LESSON OFTHE DAY 462

Ayahs of the Day:
So openly expound what you have been directed, and turn away from the polytheists: We are enough for you against those who ridicule--those who put another god with the God. But they will come to know. [15: 94,95,96]

Hadith of the Day:
Our Lord descends to the nearest heaven every night, until there remains only a third of it, and says: "Who will call upon Me so that I may answer them? Who will petition Me so that I may bestow upon them? Who will seek forgiveness so that I may forgive them?" [Bukhari & Muslim]

Wise Quote of the Day:
When asked about what you do not know, do not be ashamed to say you do not know; and when you do not know something, do not be embarrassed to learn it; [Ali radi Allah anhu]

Guidance of the Day:
Seek first to understand. Essentially, "seek first to understand" implies that you become more interested in understanding others and less in having other people understand you. It means mastering the idea that if you want quality, fulfilling communication that is nourishing to you and others, understanding others must come first. When you understand where people are coming from, what they are trying to say, what's important to them, and so forth, being understood flows naturally; it falls into place with virtually no effort.

When you reverse this process, however (which is what most of us do most of the time), you are putting the cart before the horse. When you try to be understood before you understand, the effort you exert will be felt by you and the person or people you are trying to reach. Communication will break down, and you may end up with a battle of two egos.

Seeking first to understand isn't about who's right or wrong; it is a philosophy of effective communication. When you practice this method you'll notice that the people you communicate with will feel listened to, heard, and understood. This will translate into better, more loving relationship. [Don't Sweat The Small Stuff]

Food for Thought:
Each day we are faced with opportunities to help others, to forgive them, to have compassion for them, to be tolerant of them. Do we seize these opportunities, or do we let them slip by?