Vanish, And He'll make you shine like the sun. Fall, And He'll raise you to the heavens. Become nothing, And He'll turn you into everything.” ― Rumi
"... everything that God made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to. Where do you find diamonds? Deep down in the ground, covered and protected. Where do you find pearls? Deep down at the bottom of the ocean, covered up and protected in a beautiful shell. Where do you find gold? Way down in the mine, covered over with layers and layers of rock. You've got to work hard to get to them. Your body is sacred. You're far more precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be covered too." ―Muhammad Ali's advice to his daughters when they were wearing clothes that were not modest 
“The world is 3 days: As for yesterday, it has vanished along with all that was in it. As for tomorrow, you may never see it. As for today, it is yours, so work on it.” 
― Hasan Al Basri
"Only Allah can turn a mess into a message, a test into a testimony, a trial into a triumph, a victim into a victory."
"Oh, Allah, when I lose my hopes and plans, help me remember that Your love for me is greater than my disappointments, and Your plans for me are better than my dreams."  ― Ali r.a.
"Leave everything in God's hand, so that you may see God's hand in everything." 

Hope we can be the best people :)


Find the Glimmer Behind the Gloom!


Having hard days, guys? Or maybe you used to have?
We all know that everyone can't be spared from problem, hard times, even misery--not every single day, though.

To be honest, I used to have chains of grief. Yeah, it hit me so badly that I shed my tears every time I recall it. But, no one even know how I felt, until now. An obstacle came, and another did too before I could stand upright. And, FYI, they were things I can't spill to anybody. Consequently, everyone assumes I'm flying high to the sky, whereas I actually hit the ground. It's no biggie for me, as long as I'm still able to find my bliss.

Well, they aren't a big problem anymore. I finally can see the glimmer behind the gloom. I mean, there'll be positive things coming after those obstacles. I'm now in a stage of spotting the glimmer. Later, I'm sure the glimmer will be shown up thoroughly, resulting glare :D

Guys, one thing you must avoid when you're having hard times: don't ever blame The God Almighty. Allah SWT always prepares a far magnificent plan for our future behind the hard test of life. Remember, Allah will never give us test and ordeal out of our ability. Besides, God's test is another name for His blessing toward us. Just don't forget to praise Him all your day, and always be positive thinking! That way you'll get rid of your dark cloud.

Ready to find the shine behind the nimbus? You got to be! ;)

Glimmer behind the gloom
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